Paper Planes

Four

Brylle's

I was waiting for a reply but it seems like nothing will come. Kumibit-balikat ako at humiga sa kama.

The first time I saw Clair, biglang tumigil ang lahat, nagkaroon ng slo-mo. I bet she felt the same too with our eyes locked that time... alam kong naramdaman niya rin.

I know it sounds stupid but it happened, really.

"Kuya!" I heard a cute voice calling me. Pumasok siya sa kwarto, bitbit ang paboritong manika niya na niregalo ko sa kanya way back when she was 1 year old.

I smiled when she jumped at me. Umupo ako and let her sit on my lap.

"What is it Bri?" I asked while combing her smooth hair. She's such a cutie.

She turned to me. "Mom wants you to buy the foods needed for tonight's," her cute voice responded. "While me, I'll help her."

I nodded as a response. Tumayo na siya at bababa na sana but turned to me first, "And Kuya, I want to see Ate Clair later. I'm expecting," she said habang pinanliitan ako ng mata.

I laughed at her as I'm shaking my head. This girl... how did she knew the name?

Nag-ayos na ako at naghintay ng ilang segundo for a paper plane bago bababa pero walang dumating. I shrugged again.

Maybe she's just shy. Unang tingin ko pa lang kasi sa kanya ay ramdam ko nang may pagkamahiyain siya.

'Or not interested?' the corner of my mind added. I shook the thought away.

I go down stairs and took the list at the kitchen counter at lumabas na. I even glanced at Clair's balcony room before I hopped into the car.

*

As I was looking for the only one thing that's at the end of the list, may nabangga ako. I helped her picked up her things.

"I'm sorry," sabi niya and then kinuha ang mga gamit niya. She looks like she's in a hurry kaya pinabayaan ko na lang, although may namumukhaan ako sa kanya.

She looks like the girl my father was trying to introduce to me but I declined. Hindi ko kasi talaga masyadong nakita yung mukha niya, 'cause clearly? I don't give a shit.

I don't like my father with his business. Mas lalo akong naiirita. He's goddamn workaholic na parang wala siyang pamilyang inuuwian.

And I don't like it. Only he cares about his fucking business.

Nang nahanap ko na iyong mga nasa listahan ay binayaran ko na'to at lumabas na ng mart. While I was driving, isa lang talaga ang iniisip ko.

Nagrespond kaya siya?

Hanggang sa nakarating na ako ng bahay ay muli akong sumulyap sa kwarto niya. The lights were on and someone's silhouette is pacing back and forth.

I smiled, siguro pupunta siya.

Pumasok na ako at bumungad sa akin si Brianna na nakasuot na ng isang pink dress with gray accents while still holding her doll. Also the doll has the same outfit as hers.

Tumawa ako and shook my head at my little sister.

"Kuya, what are you laughing at? Ibigay mo na yan kay mommy and go up stairs to get fixed!" she demanded like a boss kaya mas lalo akong napatawa.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at ginulo ang buhok niya. "Okay, little princess," I said.

"Kuya! yung buhok ko, kakasuklay ko lang nito e." I shook my head again at umakyat na.

As I was about to go get a shower, may eroplanong papel akong nakita sa sahig.

I quickly picked it up and opened it as another smile crept on my face.

She did.