Sinalubong kaming dalawa ni Kevin ng isang lalaki na halos kasingtangkad niya. Singkit 'yong mga mata at neatly-trimmed 'yong buhok na nakaslick-back. Mukha siyang anghel. Ang kinis pa ng mukha.
"Hi there, beautiful. I'm--"Hindi natapos ng lalaki ang pagpapakilala Niya dahil hinila na ako ni Kevin patalikod sa kanya.
"Back off, Zeus."Kevin said with a glare but the othet guy only laughed.
"Woah. Possessive, Kevin Chen. Kalma lang. Mukha namang hindi magpapaagaw ang girlfriend mo kahit na mas gwapo ako sayo."nakangising pahayag nito.
"Tss. Where's my sister?"
"Nasa kotse pa. Mag-eeleven na pala si Tala ano?"sambit ni Zeus na nakangiti habang sabay kaming tatlo na naglakad papunta sa kinaroroonan ng kotse niya. "Ang bilis ng panahon. Dati kinakarga ko pa 'yon. Ngayon dude, ni ayaw pahawak."
"Ba't mo naman kasi hahawakan ang kapatid ko?"He asked in a possessive and protective tone.
"Inalalayan lang. Tsk."depensa niya sabay iling. Iba ang nakikita ko lalo na ng bahagyang sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya.
Nagpatiuna ito para sa pagblindfold kay Tala. Hindi pa pwedeng makita niya kami.
"Crush ni Tala si Zeus."kwento ni Kevin na nagpagulat sa'kin. "Eight years old nowadays have crushes already. Unbelievable. Kung hindi niya naiwang nakabukas ang diary niya, hindi ko malalaman."
"Diary is something personal and private. Hindi mo dapat binasa 'yon."I scolded him.
"Everything happens for a reason. If I didn't know about it, I won't be able to protect my sister from the possibilities of getting her heart broken."He reasoned. "Tala is still too young and Zeus is an asshole."
"I heard kuya's voice."Tala's sweet voice was heard. "Hey Zeus! Is kuya with you?"
"Nope, kiddo. I told you, this is my surprise. Just mine. Wala ang kuya mo dito. Malamang busy sa girlfriend niya. Nakalimutan ka na no'n."nakangising sabi ni Zeus na nakatingin kay Kevin kahit na inaalalayan niya sa paglalakad ang nakapiring sa matang si Tala.
"Gago."Kevin cussed.
"You are a total asshole, Monteverde."Tala snapped back. "Kuya loves me. What's this surprise ba kasi? If you are only playing pranks on me, I swear, I will let kuya know."
"Why does my sister know about asshole? Tsk."Kevin muttered making me chuckle silently.
"She knows one at home, I guess."pagbibiro ko.
"Bawiin mo 'yon, Park. I'm not an asshole. I don't break girls' hearts like this typical Zeus is fond of doing."
"I was just joking."
"You made sense though. I was an asshole at some points."
"Nice. You knew it."I said scornfully. "You are really mean."
Hindi ko na siya hinayaang sumagot dahil hinabol ko na si Zeus at Tala. Nasa tapat na sila ngayon ng dalawang malaking camping tent na nakaset-up. Sa labas nito ay may picnic mat. Mayamaya pa ay nakalapit na si Kevin sa'min. Kinuha niya 'yong cake saka pumwesto sa harap.
"Happy birthday, Kiddo."I heard Zeus greeting her in a low voice before taking the blindfold off her eyes.
"Kuya!"She delightfully chirped upon seeing her brother.
"Happy birthday, little star."Kevin greeted.
After Tala blew the candle on the cake, she quickly hugged her brother. Naaliw ako habang pinapanood sila. Halos ayaw na kasing pakawalan ni Tala ang kuya niya.