I was smiling when I came home. Naabutan ko sa living room si Kuya Zan na ngiting-ngiti habang nakatutok sa cellphone niya. I smiled before letting out a laugh, so he noticed my presence. Baka nakikipag-chat siya kay Ate Feona, ang girlfriend niya.
"Kuya, parang natatae itsura mo. If Ate Feona's here, she would laugh at you," I said before cackling. I walked toward him and leaned closer to see what's on his phone. Aba at malay ko ba kung ano na ang pinag-uusapan nila ni Ate Feona.
He glared at me. Akala niya ba ay matatakot niya ako sa pagtingin nang masama sa akin? Sa buong buhay ko ba namang nakikita ang ganiyang mga tingin niya, nasanay na ako.
"Just shut up, go to your room, and sleep, Zen. Pambihira, bitter ka lang kasi wala kang jowa, e." Then he laughed like there's no tomorrow. Ngumiwi ako at mahinang sinuntok ang balikat niya. He made a painful grimace. Iyan ang napapala ng masamang kuya.
"For your information, I met someone earlier. Korean 'yon, kuya. He's cute and has a kind heart. Share ko lang, para manliit ka sa sarili mo."
"Mas gwapo ako do'n, 'no. Look at me. I have a very handsome face, little sister," he said, having a proud smile plastered on his face. Tumitig naman ako sa kaniya hanggang sa unti-unting napuno ng pandidiri ang mukha ko. Natawa ako bago tumayo.
"Matutulog na lang ako, kuya. I'm tired of hearing lies, okay? 'Wag ka munang dumagdag."
I was about to go to my room when he spoke.
"Zen?" I turned to him. Ang seryoso na ng mukha ko niya ngayon. What's with the sudden change of mood? May pagka-moody talaga itong kuya ko, e.
"Hmm?"
"You okay?"
Tumaas ang isang kilay ko bago siya pinanliitan ng mga mata. He looks concerned or what? Minsan lamang maging ganito ka-seryoso si Kuya Zan. Did something happen? Did I miss something?
"Yes, why?"
"Kent called."
Bigla akong napatingin sa kaniya. Kent? We just broke up. Why would he call? Seryoso kong binalingan si kuya bago muling umupo sa tabi niya.
"And then?" I don't want to sound interested or what, so I kept my words short. Nakakapagtaka lamang talagang tumawag pa siya. For what?
I sighed. Kuya liked Kent for me. Si Kent ang kauna-unahang boyfriend ko. Botong-boto si kuya kay Kent dahil for keeps daw talaga iyon. But then he cheated, so should I agree with Kuya Zan that he's for keeps?
"Tinanong kung pwede raw bang makipag-usap sa 'yo. I told him you're not at home. May nangyari ba? He sounded sad that time," kuya said, sounding curious. Ngumiti ako bago nagsalita.
"We broke up. He texted me hours ago. Sabi niya break na raw kami. Well, okay lang naman sa akin. Matagal ko nang hinihintay 'to. I wanted him to be free. Hindi ko na siya mahal, at alam niya 'yon. He told me before that he would try winning my heart, again. I let him, pero wala na talaga. Sinabi ko sa kaniyang pwede niya akong sukuan kasi masasaktan na lang siya sa akin, but he insisted. Hinayaan ko na lang din dahil choice niya naman 'yon. Saka, ayaw kong ako 'yong makipaghiwalay sa kaniya kasi mas masasaktan siya. So, I just waited for this time, 'yong makikipaghiwalay na siya sa akin. I just didn't expect that he would end us through a text message."
"Wow." Iyon lamang ang reaction ni kuya. He was speechless, maybe because he didn't expect what I just said. Kahit sino naman siguro ay magugulat. He stared at me, slowly nodding, and asked, "What about the Korean guy you just met?"
I smiled, remembering him and what we did earlier. I just couldn't stop smiling whenever I think of his cuteness and innocence.
"Zen, don't tell me you're start--"
