Veni Vidi Amavi

VI: Sorry, Sir.

Katatapos ko lang magsampay nang nilapitan ako ni Rayo.

"Ate, may lakad ka ba ngayon?"

"Wala. Bakit?"

"I need to buy something for my project. Can you go with me to the mall?" may bahid nang paglalambing ang boses ng kapatid ko. But this is kinda new. He seldom asks me to accompany him. Pero dahil wala naman akong gagawin ngayong Sabado, I obliged.

"Ma alis na po kami ni Rayo." pagpapaalam ko kay Mama na busy sa ginagawa niyang cupcakes. We kissed her goodbye before we left.

It's a sunny day and I'm wearing a floral shorts romper. I feel pretty wearing it. Hindi ako palaging nakakapag ayos ng ganito dahil sa simbahan naman ang punta namin kada linggo diretso grocery pa kaya palaging jeans ang ayos ko tuwing kasama si Mama.  I also let my hair down in beach waves. Daming time, Moris! I smiled to myself feeling my spirits lifted. Hindi naman masamang paminsan minsan ay mag ayos ng para sa sarili, hindi ba?

Pinagmasdan ko ang kapatid ko na nauna nang naglakad. He's grown so much, I thought. Kung titingnan ay hindi siya mapagkakamalang nakababatang kapatid dahil di hamak na matangkad siya kumpara sa'kin. Add the fact that he got Papa's side of having broad shoulders. Papasa ngang model itong kapatid ko. Kaya hindi kataka taka na sa tuwing nasa labas kami, nililingon talaga siya ng mga babae, minsan mga bading din.

"Amoris!" pabiro niyang tawag nang mapansing hindi ako nakasunod. He went back and dragged me to match his pace.

"Dito ka sa tabi ko, Ate. Nakakailang nginingitian ako nung babae kanina. " naiirita niyang sabi. If anything, Rayo is a well-mannered man, ang kaso, mahiyain ito lalo na kapag pinagtitinginan siya.

"Ang gwapo kasi ng baby boy namin e!" I pinched his nose and he pinched both my cheeks in return.

"Sayang, sis. Taken na yata." sabi ng dumaan na babae sa kasama nito, they were smiling at my brother.

Na-miss kong makipag bonding sa kapatid ko kaya naman sabi ko ay susulitin namin ang araw. Matagal nadin simula nang kaming dalawa lang ang lumabas dahil bukod sa palagi akong lunod sa trabaho, he's busy with his studies. This is a rare chance for both of us so might as well make the most out of it.

After he bought the supplies for his project, I asked him kung saan niya gustong kumain. Maybe I can spend a little bit more dahil sigurado naman ako na matagal na ulit bago namin maulit ito. I mentally calculated the cash in my wallet, kasya pa naman kaya sige.

"Parang... masarap mag blueberry cheese cake." pagpaparinig ko sa kanya. I know that's his favorite, and he has a specific store where to get it.

"Ha ha! You're just teasing, Ate. 'Wag na! Mahal." tanggi niya. Pero I can sense that if I say we can get it, hindi na siya magpapapilit.

"Tsk! Halika na." I was tugging his hand going to the café na ilang metro nalang ang layo. Nagpapabigat siya kaya naman hirap akong hatakin siya. Such a considerate brother I have. "Rayo, it's okay. 'Lika na, I won't buy you the whole cake though, but.. two slices maybe?"

I was embracing his arm as I lure him to say yes. Ako na nga manlilibre, ako pa naglalambing. Masyado yatang understanding ang kapatid ko, not that I'm complaining.

Nag-isip lang siya ng sandali hanggang sa sumilay ang ngiti niya. Ha! I knew he can't say no to his favorite.

"And chocolate mint frappe perhaps?" my eyebrows are dancing as I entice him. Hindi na 'to makakatanggi!

Rayo nodded fast. Of course I felt happy about it. Minsan ko na nga lang mapamper itong kapatid ko, might as well itodo ko na ngayon.

We went inside the café and I told Rayo to choose a table for us before I went to the counter. Medyo madami ang tao ngayon, maybe because it's a Saturday afternoon and everybody just wants to have their good dose of sugar after a tiring week.