The Martinez Siblings Book I: Because I Love You

CHAPTER XIII: Mon amour

"You know Stace, I don't know if I will be thankful that this happened." Out of the blue, ay biglang nasabi ni Caitlin.

Napahinto si Stacey sa pag-aayos ng mga prutas na dala niya. "Why would you say that?" "You know, at least we can stay here for a bit longer."

Nangingiting nilapitan ang kapatid.

"You are smiling and yet your forehead is creased." Sita nito.

"Because I am worried, mon amour." How can her sister act like nothing happened, samantalang naka-cast ang kanang kamay at isang leg nito. Plus additional stitches. "How about your dream of becoming an influencer?"

Ipinag-kibit balikat nito ang sinabi niya. "I can be one when I grow up." She smiled cheerfully na ikina-iling ni Stacey. "Anyway, have you meet my doctor?" maya-maya'y pag-iiba nito.

Sandali siyang natigilan. Sa tuwing iche-check kasi ang kapatid ni Andrew ay sinasadya niyang umalis. Hindi parin kasi siya komportableng nakikita ito ng matagal. In a rare occasions ay tina-timingan niyang may kasama ito or nasa reception kapag may itatanong siya tungkol kay Caitlin

"He's handsome, Stace bukod pa sa mabait and gentle siya. And good Lord I always forget to ask kung single siya."

"You are talking as if you don't see handsome men in Canada." Nakatikwas ang kilay na komento niya, trying to ignore the praises she's giving to Andrew. "Not to mention the mix nationalities in your school." She told her. Nag-aaral si Caitlin sa isang English school sa Toronto kung saan mix ang nationality ng estudyante

Nagusot ang mukha ni Caitlin. "You know Canadians are not that attractive. And for your second sentence Stacey, you just said the word, they were just boys." Disappointment registered on her lovely face as she rolled her eyes.

"Really!" She exclaimed at pinanlakihan niya ito ng mata. "How can you say that? Your father is pure Canadian."

Natatawang itinaas nito ang kamay na walang cast. "I won't lie just because Dad is Canadian. Come on Stace, even you are having a hard time looking for someone to be in a relationship with. I'm not sure kung dahil lang sa mataas ang standard mo or you haven't moved on from your first love."

"H-How did you know about that!"

"I asked tita Eden before. I was wondering why you don't want to visit Philippines." Ipinagkibit-balikat nito ang tungkol sa pagkakaalam nito ng tungkol sa bagay na yun. "You know I'm still sad that she's no longer here." Nabahiran ng lungkot ang tinig ni Caitlin.

Ipinagpasalamat niyang hindi gaanong naka-focus sa sariling reaksyon ang kapatid. Kung hindi ay nakita sana nito ang bahagyang pagdaan ng emosyon sa mga mata niya dahil sa isang tinuran nito.

You shouldn't feel anything, Stacey! Nadadala ka lang ng damdamin mo dahil sa muling pagkikita niyo ni Andrew. But he's got nothing to do with you, anymore.

Naputol ang pag-uusap nilang magkapatid nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone. Nagsalubong ang kilay niya nang makita ang numerong naka-register sa screen.

"Sigmund!" excited niyang sagot. Sandaling tinakpan ang cellphone at nilingon ang kapatid. "You should rest."

"Jeez Stace, don't call me that!"sabi ng nasa kabilang linya.

Natatawang nag-excuse si Stacey at lumabas ng silid ng kapatid. "How did you know my local number?" Excited niya sabi.

"Jeez, how can I not? Of course, I asked your mother."

Kumustahan silang dalawa ng lalaki. Kaklase niya sa University of British Columbia ang nasa kabilang linya. Half-Filipino, half-French based in Vancouver si Sigmund. "I still don't know, babe," aniya nang tanungin nito kung kailan ang balik niya ng Vancouver. Isinalaysay ang dahilan ng pagkaka-stuck nilang magkapatid sa Pilipinas. They used to see each other at least twice a month. Sa lahat ng naging kaklase niya sa university ay ito ang sobrang napalapit sa kanya to the point na nakilala nito ang buong pamilya niya.