Delicate

TWO

"Hi! Can I take your order?" Lapit sa amin ni Nicola pagka upo namin. As if on cue, Kuya Zagreb arrived as well.

"What's your special right now, Nicola?" Kuya Reb asked as he sat down. Ate Nicola was shocked as she saw Kuya. Okay, that was weird. Nang makabawi ay sumagot ito kay Kuya.

"We have Tagaytay Paradise Set. Good for three." Ate Nicola responsed. Kuya formed a grin as he nods.

"Tagaytay Paradise. How interesting." He said. I saw Ate Nicola swallow the lump on her throat as she looked at Kuya. What the fuck?

"We'll take that, Ate Nicola. Also a blueberry cheesecake for dessert." I said. Kuya laughed, still looking at Nicola.

"I'm pretty sure Blueberry Cheesecake is included on that set. Am I right, Nicola?" Kuya asked. It confuses me how his words seems to affect Ate Nic so much. Anong mayroon sa Tagaytay Set na yan?

"Y-yes. I'll bring it over." She said and left us. Agad kong pinalo ang walanghiya kong kuya. He laughed and rubbed the area I just hit.

"What?" He asked and chuckled. I saw Atlas laugh and shake his head as well. Ang mga gago! Anong alam nito na hindi ko alam?

"What's up with that Tagaytay thing? Don't fool me, Zagreb Alva de Ruiz. Hindi ako tanga." I told my brother and crossed my arms together. Atlas looked at me still, as I try to convince my brother to tell me what's the deal.

"Nothing for you to worry about. Child." Atlas said, teasing me. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows. A child? A fucking child? I scoffed and Kuya watched us in amusement.

"Excuse me? Basic knowledge to dapat pero let me explain still. The term child ranges from 0-12 years old." Ngumiti ako at inilabas ang driver's lisence ko mula sa aking bag.

"And if you could read, it clearly states in my ID that I am 24. Wow. Naging piloto ka niyan?" I sarcastically asked and crossed my arms. He was about to answer when Ate Nicola arrived with our food.

The Tagaytay Paradise Set consists of Adobo, Lumpiang Shanghai, Sinigang na Hipon, a pot cooked white rice, a pitcher of Buko Juice, a bowl of mixed tropical fruits, and of course, the Blueberry Cheesecake. Weird combinations of foods, but oh well.

"Enjoy." She said and smiled. Kuya Zagreb then held her wrist and stopped her. He stood up. Hamak tangkad niya kay Ate Nicola. I stand at 5'5 pero hanggang balikat lang ako ni Kuya. Same goes for Ate Nicola.

"Let's talk Nicola. Nakakayamot magpanggap na wala ang ang lahat. Drop your fiancé and marry me instead." He said, dead serious. Putangina?

"How dare you--" Ate Nicola couldn't speak as Kuya cut her off.

"No. How dare you leave after you begged, moaned and pleaded for my kisses that night, Nicola." Kuya bursted. I pulled his shirt. Lahat ng tao ay nakatingin na sa kanilang dalawa. Some are even taking photos now.

"Kuya. Stop it." I pleaded him. But he wouldn't move. He was consistent on holding on to Ate Nicola until he gets his answer. God damn it.

"Zagreb. Tama na 'yan." Atlas said. Pero still, Kuya wouldn't move.

"I-I love him, Zagreb. Ikaw hindi. You were a one night mistake. A regret I would forever remember." She answered. Parang tinakasan ng lakas si Kuya. Walang natira sa kulay ng mukha niya at dahan-dahang pinakawalan si Ate Nicola.

Ate Nicola, with tears, escaped the scene and went back to the kitchen. Kuya barely stood up. He held on to the table for support. He laughed bitterly and shook his head.