Just Because You Are

Chapter 3 - First Impressions

He who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.

- Robert Browning

Quino's POV:

...I know how it feels to have wings on your heels,

And to fly down the street in a trance.

You fly down a street on the chance that you meet,

And you meet -- not really by chance.

Don't cry young lovers, whatever you do,

Don't cry because I'm alone;

All of my memories are happy tonight,

I've had a love of my own.

I've had a love of my own, like yours-

I've had a love of my own...

Moira was thankful when the shrill sound of sad, classical music finally stopped.

"Hmmm, looks like my OC brother is becoming a little disorganized now," Moira observed as she looked around the living room filled with scattered musical instruments and papers containing drafts of notes and lyrics.

Then she raised her brows at Quino who emerged from his bedroom, looking cool, immaculate and handsome with his white polo and jeans. "But in fairness, kabaligtaran ng aura mo ngayon yung ayos ng bahay mo, ha."

"Uy, Achi, what's up? Kanina pa kayo dito? Di ko narinig pagpasok nyo, ah," Quino said, with an expression of surprise etched on his face. Then he smiled as he went to his four-year old niece and lifted her up. "How's my cute Janna doing on her ballet classes so far? Kiss mo naman si Tito."

"I super enjoy it, Tito," Janna said in her cute and sweet voice.

Moira's eyes glittered as her pretty little daughter readily kissed her uncle on his cheek. "Naka-open yung door mo kaya pumasok na kame...kani-kanina lang naman. Eh anlakas ng music sa studio mo kaya siguro di mo narinig yung tawag ko...hay naku, sa dinami-dami ng songs sa mundo, sad tunes pa yung pinapatugtog mo," she commented. "Anyway, we came from the mall nearby, and then pagdaan namen sa Alba, I remembered you. O, eto, pang-dinner mo. I-microwave mo na lang later." She handed a small paper bag to her brother who sat beside her on the sofa, still holding Janna on his arms.

"Wow! Thanks a bunch, Achi! The best ka talaga!" Quino exclaimed as he saw what's inside the paper bag. His favorite seafood paella. "Si Ahia talaga, di man lang ni-lock yung door pag-alis. Kagagaling lang din nya dito mga 15 minutes ago ata. Magsisimba daw sila ni Kate."

"And how about you? May date ka yata,eh..."

"Nah. I'm meeting Robert at the music store, then sila Papa," he briefly said.

"Sila Papa?" Moira creased her forehead.

"Papa and Tita Mylene, with Reese."

Moira showed a nonchalant expression as she heard her brother's reply. "I see," she said. Although she loves her father and wanted to see him happy, she disapproves his relationship with Mylene Wong, a socialite and a businesswoman who seemed more concerned about her "amigas" than her own children. "At ba't kasama ka pa? Double dinner date ba with her daughter?"