The Candle of Love

Chapter 27: Medical Mission

Tinitigan niya muna ako atsaka unti-unting tumango. Nu'ng may tumawag sa kanya, 'tsaka lang siya umalis sa harap ko.

I smiled sadly again. I thought he approached me to ask about my arrival. But how foolish I am to think that. He doesn't care anymore. Obvious naman sa tanong niya kung kanino na talaga siya may care.

I suddenly felt the rage within me. Naalala ko kung paano niya ako tinignan bilang kapatid ko. And to ask Anie's whereabouts to me, it's like he's insulting me again.

Pero oo nga pala. Hindi niya alam na iyon ang dahilan ng pakikipag-break ko sa kanya. Na nalaman ko kung ano talaga, o sino, ang totoong tingin niya sa'kin.

The same week, my mother asked me to come to their house. She said she'll cook dinner for me. Hindi pa rin niya kasi ako nakikita simula nu'ng bumalik ako rito. The last time we met was at my graduation abroad.

Nag-taxi ako papunta sa bahay nila. The housemaid welcomed me.

"Nasa dining po si Madame."

Dumiretso nga ako roon. At naabutan ko pa si Mommy na naglalapag ng mga pagkain sa lamesa.

"Zeph!"

She walked towards me. I smiled warmly at her.

"Sandali lang at inaantay ko pang maluto ang lasagna."

I nodded. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa bahay.

"Where's Michael?"

"He's in a business meeting abroad."

Ohh. That's why no one's snorting about my presence.

"And Anie?"

"Looking for me?"

Nilingon ko sa likod ang nagsalita. It's my sister, smiling widely at me. Pero nagulat ako sa kasunod niya.

"You didn't say you'll bring Asher here. Buti na lang nagluto ako."

Anie went to our mother to kiss her. Naestatwa naman ako rito sa kinakatayuan ko. I looked at Berlin, only to found that he's already looking at me.

Really? Sa lahat ba naman talaga ng pagkakataon?

"Maupo na kayo. Kukunin ko na ang lasagna para makakain na tayo."

Parang bumabaliktad ang sikmura ko at gusto ko na lang umalis ngayon dito. Nakaupo na kami sa hapag at kumakain na. Mommy is sitting at the center while both Anie and Berlin is on her left and I'm on her right.

Kanina ko pa napapansin ang ngisi ng kapatid. I know she's insinuating something on that. And that doesn't help on me being uncomfortable right now.

Nu'ng lumapit siya kay Berlin para may ibulong ay napaawang ang labi ko. She laughed sweetly after that. Nang makita ang titig sa'kin ni Berlin ay nag-iwas ako ng tingin at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagkain.

"You're with the same condominium building with your friends?" tanong ni Mommy sa'kin.

"Yes po."

"Okay naman ba unit mo? Is it spacious?"

Tumango ako sa kanya.

Hindi ko maiwasang tignan ulit sina Anie sa harap. She's murmuring something to Berlin. Berlin would just nod at that and would sometimes smile from time to time.

My sister got even prettier and more mature, physically. Gano'n siguro talaga 'pag nag-artista. Her hair has highlights now and I noticed that she always wears make up. I wonder, kung this time, sila na ba talaga ni Berlin? Imposibleng hindi pa kasi sila nagkakabalikan. He would fall for her... even more.