August Lies

Simula

I am wasted and tired yet I have to look good. Pagkalabas ko pa lang ng opisina nang malapit na ang uwian ay kaagad kong nakita ang tingin sa akin ng mga empleyado at ang heads ng mga department.

"Architect! Uwi na po kayo?" the man from the HR asked and I nodded.

"Yes," tipid kong sagot pero may ngiti sa labi.

"Ingat po!"

"Kayo rin," I said softly.

Habang papalabas ako ay nakita ko ang pinsan kong papasok at kaagad na gumaan ang loob ko nang makita ito.

"Kuya!" I exclaimed happily.

Kuya Chiel glanced at me. His cold blue eyes met mine and I saw how it softened.

"Scira," he called and I chuckled. Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanya at napangiti nang kunin niya ang handbag na hawak ko.

"Napadaan ka?" I asked and kissed his cheek. He then held my elbow to assist me.

"Pinapasundo ka ni Tita Zid," he said and chuckled. "Looks like Miss Perfect got a hard time today?"

I pouted and sighed. Sumabay ako sa kanya sa paglalakad.

"Medyo lang, Kuya. I approved budgets for today and meetings, countless ones," I said.

"Baka ungusan mo na si Tita Zid, ah?" he joked.

"Attorney, Architect! Magandang hapon po!" bati ng guard nang makita kami.

We greeted him back and went out of the building.

"No one could surpass Mom, Kuya. Para maging kasing perfect ni Zidney Valderama, kakain pa ako ng maraming bigas," I said, making him chuckle.

"Narinig ko kanina, may nakuha ka ulit na deal?" I nodded. His eyes glistened. I pouted when he ruined my hair.

"Kuya!" I called.

"Good girl," he chuckled. "We are so proud of you."

My heart melted at that. "Thank you," I said softly.

Pumunta kami sa kanyang sasakyan. He opened the door and let me in before walking towards the driver's seat.

"Kuya, my car?" I asked him and he just shook his head at me.

"Don't worry about it. Pakukuha ko sa driver," aniya at pinaandar na ang sasakyan.

We talked about things while in his car. One thing that I love in our family is that... we're all close. We were like brothers and sisters kahit magpipinsan kami.

We are making sure no one was left out. If may oras, palagi kaming nag-i-sleep over sa ancestral house namin.

"Kumusta ang kaso, Kuya?" I asked him. He glanced at me and smiled.

"Great, I got mild cases this week so I'm chill," he laughed. "But I think this coming week's cases aren't easy as pie."

I chuckled and tapped his shoulder. "Ikaw pa ba, Attorney Sandejas? Anak ka yata ni Iñigo," I said and he laughed at me.

"Well, my father's great. Kagaya mo, marami pa akong kakaining bigas para maabot siya," aniya.

"Well, our parents are great," I chuckled. "Tayong mga anak, marami pang pagdaraanan para maging kasing galing nila."

"Anyway, I got food in the back. Gusto mo?" aniya. Sumulyap ako at napangiti nang makitang may mga sweets doon at donuts.

"Para kay Tita Thallia?" I asked and he nodded.

"Hmm, she likes donuts. Nakikihati rin si Crest," he chuckled and glanced at me. "Anyway, Scira?"

"Yes, Kuya?" I asked when I noticed that he was kinda serious now.