August Lies

Simula

Naging tahimik na ang usapan namin nang matapos iyon at napabaling lang ako sa phone nang tumunog ito.

My forehead creased when I saw Lucas' name, my boyfriend, calling.

I rejected the call but moments later, he called again and I saw Kuya Alchiel glance at me.

"Why aren't you answering?" he asked. I licked my lips and sighed.

"Nothing, Kuya. It's nothing important."

He nodded. His eyes then landed on the phone I was holding before returning his gaze back to the road.

Suddenly, my phone rang again.

Ano bang kailangan nito?

My forehead creased. Nang maingayan ako at nahiya na kay Kuya Chiel ay iritado ko iyong sinagot at inilagay sa tainga para marinig.

"Yes?" I asked casually and I almost frowned when I heard his voice.

"Scira! Why aren't you answering my calls?!" he exclaimed loudly on the phone.

"I'm in the meeting, Lucas," I said while I rested my back on the seat and stared at my colored nails.

"Until now?" he exclaimed.

"No, I'm on my way home," I said.

"Then why aren't you answering my calls?!" he demanded, making my forehead crease.

"Why are you screaming?" I said, now feeling annoyed.

"Are you okay?" Kuya then muttered when he glanced at me. I smiled and nodded.

"Who's that?" he hissed on the phone. "Are you cheating on me, Valderama?!"

"Can you quit it?" I said impatiently. "I am with my cousin, Lucas. I am busy."

"Busy? Ilang linggo tayong hindi nagkita tapos busy?" he muttered. "H'wag mo nga akong niloloko! Wala ka nang oras sa akin!"

Makapagsalita ang lalaking 'to, akala mo ay asawa! I almost cursed at him.

"You see, Lucas, let's talk when we're both cool, okay? I have a family gathering tonight—"

"Palagi na lang pamilya mo! Palagi naman kayong nagkikitang lahat, ah? Hindi ba pwedeng ako naman?" he said frustratedly and I scratched my brow, trying to be calm.

"Lucas, that's my family we were talking about. I can't miss—"

"Kung mahal mo ako, makipagkikita ka sa 'kin!" he exclaimed, throwing tantrums like a retarded child and my lips lifted.

"Fuck off," I said coldly.

Kuya glanced at me. He looked curious at my sudden cursing yet he didn't say anything.

"Scira!" Lucas muttered but before I lost my cool and cursed him nonstop, I turned the call off and sighed.

"Boy problem?" Kuya asked. I sighed, nodding.

"He annoys me every time," I muttered and he chuckled.

"Gusto mo upakan ko?" he joked and even pretended to lift the sleeves of his shirt pa. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Ayos lang, Kuya,"

"Sama ko pa si Deion, oh?" he said. "Pabaril natin kay Tito Zeij?" he joked at sabay kaming napatawa sa sinabi niya.

We reached our house and my smile widened when I saw my cousins outside.

"Zire!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs and I saw her glance at me and jumped.