Look At Me

Chapter 36

"Zen.." I called his name, absentmindedly I asked, "Want to meet my brothers?"

I caught him stop typing, he looked at me as if I was a big joke. His brows knotted, hindi ko alam kung nabigla lang o naiinis kasi sobrang random ko.

He put his palm against my forehead as if he was checking my temperature, I shoved his hand away and hissed at him. He chuckled when he noticed my annoyed face.

"Wait... are you for real?" he asked, he tilted his head to stare at my face. I nodded my head to answer.

He gulped and massage the bridge of his nose. Hindi ko alam kung kinakabahan lang ba siya o wala na siyang balak magpakita kila Kuya gaya ng sinabi niya dati.

"Cresia, hindi ba ako bubugbugin ng mga kuya mo?" he asked like a kid.

"Hindi...?" patanong din na sagot ko, my brothers loves to pester me and sometimes they're using physical strength to show their anger but they're nice.

Kumunot ang noo niya kaya lumabas ang tawa na tinatago ko. Sumimangot ang lalaki at tuluyang nawala ang emosyon sa mukha. He looks so done with me.

I pursed my lips to suppress my laughter. May naiinis nang siopao.

"Pero seryoso nga, Cruz, okay lang naman kung ayaw mo." I shrugged, I understand him, apat ang Kuya ko kaya normal matakot silang harapin ang mga 'yon.

"Kailan?" he asked, forehead knotted.

"Sa birthday ko, aayain ko rin sila Reanne kaya hindi ka loner. Sama mo si Ferrer." sabi ko, umupo ako nang maayos para makita ang PowerPoint na ginagawa namin.

"Let's talk about it later, let's finish your PowerPoint first. It's getting late," he smiled, I could only nod and smile.

Kung ayaw niya, hindi ko naman siya pipilitin. It's his choice, too. Bahala na kung oo o hindi. After all, I just want him to meet the guys I love since he's important to me.

With his help, my loads reduced. We or should I say, he finished my PPT after one hour. Sinabi niya na aayusin niya sa bahay nila mamaya bago i-send sa'kin.

"Thank you!" sabi ko nang naglalakad na kami palabas ng uni.

"Don't beat yourself up, Cresia Faith." he muttered, nagsusungit ulit.

"Libre mo 'ko, bilis!" I said instead of arguing with him.

I pay for my own food, gano'n din siya. Sanay kasi kaming KKB lagi, minsan lang manlibre si Zen kapag alam niyang kulang ang allowance ko. Gano'n din ako sa kanya na lagi niyang inaayawan.

Padilim na pero kumakain pa kami ni Zen sa may freedom park. Tahimik akong kumakain ng siopao habang nakatingin sa mga taong naglalakad na parang hindi alintana ang oras.

The sky is getting dark yet bright.

"About what you said earlier..." he trailed off, I glanced at him just to see him looking above the sky.

I stared at him, waiting for his words. I'm lying when I told you I'm not hoping for him to say yes.. because I am, I really am hoping for him to say yes.

"Do you want me to meet your brothers? Your parents?" he said in the most gentle voice. My walls melted because of his voice, it's so careful.. na para bang natatakot siya na maapektuhan ako ng salita niya..

I nodded my head and looked above as well. Maliwanag pa kahit paano dahil sa liwanag ng palubog na araw pero kitang kita na ang pagkinang ng buwan.

"Hindi sa ayaw ko, Cresia... I just want you to be ready—"