I do my math and see that I would be spending 4,000 pesos for books.
Mom says, "Donate old books!"
I look at her and smile, "No! They are my only treasures in life."
Mom sigh, "Okay! No boyfriend until you are 55."
Tara's books . . . they are on my list. Beautiful covers . . . I always sign up for every blog tours that the romanceclass had. I am willing to support these young talented romance authors.
Next on my list . . . Carla's books. Yes, I will buy them.
"Honey, dinner's ready!" Mom shouts from the kitchen.
"Coming!" But at the back of my mind, I am still into my book wishlist.
At the dinner table . . .
"Hi bookworm . . ." Kuya Al teases me. "What do you recommend me to read this time?"
"Shut up Kuya!"
"I'm serious! I am dating a bookworm who talks about Jay E. Tria's books." Kuya sighs. Sounds like a karma on the way there.
"I recommend . . ."
"What?"
"Eat first!" I observe him; his eyebrows narrow! Yes! I think he really likes the girl. I finally smile, "Okay . . . Fine. Read 'Songs to Get Over You'. Because I am team Miki."
"You? What's your current reads?" I stop and look at him again. It is the same Kuya Al.
I turn to Dad, "Question po. What happened to Kuya?"
Mom and Dad glance at my big brother, smiled, and say in chorus, "He is in love."
"Current Read?"
"Maybe this Time by C. P. Santi."
I hear the doorbell. Kuya Al's eyes sparkle towards my direction. I stare at him blankly. I hear footsteps on the front door. They are noticeable steps.
"Hi Al."A voice of a man?
I wrinkle my forehead, "Who is that, Kuya?"
"Your future husband."
"Arranged marriage? Not my thing!"
He laughs, "Silly! He's a paper cutting trainer."
Oh. I remember Only A Kiss by Ines Bautista-Yao!
Wait . . . so it is true? There's still arranged marriages nowadays? I find it amusing to believe that this is really happening.
Marco, the papercutter, sits parallel to me, "No strings attached?"
"What?"
"I am just reading your tee. I assume you are a fan of Mina V. Esguerra!"
