Flakes of Tears

Episode 21

Episode 21

Oil Painting

"Merry Christmas!"

We welcomed each other with kisses and hugs. I handed my gifts to my siblings and to Mama, who is smiling a bit. She wasn't letting it be visible since she raised one of her brows when she noticed I was looking at her.

"Bakit?"

Smiling lang ako. It's been two days but I still haven't confronted her about her disease.

Minsan ay parang may gusto siyang sabihin pero bigla siyang aatras at tatahimik. I don't know what's bothering her but I wish to talk to her as soon as possible.

Kahit bali-baliktarin pa ang mundo, nanay ko pa rin siya.

We just dined together calmly, as if there were no issues in the world. But they had no idea that when I returned to Korea, it would be another hard fight. Kailangan ko pa kasing humanap nang bagong trabaho lalo na't sarado ang library sa university no'n. Bale may trabaho na 'ko sa convenience store tapos maghahanap pa 'ko nang isa.

Grabe, ang lakas ko naman.

"Ate, kain ka pa! Hindi ba pupunta si Kuya Yiv?" Brielle asked and I glared at her before laughing. Mas mahal na 'ata nila si Yiv kaysa sa akin!

Yiv accompanied my family to the mall to buy presents yesterday. He also spent Noche Buena with us, but he couldn't sleep here because our house is so little. He spent the holidays with his family.

Si Brielle ay binilhan pa ng album at lightstick ni Yiv! Tapos si Ron ay basketball shoes! Para tuloy kaming may dala-dalang sugar daddy!

"I'm going to meet his family later, eh. Kaya susunduin niya lang ako."

They just nodded and I noticed that Mom hasn't been talking much but she was looking at us. Ano ba naman kasi 'yan?! Sa kanya ko ba namana 'yung hindi pagsasabi ng problema at susuko na lang bigla kasi hindi na kaya?

It runs in the blood pala kung gano'n.

Time went by fast and I have already changed my outfit and had makeup on. Pinahiram pa 'ko ni Brielle dahil hindi naman ako mahilig nito. Si Michelle lang naman kasi ang mahilig mag-make-up.

"Wow, naman ang outfit. Very ninang na amoy Korea!" pamumuri ni Iyel. Tumingin ako kay Baron para sabihan i-compliment niya rin ako.

"Ang pangit mo." he mouthed so I glared at him. Naglalaro lang naman siya ng kung ano-ano sa phone niya. Kaya wala siyang nagiging jowa eh.

"Natalo ka lang sa COD ni Yiv, eh. Aminin mo na lang na bano ka," pang-aasar ko sa kanya. I made so many faces at him that he became upset and walked upstairs to his room.

"Ate sigaw ka nga 'You're grounded!' para mukhang mayaman tayo." Tumawa kaming dalawa ni Brielle habang inaayusan niya ang buhok ko.

I've been smiling a lot earlier but deep inside I'm scared. Of what will be the impression of Yiv's family to me. I believe they are not the type of people that criticize someone based on their job and social standing since Yiv is not like that. I'm sure he had a good upbringing.

I was quickly out of my cloud of thoughts when I saw Yiv calling on my phone. I immediately answered it.

[Wim...]

My heart tugged at his soft voice.

"Nasa labas ka na ba?"

[Yes. I'm using my Dad's car. I miss you.]