// In the evening - Manila, Philippines //
I had a talk with Yvonne when I found her sitting in the balcony, indulging on a glass of Cabernet. It was after I left Anthony snoring in the bedroom.
Amid the distance, Anthony and I managed to video call Junior and Ellen before bedtime in Australia. It was like things are falling into place now.
But… Talking to Yvonne in the balcony suddenly changed the course of things. According to Yvonne, Steve had cheated on her. And it sickens me to my gut that another woman in the family fell in the same trap. I couldn’t help but compare it to how Ethan had left me.
“I guess marriage is not the answer to happiness,” Yvonne muttered. And she admitted she finally left Steve for good. No wonder why he never appeared here since Anthony and I arrived.
“When did this happen?” I asked Yvonne carefully, my nerves still in shock. Thinking about it all only caused my head to throb.
“When you left for Australia,” Yvonne spoke initially, sobbing, her face red, and then kept on, “I attempted to surprise him in his apartment but I… found him with another woman.” Yvonne moaned harder, and I wished that my hug could, at least, provide her the comfort she needed.
“It just hurts…”
Oh, dear God, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t bear to see my sister cry in her vulnerable moments. She was always the strong one between us. I felt helpless. And useless.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I dared myself to ask Yvonne. And she could only blow her nose with her handkerchief and blink back the tears.
“I felt ashamed…” Yvonne sobbed harder.
“Why is that so…?”
“Because I was too confident and arrogant, and I even had Anthony investigated when I couldn’t clean my own yard. It turned out yours is the good guy and mine the—”
Yvonne then failed to continue speaking. Somehow, she made a good point about it, but at least, I could have been there for her when she needed me.
“I’m your sister,” I told Yvonne. “Whatever life throws at you, I’ll always be here.” I tightened my clasp to her, despite the guilt I felt for always being away, and volunteered to wipe her tears with my bare hands.
Shortly, Yvonne subsided, cleared the hair strands that covered her face, and said, “I’m kidding. Happy April Fool’s, fool!”
To my shock, Yvonne did manage to annoy the crap out of me. It is, indeed, April first.
“Are you kidding me right now?” I almost strangled her in the neck, light-heartedly.
“It was a joke.” She laughed as I was left riled and amazed at the same time. My silly sister proved she attended a drama club back in the day! I believed her the whole time!
“So none of it is true?” I rambled, watching Yvonne die of laughter at me. “And where is Steve?” I added, finally joining in her laugh.
“On his flight to Manila, from his art project in Seoul,” Yvonne replied, finishing her laugh, and shared how Steve is so passionate about painting, about his craft, and his dream to put up his own school of arts someday.
I just listened to Yvonne, then she began sharing specific details about their forthcoming wedding in Morocco, under a traditional Bedouin ceremony.
***
// The next day - Manila, Philippines //
To my surprise, Mom and the family caretakers were in the courtyard, in their hands a various set of Filipino breakfast delicacies.
On the elongated table was a basket of pandesal bread and kesong puti for those who prefer soft and tender bites of comfort. At the other side of the table were bowls of garlic rice, a platter of sweet skinless longganisa and the perfect combo of smoked fish and tortang talong—like there was a mini feast.
It seemed that Mom wanted to make up for Anthony. And it felt strange because I don’t usually see Mom do such things before. It was like seeing a shooting star for the first time. And it arrived at the least expected time.
Anthony and I joined Mom in the courtyard. Not long after, Yvonne came, with Steve by her side who was still experiencing jet lag.
Yvonne and I introduced Anthony and Steve to each other. The guys welcomed one another as if a brotherly bond was already constituted. The beauty of it all, I just lived in that moment and watched Anthony exchange words with everyone. He was all smiles the whole time.
Finally, Anthony is getting the taste of the famous Filipino hospitality. And I could not be more proud and happier.