Sis

“So, do you have a heartbreak song?”

 

My youngest (and my favorite) sister looked at me quizzically.  She must be thinking, I have a crazy sister. 

 

“No I don’t,” she replies and continues with her meal. She sounded and looked like she wanted to change the topic.

 

But that is the privilege of being the older sister who decides to set a lunch date with her sister because she wants to know the juicy details of a break up.

 

Let me digress a bit.

 

About a week ago, our eldest brother sent me a message telling me to talk to our bunso (meaning youngest sibling) because she and her cutiepy boyfriend broke up.  It appears that one of the concerned barkadas of my sister came over our house and while waiting for my sister to arrive home, spilled the beans to my brother.

 

“She won’t talk to me. Besides, she listens to you.” he persisted.  Of course I agreed and said I will take care of it.   All of us in the family have always been protective of her. 

 

Now back to our lunch date.

 

It took me awhile to find the segue as we were having our lunch until finally I decided to go head on.

 

While she was enjoying the chicken in pandan and bagoong rice,

 

“Did you change your number because you and Bernard broke up?”

 

She gave me an awkward grin and said, “yes”

 

Ohh lala was my reply. “No more Ely Buendia (a vocalist of a local band) look alike of a boyfriend?”

 

She laughed.

 

“You changed your number because he is bugging you and asking you for a second chance?”

 

Again she smiles and nods.

 

“And you don’t want to give him a second chance? What did he do?”

 

I knew the details but I wanted to see if she will tell me.  I smiled to myself as I watch my sister struggle to find the politically correct phrases probably in an attempt to “protect” her ex.   Or maybe because I am family and the ugly details are ”exclusive to barkada”.  I didn’t press the topic.

 

“No heartbreak song?!!” I said, incredulous.  “Let me suggest one.  You know Nina’s new album has a nice, super sad song.  It is called Someday.  Have you heard it?”

 

She shakes her head and of course I sing the chorus to her. 

 

“O di ba emote yun? Pero positive ah.  Girl power.”  This time, my sister was giggling and said.  “Ang kulit mo, Ate G!”

 

I was not finished yet. 

 

“Have you cried over him?”

 

“Yes, it is done.”

 

“Oh your girl friends are aplenty so you won’t have problems.  What did they say, “you deserve someone better?”

 

She laughs and says “You know too much, Ate G.”

 

“Hello, there are probably hundreds of books about standard words of comfort as well  books on standard excuses of a guy for fooling around.  But crying is good so, go bond with your girl friends.”

 

Then it was time for the big sister speech.

 

“It is okay I guess. I mean you have been together for two years and you are just about to graduate from college.  If you marry at 25 (God forbid), you would not have had the chance to go out with other people.  You are just exposed to a small world right now, your campus.  You will meet a lot of people after college.  You will see.  Enjoy ka lang.”

 

Then she surprised me by saying.

 

“Yeah, I thought about that. I realize that.”

 

Then she tells me about her plans to go to graduate school and asks me for suggestions on career choices.   I think she realizes that I am more the career choice guru than the love expert. Ouch.. Hehehehe.

 

My sister has really grown up.  I still distinctly remember her as a baby.  She was very chubby, cuddly, very fair skinned, Korean looking little bundle.  She was so cute.  You can barely see her eyes when she smiles.

 

Now at 5’3’ she gives her big sisters fashion tips. Oh yeah, make up tips too.  

 

And she seems to be handling her break up pretty well. 

 

I think if my younger self meets up with her, I will learn a lot from my grown up little sister.

 

(Somebody hand me a Kleenex………..)