Even though it was raining outside, I could hear my sister sobbing inside her bed. I've been waiting outside her door for the past two hours and felt helpless because I couldn't do something to alleviate her pain and misery. I'm not sure what happened. She had only gone to her boyfriend's house for a surprise visit, but she returned home with tears in her eyes. I was thinking a while ago that kuya Levi might have done something bad to Ate, but I can't just jump to that conclusion. Kuya Levi is not that type of person. He can't hurt Ate, He loves her, and I'm certain of it.

Kuya Levi is ate Eve's boyfriend for four years. I was nine years old when he was introduced to our family. Mom was furious at the time because she couldn't accept that her oldest daughter was dating someone. Kaya patago silang nagkikita at ako naman itong kasabwat minsan. Kuya Levi is very nice to me; he treats me like a real sister, and we became so close that even my real brother was jealous of our bond.

''Hey lil sis. Let's eat na,, hayaan mo muna si Ate.'' Speaking of my brother.

My brother appeared out of nowhere and carried me down the stairs without warning. I complain, but it's too late because, in a flash, I'm setting our dinner table with a bunch of food that I'm not sure who cooked because my brother can't cook and the only person in our house who can cook is our Ate. Our mom is not here.

''I guess you ordered food from a classy restaurant.'' I giving him the eye since I doubt him.

''nah, I prepared everything.''

When I heard a familiar voice from the kitchen, I almost fell out of my seat.

'' Mom!''

I don't know why our mom is here. Huling tawag ko sa kanya ay nasa Bohol pa siya to attend Civic events as a Curator. But anyway I'm glad she's here.

I tell her about ate Eve's situation pero kagaya ni kuya sinabi lang ulit ni mom na hayaan nalang muna si ate.

''Allow her to cry until she realizes that guy isn't right for her.'' Mom said.

'' I'm not sure what you're talking about Mom. Ate loves Kuya Levi, and Kuya Levi loves Ate. They are meant to be.'' Saad ko but Mom and Kuya, on the other hand, just laugh about it.

''Lil sis kain ka nalang muna. Nako! You're just 13 years old. Saan mo naman yan napulot yang meant to be, meant to be na yan?'' kuya said while still laughing, akala mo naman katawa tawa talaga ang sinabi ko.

I believe in destiny, especially when it comes to two people who were truly born to be together. I believe in fairytales and happily ever after, but I also believe that love is not perfect; there are flaws and imperfections, and it is unavoidable that someone will be hurt in the end.

'' Don't tell me my crush na ang bunso ko?'' pang aasar na tanong ni mama.

Yes, meron. I said in my mind dahil pag vocal yun mas aasarin na naman ako.

I've just started eating. But my mind kept wandering and thinking random thoughts. I'm thinking about falling in love with someone who might end up hurting me. But I'm more interested in the sensation of being hurt when someone does or says something that causes me heartache. Parang sa mga tearjerk movies na mga napanood ko. I know my age doesn't make sense right now because I'm only 13, but I'm looking forward to it in the future. I'm hoping I'll be able to handle it if the occasion arises.

Tapos na kaming kumain at agad akong bumalik sa taas. I brought food and hoped Ate would open the door for me. Tiyak akong gutom na yun. Hindi pa naman yun nag breakfast.

I couldn't hear any more sobs. Dinikit ko pa ang tinga ko sa pinto pero tanging music lang ang narinig ko. Napalinga-linga nalang ako ng mapagtanto na ang kanta na naka play ay ''Paubaya' by moria.

'' Ate, can I come in?''

'' Go away El''

Napasimangot nalang ako sa narinig. Gusto kung magtampo pero hindi ko kaya dahil alam kung sadyang may pinagdadaanan lang talaga siya.

I want to ask kuya Levi about it pero ayaw kung manghimasok sa relasyon nilang dalawa.

''let's buy some Ice cream lil sis!'' sigaw ni kuya sa baba. It's a good idea. Dalhan nalang namin si ate pag uwi.

''Ligo muna me!''

"Augh, sana naman hindi dalawang oras yang ligo mo''

I rushed into my room and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. It only took me five minutes, and I left with a very fresh feeling that I could feel for the rest of the day. I opted for a simple outfit consisting of a pastel shirt and denim shorts paired with white sneakers. I also can't forget my Spongebob backpack, which I always wear when I go outside because it's just too cute for me. It was a gift from Kuya Levi when I was 11 years old. He said he bought Pickachu and Spongebob because it's my favorite character, but his little brother saw it and asked him if he could just have the Pickachu. Kaya Spongebob lang ang napasakamay ko.

''TAGAL!''

Agad na akong nagmadali ng marinig ang sigaw ni kuya. But before I go down the stairs, I knock on my ate's door once more.

''Ate, bili kami Ice cream, Vanilla right?'' tanong ko pa baka kasi sasagot. Pero wala akong narinig na respond kaya bumaba na talaga ako dahil damang dama ko na ang kuya kung naiinis sa kakahintay.

We arrived at our favorite ice cream shop in less than 15 minutes. When I saw the menu, my eyes sparkled.

'' you know the drill'' Kuya said this while sitting like a boss. Nag okay sign nalang ako.

I chose the Vanilla flavor for later takeout for ate, followed by my favorite mint chocolate chip and for kuya naman ay Ichigo! Yes, strawberry. He prefers it the most. And for mama naman kahit hindi yun mahilig ng ice cream, pinili ko cookies n' cream.

Ini enjoy namin ang pagkain ng chocolate at nag try pa kami ng iba pang flavor na inofer nila na bago daw. After a while, we left and returned home with our take-out ice cream for Ate.

Kumatok na naman ako sa pintuan ng room ni ate pero walang tugon. I knocked again as loudly as I could, but there was no response.

'' Ate, nandito na yung Ice cream. Yung favorite flavor mo na vanilla. Bumili pa kami ng Milk tea'' masigla kung sabi at nagbabakasakali na naririnig niya ako ngayon.

''Ate?''

'' Evelyn!'' napaligon agad kay mama na sumigaw.

Nagulat nalang ako ng makitang nagmadaling tumakbo si Mom and kuya pa akyat ng hagdan. Kuya kicked the door in front of me as soon as he got there.

'' what's going on?'' I asked nervously.

I am confused. Wala man lang sumagot sa kanila pero tumulong narin ako sa pagsipa ng pinto.

Napalitan agad ng takot ang expresyon ko ng bumukas na ang pinto. Makalat ang kwarto pero hindi ko nakita si ate. Mom is already crying.

''Mom! What's going on?''

''Evelyn? Oh, God! Don't Don't!'' sigaw niya habang tumatakbo sila patungong banyo.

'' Mom! Kuya! Wha—what's going on?!'' sigaw ko pero hindi nila ako pinansin.

They're just standing there, frozen, at the entrance to Ate's bathroom. Nakaramdam na ako ng kaba at takot.Oh God! Sana naman hindi totoo itong nasa isip ko.

Unti-unti akong humakbang. Because of nervousness and fear, every step I take causes me to stutter and lose my breath.

''No. Don't'' napagtanto ko nalang na nakayakap na pala si kuya sa akin habang rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na iyak ni mama.

He dragged me out of the room. He's holding my hand right now, and I can feel his trembling hand, and it's freaking cold. He brought me into my room and before he left, he just whispered something to me that caused me to lose my mind and sanity, as well as truly break my heart.

'' Ate is gone''

What? How? Why?

Babalik sana ako doon ng napagtanto ko na nasa labas lang ng room ko si kuya. Sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, and silently crying. Tinangka kung dumaan pero pinigilan lang niya ako. Hindi siya nagbitaw ng salita, umiling-iling lang siya.

''I wanna see her!'' at tumakbo na ako. Hindi niya na ako napigilan.

And… I saw Mom hugging ate's body in a bathtub full of water, but it was red.

''ate''

Three deep cuts are visible on his wrist. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa Nakita ko. And then Kuya Levi appeared out of nowhere and cried as if he had done nothing wrong. I can't take what's going on any longer. The last thing I heard was a loud serins and then everything went black. But even in my unconsciousness, I curse Kuya Levi a lot because he's probably the reason ate did that horrible thing

I can't forgive him! I swear! He will pay for it!