“Dn, what are you doing here?” I asked as I got down.


    “What are you doing here, Wace, and why are you and my sister together?” Instead of answering me, he asked Wace who was behind me.


    “He helped-”


    “Would you please shut up, Dane, are you Wace?”


    “Diana’s car is broken, Dn. She’s also passed through the road that we’re going through. I checked on her car but the engine won’t start so I offered to take her. I even got her car from the garage.” Dn stared at Wace and me first. It’s like checking if we’re telling the truth.


    “Why did not you tell me?” Dn asked.


    “Not a big deal, Dy, since we didn’t do anything.”


    “Why didn’t you call me, Dane?” He turned his gaze to me.


    “My battery is low batt, check my phone if you want.” He gestures his hands as a sign of ‘give it to me.’ “Seriously, Dn?”


    “Lemme check.”


    “Fuck!” I hissed and took my phone from my bag and handed it to Dn. He pressed the power button while looking at me.


    “I’m sorry,” I whispered to Wace who was by my side.


    “Don’t worry, I know your brother so don’t bother,”


    “What?” I asked Dn as he handed me back my cellphone.


    “I need something from you, Dane, and you Wace, let’s just meet at home.” Then he throws something and I assume it’s a key. “Ow, what? Go now.”


    “Thanks, Wace, thanks for the helped.”


    “Don’t mention it, Diana. I’ll go ahead.”


    “Go.” Dn shooed. When Wace left, Dn took something inside his car that looked like arge frame. “Go in now, it looks like you’re still waiting for someone toe back.”


    “You’re so mean to Wace,” I said to him as we walked into my house. “He just helped me but the way you treat him it’s like we had done something wrong.”


    “Don’t mean-mean me, Dane. It’s better to be mean than to let hime near you.” When we finally got inside, he put down the frame he was carrying. I first charged the cellphone and for a while, I opened it as well. The message came in one after another but I ignored it.


    “He’s your friend, don’t say you don’t trust him?” I ask.


    “In his loyalty to me, there is. But when ites to women, no. And yes Diana Dane Dy, Wace is my friend so I know her intestinal coil. So, stay away from him.”


    “Tss!” I went straight to the kitchen to get something to eat. I just let Dn do what he wants. I took a slice of vegetables and then put it in the oven to heat. I also mixed the milk and went back to the living room.


    “Wow!” I put down the food I was carrying and marveled at the frame Dn was carrying.


    “Beautiful, right?” He asked me with a smile.


    “Yeah,” It’s a painting. A woman smiling but facing the mirror. Her reflection in the mirror is crying. But what amused me more is the painting itself. The painting is very lively and anyone who sees it with a trail can really rte. A woman happily smiles outside but cries inside.


    I don’t know why. But I feel that the painting is connected with me. I’m not going to cry but I feel like I want to hug the woman in the painting. I want to help her and tell him ‘everything is fine.’


    “You never fail to amaze me with your works, Dn. When ites to art. I can’t say anything aside from your fucking good.”


    “I know.” He looked at me and winked. “It’s you, Dane,” he said smiling.


    “Huh, that’s for me?”


    “Deaf, I said it’s you, means you’re that woman.”


    “Pfft, O’es on, Dn. What makes you think that I am crying inside?” But I couldn’t move when Dn suddenly hugged me. He hugged me tight and in an instant, it was as if I wanted to cry I didn’t know why.


    “Thank you for being a responsible sister, Dane. For standing your responsibility as an eldest. I am so blessed to have you as my sister. Happy Birthday!” I look at the wall clock it is exactly twelve o’clock at midnight. It’s my birthday.


    It was like I wanted to cry because of what he did. I hope he doesn’t look at me because for sure he will see how I look really crying. Dn let go of me and didn’t look at me anymore. He was already walking while I was just staring at the painting.


    “I’m leaving and enjoy your gift,” he said behind me. I heard the door open then closed it again. When I turned around Dn was gone.


    I look back at the painting when I notice something. I switch on all the lights to see the picture better. I didn’t notice much earlier because I only opened it in dim light when we entered.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I walk closer to the painting to make sure I am right. My tears flowed one after another because I was sure of what was there. An image of a man hugging a reflection of a woman inside the mirror. The man’s head is on her shoulder while her hands are on her waist.


    And the man image is none other than —- Dn. Beside the painting, there is a message.


    ‘I am always here for you. -Damon.’


    He’s really crazy. He makes me cry on my birthday. I wiped my tears because of my thoughts. I never knew that someone in the family saw the real me. I know that even though Dn is happy-go-lucky he is observant. I keep the pain inside of me for how many years and he saw it.


    As an eldest amongst the siblings. I want to be a good example for them. I don’t want to disappoint my parents as well. I never said no to them, because I feel like I am a prodigal daughter when I did that.


    So even though it’s hard in other parts, I try to bnce everything. Even though I no longer follow what I want because I prioritize what my parents want for me. I don’t want them to get mad at me so even if I don’t want, I still do. I’m just stamping on my mind that it’s for my own good.


    I feel envy for my siblings. Because they are somehow able to do what they want without hesitation. Especially Dn and Daze. Amongst the five of us, they are the ones who do everything freely.


    But don’t get me wrong I may be jealous of them but I love them both. Besides, it’s my choice to always say yes to my parents. So if anyone is to me, it’s me who can’t say no to them.


    I looked again at the painting Dn had provided. I am so blessed to have him as my brother.