My Darling

I met my precious darling for coffee a few days ago. He was wearing a watch. A new one to be precise. He had never liked wearing watches, he thinks it's a restriction on his movements.
I asked where he gotten the thing. And his reply was a present from someone, D.
Eh?! Images of her flashed thru my mind immediately. During our last drinking outing at the local pub, she was present also. A demure sweet lady who didn't talked much.
"We're dating." My darling informed me matter of factly.
I nearly choked on my glass of chilled milk. My darling was bemused. He enquired my views on his relationship.
"Eh?! Baka desu sho?! It's between you and her so how would I know?!"
I turned and wiped my mouth with a napkin, hiding my feelings from him.
"I juz thought maybe you might have some opinions." He smiled sweetly and drank his Coke all in one gulp.
"Don't drink so much gassy....." I couldn't complete my sentence. Here I am, trying to be matriarchly again, telling him what to and what not to do.. My darling wasn't listening, he was staring out of the window; mumbling something. I realised that he was talking to me, telling me how happy he is being around with D. The strong emotions he has towards her.. Blah.. Blah...
I stared at the glass of milk broodily, I really wanted a drink but I don't wanna be the first person to choke to death on milk. I shifted my attention on my darling instead, trying to concentrate on the conversation. Somehow my mind went back to the past memories.
The days when we used to hang out together, sharing gossips and little tidbits of our lives. I taught my darling to woo girls and he taught me how to be more understanding towards my man. We played pool, he could easily drank me under the table anytime, and I had to drag him home forcibly. He held my hand when I cried over my break up with my partner. He solemnly promised to stay by my side forever while I, in an angry state, swore off all men.
We shared our dreams of leaving Singapore someday and settling in an unfamiliar environment. A challenge we both want to conquer. My darling also wants to earn his first million by the age of 30. I want to spend his first million by age of 32. He wants to explore as many countries as possible, I volunteered to buy all the Lonely Planet books. He can whip up a mean creamy mushroom spaghetti, I can finish it in 5 mouthfuls.... I always assumed he would be contented by my side. We had been seeking each other's company whenever we are down. Going for dinner, smoke breaks, drinking sessions, clubbing a couple of times and JB shopping trips. No movies dates, that's all.
"That's for pathetic couples who don't have any other places to go!" He declared in disgust, he would rather spend our time talking over drinks....

"So have you watched any movies with D?" I interrupted my darling.
"Yeah, basically all the latest blockbusters..." He answered nonchalently.
"Even MI 3?"
"Yeah.."
Dang... I think I'm the last person on this world not to have watched it yet. My darling was still going on about his happy relationship. I was starting to get a case of sour grapes. I wondered about our monthly rituals at the local pub, our dinner dates on Mondays if he could get off work on time, our 15min update sessions on susequent nights...
"Eh? Why do you keep D a secret from me for so long?"
"It's actually a surprise for you. I was thinking of introducing to you on my birthday but there might be changes.."
"Oh, your birthday is coming so what's the plan?" I asked.
"I'm going away for a short trip with D to Bintan." he smiled.
I was stunned beyond words. For the past 25yr, my darling had never let me missed his birthday celebrations. I was always with him. When young, we blew out the candles together on his cake. In our teenage years of being defiant, we sneaked the adults' liquor and drank ourselves silly on Bailey's. Post birthday present would be a sound beating from the parents.
As we grew older, the two of us juz toned down. His birthday treat from me would always be a steak dinner. His favourite. And this year, he's going away....

"I think I'm really happy with her..." I caught my darling's last sentence. He was looking at me, waiting for something. My comment?! Eh?! I was caught dreaming off guarded! I looked at my darling. A confident young man, full of dreams to take on the world. And happily in love...
I shook away my thoughts and focused on him.
"Do you like her? I hope you two can get on well..." He said timidly.
"Of coz I do... She's nice.. You're happy and that's the most important.."
"But.. I will not have time for you..."
"Don't be such a wimp! As long as the two of you are getting along fine, I can always find others for company.. I'm your sister remember? I'm tougher than you think!"
"I'm really glad to hear that.."
A wide grin broke out on his face, making him all the more adorable, juz like a young kid who had gotten his first Lego set.
"I hope you will find a partner soon, Sis. So that we can go on couple dates...." My darling brother said dreamily and stared out of the window again.

This time I really choked on the milk....