Chapter 13
"Anong nakain mo?" her voice echoed in the room when she walked in, accompanied by the enticing aroma of freshly-made pancakes she carried and a lilac-colored empty mug.
Despite the physical strain coursing through my muscles, a chuckle managed to escape my lips as I held the plank position.
Ramdam ko ang pawis mula sa leeg at noo at nagsisimulang manginig ang mga kamay ko. Sa pagkakaalala ko, halos tatlong buwan na akong hindi nakakapag-workout.
She set the pancakes and mug on the countertop, filled the electric kettle with water, and leaned against the counter, watching me as I glanced at the timer, waiting for it to finish.
I shut my eyes, silently hoping that when I reopened them, the timer would signal its end. Hindi ko muna pinansin ang pinsan kong naghihintay sa akin na matapos, para lang maasar ako.
At that moment, a sharp beep broke the silence, signaling the end. I opened my eyes to see the timer at zero, feeling a rush of relief and achievement. I slowly came out of the plank position, feeling the strain ease away as I savored the sense of accomplishment.
"Joke ba ito?" sabi niya habang nagsasalin ng mainit na tubig sa kaniyang mug.
"Akala ko ba mamamatay tayong may bilbil?" dagdag pa niya na ikinatawa ko.
I breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly, wiping off the sweat from my brow.
"Nagbagong buhay na ako," Dahil sa sinabi ko, mas lumakas ang tawa niya. Mukha siyang timang na tumatawa, kahit halos maluwa na niya ang kinain na pancake.
Lumapit ako sa kusina at uminom ng tubig.
"Nadiligan ka lang eh," biglang pag-aakusa niya kaya nasamid ako.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "I'm not like that! Ilang araw pa lang simula noong nagkaayos kami, bibigay kaagad ako?"
"Syempre, pokpok ka eh." walang prenong sagot niya.
I tried to appear offended, but instead, I couldn't help bursting into laughter. The sound echoed through the kitchen as I leaned against the counter, holding onto my glass of water until my laughter faded into a broad grin.
"Pinsan nga kita." sabi ko at nilagay ang baso sa sink. Kumuha ako ng tinidor at pasimpleng kumain ng dala niyang pancake.
"True ba? Nadiligan ka nga?" paninigurado niya.
"Gaga, walang kahit na anong nangyari! Hindi naman ako kaladkaring babae..." I stifled my laugh as I slowly and softly said the last words.
"Oo kasi kusa kang sumasama!" She remarked. I just shook my head and headed to my room to grab my towel. I needed to freshen up.
As I headed towards the bathroom, I glanced at her, squinting slightly to catch her expression. She raised an eyebrow in response, a silent challenge in her eyes, and then we both grinned, knowing exactly what the other was thinking.
"Oo na, ipapaayos ko 'yan mamaya." sagot niya. Hindi pa rin kasi naaayos ang baradong inidoro ko. Sa sobrang constipated, bato na yata ang inilabas niya kaya bumara.
As I stepped out of the shower, I noticed her rummaging through my cabinet, finally grabbing a box of cereal.
"Aba! Kaya pala ang daling maubos ng mga cereal ko!" Noong mga nakaraang araw, nagtataka talaga ako kung bakit ang dali lang maubos ng cereal ko. Akala ko pa nga may daga na sa cabinet.
Now I know!
"Damot naman. Konti lang."
It's not a big deal to me whether she goes and eats every food that I have, but sometimes, I just wish that she would tell me beforehand.
BINABASA MO ANG
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