Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 38

Better

"Good morning," Genesis greeted from the kitchen.

Mabilis akong nagtungo doon para kumuha ng tubig. He's taking out foods from a paperbag. Then I noticed that he's changed into a comfortable black shirt and shorts, fresh from bath. His hair is still wet and he smells manly body wash.

"Good morning," I greeted back. "What's that?"

Natapos siya sa ginagawa at dinala 'yon sa counter. There were pancakes, rice and chicken.

"Breakfast."

"I don't eat breakfast."

Lumapit ako sa ref para kumuha ng water. Then I realized that I'm out of stock too. I hope Genesis didn't open my ref, it would be embarrassing.

"Pero may trabaho ka. Breakfast is the most important meal 'di ba?" He said and pull a chair for me.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a kid anymore. And kagaya nga ng sinabi mo I have work. I shouldn't look bloated."

"Kahit konti?" he insist. Ngumiti pa siya sa akin.

"Stop acting cute. You're not," ngisi ko at umupo na sa upuan na iminwestra niya. He smirk too and sat on the adjacent chair.

We had a peaceful breakfast. I just ate the two pancakes while he had a rice meal. Habang nag-aayos ako ay nagprisinta siya na magligpit ng pinagkainan namin. Hinayaan ko na lang siya dahil nagmamadali na rin ako.

Matapos mag-ayos ay hinatid niya ako hanggang sa labas ng building ng pag-gaganapan ng photoshoot. We're half an hour earlier so I had a long time inside his car pa.

"Hmm mga anong oras ka matatapos?"

"I'm not sure. Depends on my performance," I said cheekily. "Don't wait for me. You should head home now."

He pouted like a kid. Ako naman ay napairap. He's so childish!

"Saan ka pagkatapos?"

"Probably sa cafe." He nod while staring at nowhere. "And you're going home, right?"

Lumingon siya sa'kin at muling tumango. Mabilis sinundan ng ngiti. "Kakaunin kita mamaya."

"You don't have to," agap ko.

"But I want to."

"Look, you're going back here just to drive me home? And then what babalik ka ulit sa inyo. That's hassle."

He stared at me for a bit too long before the corner of his lips rose. "Edi hindi ako uuwi. Sasamahan kita sa unit mo. Nakakatakot na, mag-isa ka pa naman."

"I've been living there for almost 8 years now and we have a tight security."

"8 years? Ikaw lang mag-isa?" Lumamlam ang mga mata niya habang nag-aantay ng sagot ko. Nag-iwas naman ako ng tingin. I don't want the pity.

"I'm getting late. I need to go. Drive safely," sunod-sunod kong sabi at bumaba na sa sasakyan niya.

Dire-diretso lang din ang lakad ko patungo sa building, hanggang sa narinig ko ang pag-busina ng kotse niya. I look back. His window was rolled down and elbows were on there.

"Good luck," he said. I just nod at him and smile a bit.

Pero habang naglalakad papasok ay ramdam ko ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko. I'm having this strange feeling that I don't know how to explain. Like there's something inside me that's whispering me to be happy.

Isang oras pa bago nagsimula ang shoot dahil inayusan pa ako. The staffs were very nice so I didn't feel uncomfortable. I am serious when it comes to work. I have nothing to show but professionalism. Kung ano-anong angkop na pose ang ginawa ko habang nakatutok ang mga lightings at camera.