Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 16: A good pair

TCWDM: Thank you for patiently waiting ~*** 

"Aurora? Malapit na tayo. Are you okay?"

I was low on energy when I looked at Calyx. He's driving me to the office today dahil off niya. I don't want him to worry, but I couldn't put more energy nor enthusiasm when I smiled at him. "Okay."

Maamo ang ngiting ibinalik niya. "Ano'ng okay?" ulit niya sa sinabi ko. "Ikaw ang okay? Parang hindi kasi. Wala kang kakibo-kibo. Sigurado kang wala kang sakit? Baka need mo ring mag-off."

Umiling ako. Ilang beses na akong nagdahilang sick para lang umiwas kay Maxwell. "I have to go to work today. Wala naman akong sakit." But I have this painful void inside my chest because I kept on remembering the sadness shadowing Maxwell's face last night. He shouldn't have said what he said. It just makes both of us sad.

Natigilan ako bigla. Hindi kaya nasabi lang niya ang mga nasabi niya dahil may sakit siya? Maybe I was quick to assume . . .? But . . . he also said the same thing years ago . . .?

I shook my head to stop myself from all the thinking.

Mahinang tumawa si Calyx. "I don't know what's going on inside your head, but you're funny, Au-Au."

Sumimangot ako. Funny pa 'ko kahit wala akong energy? Hmp. He's just trying to lighten the mood.

"Libre mo naman ako dinner mamaya," sabi pa. "Ikaw naman magluto para sa 'kin."

"Why?" Mas magaling siya kaysa sa 'kin.

"Off ko, eh. Tinatamad akong magluto para sa sarili ko."

Maraming puwedeng magluto para sa kanya. When I visited at the resto he's working at, there are at least three girls who seem to have a crush on him. Wala bang na-develop do'n sa kanya? Bulag din ba siya gaya ni Maxwell?

I sighed. Bakit kahit ibang bagay ang isipin ko, bumabalik pa rin ako kay Maxwell? Hu-hu. I'm hopeless.

"What do you want for later?" tanong ko na lang. It's been a long time since I last cooked for Cal. Siya ang madalas na magbitbit ng kung ano-ano para sa 'kin. I need to bawi.

We arrived at the building, but instead of just dropping me off in front, Calyx drove to the basement parking.

"Pag-isipan ko," he said. Nakapag-park na siya nang magdagdag, "Makiki-CR ako sa office n'yo."

I just pouted before going out of his car. He either has a lot of time in his hands or has no plans for the day yet.

"Okay. Let's hurry na lang." Baka mauna na naman sa akin si Maxwell, hindi ko na naman alam kung pa'no siya haharapin.

I was still pre-occupied while inside the elevator. Naagaw lang ang atensyon ko ng pamilyar na pangalan na pinag-uusapan sa reception.

"Ang ganda no'ng Celine, 'no? Parang model. Girlfriend kaya siya ni Chef Maxwell?"

"Ay oo, baka girlfriend. Bagay na bagay sila, eh."

"Nakakakilig sila 'no? Ang lakas ng sparks. May gano'n pala talaga? 'Kala ko, sa mga love team lang 'yon."

"True. Pero mas okay sana kung kami na lang ni Chef ang magka-sparks. Charot."

I didn't mean to but I swallowed. There's only one Celine I know who perfectly suits Maxwell in a way that makes competition back down. 'Yong para silang love team o couple. There's only that Celine.

"Aurora?" tawag uli ni Calyx.

"Huh?" Hindi ko namalayang nakatigil lang talaga ako sa gitna ng lounge.