Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 17: To woo a shadow

***

"Everything's good. I don't think there's more we need to improve, Chef," sabi ko.

We already finished eating. Nailigpit na ang ilang plates ng pagkain at ang naiiwan na lang sa table ay cookies at tea. I'm barely sipping mine dahil busog na busog na 'ko. To discuss, naupo malapit sa amin sina Zion at Chef Jay.

"Are you sure?" tanong ni Chef Jay sa 'kin. "Pasado na sa 'yo?"

Nahihiya akong tumango. It must have bothered him a lot to hear that his cooking isn't up to the standards of Savory, even though I might not have looked reliable and credible as a food reviewer. From what I heard, matagal siyang naging assistant cook bago maging chef. It would break my heart kung nasira ko ang confidence niya.

"Yes, Chef. It's really good. And I'm sure it's not just because we helped you."

Kunot pa rin ang noo niya kahit nang tumingin kay Zion.

"That's good to hear," salo ni Zion bago magbiro. "Baka naman broken-hearted ka lang kay Misis no'ng unang dalaw nina Aurora at Maxwell dito."

Nangiti si Chef Jay roon kaya nangiti rin ako. Sa peripheral ko, nakikita kong nasa akin na naman ang mga mata ni Maxwell kaya tumungo ako sa tsaa ko.

He's smart so by now, Maxwell should realize that I'm ignoring him. Kaya bakit tumitingin pa rin siya? It's hard to avoid looking at him, but I managed by the constant mental note. The whole time we were eating, I focused on my phone typing about nothing. Whenever I'd find the urge to as much as glance at Maxwell, I'd stare at Calyx instead. Sa ilang ulit kong sulyap, nagkakahulihan kami ng tingin ni Cal. I know he's worried because I'm all silent. I didn't even join in their conversation. Ngumiti na lang ako nang maliit sa kanya to assure him I'm okay.

But I'm not okay. My heart is heavy, it's sinking me.

"That means we'll go back next week na lang po for a final taste test and then ang kasunod ay 'pag ifi-feature na ang opening," dagdag ko pa. "With the mood and aesthetics of this place, I'm sure maraming pupunta. We should prepare for it na." I mean what I said but I also made the decision to avoid seeing Maxwell again.

"Oh. You're not going back tomorrow? We thought we could ask you to experience two of our set offerings for couples, since para na rin kaming may customer na nag-double date today. It's the set with the wine after the meal," sabi ni Zion.

"Is it because of the clothes?" hindi ko napigilang sabihin. I bit my lip after.

"What do you . . ." si Zion.

"I get it," salo ni Celine. "Dahil siguro pareho tayong naka-white, Maxwell. We might be exuding the couple vibe again."

Maxwell didn't say anything and I was afraid to check his reaction. I just pressed my lips together to avoid making any sound. Baka stupid—and petty—na naman ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Hu-hu. I want to go home.

"Oh, the clothes. No, it's not about the clothes, Aurora," sabi ni Zion. "You're just two beautiful pairs, it's easy to mistake you for couples."

Siguro nga. Ilang ulit na kaming napagkakamalan ni Cal dahil lagi kaming magkasama. Sina Maxwell at Celine naman, may chemistry. Pero irritating din talaga na pareho sila ng kulay ng damit.

"But anyway . . . if you're not going back this week, we'll prepare next week. Tell us if there's anything you think is amiss. We really appreciate your help and your taste, Aurora."

Maliit lang akong ngumiti sa papuri ni Zion. Pagkatapos ng ilan pang usapan sa ibang bagay at iba pang recipe ng pagkain, pagkatapos ng ilang ulit ko pang pag-iwas sa mga sulyap ni Maxwell, nagpaalam na kami.