Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 18: Heart on my sleeve

***

July third week

I survived the whole week without another bouquet from Maxwell. He constantly greeted me good mornings and wished me good night, but I denied a reply. Nagpapagod siya kaya hinihintay kong mapagod siya.

I dreaded for Monday to come because I'd be seeing him, but it still came. Ayokong maging rude in person. Mahirap umiwas ng tingin pero dapat umiwas.

It took me a long time to decide what to wear. I chose a periwinkle trapeze, and then, fixed my hair into a ponytail. It lessened the time I spent on my hair but added more time needed for my face. May acne scars ako hanggang panga na kailangang takpan. Buti na lang, wala nang mga bukol sa mukha ko.

Instead of going to the office first, I texted Celine that I'd just meet them at the restaurant we're going to review. I was thirty minutes early. Nagkakape na ako roon nang dumating sila ni Maxwell. Naka-yellow sundress si Celine. Naka-khaki shirt si Maxwell. Mabilis ko siyang pinasadahan ng tingin at tinandaan. Before he could catch my eyes, I was already looking at Celine. I saw in my peripheral that he pouted a little.

Ano kaya 'yon? Nagpapa-cute na naman siya? Hmp.

"Cute. You're both pouting," sabi ni Celine at naupo sa tagiliran ko.

Naupo naman si Maxwell sa katapat ko. Tumagilid ako nang kaunti kay Celine, para maiiwas ang mga mata ko kay Maxwell.

"Don't make me the third party," ani Celine at mahinang tumawa.

"Good morning, Aurora," he said.

Hu-hu. Kay Celine ako nakipag-usap. "I'll tell the owner that we're here."

"Ako na," sabi ni Maxwell at tumayo. "I know her."

I thought he'd go straight to the office, but he went outside. Pagbalik niya, tumungo ako para magkunwaring may tinitingnan sa cellphone ko, pero nakita ko nang may bitbit siyang maliit na paper bag.

Ibinaba niya sa tapat ko ang paper bag. Ayokong tingnan siya but . . .

"This is for you, Aurora," malumanay ang boses na sabi niya.

Sandali akong tumingala para salubungin ang maamong tingin niya. He looked at me so gently that it pricked my heart. Saka ako nagbaba ng tingin sa ibinibigay niya. "What's that?"

"Open it," sabi niya.

I reached for the bag. Inside was a box of candy roses.

I opened my mouth to complain, pero inunahan niya ako. "Hindi flowers 'yan."

Technically, yes, hindi flowers o bouquet. But these are still . . .

I pouted. Ngumiti naman siya.

"Next time . . . no more candy flowers," sabi ko.

"Okay," aniya.

Muntik ko siyang irapan pero napigilan ko. Pagtingin ko kay Celine, nakangiti lang siya sa 'min.

"You're both cute," she said.

Siya ang inirapan ko. Tinawanan lang ako.

That night, I carefully put the candy flowers inside the mini-ref in my room.

***

The next day . . .

"For you . . ."

I was pouting while looking at the paper bag in front of me. We're at another restaurant to review, naghihintay na lang na i-serve sa amin ang pagkain. Like yesterday, I didn't drop by the office and went straight here. Like yesterday, I was trying to ignore Maxwell but he's too formidable. Kahit good morning niya, formidable.