If Love Forbids

Chapter 5

"Salamat," Rea smiled timidly, holding the food I cooked. Hindi ko malaman kung kinakabahan ba siya o nagtataka kung bakit ko siya binigyan. I decided to cook for them dahil wala akong magawa at para na rin pa-thank you sa kanila. Tumingin lang ako ng recipe sa online kaya madali ko naman naluto iyon.

I smiled back, standing in front of their gate and waiting for her to go inside. Tumalikod na siya para pumasok pero huminto siya at lumingon. I arched my brows to her.

"Eliana, salamat ulit." Ngumiti siya at pumasok na sa loob. Sana magustuhan niya 'yung luto ko kahit sumunod lang ako sa Internet. Sunod kong pinuntahan 'yung bahay ni Miles. I pressed the doorbell and patiently waited in front of their gate. I knew Miles is inside because Rich came to me running. I held her paw and I patted her head through the grills. May kaunting butas pa naman iyon kaya kasya 'yung kamay ko. She licked my hand repeatedly.

"Eli! Ano 'yan?" She opened the gate while holding her lyric sheet. I guess she's practicing. Inabot ko sa kanya 'yung pagkain. She looked surprised but received it with her eyes wide open.

"Sana magustuhan mo, ako nagluto niyan!" I played with my fingers, waiting for her reaction.

"Tara! Kainin natin dito." Umiling ako sa offer niya dahil mukhang makaka-abala ako. Ihahatid ko pa rin 'yung iba kila Amber, Vince at Jaiden.

And Cyrus.

"Alam mo ba kung saan 'yung bahay ni Amber? Sorry if I am disturbing ha." Nagtanong na lang ako sa kanya. Miles furrowed her brows and shook her head.

"Okay lang ano ka ba! Gusto mo samahan pa kita eh-"

"'Wag na Miles, It's okay. Nagpa-practice ka rin oh. Turo mo na lang." I interrupted her and smiled. Ayaw kong may inaabalang tao, dahil hindi mo alam kung may iba silang pinagkaka-abalahan o baka ayaw nila maistiorbo. Si Daddy ang nagturo sa akin kung paano manatili sa business mo.

Malapit lang din 'yung bahay ni Vince sa bahay nila Miles. Just a few steps away.

While walking towards their house, I saw Vince watering plants. I ran to him and called him.

"Vince!" I stopped running in front of him. Tinigil niya 'yung paggalaw ng hose para sa mga halaman nya. He looked at me surprised.

"Oh? Eli? Buti alam mo akong puntahan! Layo ng bahay namin ah," He offered me a fist bomb and I took it. Tumawa na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Sa likod lang pala namin siya nakatira. Sobrang lapit lang. I took a step backward dahil pansin kong basa 'yung inaapakan ko. I'm about to takle a step back nang hawakan niya 'yung braso ko.

"Uy Eli gumilid ka! 'Yung baby ko!" I furrowed my brows and immediately took a step sideward. Anong baby? Nakita ko siyang inayos 'yung muntikan ko na matumbang halaman sa paso. Ahh, that's his 'baby'. I chuckled and shook my head.

He looked at me and raised his brow. A grin starts to form on his face. Tumawa na lang kaming dalawa. Bigla kong naalala 'yung sadya ko rito.

"Hindi mo sinabing may baby ka na pala." I teased him. He pouted like a baby and touched his plants. "Collection ko 'to! Lagi sinisira ni Miles, at baka ikaw sirain mo na rin!"

Inabot ko sa kanya 'yung supot. Tinanggap niya iyon at tiningnan. He furrowed his brows and looked at me.

"Pagkain 'yan, I cooked earlier para sa inyong lahat...I hope you like it. Alis na ako, bibigyan ko pa sila Amber eh." I smiled at him.