Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 24 part 3

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It was December. Mag-iilang linggo pa lang na nakaayos ang Christmas tree namin sa bahay dahil pare-pareho kami nina Daddy at Kuya na naging busy sa work. There were too many pop-up restaurants and snack bar opening up for the holiday. May mga nag-o-organize din ng banchetto at food conventions.

I stayed up late binge watching a Korean drama. Miss ko kasi si Calyx. He resigned as a reviewer sa Savory and Kuya Cloud said that Cal would go somewhere far for work. I couldn't ask for more details because Cal deactivated his social media accounts and before setting his distance, he told me specifically to refrain from sending him messages if I could. Minsan, pakiramdam ko, hindi ko na kaya 'yong pagka-miss ko sa kanya, pero tinatapangan ko. May mga bagay na kami lang ni Calyx ang nakaaalam pero hindi ibig sabihin niyon ay tatakbo ako sa kanya sa tuwing puwede. I should let him rest his heart and get over me.

Naghahanda pa lang ako para matulog nang mag-message si Maxwell.

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From Maxwell:

Hi, Aurora. Uuwi ako sa Pilipinas para sa holiday. Can I see you?

*

Napabangon ako pagkabasa sa message niya.

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From Maxwell:

If it's too sudden of a notice for you, it's okay to say no. Pero baka silipin kita sa work.

*

What is he saying? If he's going home for the holiday, then . . .

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From Aurora:

Dito ka magbi-birthday?

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From Maxwell:

Yes.

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From Aurora:

Kailan ka uuwi?

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From Maxwell:

December 21 dyan. Can I see you?

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From Aurora:

Can I cook for you? On your birthday?

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From Maxwell:

Ipagluluto mo ko??

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From Aurora:

Sana po? I'm not as good as you but . . . I'll try my best. Anong puwede kong iluto for you po?

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From Maxwell:

Kahit anong maisip mong iluto, okay lang sakin.

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From Aurora:

That won't do. I want to cook what you like. I can learn naman kasi. What's your favorite food?

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From Maxwell:

Wala kasi akong favorite. Yung iluluto mo siguro, yun pa lang.

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From Aurora:

You love food but you don't have a favorite?

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From Maxwell:

Ang nasa isip ko kasi kahit dati, yung iluluto mo para sakin ang magiging favorite ko. ^^

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From Aurora:

Huhu. But I'm not a good cook! Pano pag hindi masarap? Wala kang allergies?

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From Maxwell:

Masarap ka magluto.

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From Aurora:

Mas masarap ka kasi magluto. When you cooked for me, it's seriously so good, I'm envious. Huhu

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From Maxwell:

Masarap ka lang ipagluto. ^^

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From Aurora:

Hmp.

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From Maxwell:

Haha. Seryoso ako.

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From Aurora:

Wala ka talagang favorite?

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From Maxwell:

Wala pa. I'll look forward sa iluluto mo para sakin.

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From Aurora:

Okay. I'll try to cook something really good.

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From Aurora:

Tapos . . . puwede ba kitang sunduin sa airport?

*

Hindi siya naka-reply agad kaya humiga uli ako sa kama at nakutkot ang pillow ko.

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From Maxwell:

I would love that. ^___^

*

I smiled and sighed of happiness.

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From Aurora:

I'll try . . . not to be awkward by then.

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From Maxwell:

I'll try . . . not to be impatient.

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I giggled. Lagi naman siyang patient.

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From Maxwell:

I love you, Aurora. ^^

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From Aurora:

I'm about to sleep po. Good night, Maxwell.

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From Maxwell:

Good night, Aurora. ^^

*

Malalim akong nagbuntonghininga at tumitig sa kisame. I won't tell him I love him in an email. I would tell him in person. Sana marami akong lakas ng loob by then.

See you on December 21st, Maxwell. # 353h / 08232021