Up Where We Belong

Chapter 22

Hopefully

Sa unang pagkakataon ay hinayaan ako ni Gab na magluto para sa hapunan. Hindi naman siya nagreklamo sa lasa at napansin kong marami ang kain niya. I felt that I successfully passed the test. Wala namang sinabi na isang hamon iyon. Para sa sarili ko lang. Thanks to Gab he was there to guide me in cooking the simple caldereta. Nang ako na ang kumain ng niluto ko, parang caldereta naman. Pwede na para sa aming dalawa.

I saw Gab raise the bottle Camille had given him and stole a peep inside. Iniwan niya kasi iyon sa lameseta sa sala kaya iyon ang nakakuha ng pansin niya nang umupo sa sofa matapos niya akong tulungan maghugas ng pinggan.

"What exactly are these questions, huh?" I heard him ask.

I sat on the other end, just making sure there's enough space between us. We're done talking and planning about the design for the house the other day. We even bought some of the materials. They just needed to be installed when we get the time. Plano namin ngayong weekend. Joriel and Brianna offered help and we're not stupid to not accept it. Kakailanganin talaga namin ang tulong ng dalawa.

"Let's see. Why don't you pick one capsule?" I suggested, a little intrigued. Camille wouldn't dare prepare silly questions that will put me in a compromising situation, right? Sana hindi ito ikakagiba ng pagkakaibigan namin.

I laughed at my own thoughts.

This medicine bottle might be a little help tonight. Hindi pa ako inaantok. And, seeing Gab, he doesn't look like he's about to sleep. Kung hindi ito matutulog nang maaga, malamang ay tutok na naman ulit ito sa kanyang laptop. I understand the nature of his job. But I feel a little sad when I see him working even at night. He seemed so used ot it.

"Should I?" Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya at nagkibit-balikat. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try this game," he said and uncapped the bottle. He shook it a little before pouring one capsule into his hand.

I cleared my throat. "We'll take turns in answering the question. Tama ba?"

"We can freely set our own rules here. It's just the two of us, anyway." Humimas ito sa batok niya at bumaling sa akin. "Hindi naman malalaman ni Camille kung ginawa ba natin ayon sa rules niya," he replied, laughing.

"True. So, pwedeng mag-pass kung hindi kayang sagutin?" I asked again.

"Not answering the question is your right," sabi niya, "But, where's the fun in this game if there are no consequences?"

"Whoever asks for a pass will have to hand-wash all our used clothes," I suggested.

"That's insane. May washing machine naman. Ba't tayo maglalaba gamit ang kamay?" tugon niya, parang di sang-ayon sa suhestiyon ko.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit iyon ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Paano nalang pala kapag kailangan kong mag-pass?

I scoffed. "Oo nga, may washing machine naman. So, paano iyon magiging consequence kung hindi ka maghihirap sa pagkukusot? And what are you scared about?" Hindi naman siya ang tipo ng taong uurong sa simpleng tanong unless otherwise. "Bakit? May plano ka bang mag-pass?" hamon ko.

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Depends."

In the end, we agreed with the consequence. Ayoko rin naman maglaba gamit ang kamay kaya sisikapin kong sagutin ang mga tanong.

He pulled both the ends of the capsule apart and silently read what's written there.

"Ano daw sabi?" I asked, pointing to the piece of paper he's holding.

"Can you come a little closer?" he asked instead, kasabay ng pagpagpag nito sa espasyo malapit sa kanya. "Sobrang laki ng espasyo, oh. Ba't ang sobrang layo mo?"