When The Time Is Right

I Am With You From Today And Onwards

"Do you uhm.. want me to help?" Mahina at tila nahihiyang tanong ni Alyssa kay Samantha habang pinapanood itong magluto ng kanilang dinner. Umiling nalang si Samantha kaya hindi na nagpumilit pa si Alyssa na tumulong at tahimik nalang siyang nanood.

"So saan ka nagse-stay?" Samantha asked Alyssa without taking her eyes off of the pot.

"Well.. malapit lang naman. Mga one train away siguro.."

"Siguro? Hindi ka sure?" Samantha finally looked up at her with her brows raised up at Alyssa. Ibinaba niya ang spatula at pinatay ang apoy. "Let's eat fast para hindi ka mahirapan sa pag-uwi mo. Mamaya mawala ka pa on the way home."

Alyssa stood up to help Samantha set the table. She was silent for a moment before holding Samantha's wrist gently to catch her attention. "Can I stay?"

Napatigil si Samantha sa pag galaw at tinitigan ang kamay ni Alyssa na nakahawak sa kanyang pulso. Samantha pressed her lips together and it was obvious to Alyssa that she is hesitant about agreeing to what Alyssa just said, however, Alyssa doesn't really wanna leave just yet. She has to make sure na hindi aalis at hindi mawawalang muli si Samantha sa paningin niya.

"Please, Sam?" This time, Alyssa took both Samantha's hands. She made Samantha face her completely, looking at the girl with a gentle look on her eyes. "I forgot the way home so I will most likely get lost if I leave tonight."

With a soft sigh, Samantha gently pulled her hands off of Alyssa's hold. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay but let's eat now. It's been a long day." Nagpatuloy na nga sa pag-prepare si Samantha ng hapag habang tumutulong naman si Alyssa rito. Malaki ang ngiti ni Alyssa habang inilalagay ang mga plato sa lamesa. Sa totoo lang ay hindi niya rin talaga alam kung paano niya nagawang mag-request kay Samantha ng ganon but she is glad she managed to go and tell Samantha that.

"The food is great, Sam. I think sumarap lalo luto mo." Takam na takam si Alyssa sa pagkaing inihanda ni Samantha. Samantha on the other hand can't help her little smile as she watches Alyssa devour her food deliciously. Para pa ngang ito ang unang hapunan ni Alyssa after years because of how she is currently eating.

"Alyssa, slow down." Paalala ni Samantha just to prevent the girl from choking. She began to feed herself up with the food she prepared and it tastes just the same to how she usually cooks it so she doesn't understand why Alyssa is eating the food like it was a food from heaven. "And that's the years of cooking as a wife. That's probably why it tastes different this time.. or baka nakalimutan mo na rin kasi ang luto ko dahil sa tagal mong hindi nakatikim."

"I will get used to the cooking of this wife from now on then." Samantha stared at Alyssa after that which made the girl's cheeks turn red but despite the embarrassment and shyness, hindi binawi ni Alyssa ang kanyang sinabi at nagpatuloy lang sa pagkain.

"Uuwi ka na ba after nito?"

"I'm staying the night, I told you that already right?"

Samantha shook her head. She took another bite of her food before placing her spoon down as she watches Alyssa intently. "That's not what I mean, Alyssa. Nahanap mo na ako and I am okay. Makakauwi ka na ng Pilipinas."

"I am not coming home.. if my home is not coming with me." Alyssa never dared to look at Samantha after telling her that, the blush on her cheeks intensifying was one reason to that.

"Alyssa.."

"I'm serious, Samantha. Hindi ako uuwi na hindi ka kasama." Isang malalim na buntong hininga lang ang natanggap ni Alyssa na sagot kaya hindi na rin siya nagsalita at nagpatuloy nalang sa pagkain.