Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 24

Chapter 24:

Destroyed

"I always caught you being awake in this hour of dawn." Komento ng Mommy bago tumuloy sa kusina.

I was stirring my coffee when she entered the kitchen. Saglit siyang napahinto sa bungad ng kusina. Gayunpaman, hindi gaya ng mga nakaraang araw ay hindi na siya nagulat pa.

It's two AM. For the past days since I came back from Spain ay palagi akong nagigising ng mga ganitong oras. Mom also sometimes wake up at dawn to drink water in the kitchen. May pagkakataong naaabutan niya ako.

"Aren't you comfortable with your bed anymore, darling? Naninibago ka pa rin ba?" Tanong niya at kinuha ang isang pitcher sa refrigerator.

"Maybe my body's still adjusting, mom. Philippines is 7 hours ahead of Spain. It's probably still 7 or 8 there. Kung nasa Spain ako'y gising pa ako sa ganitong oras."

"Yup." Nagsalin siya ng tubig sa baso. "Awake and clubbing." She pointed and gave me a knowing look.

I laughed and bowed my head down. "Yeah..." I muttered and bit my lower lip guiltily.

I picked up my coffee and kissed my mother on the cheek. "I'll go back to my room, Mom. You should also get back to sleep."

"You too, baby. And shouldn't you be drinking milk instead of coffee to help you sleep? It's still two in the morning. Matagal pa bago sumikat ang araw."

I grimaced. "You know how I hate milk, mom."

Nang makabalik ako sa silid ay agad kong binuksan ang laptop. I opened facetime and waited for the other person to answer my call.

"Jane!" I greeted as the face of our thirty year old helper in Spain popped up in the screen. "How's everything going on there?"

"Naku, Senyorita. Ang daming customers na naghahanap sa inyo. Maraming nag da-drop by to book for cakes and pastries kaya lang ay sinabi kong umuwi ka na ng Pilipinas."

Nagbuntong-hiningi ako.

I missed baking. I missed making pastries. For the past years ay iyon ang pinagka-abalahan ko sa Spain. I discussed some important matters with her. The call lasted for an hour before I went back to sleep.

MAAGA akong nagtungo sa Supermarket to buy some ingredients for the pastry that I will make.

Gusto ko sanang magpasama kay Dahlia but I bet she's still sleeping. These past few days ay lagi siyang wala sa mansion. She's out exploring not just Nueve Caceres, but the whole Camarines Sur. Although it really puzzled me kung paano niya natatagalan ang probinsya ngayon, I am happy to know that she's enjoying her stay here. Siguro dahil marami siyang nagagawa dito na hindi niya nagagawa sa Spain. Suki ang mukha ni Dahlia sa mga magazines at billboards. She has appeared in some provocative ads of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. She poses for luxury lingerie brands and swimsuits. With her beauty, hindi na kataka-takang sa maikling panahon ay namayagpag ang kanyang pangalan sa fashion world.  She got the eyes and the lips of a temptress. She's been known for gracing the fashion world with her effortless seduction.

Bagamat marami pa rin namang nakakakilala sa kanya dito, she gets to walk in a street na walang ano mang nagkikislapang camera. There are no paparazzi around and no nagging manager here. This is her ultimate break free.

I also decided to buy some new tools for baking like rolling pin, muffin pans, sheet pans and few other more. Nang makuntento na sa mga pinamili ay tumungo ako ng counter.

Nilalagay ko ang dalawang eco bags sa trunk nang dumating ang may-ari ng kotseng katabing naka-park sa akin. It should be nothing unusual but my head just instantly turned to them with the familiarity of their voices.