All I Want (Capture Series 1)

Thirty-Four

I opened my eyes as I woke up. Tumingin ako sa paligid ko. I saw my room, my bedroom. I was on my bed. Why am I on my bed? Agad akong napa-upo. Fear crept into my system.

Nanaginip lang ba ako? Panaginip lang ba lahat ng nangyari kagabi? Why am I here? As far as I remember, sa sofa kami nakatulog ni Theo. Where is he? Did he leave? Iniwan niya ba ako?

Mabigat ang paghinga ko habang sinusubukan kong tumayo. Dali-dali akong naglakad papuntang pintuan at binuksan iyon. Una kong tinignan ang sofa at nakitang wala si Theo roon. Maayos ang pwesto ng mga unan. Naglakad ako palapit sa kusina at agad napahinto nang makita ang likod ni Theo. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Narinig niya ata ako dahil agad siyang lumingon at tinigil ang ginagawa. He walked towards me.

"Good morning. Are you feeling okay?" he carefully asked, keeping some distance between us.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago tumango. I tried to calm myself from the fear I felt earlier para hindi siya mag-alala, but I think it was impossible to hide my emotion when it comes to Theo. He closed the distance between us as he stared into my eyes seriously.

"Are you sure? Nahihilo ka? May masakit sa'yo?" nag-aalala niyang tanong. "Kaaalis lang ng nurse. Do you want me to call her back?"

Agad akong umiling. "No, I really am okay. Ilang araw na akong nakapagpahinga. It's just that..."

"That?" he repeated softly.

"I thought you left," mahina kong sagot.

His mouth opened slightly, shocked. "No," he said softly. He held both of my hands. "I'm here. I am just cooking our breakfast. Look."

He guided me to the kitchen then pointed at the ingredients on the counter. I bit my lower lip, trying to hide the embarrassment. I got scared, huh?

"No one's leaving. Not anymore. Okay?" he said softly. I nodded then he smiled at me. "Let's get you something to eat."

Pinaupo niya lang ako sa lamesa habang nagluluto siya. Napanganga ako nang makitang may pagkain na sa loob ng ref ko pagkabukas niya noon. Sa bawat pagbukas niya rin ng mga cupboard ay nakita ko na may mga equipment na roon, both for cooking and baking. Humarap siya sa akin at inabot ang isang maliit na mangkok at tinidor. It contained diced watermelon.

"Eat this while waiting. I might take a while," he said then kissed the top of my head before going back to cooking.

I bit my lower lip again. I almost forgot this feeling. The feeling after he did something to show how he cares for me, how he loves me. The feeling while watching him cook for us, for me. Ganito nga pala ang pakiramdam ng maalagaan ni Theo.

Sumubo ako ng watermelon sabay tayo dala yung bowl. Nilapag ko iyon sa counter at tumusok ng dalawang piraso gamit ang tinidor. Nilapit ko iyon sa bibig ni Theo. Nagtakha siya sa ginawa ko.

"Hati tayo. Something to fill your stomach while cooking," I said.

Kita ko ang pag-aalangan niya, but he still ate it. I smiled at him and just like that, his eyes lit up. Sumubo ako ulit at pinanood siyang maghiwa ng mga ingredients. He was mincing garlic. Sa gilid ay may nakita akong plate ng bacon strips at may eggs na nakalapag sa gilid.

"I can fry," I said.

Mangha siyang lumingon sa akin. "Really?"

I nodded. "You cook the fried rice, I'll fry the egg and bacon."

"Wha... Y-Yeah, sure," natutuwang sabi niya. "Wait, are you sure you're okay? Walang masakit sa'yo? Dizziness? None?"

"Kulit," I said then gently chuckled.