Eighteen

Chapter 14

The offer, I was not sure if I should take it. My social battery was down to zero, and my initial plan was to bake at home. Nagsimula na rin ang summer class niya kaya mas may rason ako na hindi na pumayag.

"Ayaw ko makaisorbo." I smiled apologetically.

"I didn't say you would."

I was really in the dark on why he would want this when he wouldn't get anything out of the situation. Ako ang tuturuan, mas maybenepisyo sa akin. Sabihin na lang nating mabait lang talaga siya, pero kahit na. Hindi ba nakakaabala? But I was starting to get swayed here, honestly.

I sighed before spouting a word.

"Sure?" paninigurado ko. Well, I didn't want to turn this opportunity down. Since we'd cooked that pot pie together, I'd been wondering when the next time would happen, and it seemed like that was today.

"Yeah."

"Okay. I'll just inform my brother," sabi ko, "and finish buying what I need."

"What else do you need? Is it for your house or . . .?"

I showed him the list I had only made on my phone. Yumuko siya nang bahagya para lumebel roon. I watched his dark irises move to and fro as he read on my phone. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, lumipat ang mga mata niya sa akin. His nose and lips were blotted by the phone. I could only see the black, black shade of his deep set of eyes. I raised a brow.

He cleared his throat, raising himself up again. "I already have some of them at my place if you're just going to use them for today. We'll just have to buy a few in your list," aniya.

"I don't want to use up your private things, though." Ngumiwi ako.

"You're not. Eventually, I'll have a portion of the meal."

"Well . . . oo nga naman. Okay."

"Tara, bilhin natin ang mga kulang." He smiled.

I pressed my lips together before nodding. "Sige."

I let him do the work, but I tried to observe him well to learn a thing or two. We progressed to the counter after buying everything we needed. Inisa na rin namin sa malaki niyang cart ang lahat ng binili namin. While waiting for our turn at the counter, I checked my phone.

Kuya: Get home before 7.

I was confounded by his reply. Seven pm? I checked the time on my phone, Five pm. Alanganin naman ata. And my curfew had always been 10 pm.

You: 9 pm. Please?

I bit my bottom lip while waiting for his response, which took some time.

Kuya: Camille, that's too late.

My brows creased.

You: Desserts itong gagawin namin, Kuya. I need more time. What happened to my usual curfew?

Kuya: Is that guy sending you home?

I had not asked about that, but I was sure Anais would. Apparently, my brother was worried.

You: Yes, for sure. And, Kuya, he is not 'that guy.' His name is Anais.

He only sent me a very big blue like emoji. That annoying emoji. Nonetheless, I felt so grown-up when he had allowed me to stay out until nine pm at someone else's condo. That was only fair. I'd been allowing him to stay over until late at Luigi's.

I texted him a 'thanks' before pocketing my phone.

"Your brother?" tanong ng katabi ko. Nilingon ko siya at tumango.