#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 38

He really did stay at my condo! When I woke up, I saw him sitting at the couch. I walked slowly towards him to check him, but then, I saw him sleeping. He didn't answer my questions awhile ago, so I'm still curious! I don't know how he found my condo, I'm sure I didn't tell him. Only my friends and my manager knew where I live because I wanted to be at peace when I'm here. I want this place to be the place where I could rest, without anyone bothering me.

I tried waking him up, hindi naman siya mahirap gisingin dahil bumangon din siya kaagad kahit na hindi naman malakas ang pagyugyog ko sa kanya. Bahagya pa siyang napa-igtad nang makita akong nakatayo sa harapan niya. Kaagad siyang tumayo na para bang nahuli siya ng boss niya na natutulog sa oras ng trabaho. He even rub his eyes, still looking sleepy. Hindi ba siya nakatulog nang maayos? If that's the case, why did he bother to go here? It's not like he has reasons to be worried! Why would he?

"Gising ka na pala," he said in a low deep voice.

"Are you sleepy?" I asked, not minding what he just said.

"Hindi," he denied. "Gutom ka na ba? I'll re-heat the soup. Lumamig na dahil kanina pa dapat 'yun pero ang himbing ng tulog mo kaya hindi na kita ginising." sabi niya sa 'kin at kaagad na nagpunta sa kusina.

Sinundan ko naman siya sa kusina. Sumandal ako sa may pader habang pinapanood siya na initin ang soup na niluto niya. Kumuha siya ng spoon at bowl, para siyang nasa bahay niya. He didn't even ask me where my things are! Kung may ibang nakakakita lang sa kanya, they would think he lives here. Parang kabisado na yata niya ang bawat sulok ng condo ko!

"Umupo ka na. Mainit na 'to," sabi niya sa 'kin. "O, baka gusto mong subuan pa kita? Ayos lang naman." tanong niya sa 'kin.

I couldn't tell if he's being sarcastic or not. "I'm fine. I'm sick, but I can handle myself. Besides, you haven't answer my questions."

"Kumain ka muna. Iinom ka pa ng gamot, 'di ba?" tanong naman niya sa 'kin.

Umupo na ako at pinanood siya na ilagay sa harapan ko ang bowl na may laman na soup na luto niya. Tinitigan ko pa siya bago napunta ang tingin ko sa soup. It looks and smells good, too. I wonder how it taste like. Bumalik sa kanya ang tingin ko, our eyes met. He gave me a confused look so I averted my gaze. I slowly picked up the spoon and scoop a little, but I didn't taste it.

"Is this... safe?" I asked, looking at the soup.

"Even if I hate someone, I wouldn't kill that person by putting something in his or her food." mataray na sagot naman niya sa 'kin, umirap pa siya.

Hah... This man! He's so...

"Are you indirectly saying that you hate me?" I asked, brows furrowed.

"Depende sa 'yo," nakaka-lokong sagot naman niya sa 'kin. "Kumain ka na. Lalamig na naman 'yan. Soup tastes the best when hot," sabi pa niya sa 'kin.

"You talk like you know a lot of things when it comes to food." sagot ko naman sa kanya bago tinikman ang soup na niluto niya.