Fourth of July

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

HER POV

Tuesday morning, I woke up early and took a bath. I cooked something for Gabriel. Bukod 'yung agahan niya at tsaka 'yung baon niya sa trabaho. Yes, baon sa trabaho. Kagabi ko lang siya naisipang gawan nu'n. Bakit? Kung si Helwinn nga, nahahatiran ko ng pagkain. Why won't I do the same to Gabriel?

Hindi pa man tapos sa paglilinis si Nanay ay nag-handa na ako ng almusal para sa aming tatlo. Napuno 'yung lamesa dahil sa dinami ng inihanda ko.

I even made pancake na may kung ano-anong cartoon designs.

Nanay went near me as soon as she finished sweeping. "Ano'ng meron 'nak?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Nothing. Just a normal day. Gusto ko lang mag-luto nang madami."

Pina-pwesto ko na siya sa may lamesa at sakto namang bumaba na si Gabriel. He was drying his hair with his towel, pants pa lang ang tanging suot niya. Exposing his greek body. Those toned muscles, broad shoulders, worth dying for chest. And of course, those six-packed abs.

Bakit pa 'ko nag-handa ng marami kung may ganito naman palang ihahanda?

"'Nak, 'yung pinakulo mong tubig."

Napapitlag ako sa sinabi ni Nanay. Agad kong tinungo 'yon at pinatay. Shocks, nakalimutan ko na 'yung pinapakulo kong tubig!

"Morning, Nay." Gabriel greeted Nanay and sit beside her. He roamed his eyes on the table, where plenty of foods are being served. "Did you cooked these, Chelsea?"

"Yeah."

"Great. I'm sure they're good." He smiled, showing me his perfect set of white teeth.

Nag-umagahan na kami habang nag-uusap sina Nanay at Gabriel. Gusto raw kasi nito ni Gabriel na i-expand 'yung business at mag-tayo pa ng ibang branch sa kung saan-saan. Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila habang ineenjoy 'yung pagkain ko.

"Nasabi mo na ba 'yan sa magulang mo?"

"Nope. What for? I can make my own decisions."

"Oo nga, pero hindi ba mas maganda na rin 'yung may alam sila kahit papaano?" Nanay still pushed it.

Gabriel sighed and was about to speak when I interfere.

"I think Nanay Simeona was right. Let's say you're a grown up man who can make own decisions, but it's still for the best if Tita Vic and Tito Gabriel know about it." I looked at him before emptying my glass of hot choco. "Who knows, maybe they could help you. Hindi man sa paraan na malaking tulong, but pati na rin sa mga minimal and simplest ideas."

Nanay agreed. "'Yun 'yung pino-point out ko."

Si Gabriel kasi, kapag gusto niyang gawin 'yung isang bagay, he won't acknowledge help from other people, no matter how hard you insist. Mas nagiging productive siya kung gagawa siya sa paraan niya mismo.

At last, Gabriel chuckled and raised his both hands as if he was surrendering. "Okay, okay. You both win." He finished his foods then looked at Nanay. "Good thing Chelsea was here."

Palihim naman kaming napangiti ni Nanay at mahinang nag-apir. Pakiramdam namin ay ito 'yung unang beses na tumanggap si Gabriel ng suhestyon mula sa ibang tao.

Nang matapos kami kumain ay si Nanay na ang nag-insist na hugasan 'yung pinagkainan namin. Tama na raw 'yung nag-handa ako nang maraming pagkain.

Hindi naman na 'ko tumutol dahil gusto ko na rin mag-prepare para sumama kay Gabriel sa trabaho niya.

As soon as I get done preparing myself, I went downstairs and clapped my hands like a happy kid who's excited for the trip. "Let's go. I'm ready."

Sabay na kumunot ang noo nina Nanay at Gabriel.