Helveryst Series #3: Love At First Kiss

Chapter 4 - Being Independent

JINAIVAH RASHIN'S POV

"Good morning world. Fill this day with peace and joy." I yawned as I stretched my arms, leaning my back on the headboard.

Today is my first day na magiging independent na ako sa lahat. Halo halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko. Happy, excitement, worry, ang nervous at the same time. Willing naman akong matuto sa mga bagay-bagay. Its just that I don't know if I could do it right. Lahat ng kapalpakan ko sigurado akong aabot sa family ko.

Well, its normal lang din naman. Tutal first day ko pa lang, counted na I will do some mistakes. Palagi pa naman akong tinatawag ni Kuya na lampa or clumsy everytime I fail.

"Jira? Are you awake? Tuturuan na kitang magluto ng breakfast," Nixie's voice from outside my room.

I immediately stood up to fix my bed."Yes, sis. Can you wait for me downstairs? I'll just fix myself. Hindi naman ako magtatagal."

"Sige. I'll be waiting."

I just washed my face and nagtoothbrush na rin before ako bumaba. Nang makarating ako sa kusina ay nando'n na siya, preparing the things we needed. Nakasulat sa isang maliit niyang notebook kung anong kakainin sa umaga, tanghali, at gabi, for the whole week. Tiningnan ko pa lahat hanggang sa huling page at hindi talaga ako makapaniwalang nakapag-take down talaga siya.

"Is this our food in a daily basis? Susundin talaga natin to?" I asked hesitatingly.

She gave me a small smile."Yes. Pero kung may gusto kang ipabago pwede naman. As long as may pera tayo para sa budget."

"Yah. Daddy's not cutting my allowance kaya tuloy-tuloy ang receive ko nang pera galing sa kanya," I answered smilingly.

"Pero no'ng nag-usap kami saglit ng Kuya mo, binabaan daw ang allowance mo para hindi ka gumastos masyado." She get some pork inside the ref and placed it on the sink.

Nanlalaki naman ang mata kong nilapitan siya."But why is that? Hindi ko naman naalalang may napag-usapan kaming gano'n."

Wala na siyang nasagot dahil kahit siya ay hindi alam. Tatanungin ko na lang si Kuya or si dad mamaya through call. But for now, she has to teach me a lot of things. Cooking the simple breakfast that we both agreed, tinolang manok and beef steak. Marunong akong magluto ng kanin, syempre.

I was following her steps and procedures for the whole time. I insisted na 'wag niya na lang akong i-guide kase may sinusunod naman ako at mabuti na lang pumayag siya. Binabantayan niya rin naman ang mga kilos ko at kung may mali ay nagbibigay siya nang corrections. But she just let me do what I want the whole time.

I'm learning that's why I'm doing this.

"Omg! It's boiling na. Can you taste it first before me?" I was so excited to know how does it taste like.

Nakangiti naman siyang tumango at sumunod sa sinabi ko. When she finally tasted it, I observed what was her reaction. Seems like she turned pale and didn't even blink just for once. Nang kalabitin ko siya ay saka pa bumalik sa dating wisyo at tumingin sa'kin.

"Ano? Hindi ba masarap? I could tell base on you reaction," I pouted.

She was about to answer when I tasted it by myself. Halos lumuwa ang mata ko sa lasa. Holy shit. What did I do? Bakit ganito?

"Ah, sis, okay lang 'yan. May beef steak pa naman. Let's just set it aside," Nix tried to lighten up my mood.

Hindi nalang ako nagsalita dahil sa hiya. I couldn't describe the taste of my tinolang manok. Its disgusting. Nakakahiya sa kanya kase sinayang ko 'yong manok. Makakain pa kaya namin 'yon?