Burning Desire (Alejandrino Trilogy 1)

45

The next day, I woke up early. I went out to jog for half an hour. Nang makabalik ako sa bahay, sa kusina ako pumasok para kumuha ng inumin. Nadatnan ko si Delancy na nakatalikod at nakaharap sa stove habang si KD ay nakaupo sa isa sa mga silya.

Something about that scene stirred emotions I could not comprehend. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, pero hindi ako kinakabahan. I actually found myself with a small smile on my lips. For the first time in years, I felt euphoric.

Tumikhim ako para kunin ang atensiyon nila at hindi naman ako nabigo. Humarap sa akin si Delancy at binati ako. Sinuklian ko iyon ng ngiti at nagtungo sa harap ng fridge para kumuha ng maiinom na tubig at humarap sa kaniya. Nagluluto siya ng agahan.

"Nangialam na ako rito at nagluto ng pang-agahan. I hope you don't mind. It's my way of thanking you for your kindness," saad niya.

"Wala 'yon, Delancy. What's important is, you're safe now."

She nodded. "Nasaan nga pala si Tatiana? Gusto ko ring magpasalamat kung ayos lang."

"Nagpapahinga nga."

I chuckled, but she seemed confused. "Pero medyo late na. Spoiled pala siya sa 'yo."

"The truth is..." I looked at her. "Tatiana already passed."

Her eyes widened and she stilled for a second. "A-Ano? Passed? P-Patay na siya?"

"Yeah. Two years na rin."

"Sorry, hindi ko alam."

A small voice echoed in my head saying, 'kung alam mo ba noon pa, may pag-asa bang balikan mo ako?' I suddenly felt irritated with that thought. Why would she come back? Siya 'yong umalis.

"Now you know. Sige, iluto mo na 'yan at mag-agahan na kayo. I'll just take a shower." I turned my back against her and didn't wait for her response. I proceeded upstairs, in my room to take a shower.

As soon as I got under the shower, natulala ako. The scene where Delancy and KD is in the kitchen keeps flashing in my mind. I tried shaking it off and thought of other things, but it won't go away. Hanggang sa natapos akong maligo ay sila pa rin ang nasa isip ko. When I was about to shave tge heavy stubbles on my face, that's when I noticed I was smiling the whole time.

I stared at myself in the mirror. One thing assured me. I have never smiled like this for a long time. I know I'm happy with Tamara, I was happy with Tiana, but this time is different. The happiness I am feeling right now is beyond happiness. Something at the back of my head keeps saying, "Siguro masaya ako dahil ito ang pinangarap ko noong una pa lang. To see Delancy in the morning doing things for our family. Maybe I feel like this because I am assuming that it would be like this if we ended up together."

As soon as I finished with my routine, I got down and went straight back to the kitchen. Delancy is feeding KD. I greeted them good morning and sat down with them. She made fried rice, omelette, fried some bacon and eggs as well. Tumayo siya at ibinaba si KD sa silya at saka kumuha ng mug. Nagtimpla siya ng kape at inilapag sa harapan ko at bumalik sa pagkakaupo. I stared at my meal and a smile formed on my lips.

"May problema ba? Hindi mo ba gusto 'yang kape? O 'yang pagkain? Puwede akong magluto ng iba," parang nag-aalalang sabi ni Delancy.

"No, it's okay. This is perfect, actually. Naalala ko lang, lagi mo 'tong ginagawa para sa akin dati. You know, cook breakfast and everything."

Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Oo nga, e'."

"May balak ka bang magsampa ng kaso sa ginawa niya sa 'yo?" I unconsciously asked.

"Wala. Huwag na."

"Bakit naman?" I got hurt. Maybe she doesn't want Rome to suffer the consequences.

"Gagamitin lang n'on 'yong pera niya. Hindi ko kayang sumabay."