Under The City Lights Of Chicago

Chapter 07

Napairap ako ng marinig ang ilang katok ni Zaiden galing sa labas ng pinto ng banyo. 

"Oh come on, Why do girls move like a turtle?" I heard him asking himself.

"Sooo slowly." He said and sighed like a kid.

I opened the door with a furious mood, pero para bang may isang lubid ang kalooban ko na humila sa esmosiyon ko, I stumble a bit, my heart beat started to race. Shit!

Natigilan ako at uminit ang pisngi ko ng nakita ko si Zaiden sa harapan ko, only wearing a white towel encircling his half body. Tanging ang pantaas lang ang makikita. I looked around to stop myself thingking nonsense things.

His well built and tone muscles were on my view!

"Done ogling with my body?" I was reeled back in reality when he suddenly spoke. Inirapan ko lang siya.

"Yuck. Asa," His lips lifted.

Rinig kong may sinasabi siya pero hindi ko naman marinig ng maayos. Naka ayos na ako at kakain nalang. Since I went here I started eating cereals or oats in the morning rather than eating rice. Parehos lang naman ang tatlong yon but the cereals and oats were easier to prepare.

I was about to get the box of cereal when a familiar voice speak behind me.

"What time will your class going to start?"

"Hour from now." Hindi siya nagsalita pagkatapos kaya kunot noo ko namang binalingan siya.

He was looking down at the floor, his brows were furrowed, while his both hands were on his lower waist may dala dala pa siyang susi sa isang kamay. He was in a deep thought.

Nang napagtanto niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya ay agad naman siyang umiwas ng tingin.

"Oh.. sorry. I just want you to.." Natigilan siya sa hindi ko alam na dahilan.

"Want me to?"

"I just want to ask, if you won't mind." He pursed his lips then looked at me intently.  "Do you mind if I'll take you out... For a breakfast?"

Silence.

"Okay."

Nqpairap naman ako, dito naman tayo sa wife na yan. Wla akong choice kundi umo-o. Nakakahiya naman kung tatangihan ko.

Blessing na nga eh tatangihan ko pa?

We headed to a brunch, marami pa naman kaming time kaya sinulit nalang namin. Zaiden and I were both studying in The University of Chicago, kaya iisa nalang ang tatahakin naming daan, less hustle na rin.

I ordered one of their best selling brunch; french toast, waffle fries, pancake with syrup dazzling as it drops on my plate atsaka prutas. Nang inilapag na ang pagakain sa mesa namin ay wala ng iba akong ginawa kundi kumain.

"Aren't you going to take photos of it?" Natigilan ako habang sumusubo pa. He was referring to the foods.

I just looked at him. Umiling ako " Oh! I'm sorry..." Binalik ko ang utensil na gamit ko sa gilid at inayos iyon ng bahagya. Hindi niya man lang kasi muna ako ininform na gusto niya palang kunan ng litrato ang pagkain.

"Here you go—ayy!" Nagulat ako ng biglang kinuhaan niya ako ng litrato! "Zaiden!"

He just laughed at me then stared at his cellphone screen. "Zaiden! Delete that!"

"Nope" He said popping the 'p'. "You looked cute in here."

Hindi pa ako nakuntento. Lalo na ng pinakita niya sakin. Ang mukha ko jusko! Maputla at mukha akong white lady na napuyat ka gabi ng gumala, pero with a twist, kumakain na ngayon ng umagahan. "Please."