Martini Kisses (epistolary) ✔️

n a r r a t i v e (exclusive)

part 2

Work is a tiring affair. Between facing his dad, getting reprimanded for slacking off, and doing the duties meant for three to four people, his job has never been more tiresome.

But the thought of seeing her first thing when he comes home gets him through the day, and he diligently made sure to finish every outstanding tasks he has before the shift ends, so he can clock out faster.

Between the meetings and the grueling workload, Kai keeps circling back to the thought of her waiting for him to come home, and his mind would violently stop each time.

It's been years since someone has waited for him like this. Years.

It's not his first relationship but it feels so oddly different being with her that he's surprised even with himself.

He can barely remember how he managed the drive back to Alabang.

What greeted him in the morning is the same view that greets him when he returns. Milly in his white buttoned shirt, a new one. Hair tied up in a messy bun. His apron clinging to the curve of her neck and her shapely figure, long slender legs exposed and only his to feast on.

Milly doesn't notice his return, too engrossed in mixing the flour and baking soda with the spatula, that he has to knock on the cupboards to get her attention.

Startled, she almost jumps, eyes widening, when she whirls to his direction. Kai smiles in amusement at her reaction and makes his way over to her.

There's flour on her face, chaos on his kitchen island, and panic in her eyes, but he's never felt like everything's falling rightly into place like he did at this moment.

"No no no no! You can't be here kagad!" she says as she runs to him and stops his approach.

Kai lifts a curious brow as she pushes him back to the door in haste, obscuring his view of the kitchen.

Chuckling, he grabs her wrists, and takes her into his embrace, effectively stopping her from steering him away.

"Hi," he murmurs against her hair. "I'm home."

She freezes and lets out a defeated sigh before she melts and returns the hug. "Hi, baby."

"What's going on? Why do you look so busy?"

"Bakit 'di ka nag-text?"

"Nagmamadali ako umuwi."

"Why? Dapat nag-text ka."

"Someone asked me to come home early."

"Sana nga nag-text ka."

Kai pulls away and looks at her face. Loose blue strands are falling over her flour-covered face and she looks so agitated and so upset, but he can't figure out why. He brushes her hair back around her ear, wipes the white stain off of her cheek, and presses a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Why? What am I not supposed to see?"

Milly makes a soft frown with her face. "Wala na. I blew the surprise," she says. "Sayang naman."

"What is it?" he presses, getting too curious himself.

Reluctantly, she leads him back to the kitchen, and Kai notices the living room for the first time.

The balloons strewn on the floor. The two party hats on the table. The pinned HAPPY BIRTHDAY on the curtains. The set table filled with cake, spaghetti, chicken, and too many dishes that he's sure they can't finish together.

He was too focused on seeing her that he missed everything earlier. But now he sees it all in plain sight.

Kai turns back to Milly, puzzled.