Warning: slight r18
Chapter 32
Aside from Jinoh's presence, one thing that made me calm was the smell of freshly baked pastries coming out of the oven. The warm scents and flavors of the pastries curled through the air around the kitchen area, and its thick scent was enough to taste.
I still do not believe, despite my scars from yesterday's pain, I could become a baker like what was once my mother's love to do.
“Lein, nasa labas boyfriend mo.”
“Hmm, lalabas na rin ako,” ngiti ko kay Lia nang sumilip siya sa pintuan ng kusina. Nagsalang muna ako ng huling batch ng cookies sa oven.
“Sana lahat may lunch araw-araw,” parinig ni Lovely sa akin. “Busog na naman ang maganda.”
Tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi ko, ‘saka umiling sa kaniya. Sanay naman na ako sa pagbibiro nila sa akin tuwing dadalhan ako ng pagkain ni Jinoh.
“Okay lang ba na iwan muna kita saglit dito?” sabi ko, inaalis sa pagkatali ang apron.
“Sure! Ako nang bahala sa cookies.”
“Thank you, Lovely.” Nang lumabas ako sa kusina ay nakasalubong ka pa si Lia. “Kanina pa ba siya sa labas?”
She just shrugged. “Hindi ko alam, eh. Nakita ko lang siya nang maglinis ako sa isang table.”
I nodded. “ Thanks. Labas lang ako saglit.”
I combed my hair with my fingers, tucked some strands behind my ears, and fixed my curtain bangs. I let out a deep sigh before deciding to leave the shop.
Nakatalikod siya. Sumilay ang ngiti ko nang makita kung gaano kalapad ang likuran at balikat niya. Doble ata ang lapad ng balikat siya sa balikat ko. Ni hindi muna ako lumapit sa kaniya, I just watched him looking inside of the paper bags he was holding.
“Bakit late na kasi akong nagising…” rinig kong sabi niya.
I moved aside and tilted my head a little to see a glimpse of his face. He was pouted. With small and quiet steps, I moved myself towards him, then I poked his left shoulder with my pointing finger.
“Hi,” I said when he looked at me.
“Oh, nandiyan ka na pala!” he laughed awkwardly. He has a worried expression when he faced me. “Ano… itlog at hotdog kang ang nailuto ko sa'yo. I'm sorry, babawi ako bukas.”
“Thank you, Jinoh.” He was stoned by my sudden hug. I reached his face, and with my thumb on his cheek, I caressed it softly. “‘Wag mong i-lang ang luto mo. Kahit ano pang iluto mo sa akin, ay tatanggapin ko.”
“Thank you, Elein,” his voice was little. I nodded at him, he then smiled at me, showing his gummy, and he knew that his gummy smile was my weakness. “I know you're busy, so I won't stay here longer. Enjoy your lunch, Elein.”
“I will. Thank you palagi, Jinoh.” I tiptoed a little just to reach for his lips for me to kiss it swiftly. “I love you. See you later.”
He nodded. “I love you more…”
“Ingat sa pag-drive.” Bumalik din agad ako sa shop nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko. Tumulong na rin ako kay Lovely na nagbabalot ng pastries for deliveries.
Nang lunch time ay sabay-sabay kaming kumain. Kung dati ay nabili pa sila sa labas ng pagkain, ngayon ay nagbabaon na rin sila.
“Ito na naman ako… kunwari may naghatid ng lunch ko,” ang ma-drama na boses ni Lia ang nagpatawa sa amin. “Me and myself.”
“Gusto mo bang ipagbaon kita?” banat ni Luis habang may nginunguya pa.
“Eh, kung ibaon kita? Baka gusto mo munang nguyain ‘yang nasa bibig mo bago mo ako pagbaunan!”
BINABASA MO ANG
Light Under The Glooms (MPS#2)
RomanceMALA-PRINSESA SERIES #2 Fiorella Elein Rivera, a woman who is the epitome of kindness, was once called a light because of her soft and pure heart. With her past trauma, her inner light began to dim. Despite her scarred heart, she continued to pursue...
