[DIALOGUE]
< EVIE'S RESIDENCE. AFTERNOON. >
Evie was busy mixing the cookie dough when she heard Jachin's laugh. Nasa sala ito kasama ang mga pusa niya.
Jachin
Aray! Hindi na 'yan lambing, Coco. Masakit na kagat mo.
Hawak hawak nito si Coco habang nasa lapag at nakabukas ang TV.
Evie
Coco, don't bite!
Coco was already comfortable in Jachin's presence, worming his way on his lap and bumping his head on his stomach.
Jachin
Bumabaon na ngipin niya, bub.
Peach was still indifferent. Naka-puwesto lang ito malapit sa bintana nila at pinagmamasdan si Jachin.
Habang si Missy naman ay nakahiga sa ibabaw ng mesa kahit may ginagawa si Evie roon.
Evie
Coco, don't hurt my bub.
Jachin
Narinig mo 'yon? Bawal daw kagat. Pero dito ka lang.
Evie smiled as she watched Jachin play with Coco, swishing around the cat wand for him to chase.
Evie
Come on, Missy, go there so I can wipe the table.
She gently pushed her cat's bum out of the way and Missy hopped down to go Jachin.
Jachin
Missy, bati na ba tayo? 'Wag mo na akong sungitan.
Jachin reached for her gently and let her come to him. Missy sniffed his hand for a moment before sitting a few feet away from him.
Progress.
Evie
There you go! Si Peach na lang. But I think tamad lang siya maglakad papunta sa 'yo.
Jachin
Grabe ka naman, bub. Naririnig ka ni Peach.
Tumayo ito para puntahan si Peach pero agad itong umalis sa pwesto para magtago.
Jachin
I guess next time na lang?
Evie laughed.
Evie
It's fine. Dalawa na silang okay sa 'yo, oh!
Lumapit si Jachin sa kanya at mabilis na kumuha ng dough sa bowl, but apparently not fast enough because Evie was still able to swat his hand.
Evie
May raw eggs 'yan!
Jachin
Kaunti lang, bub. 'Di ako mamamatay sa gano'n ka kaunti.
Evie
No! Do you know how dangerous that is?
Jachin
Wala namang namamatay sa sashimi.
Evie
You don't know that.
Jachin smiled and took a few steps towards her.
And then he wrapped his arms around her.
Jachin
Sige na nga, 'di na. I-bake mo na para makatikim na ako ng hindi dangerous na cookies.
Evie
Fine. But maglilinis muna ako. Look, ang daming hugasin.
Evie pointed at the table.
Jachin
Ako na, bub. Magluluto na rin akong carbonara.
Evie
Oh, okay. Please make it yummy!
Jachin
Parang walang tiwala sa akin oh. . .
Evie
I do!
Jachin
Recipe 'to ni Mama. Naluto ko na rin kapag pumupunta sina Rigo sa 'min. Kaya 'di ka bibiguin nito. Ako pa ba?
Evie
You're so. . . ang yabang.
Jachin winked at her while putting a white apron that Evie got him.
Habang nagluluto naman si Jachin ay nag-stay muna si Evie sa living room. She played with her cats.
And the more Jachin stared at her, vibrant and carefree, and always smiling despite her own troubles.
The more he realized that his feelings ran deeper.
And that he knew she felt same.
* * *
#ATSWHIwp
BINABASA MO ANG
as the stars would have it
RomanceAFTER HEARTACHES SERIES #1 Evie Santandes was always the odd girl, and she was fine with it. Between caring for her three cats, all with different personalities, volunteering at a local veterinary clinic, and studying, she doesn't have much time on...
