Heart Tamer (That Girl #1)

20. Damian

"You don't like the crust of the loaf?" I finally asked Saoirse while I watch her peel the two slices of loaf from its corner.

"Yeah, I don't like it," sabi niya na tinangu-tanguan ko lang. She continue what she's doing before looking at me again when she noticed that I'm still staring. "What?"

"Nothing," I shook my head although I wanted to tell her that I'm glad to be back here at her place, back on her side.

I know I was being unfair to Saoirse leaving her on read and not showing up after a month.

But what can I do? These are all new to me, all these feeling she stirred inside me were too foreign to comprehend, especially for me who have not spoken this language...ever.

It was confusing and scary at the same time, to want her beside me and knowing I shouldn't because she's my best friend's cousin. Zico gives a great amount of care to Saoirse, they're maybe just cousins but they literally grew up together, they're almost like brother and sister.

I cannot and should not want Saoirse, Zico wouldn't be too happy about this.

But what can I do? My thoughts about her wouldn't just stop, I gave this feeling a break by not seeing and talking to her for almost a month, and it felt nothing but pure punishment I voluntarily did upon myself.

"Luto na!" Saoirse announced after checking the casserole. She cooked sinigang na hipon for our brunch.

Tumayo ako mula sa high chair at tinungo ang cupboard kung saan maayos na nakasalansan ang mga pinggan. I saw Saoirse looking at me and looks like contemplating if she will protest but she didn't eventually. Hinayaan niya 'kong maghain.

"This also tastes good," I told Saoirse after tasting the viand she cooked.

"Thanks, recipe naman 'yan ng mommy ko," she said with a proud smile on her thin lips.

It's just a smile. A simple innocent smile from her, yet my heart didn't skip the chance to skip a bit. What in the world is happening to me? Am I going crazy because of this woman?

I nodded my head, trying to act cool. "What else can you cook?"

"Hmm," she started thinking. "Hindi naman ganon karami, of course I know how to cook adobo, sinigang, nilaga, tinola too syempre, and ano pa ba? Oh yeah, mga fried dishes!"

"Do you know how to cook paella?" I asked curiously.

"Duh," she said.

"Duh?" I asked repeating her word.

"It's my favorite! Of course inaral ko 'yon."

I smiled discovering that we share the same favorite dish.

"That's my favorite too, that's why I asked."

"Weh?" she asked rather surprised. I nodded. "Same pala tayo ng favorite food, galing!"

I gave her a small smile to stifle my laugh with her adorable reaction. Wala na 'kong sinabi so we can start eating in silence, I know Saoirse talks a lot even in the dining, but I'm not used to that and I'll appreciate if she finished her food first before yapping about anything.

When we finished our brunch I volunteered to do the dishes but Saoirse wouldn't let me do it alone, so we ended up doing that one basic chore together. I was on the sink washing the dishes while Saoirse is on the side draining the dishes dry by wiping it with clean cloth.

"Are you expecting someone?" tanong ko nang magkatinginan pa kami sa dinig naming pagtunog ng doorbell sa unit niya.

Saoirse's forehead creased, obviously thinking until she suddenly gasped upon whatever realization she had. Nagtaas ulit siya ng tingin sa'kin. I'm just looking at her.