Flowing Through Pages

Chapter 3

Chapter 3.

Adobo

It's already midnight, and my eyes are beginning to ache from reading. Kumukulo na rin ang aking tyan. I haven't eaten yet.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at sumilip sa baba. How am I going to find the kitchen in this house? Baka mahimatay na ako sa gutom, hindi ko pa rin nahahanap.

I clicked my tongue. I'm hungry.

Napalingon ako sa kwartong nasa tabi ko. I wonder if he's already asleep? Is he going to get mad if I wake him?

What should I do? I'm really hungry.

Bumuntong hininga ako. Whatever. Let's just do it.

Kakatok pa lang ako sa pintuan ngunit agad akong napaatras ng bigla itong bumukas. Nagtatakang tumingin sa akin ang lalaking may hawak-hawak na laptop.

"Why—"

"Who are you?" I cut him off.

His forehead furrowed. "What? I'm Yael."

"Oh," I said. "You look so different with your hair down."

His hair was down, and he wasn't wearing his usual suit. Instead, he had on a hoodie, shorts, and flip-flops. It was the first time I had seen him dressed like this.

Hmm, this must be Yael when he's not at work.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

Napaayos ako ng tayo ng maalala ang pakay ko. "Where's the kitchen?"

"Why?"

"I'm hungry," simpleng saad ko.

"You haven't eaten yet?"

"Yes. That's why I'm going to the kitchen?" sarkastiko kong sinabi.

What does he expect me to do in the kitchen? Take a bath?

"You're right on time. I was also on my way there."

"Really? Thanks."

I put my hands in my pocket as I trail behind him. I notice how he's walking slower today compared to his usual brisk pace, probably adjusting to match mine.

Nabasag ang aming katahimikan ng biglang kumulo ang aking tyan. Lumingon siya sa akin.

"Don't judge. I'm really hungry," agap kong sinabi.

"I'm not."

I shrugged. "In case you do."

"I don't judge people," he answered back.

That prompted me to look at him. "I see."

Umismid siya. "Why do you sound like you don't believe me."

"I don't. It's natural for humans to judge others, it's a basic instinct. However, not all judgment is meant in a bad way. Sometimes, people do it to protect themselves. It is called awareness."

"And humans also have the option not to judge others. When you choose not to, then you're essentially refraining from forming opinions about someone, isn't it?"

Napatango ako sa kaniyang sinabi. "You've got a point."

He smirked. "You also do."

"I don't talk nonsense."

"So do I."

Nakarating kami sa kusinang napakalawak. May isang mahabang lamesa at sa tabi nito ay parang living room. Is this just a kitchen? Sa laki ng espasyo parang pwede ka pang magpagawa ng pool sa gitna.