The Wild Angel

Chapter 11: Suspicions

"Go now, Azra."

Day 15

Azra and Maeve were on their way back to the condo. The car was filled with the soft hum of the radio and the warmth of their shared company. As they approached a red light, Azra reached into the back seat with a smile, revealing a bouquet of calla lilies she had hidden there.

Maeve's eyes lit up. "Para saan 'yan?" she asked. Her tone was teasing but her smile was genuine.

"Nakakalimutan mo atang nanliligaw pa rin ako." Azra handed her the flowers. Her expression was a mix of shyness and playful confidence. "Sana sa science nalang ako naging prof," she said, her voice carrying a hint of humor.

Maeve raised an eyebrow, amused. "Bakit naman?"

Azra grinned, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "Para lagi tayong in lab."

Maeve rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hold back her laughter. "Corny mo talaga," she said, though the way she squeezed Azra's hand showed she found it endearing.

The light turned green, and Azra started driving again, the sound of Maeve's laughter still lingering in the air. Azra glanced at her with a soft smile. "Alam mo dati, tawa mo ung favorite sound ko."

Maeve looked at her, a curious glint in her eyes. "Ngayon hindi na?"

Azra's grin turned mischievous. "Ngayon kasi, ungol mo na."

Maeve blushed, playfully hitting Azra's arm, but the laughter bubbled up between them, filling the car with a lighthearted, almost contagious joy.

The rest of the drive to the condo was filled with giggles and teasing remarks, the kind of easy banter that comes naturally when two people are completely at ease with each other. Azra parked the car and walked Maeve to the entrance of the building, a slight hesitation in her step.

Maeve noticed and tilted her head. "Hindi ka papasok?"

Azra nodded, her expression turning a bit serious. "Oo, may kailangan akong gawin. It's work-related... kailangan kong tulungan si dad."

Maeve pouted slightly, but she understood. "Sige, pero balik ka agad, ha?"

Azra smiled, pressing a quick kiss to Maeve's forehead. "Promise."

Once inside her condo, Maeve noticed colorful post-it notes scattered around. The sight made her heart swell. The first one was stuck to the rice cooker, reading, "Saing ka na, mahal ko. Wag ka papagutom."

Maeve chuckled to herself, holding the note with a tender smile. She started preparing the rice but, distracted by her giddy thoughts, she ended up putting in ten cups instead of the usual amount. Realizing her mistake, she quickly put the excess rice back, shaking her head at herself for being so lovestruck.

As she waited for the rice to cook, she spotted another note on the TV remote. "Nood ka muna habang wala ako, para di mo 'ko masyadong mamiss," it read.

She turned on the TV, still smiling like a lovesick teenager, though the horror movie playing didn't match her mood at all. With a laugh, she switched the channel to the news, but the joy in her heart persisted.

Next, Maeve decided to heat up the adobo, extra oily, Azra had cooked for her the other day. But just as she was about to open the microwave, she found yet another note: "Microwave ka ba? Pinapainit mo kasi ako. 😉"

She couldn't help but laugh at how silly, yet incredibly sweet, the notes were. "Parang tanga," Maeve muttered to herself, though her smile never faltered.