Bow & Tuxedo (Opposites Attract #1)

Christmas Special: PART TWO

Christmas Special: Part Two

AFTER A FEW minutes of conversing with Eleanor, Warren remembered the things he bought earlier for David's grandparents. He turned around and went to grab all the plastic that was placed by the door.

Nang makabalik siya ay agad lumaki ang mga mata ni Eleanor nang makita nito ang napakaraming plastic na bitbit ni Warren.

"Lola, I have something for you and Lolo po pala. I didn't know po yung favorites niyo, so I just kind of bought everything." Nahihiyang sabi ni Warren bago niya inilapit ang mga pinamili kay Eleanor.

"Oh my—napakarami naman nito, anak! Sana hindi kana nag-abala pa."

The ends of Warren's lips turned up, and they showed his most genuine smile. "It's okay, Lola. I was kind of embarrassed on coming to your doorstep empty-handed. You accepted me into your house to celebrate Christmas here. I at least need to contribute something."

Napangiti naman si Eleanor sa sinabi ni Warren. "Salamat, anak. Merry Christmas sa iyo."

Warren nodded. "Happy Holidays, Lola."

"O'siya halika doon sa kusina, doon natin ayusin 'tong mga pinamili mo."

Naghati sa pagbitbit ng mga plastic sina Warren at David. Nang marating nila ang kusina ay inilagay nila ang mga plastic sa ibabaw ng mahabang lamesa na nandoon.

Isa-isang tinanggal ni Eleanor ang pagkakatali ng mga plastic para madaling mailabas ang mga binili ni Warren, at saka sila nagtulong-tulong sa pag-aayos ng mga ito.

The following foodstuffs laid flat on the rectangular table were a caramel apple upside-down cake, a pecan pie, some assorted biscuits, two uncooked hams, two whole chickens, and a rack of lamb. Slices of chorizo, parma ham, and salami are also on the table.

Warren also bought three whole baskets of assorted fruits, as well as different kinds of cheese, such as soft cheese, semi-hard cheese, and hard cheese.

"Ba't andaming cheese, anak?" Takang tanong ni Eleanor.

"Oh, I was planning to make you guys a Christmas cheese board." Napakamot si Warren sa kanyang batok at nahihiyang ngumiti.

"Totoo ba? Ngayon ko lang narinig yan ah!" Natutuwang sabi ng ginang. "Matagal mo nang ginagawa yun?"

"Yes po, with my mom. We used to make cheese boards together, but I stopped doing them... after she died."

Silence surrounds the entire kitchen for a brief second before Eleanor's lively voice shatters it.

"Well, I'm sure your mother taught you really well," she beamed.

"I hope so," Warren said with a lopsided grin. "Apparently, her version of cheese board is quite complicated."

"Then what approach are we taking here with your lovely cheese board, anak?"

"I'll do my own version po."

"Sige anak. Ayun ang gawin natin," saka bumaling ng tingin si Eleanor kay David, na tahimik lang silang pinapanood na dalawa ni Warren. "David. Ilagay mo na yung mga meat at cheese sa loob ng fridge. Mamayang hapon na natin iluto ang mga yan."

"Oh, I'll help," Warren quickly said and started assisting his baby.

Si Warren ang taga-kuha sa lamesa ng mga pakain habang si David naman ang naglalagay sa loob ng fridge. Mabilis lang 'rin silang natapos, at ang kanilang sunod naman na inayos ay ang sandamakmak na prutas na bitbit ni Warren.

"I really can't believe that you bought all of this. Napakadami talaga." Puna nanaman ni David na ikinalingon ni Warren sa direksyon niya.

Warren stopped doing his task and went to David's side. Warren rested his chin on David's right shoulder, like it's the most natural thing to do between them.