The Diplomat

Chapter 11

"Charlotte?" 

Napaangat ang mata ko as it takes me a little moment to react dahil nag zone-out ako when I heard her talking to Stella. 

But then it's her wife. 

Ano ba ng ineexpect ko? 

So i shake myself and gain my composure. "Hi, can I help you cook?" 

Gusto ko talagang tumulong sa gawing bahay like linis, luto etc — para makabawi man lang kay Kate.

"Sure." Sagot nya. 

Tuluyang na akong pumasok sa kusina. Ako na nag naghiwa ng gulay. 

Si Kate naman ay naglilinis ng karne sa sink. "Where is Sadie? Tahimik ata?" 

"Ayon tulog." I chuckle. "After kong basahan ng libro."

"She have missed that." 

"Probably." As I agree and I take a glimpse of Kate, her side view feature really impressed me. It's a total of perfection. "Parang ayaw ko tuloy munang umuwi sa Pilipinas."

And Kate met my gaze. "Why is that?" 

"Mamimiss ko si Sadie." I answered truthfully. "Do you think it's weird? That I have this feeling, connection with your daughter that I can't explain." 

Biglang na patingin si Kate sa hinihiwa ko na gulay. "Oh hindi ganyan."

"Ha?" I'm confused. 

"Pang kaldera na patatas Charlotte, hindi pang corned beef." Hindi naman sya galit or whatever. Lumapit sakin si Kate at tumayo sa likuran ko at Hinawakan ang kamay ko na may hawak na kutsilyo. "Ganito."

Grabe ang kaba ko dahil damang dama ko ang dibdib nya sa likod ko. 

Tinuruan nya ako kung paano hiwain ang patatas. 

She cut just them in two or four. 

Pero hindi nya parin binibitawan ang kamay ko —— that i could even feel her breathing at the back of my neck. 

At magsisinungaling lang ako if i say I'm not affected. 

"Ka... Kate." My voice is shaking. 

Parang may mainit at basa na dumampi sa batok ko. "Mm?" 

Nanghina tuloy ako sa nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na to. "What... What are you doing Kate?"

"And what do you think I'm doing Charlotte?" She asked me back. 

Mind you I'm a confident girl but when it comes to Kate, I'm helpless. 

Hindi ko din alam kung bakit. 

And I'm simply hate it dahil alam ko na mali. Kate is married, she has a wife, a daughter — It's actually a very beautiful family. 

Tapos ako eto.

Kaya umatras ako mula kay Kate. "Mag... Mag ccr lang ako."

And Kate let go of me. 

Nagmamadali akong lumabas sa kusina — Sh*t. Is she trying to seduce me?

You know the horrible thing is? 

It seems to excite me. 

Gosh. 

Nadaanan ko si Sadie sa living room, she is still sleeping peacefully at katabi si Bela. Kahit hindi naman mag ccr ay pumunta parin ako sa bathroom.

Para hindi obvious na intimidate ako, na natakot na baka kung saan mapunta ang simple halpos at dikit ng labi ni Kate.