That Volleyball Player

23

"How was it?" I nervously asked while she's taking her time tasting the food. "That bad?" nakangiwi ko pang dugtong ng muli itong kumuha ng niluto kong sinigang at isinubo. "Baby come on."

Nakita ko namang natigilan ito kasabay ng pamumula ng tainga, I smiled. Kyut-kyut ng baby ko.

She cleared her throat at umiwas ng tingin. "I-It's good. Are you sure first time mo lang magluto nito?"

"Yes po." I answered habang nilalagyan ng kanin ang plato niya. "I watched a Youtube tutorial while cooking."

"Enough, baka hindi ko maubos." pigil nito sakin. "Did you inform Galvez and your parents that you're here in my condo?"

"Done, baby. Thank you for bringing my phone. But how did you know that I was there?" I asked while eating. Tumango-tango pa ako while savoring the flavor. "And how did you get there? Hindi ko nakita ang car mo."

"I remembered you told me last time that you have a resort, doon ka pumupunta when you're in deep thoughts. I asked your Mom about the location though. She didn't let me drive, pinahatid niya lang ako. When I saw your motorcycle, kaagad na akong bumaba. Hindi ko na rin naalala si Kuya, mukha namang nakabalik siya ng ligtas." nag-aalinlangan niyang saad. "Right?"

I just nodded. Wala namang naulit si Mommy kanina na may nawawala siyang driver, so I think he's good naman. "Oh, you contacted Mommy?" I asked when I realized something. "How?"

She pouted. "N-Nakakahiya but I have no choice, Galvez helped me. We went to her company, mabuti na lang mabait si Tita. She even gave me her contact number."

I smiled widely and tapped her head. "Good job baby, you already met your mother-in-law." I chuckled ng sumimangot ito pero sobra namang namumula.

"S-Stop teasing me."

"Ayaw mo akong tawaging baby? I'm your girlfriend na." I teased her more.

"P-Pwedeng mag-adjust muna? Nambibigla ka kaya! I didn't expect that you'll answer agad-agad. I thought you'd say to take it slow." dere-deretsong bulalas ni Axeia. "T-Then, bigla ka ding nangki-kiss." mahinang dugtong nito. "G-Gosh."

Muli akong natawa. "Balik ko sau, baby?" I asked habang naka-pout.

She heaved a sigh at matalim na ang tingin sa akin. "Ezra Elliot."

"Behave na po, let's eat na ulit."

We eat on silence after that although nararamdaman ko naman ang panaka-naka niyang pagsulyap sa akin, kapag nahuhuli ko naman biglang iiwas. I just smiled and stopped teasing her, mukhang naninibago pa talaga siya. Masyado nga ata akong naging mabilis.

"Ako na po dito, mag-iimpake ka pa di ba? I'll help you after I'm done here." pilit ko habang inaagaw sa kanya ang hawak na pinggan.