Lena didn't expect Cyrus to visit again any time soon. Noong huli kasing usap nila through phone, he sounded angry again. She didn't know if it's because of something that she said or because he's just not feeling well. She certainly didn't expect him to be outside her house the next morning. May dala pa itong pagkain. Padala raw ng daddy nito.
Her mouth watered when she saw the food she ate the last time they went to his father's restaurant. May bonus pa na chocolate cake. She wished Nikola was there to share it with. He'd be delighted for sure.
"How's your foot?" Cyrus asked as he placed the food on the table, away from Bailey's hungry stares.
"Uhm... okay naman." Idinaan siya ng daddy niya sa ospital kahapon para patingnan kung gaano kalala ang pilay niya. It wasn't that bad, but her dad's overreaction was expected. Isabay pa rito ang pag-aalala ng mommy niya. All because she didn't tell them sooner.
She uses the crutches to maneuver her way around the house. Palaging nakabuntot sa kanya si Bailey, nakabantay kung sakaling mahulog na naman siya. Natumba kasi siya kahapon dahil hindi siya sanay gumamit noon. Mabuti na nga lamang at sa kama siya bumagsak.
The said crutches were now placed against the wall half a meter away from the dining table where Cyrus was laying the food. He already seemed to know where everything was.
"Eat," he ordered. Inilapit nito ang plato sa kanya at binigyan siya ng kutsara at tinidor. He didn't need to tell her twice. She was already chewing on a chunk of meat. It was heavenly done. Parang lalo pa iyong sumarap dahil nagkataong gutom siya.
"Ikaw?" She offered to share her food but he shook his head.
"I already ate."
He seemed distant that day. Parang napilitan lamang itong dumalaw sa kanya. That scowl from the other day was still evident on his face. Parang inis ito sa kung ano. Kung tinutopak nga lamang siya ay pauuwiin niya ito, but she can't be rude to him because he brought food.
She ate in silence habang ito naman ay ipinaghanda ng pagkain si Bailey. Hindi ito kagaya noong mga nakaraang linggo na makwento. Maybe he's still sick?
--
"Wala kang work?" tanong niya maya-maya. Cyrus was sitting on the opposite end, sipping the coffee that he made earlier. Siya naman ay cake na ang kinakain.
"Naka-sick leave ako," sagot nito.
That made her worry. He's already four days sick? "Are you still sick?"
"Tinatamad lang."
Napangiti siya sa sagot nito. "Pasaway ka ha."
He smiled back. "I was told to rest, anyway."
"Tapos nandito ka."
"This is rest." He raised the coffee mug in a manner of salutation. She raised her fork.
After eating, Cyrus insisted that he wash the dishes. Kaya bumalik na lamang siya sa gilid ng kama kung saan nakakalat ang mga alambreng pinagkakaabalahan niya bago ito dumating. She's making a chandelier out of thin steel wires. Naisipan niyang gawin iyon dahil sa pagkabagot. It's already halfway done now.
Pinuntahan siya ni Cyrus at pinanuod habang gumagawa nang matapos itong maghugas ng pinagkainan. Napatigil siya sa ginagawa.
"Manuod ka na lang ng TV," she told him.
"I want to watch you work," he replied. He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her to resume working, which she didn't.
"Do'n ka na lang," pagtataboy niya rito.
