Sometimes I run
Sometimes I hide
Sometimes I'm scared of you
But all I really want is to hold you tight
Treat you right, be with you day and night
Baby, all I need is time
-Sometimes by Britney Spears
--
Nangako si Lena sa sarili na babawi siya kay Cyrus. She will make him feel that it's worth continuing the deal. As to why she wanted to do it, she wasn't really sure. But she was sure of one thing: she doesn't want to let him go.
Siguro ay sanay na siyang palagi itong naroon para sa kanya. Nasanay na siya sa pag-aalaga nito. Maybe that's why she feels so attached. Nobody takes care of her like Cyrus does. It was a selfish reason, she knew that. Kaya nga gusto niyang bumawi kahit papaano.
Since she sucks at kitchen duties, she decided not to try to cook for him. Baka saktan lang ito ng tiyan at lalo pang sumama ang loob sa kanya. Bumili na lamang siya ng pagkaing madaling i-assemble. She's an expert in making mango graham cakes. She had a little fun marbling the top with cream and nutella.
Cyrus wasn't much of a sweet tooth but she's sure he'll appreciate it. Martin told her so. Sabi nito, appreciative daw ang mga lalaki kahit gaano man kalaki o kaliit ang effort ng mga babae.
When the cake was chilled enough, she headed to the office to surprise Cyrus. Everyone eyed the mango graham cake with hunger.
"Aba, dumadalas yata ang dalaw mo?" nakangiting tanong ni Martin.
"Ang swerte talaga ni Cyrus," sabi ng isa. "Sana ako rin, may girlfriend."
"Can we get a slice, Lena?" tanong naman ng isa pang nandoon. "Hindi naman ubos ni Cyrus 'yan, e."
Another one leaned in to take a closer look at the cake. It's true. She doubts that Cyrus could eat it alone. Isang malaking glass tray kasi ang nilagyan niya ng graham cake.
Martin gently pushed the one who leaned in away from her. "O, safe distance, p're. Gusto mong ma-power saw ng boyfriend nyan?"
"Testing lang," sagot ng lalaki sa gilid niya. Ipinatong nito ang kamay sa balikat niya habang ang isa naman ay tumawag kay Cyrus sa ibaba. Apparently, he's there again, working on the folding table. Maya-maya ay kasama na itong umakyat noong tumawag dito. Mukhang effective ang pambibwisit dito ng mga kasama. He looked like he was about to murder the guy beside her.
Agad inalis ng lalaki ang kamay sa pagkakaakbay sa kanya at natatawa itong tumakbo palabas ng building.
The crowd around her dispersed and immediately went back to work. Cyrus took the tray from her hands and carried it with one hand while the other took hers and led her downstairs.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as they're climbing down the stairs.
"Paying you a visit," she answered.
"Did you make this?" He gestured at the graham cake.
"Yep."
Ipinatong nito ang tray sa lamesa. "It looks good."
He removed the plastic wrap and dipped his index finger on the cream. Then he put it on his mouth. She found it... hot.
Heto na naman siya, nagugulo ang sistema dahil kay Cyrus. She tried to think of something else. She'd surely blush if she let that thought linger in her head.
"Okay lang ba ang lasa? Hindi ko kasi tinikman."
Tumango ito bilang sagot. "I'll get some spoon. Dito ka lang. Don't talk to anyone."
