Sincerely yours, Ellie. #Wattys2018

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

"I heard magiging busy ka hanggang bukas ah? Aura told me." He said while putting the pan inside the oven.

"Yeah, I wasn't worrying anything in life until I entered the limelight. Alam mo na, kailangan ko din ng pagkakaabalahan." Tinanggal niya ang apron na kanyang suot at ang natira na lamang ay ang 8-pack abs na namamawis saka umupo sa tapat ko.

"Do you mind coming with me at the mall today?" Aniya.

"Why? New Nike shoes Collection?" Umiling siya sa sagot ko at inayos ang mga plato, "Oh, I know. Camera."

Unti-unti siyang ngumiti at tumango. Camera Geek psh.

"I'm thinking of... Instant cameras." He said dreamily while playing with the fork. Apat lang na plato ang kanyang inihanda dahil ang kapatid niya ay wala sa bahay.

"Nah, poor durability. Ang talagang habol mo lang ay the film itself. Plus, buying and buying a film would cost you lots of GoPros." Sagot ko, "Remember? I had an Instax Wide 300 then got tired of buying and buying films and gave them to the kids outside the village? T'was fun watching them play with my camera."

That was 4 years ago. When Aidan disappeared, and Freon sat on Aidan's seat in my life.

I wonder where Aidan went those years?

"Just ask Aidan, Freon. Marami siyang alam. Malay mo may mas marami pa siyang alam na magagandang specs kaysa sa'yo." Hindi siya sumagot at ngumiti na lang.

"I don't think I can." Ngumunot ang noo ko. Why? Aidan is already back. Maybe it's time for them to bond.

"I smell sweets again, kuya. Don't ruin mommy's diet. She's gonna burst like a train." Bungad ng isang dalaga ay yumakap kay Freon.

"Like a bomb, Shan. Not a train." Ani Freon sa kanyang nakakabatang kapatid.

"Hey, ate Ellie! You're going to be a busy bee daw sabi ni ate Aura." Baling niya saakin.

"Aura's nosy, Shanaia. Papagalitan ko nga iyon." Biro ko. Sakto namang tumayo si Freon para icheck ang binebake niya.

"Already done?"

"Nah, 35 minutes more. Want some frappe first?" Tumango ako. There's a coffee shop 2 blocks away from their house. Edi palagi kaming andoon.

"Shan, you know what to do." Binalingan niya ang kapatid na nasa lavatory at umiinom ng tubig.

"Yeah, I won't burn the cake so go."

Being with Freon is like being uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. I don't know what triggers the feeling but.. I just feel that way.

Freon's the kind of friend that you have to talk about a topic that really makes sense. He's not the type of people you can be with in watching Netflix or have just chilling with. We would talk about nothing but things that really matter. Creepy, but that's what I like about him.

"2 no whip Choco Chip please." Aniya sa lalaking barista. Tumango naman ito at sumulyap saakin bago ni-punch sa cashier ang order namin. Ang kamay ni Freon na kaninang nasa baywang ko lamang ay umakyat sa aking balikat.

"To whom?" Tanong nito.

"Freon and Ellie Mariano." Kumunot ang noo ko sa sagot niya. Really? I'm a Mariano now? I'm gonna kill him later.

Namutla ang barista at tumungo sa blender. I've never seen that barista before, siguro bago kaya di kami kilala.

Well, we're always-- as in always here so all of the staffs, including the branch manager knows us. Or is it just us as public figures?

Nakabalik din kami agad sa bahay nila Freon at saktong kakatapos lang ng cake na maluto.

"You're a good guard, Shan." Ani Freon sa bunso. Umikot na lamang ang mata nito habang binebeso ako at umakyat na. Seems like she's not taking a slice.

"Hmmm ang bango!"

"Chocolate cake at your plate, your majesty." Nagbow pa siya saka kami nagtawanan. Sumali na rin siya sa tabi ko at tinikman ang cake.

"Do you know that chocolates are aphrodisiac?" Tanong niya.

"Well, I know that chocolates can make me happy." I smiled at him.

"So am I making you happy? Right now? Everytime?" He leaned closer for me to see those blue eyes.

"As long as you bake and give chocolates." I laughed and watched him shaking his head while smiling, "This is reaaaally good! I'm taking this home, a'ight?"

"Go ahead. Wala din naman kakain nito dito. Manang would love that." Tinignan ko ang oras at 4 na oras na lamang ay magiging busy na ako. Napansin naman ni Freon iyon kaya inaya na niya akong umuwi.

I refused to him taking me home. I should be independent and that's quite a practice.

"Manang! Freon made a cake!" Paborito ni manang Lucy ang lahat ng gawa ni Freon lalo na ang mga desserts.

"Ilagay mo muna sa ref, nak! Mamaya na natin kainin." Rinig kong boses ni Manang galing sa dirty kitchen. Nilagay ko ang cake ko sa fridge at umakyat na para matulog.

As soon as I changed after washing, I heard a noise. Napapikit naman ako sa takot at nanigas nang may yumakap saakin patalikod. It's a familiar scent.

"You've been at Freon's and I smelled sweets in your body." He's not asking. Alam niya kung saan ako galing.

"Y-yeah.. Why?" Kumalas siya habang hawak ang kamay ko at inaya ako sa kama. Nakatayo ako at siya'y umupo sa dulo ng kama ko.

"I'm sorry, I left." I kept staring at those familiar orbs. Feels like I've known him more than I've known myself.

"It's okay.. I left the old me anyways." Ngumiti ako and I saw him relieved.

"You napping? Sasamahan kita." Tumango ako and joined him in bed.

Inunan ko ang kanyang braso. It seems like hugging a hollow oxygen... But with a feeling.

"You think I'll do good today and tomorrow?" Tanong ko.

"Of course, ikaw pa. You're one of a heck girl who can do anything." That lifted me up. That's because of Aidan. Hindi ko man alam kung bakit, but everytime I feel like I need someone, he's always there. I love him for that.

•••
Hey!
I'm just warned na baka hindi niyo ito maintindihan but I want you to leave all those questions in your mind right now. Kung sino si ganito? Paano nangyari ito? There's a twist in every story and I'm doing everything to make your wait worth it.