"Good morning."
Greeted the pale white figure. It's been a couple of weeks since they were last introduced and RJ found it hard to resist coming back to get to know her more, which he did, every damn day. He pestered her and found entertainment in their petty banters. She was very much guarded, but he didn't mind that at all. In fact, he admired her tenacity.
"Ugh you're here again?"
"Sungit mo."
"What in the world are you doing here so often ba kasi? Don't you have stuff to do?"
"I do. Pero malapit lang trabaho ko dito. Isa pa, mas nauna ako sayo dito no."
"Whatever. Just quit bugging me. I'm trying to read here."
"Ano binabasa mo today?"
"It really is none of your business, so shooo." flicking her hand as a gesture of his unwantedness.
"Uy grabe ka naman, hindi ako aso no."
"I might enjoy your company more if you were, but right now, just go away."
To that Moshu seemed to agree as he positioned himself in the distance between the two quarreling adults.
"See, even Moshu thinks you're annoying."
He stood up in defeat. Clearly, she just still wasn't having any of it today, and neither was Moshu.
"Mapapangiti din kita." he said to himself as he made for the counter to check out a book for his father.
"Any luck today?" said Leya who was feeling hopeful.
"Nope. Same old cynical lady."
"Hahaha I'm not surprised. I'll see you again tomorrow?"
"Yes Miss Leya."
"That's the spirit. Ingat ka RJ."
The following day, Dei was still equally pessimistic. For a girl who used to write about the wonders of the world, she seemed to be exceedingly misanthropic. But RJ, being the kind of person who just doesn't give up, kept trying to win her approval. He reminded himself that she's just starting her way towards acceptance and that his father had been the same at this stage. He didn't give up then, he wouldn't do so now.
Today he had his game face on foreal. He brought some nice cold beverages and some food he found out from Leya was her favorite and sat beside Dei and her guard dog. He was feeling positive. There was something about the weather that made him exuberant. It was a nice day, what could possibly go wrong?
"Hey, beautiful."
"Oh gooood. Don't you ever know how to take a hint?" her eyes rolling up, almost looking posessed.
"Nope. I brought you something."
"Ay wow. You think you can bribe me with whatever it is that you?...."
She lost her trail of thought at the scent of prosciutto and cheese.
"What is this?"
"Uhm carbonara."
"Hmmm. How'd you know?"
"Little bird told me."
He handed her the Tupperware and watched her as she devoured the whole thing in a matter of minutes.
"Gahd this is good. Sino nagluto nito?"
"My mom."
"Ugh, please tell her I said thanks. Perfectly done, no cream, jut eggs and good cheese. This is exactly how carbonara should be."
