SaiLem Three {DANGER: I'm Falling For You}

40. Funny Reactions

Cyann

Seeing her eat what I tried so hard to make is really touching. Kung napipilitan lang siyang kainin, it still matters a lot to me. And I can’t freaking wipe off the wide grin on my face. “You don’t have to force yourself to eat that, y’ know,” sabi ko pa and it’s not because nagpapaawa ako. Looking at the pancakes I cooked compared to the other food we have on the table, mine are not visually appealing at all. Mukha pa ngang hindi edible eh.

“Masyadong mataas ang apoy nung nagluto ka kaya mabilis nasunog,” she quips while inspecting what’s on her plate and slicing it into eight equal pieces like pizza cuts pagkatapos niyang lagyan ng butter. “Pero ayos naman. Masarap naman,” she adds before dipping a piece in honey and eating it heartily.

Well, thank fuck for the batter then. Buti na lang imported lahat ng pinabili ni Ate Carsie. “I swear, pwede ka naman kumain ng hotdogs and eggs? I mean, it’s not mine but—“

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. “Tengene ka. Nasa harap tayo ng hapag-kainan—Ayusin mo ang statement mo,” she tells me off with a threatening glare.

Though I’m suddenly aware of the sexual innuendo of what I just said, hindi ko na pinansin ‘coz I’m worried. “I’m serious. Gusto mo, ipangkuha kita?” I motion to the other plates of food in front of us that the males have prepared whole-heartedly. “Breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day. Hindi heavy ang pancakes. That’s just carbs. You need protein too.”

“Ayos na nga,” she stops me before getting the last piece of my version of the fried pancake. “Pero kayo pa rin ba ang magluluto ng tanghalian? Gusto mo ako na lang mag-sub sa’yo?”

This time, I roll my eyes at her. Sabi ko na nga ba pinagtitiisan lang niya. “Mga caretakers na ang bahala sa lunch. You’re here on vacay. Forget about the house works muna.”

After breakfast, nagkayayaan na sa beach. And like what I expected, kanya-kanya per couple—even Alice is with Vincent. I smile inwardly realizing na nakapag-bond na nga pala sila ni Lem earlier today. Kami naman ngayon, hehe.

I watch Clementine walk towards the shore to marvel at the vastness of the sea glittering under the morning sun, the fresh breeze blowing through her hair. Hindi na niya ako napansing tumabi sa kanya and I couldn’t blame her. The view is priceless and I’m really happy that she appreciates it.

And while she’s staring in awe at the far horizon with a smile on her face, I’m busy staring at her because my eyes naturally zone in on the view that’s more pleasing to me.

And it this case, it’s the view named Clementine.

We must have been standing like that for a long time—her looking at the sea; me, looking at her, when she speaks up. “Bakit?” she innocently asks me as a gush of wind blows and she tucks her hair behind her ear to keep it in place.

“Huh?” I muse, still mesmerized.

“May sasabihin ka ba?” she follows up and somehow she looks expectant and nervous.

I shrug my shoulders, bringing my thoughts back to the present. “Wala naman. Why?”

Clementine shakes her head with a mild smile. “Wala. Parang may sasabihin ka kasi eh—“

“Oh, actually I do have something to say,” I tell her matter-of-factly and she faces me, curious. “Take it off na.”

“Ha?” she comments, a bit taken aback, as if she couldn’t believe what I just told her.