Sandra
When Kuya Boyet arrived with the groceries, I immediately cooked some chicken soup. I also cooked Pork Sinigang which is Rome's favorite dish. After cooking and stocking up his pantry, I felt tired but happy all the same. I felt lighter that I was able to do something for him. I was about to transfer some soup in a bowl when I heard him.
"Akala ko iniwan mo na 'ko." He still sounded weak but I heard relief on his voice.
"Why did you get up? You're still sick. Go back to bed. I will bring you some soup." I was just about to turn to him when I felt him embrace me from behind. His chin was resting on my right shoulder.
"Medyo okay na'ko. Thank you for taking care of me. . .Sana dumating ang araw na palagi kitang makikita sa kusina natin. . .I want to wake up with the smell of your cooking. . .Pero mas gusto ko magising na nasa tabi mo araw araw. . ." There was sadness and hope on his voice. I was hoping the same thing but I can't tell him that.
"Are you planning to make me your cook? You can hire one you know." I tried to joke so he would leave the subject alone.
"Dito na lang tayo kumain? Bumaba naman na yata ang lagnat ko. Pakicheck naman please?"
I really find him cute when he unleashes his childish side. I turned around and touched his forehead and neck with my palm. We were just inches apart.
"You're still hot but not as feverish as before." I touched his nose. I can't seem to stop doing that lately.
"I know I am hot. I want to kiss you now pero ayaw kong mahawa ka sakin. . .Kain tayo?" He sighed then walked backwards and made me sit on the bar stool on his kitchen. I was not aware I was holding my breath.
"Breathe Sandy. Ako lang 'to." He went back to the stove to get some more soup on another bowl and gave it to me with a spoon. He took the soup bowl I filled up for him and placed it in front of him.
Rome
Ito na yata ang pinakamasarap na chicken soup na natikman ko. Hindi ko alam na marunong na pala magluto si Sandy. Hindi ko mapigilan na tumitig lang sa kanya habang kumakain. Buti na lang at medyo ok na ko. Gusto ko naman maenjoy ang araw na ito kasama siya.
"Anong iniisip mo? Parang ang lalim naman yata." Di ko na napigilang magtanong.
"Nothing. I was just trying to figure you out." Nanlaki ang mata niya bahagya pagkasagot niya. Siguro nagulat sya sa sinabi niya. Baka hindi naman dapat niya sasabihin ng malakas.
"What's to figure out? Alam mo naman kung ano ang ginagawa ko umpisa pa lang. I won't let you go Sandy. Sinabi ko na sa'yo."
"What if the Universe has a grand scheme forcing and keeping us apart?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang tinig.
"Then, kailangan ko sirain ang force na 'yon. Kahit ano gagawin ko makasama ka lang. Siguro naman by now alam mo na na hindi ako nagbibiro?" Tumingin siya sa'kin.
"I know how serious you are. That's why I am afraid of what might happen in the future." I sense fear and worry on her voice. I really have to know what is going on in her mind.
"Ano bang ikinababahala mo? Wala naman tayong ginagawang masama. Wala rin naman akong hindi magandang intensyon sa iyo. I could marry you right now if you want."
Namutla siya sa pagkarinig ng sinabi ko. Mukhang alam ko na ang ikinakatakot niya. Nahuli na rin kita Sandy.
"Are you afraid of marriage? Masyado ka bang nabibilisan? Alam ko hindi mo pa nga ako sinasagot pero Sandy, kilala mo ako. Hindi ako gumagawa ng mga bagay kung walang dahilan. At hindi kita kukulitin ng ganito kung hindi ko intensyon na makasama ka habang buhay."
Hindi na naman siya tumingin sa'kin. Tama nga ang hinala ko.
"If you don't want to marry me, fine. Ok lang basta makasama lang kita."
"You don't understand. I . . ." Nakita ko ang distress sa mukha niya, parang iiyak na siya, kaya't pinili kong tumigil na at ibahin ang usapan. Ayaw ko siyang nahihirapan.
"It's ok. Really. Medyo nahihilo ako. Pwede mo ba ako tulungan bumalik sa kwarto?"
She looked at me and smiled gratefully. Alam niyang pinalagpas ko ang usapan dahil hindi siya kumportable. Tumayo siya at hinawakan ako sa braso. Sabay kaming dalawa bumalik sa silid ko.
"Will you lie down beside me and stay with me until I get better? Wala ka naman pasok ngayon pati bukas diba." Alam ko na I am taking advantage of the situation and there is risk na magalit siya sa akin pero lahat na isusugal ko makasama ko lang ang babaeng mahal ko. Kahit sandali lang.
"Yes. I'll still be here when you wake up." She caressed my cheeks before removing her shoes and getting in the bed beside me. Humarap ako sa kanya at tumingin sa mapupungay niyang mata.
"I love you Sandy. Thank you for today." She touched my nose and then I let myself be drifted off to sleep. Hoping na sana paggising ko makita ko pa din ang maganda niyang mukha. I am drowning with my love for her. Kapag hindi ko nasolusyunan ang mga takot niya at hindi niya ako tanggapin, tuluyan na akong malulunod at hindi na ako muling makakaahon pa.
***
A/N: Any comments? Paano nga ba ma-solve ni Rovic ang problema nila ni Sandy?
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