My Aloof Man

Chapter 27

DRIVE

I slowly opened my eyes. I was welcomed by the dim lights of a familiar room... but this isn't my room. I sat up and scanned my eyes. And then I remembered what happened. I got a call from Brennon's mom that he's sick, I went to his unit and took care of him and then I fell asleep while watching him...

But then as far as I remember, I was sitting on a chair beside his bed... how did I ended up laying here?

I looked at the glass wall and the sliding door. The curtains are not closed. It's already dark outside.

Bumangon ako at lumabas ng silid. The smell of the food immediately greeted my nostrils. I went to the kitchen and found Brennon cooking... and topless.

He's moving around smoothly like he's used to be doing it every day... He almost jumped upon seeing me when he turned around. There's a plate on his left hand.

"You're awake..." he stated.

"Yeah... I'm sorry, I slept."

He put the plate to the kitchen counter. Napansin ko na mayroong nakahandang dalawang plato doon.

"Maupo ka na. We'll have dinner and then I'll drive you home," he said, picking up a shirt that was hung on a chair and wore it.

Lumapit naman ako at naupo sa bakanteng high chair.

"Hindi na... I can just call my driver to pick me up..." I declined kahit na gustong-gusto ko naman na ihatid niya ako pero kagagaling niya lang sa sakit at ayaw ko na ma binat siya.

He then looked at me and frowned.

"Or you can just drive me home yourself..."

Naupo narin siya sa katapat na upuan. Inabot niya ang pinggan na naglalaman ng kanin at pinaglagyan ang plato ko pagkatapos ay yung kanya naman. Lihim akong napangiti. What a gentleman!

Yung pinggan naman na mayroong chicken adobo ang inabot niya at pinaglagyan ulit ako. Nakangiti na talaga ako this time. Bahala siya kung isipin niya na kilig na kilig ako kasi totoo naman!

"Marunong ka palang magluto?"

"Yeah," tipid niyang sagot bago isinubo ang kanyang pagkain.

"Paano ka natuto? Nag-aral ka?"

He emptied his mouth first before answering.

"Nope. By myself."

I nodded.

"Kailan ka natutong magluto?" tanong ko ulit.

"Since I started living alone."

"Kailan yun?"

"Since college..." He answered and looked at me. "Can't you just eat? Why do you have so many questions?"

Napanguso ako. "Sungit. Parang nagtatanong lang..." I murmured. Tapos nagsimula na akong kumain.

"Ang sarap..." I commented. "Ang sarap mong magluto. Ang galing!"

Napairap siya sa akin.

"Totoo!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah... I'm glad I amused you," he dully said and continued eating. Ngumuso na lamang ako at ngumiti bago nagpatuloy ulit kumain.

"Alam mo pwede ka ng mag-asawa," I commented which caused him to stop chewing. He looked at me as if I've said something ridiculous. "Bakit? Totoo naman ah. Pwede ka ng mag-asawa kasi marunong kang magluto. Swerte ng mapapangasawa mo."

"Isn't it the wife's job to cook?"

"God, I hate double standards! Women should not be reduced to a mere house wife, you know? We can be whoever we want to be! Tsaka malay mo di marunong magluto ang asawa mo... kagaya ko... diba?"

"Then you're not qualified to be my wife," he bluntly said as he looked at me, taking a gulp of his water. His Adam's apple protruded. Napasimangot ako.

"Yan lang ang qualifications mo? Ang dali naman," I murmurmed. "Swerte mo naman pala. I'm so much more even when I don't have any knowledge when it comes to cooking. And now I've decided to learn," I said, smirking, before I sweetly smiled at him.

He shook his head.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay pinaghintay niya muna ako sa sala. Naghugas muna siya ng pinggan bago nagbihis. He's so independent and responsible. Wala yata siyang hindi alam gawin. I actually volunteered to wash the dishes pero di siya pumayag dahil halata daw na di ako marunong... which is true naman. But at least, tumulong ako sa pagliligpit.

I scanned my eyes around. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang interior niya. It was a mix of dark gray, gray and white. Even his bedroom. There are also three abstract paintings on his living room. And from here, I can clearly see the skyline because of his glass walls. One look and you'll know that's it's a man's house.

I hears the door clicked open and then it closed again. His footsteps neared me. Bumalik siya sa living room na nakasuot na ng khaki shorts, a black jacket and a white v-neck shirt underneath.

"Let's go," he said. I reached for the remote control and turned off the television. I grabbed my shoulder bag and we went outside his unit.

Medyo nag-aalala pa ako nang makarating kami sa underground parking lot kung paano ako sasakay sa motorbike niya gayong naka skirt ako. Okay sana kung di ito pencil-style.

Nakasunod lamang ako sa kanya. Narining kong may tumunog na sasakyan at nakitang kong umilaw ang isang itim na Range Rover. Siya mismo ang nagbukas sa akin ng pinto.

"Where's your Ducati?" I asked upon hopping inside.

"Why? Do you prefer riding a motorbike?"

"No! I-I was just asking."

Kahit naman gusto ko sa motorbike dahil libre yakap pero naka palda ako ngayon so it's a big no no.

He just smirked and closed the door. Umikot siya papunta sa driver's seat.

"So you don't use your car when you're in the office?" I asked.

"I do. Depends on my mood," he answered and turned on the engine. "Your seatbelt," he reminded and then roared the car to life.

The traffic was a bit heavy when we reached the highway... and I was thankful of it. Of course, I don't mind being with him longer.

I glanced at him. He's lazily driving... only using one hand on the steering wheel while his other hand is placed on the window as he rested his temple on his knuckles. He's slightly tapping on the steering wheel as he looked at the traffic.

It took us more than an hour before we reached our house... and I wished it took longer.

I removed my seatbelt.

"Thank you for the ride," I said and opened the door. I went out.

He looked at me.

"Thank you for taking care of me," he said, I can feel the sincerity in his voice.

I gave him a smile. "Always."

I swear, my heart skipped a beat when he smiled back. Oh God! He gave me his rare smile. "Go. I'll leave once you get inside."

I pursed my lip. "Okay...Good night, Brennon."

"Good night," he said.

I closed the door and walked towards our gate. I turned around and waved goodbye. He rolled the window down and motioned me to go inside.

I bit my lip trying to stop myself from grinning.

"Drive safely..." I said before going inside our gate. I heard the sound of his car leaving right after the gate is closed.