CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 39

I was watching him put his mom's blanket on while I sat on the couch. He's wearing white v-neck and even though he looks weary and stubbles are evident on his face, he still looks handsome.

"Go and eat with Arissa, son," I heard Tita Corrine say. He only nodded. Tumingin si Tita sa akin at ngumiti. I smiled back.

Weeks ago, I was so hurt that I decided I'd never talk to him again and never hear his explanation. But all the ice had been melted when I saw how broken he was. His love for his mom is so adorable and cute that I want to hug him kung hindi lang dahil sa mom niya.

If I were in his shoes, I'd do the same. I'd donate my body parts for my mom even how dangerous it may be. Besides, I won't have those parts if not because of her anyways.

Now, I just want to hear him talk and let him tell his miseries to me. I now understand why he had to leave me but the reason why he never told me anything is still unclear. Gusto ko rin iyong malaman. But I'll wait for my turn. Kung may natutunan man ako sa pangyayaring ito, iyon ay ang may rason siya sa lahat ng bagay na ginagawa niya. I just have to have faith in him.

After kissing his mom on the cheek, he went to me. His eyes speak of sadness, of pain, of hurt. So when he smiled, it only barely went to his eyes. "Lunch?" he asked.

I nodded. He smiled.

"Do you want Italian?" he asked.

"No."

"French?"

Umiling ako. "Tara sa bahay. Our cook is great. I'm sure you miss Filipino foods," I said. And even if he didn't say it, I know he meant to say 'thank you'.

"Let's go," I said then he led the way.

He opened the door and waited for me to pass. Pagkabukas ay nakita ko yung dalawang private nurse na naghihintay sa labas. Tinanguan lang sila ni Corbyn at nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad.

When we were walking along the corridor, I maintained a reasonable distance. Baka mayakap ko siya ng wala sa oras.

Buti na lang din nakita ko si Hovi na nakaupo sa corridor. Hindi ko alam kung nakita niya yung nakita ko kanina dahil lutang ako noong pumasok sa room ni Tita Corrine. But I have to explain. Baka nga galit 'to kay Corbyn eh.

Her face was blank when she saw us. In-up and down niya rin kami. I think I saw her measuring the distance between us. Lumayo ako ng kaonti kahit ang layo na nga namin sa isa't isa. Nakakatakot yung mukha ni Hovi eh. Tumingin ako kay Corbyn at sinabing, "Kita nalang tayo sa basement, una ka na." I think he understood what I wanted to say kaya tumango siya kay Hovi at agad siyang naglakad.

Lumapit ako kay Hovi at sabay kaming naglakad. Pinapanuod ko lang siya habang naglalakad kami kahit hanggang nakapasok kami sa elevator.

"You look stupid. Stop that. I saw everything," sabi niya. Nabawan kahit papaano yung kaseryosohan niya. Pinindot niya yung basement button.

I deeply breathed and relaxed. "Grabe ka kinabahan ako dun ah. If you saw everything, then-" I inhaled sharply. Napatingin rin siya sakin. Nakakahiya shet. Landi kasi ni Corbyn shet.

"Then what?" she asked curiously.

I opened my mouth then closed it. There's only one thing to confirm if she really saw everything. Finally, I asked, "Do you also know about the wallet?"

There's a big question mark on her face. "What wallet?" I sighed. She doesn't know it. Maybe she left before 'that'.

"My wallet," sabi ko tapos inilabas yung wallet. "Ang cute diba?"