He is whistling as he made his way to her unit. He left at his mother's house early so that he can give the adobo to her on dinner.
As he was standing infront of her door, he released a sigh then knocked.
"Hi.. Ahm, may adobo dito, luto ng Mama ko. Baka.. Baka gusto mong tikman"
He didn't hear an answer.
"Iwan ko dito sa may pinto. Pakikuha na lang", he said smiling. Then went to his unit.
/
She heard what he said. And she was so tempted to open the door but she was worried. What if he's waiting outside and might see her? She don't want another pair of pity eyes before her. So she called her brother.
Kuya.. May adobo
Ha? You cooked?
No. From him.
Ahhh..
Nasa pinto..
Kinuha mo?
Baka kasi nasa labas siya. Makita niya ako..
Bunso, you are beautiful. Anong masama kung makita ka niya?
Maaawa lang siya sa akin.
Bunso, there's nothing wrong of opening your heart again
Heart agad kuya? Di ba pwedeng door muna?
Doon din naman papunta yan..
Kuyaaa...
Sige na, kunin mo na yung adobo, sayang yun. Mukha namang mabait 'yong tao.
Then her brother ended the call.
She clenched a fist defeated, then went to her bed to sleep. She tried. But she can't. Her mind was on the adobo outside her unit.
/
She didn't do her usual morning routine the next day and that is taking a bath early at 5. The bag on her eyes are bigger that morning due to lack of sleep.
He didn't sleep as well cause he waited for her to open her door and to atleast try the adobo he brought for her. But, the sun is starting to come out and the adobo remain untouched.
He walked to her door slowly and picked the container of the adobo. He knocked five times.
"Hindi ka pala mahilig sa adobo", he whispered then tapped the wooden door.
"Kasing tigas mo 'tong pinto mo", he mumbled then left.
/
She was saddened after hearing his last words. She gripped the wheels of her wheelchair. She looked at her door sadly. She felt bad of what she did.
Napakasama ko bang tao?
/
That night his mother called.
Ano, anak? Nakuha ba siya ng adobo ko? Ano? Dadalhin mo na siya sa susunod na linggo?
Ma....
Nak, ok lang yan. Baka hindi siya mahilig sa adobo. Baka mas gusto niya mechado? Yaan mo. Magluluto uli ako sa susunod na ling—
Ma, okay na. Kung ayaw niya edi wag.
Nak...
Ok lang ako Ma. Last na'to di ko na siya kukulitin. Last na'to.
He ended the call then leaned on the wall.
The feeling when you lost your favorite toy, or when your mom refuse to buy you an ice cream, or when your 5th grade crush has a crush on your bestfriend, or when a butterfly broke a wing while flying? That's how he feels at the moment. Masakit. Malungkot. And he never thought that he will feel this way just because of that voice next door.
Last na talaga 'to.
****
A/n: Ang first LQ 😔 I think I will never eat adobo the same way again.
