MORE THAN I FEEL INSIDE

IV

HALOS hindi humihinga si Althea habang hinihintay ang magiging reaksiyon ni Gabriel. They were having dinner, and she was the one who cooked. Iyon ang gusto nito, ang siya ang magluto, maglinis, maglaba, at mag-asikaso ng lahat ng pangangailangan nito. She thought it would make her miserable. But deep in her heart, she was glad she had to do those things for him. Kahit pa nga madalas ay pang-uuri at pamimintas ang inaabot niya mula rito.

Napapitlag siya nang padaskol na binitiwan nito ang mga hawak na kubyertos. "This meal is the worst." Malamig pa sa yelo ang pagkakabigkas nito sa bawat salita. "Wala ka pa ring alam sa pagluluto hanggang ngayon. You're hopeless." He looked at her furiously.

She couldn't stand the sight of him, not because he was angry, but because he was breathtakingly attractive despite his anger. Hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili kung bakit hindi niya magawang magalit o matakot nang totoo rito.

"You've been cooking for so long, yet you haven't improved, not even one bit." Mabigat ang bawat bagsak ng mga salita nito. "You're getting worse by the minute." His eyes were full of contempt. He kept on babbling angrily.

Hindi nag-sink in sa kanya ang mga sinabi nito. Mas abala siyang pagmasdan ang mukha nito. He had changed a lot during the past three years. He looked more mature now but it didn't lessen his appeal. Instead, it only added to his raw magnetism.

Gone was the teasing and naughty look on his face that she assumed as his trademark. Magulo pa rin ang medyo malagong buhok nito. He now sported a thin beard and moustache. Sa halip na makapangit dito ang bigote at balbas nito, nakadagdag pa ang mga iyon sa sex appeal nito.

Sadyang guwapo na ito noong una pa man niya itong nakita. But he looked even more handsome now. Maturing suited him. His deep dark eyes that were always full of contempt only added to his manly appeal. Ang pinkish tight lips nito ay tila nag-aanyaya ng halik. His perfectly sculpted nose was proud and arrogant.

Muling bumalik ang paningin niya sa mga labi nito. She remembered how those sexy lips—

"What the hell are you thinking?"

Dagling natauhan siya mula sa pagpapantasya nang ibagsak nito ang mga kamay nito sa mesa. Napalinga siya sa paligid. Halata ang pagkagulat at takot sa mukha ng mga kasambahay, lalo na ni Yaya Andeng.

She looked at Gabriel. Doble ng galit kanina ang nakikita niyang galit sa mukha nito ngayon. "I'm sorry..." Napalunok siya dala ng bikig sa lalamunan niya.

"I should be the one to know when my rage has actually gotten to you," anito, punong-puno ng pagkayamot ang tinig.

"Gab, I—"

"There's a grand gathering tomorrow at the El Palacio. Mom and Dad's golden anniversary," putol nito sa anumang sasabihin niya. "Sa wakas ay makakakain din ako ng totoong pagkain." Nang-uuyam ang pagkakatingin nito sa mga niluto niya.

She spent hours preparing those meals. She prepared them with so much love because they were for him.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow at five. Wear your best dress, dear wife. We're gonna show the whole world how happy we are in this hell we're living in."

Tila naglalagos hanggang sa kaluluwa niya ang mga titig nito.

"You can showcase your great acting skills again. Doon ka magaling, 'di ba?" He stood up next to her. Mariing hinawakan siya nito sa braso.

"Show the world how happy you are with me. I'm warning you, Althea, don't do anything stupid or you'll regret it for the rest of your damn life!" Padaskol na binitiwan siya nito at iniwan siya.

Mariing napakapit siya sa gilid ng mesa. Lumapit sa kanya si Yaya Andeng at marahang hinagod ang likod niya.

"I'm fine, Yaya." Nginitian niya ito bilang pagbibigay ng assurance.

Note: Galit na kayo kay Gabriel? Pareho tayo. Char! Hahahuhu. Babait din po yan si Gab. Ipagdasal natin siya.