Phases of Us

Nove

He is still doubtful that a blob of leavened flour could make him change his mind about 2am but he is willing to try. If he ever needs to go crazy and make a mess, he'd rather go crazy and make a mess with Maine.

"Ok." He acquiesces while shrugging his shoulder. "So anong gagawin ko dito?"

"You, Gov, will knead this dough. Hep--" She puts a finger on his lips, which he kisses while he smirks. "Wag ka na magcomment, sumunod ka na lang. Now flour your hands." Maine instructs as she divides the dough in two.

"Anong next, Chef?"

"We knead para malambot yung bread. The kneading process warms and stretches the gluten in the flour, eventually creating a springy and elastic dough. Thus, when bread is baked, merong maliliit na butas sa loob diba?"

He tilts his head to the side. Everything she's saying so far is gibberish but he is utterly amused by the excitement in her voice, the sparkle in her eyes as she talks about bread as if it's a recently discovered culinary breakthrough.

"Hey, di ka naman ata nakikinig eh." She snaps her fingers in front of him, bringing him back to now. He only smiles at her.

"Sorry, Babe. So anong matutulong nyan for my therapy?"

"This is going to be an upgraded version of the squeeze ball exercises na ginagawa mo. Because, after you knead this dough, may pan de sal tayo for breakfast mamaya." She grins. "Now just like before, continue doing this, hanggang kayang tiisin ang sakit. Let me know kapag hindi na. Ok?"

He nods in assent and proceeds to bury his fingers into the dough, awkwardly squeezing it. "Ganto ba? Bakit ang lagkit?"

"Patience. Sa umpisa lang malagkit yan, but as you knead the dough further, magiging smooth and elastic na sya." She smiles at him reassuringly, watching him work the dough. "When you knead the dough, ramdam mo, diba? Yung muscles mo dito," She lays over hand over his forearm and glides it up to his shoulder. "--all the way to here, gumalaw yung mga muscles mo."

He hums in response, not only because he is focused on kneading the dough but he is also trying his very best not to wipe out everything in front of and just kiss her breathless over the kitchen counter.

He clears his throat to shake off his wayward thoughts. "Ok. Ok ba tong ginagawa ko?" He is actually quite enjoying this.

"Hmmm. Pwede na naman pero mas ok kung ganto." She suggests, walking behind him, her hands now gently, slowly, gliding from his shoulder down to his arms then his hands, resting hers on top of his, leaning her head lightly against his bicep. He's sure she heard his sharp intake of breath and felt the goosebumps form on his arms.

He watches as she slips her fingers in between his, as if they were made to fit his hands, guiding him in turning the dough over, lifting one side and folding it over using the heel of their palms. He breathes her in, savoring the warmth of her touch on his skin, taking in the firm yet tender way she holds him. He stares at her, smiling, noting how her face turns serious when she's focused on something and right now, that something is him. He couldn't be more grateful for all the time she has taken to make sure he gets better the fastest time possible, the lengths she'll go just to take care of him.

He smiles and kisses her forehead. She looks up and smiles at him.

His heart is full, so so full of his Nicomaine.

***

Warmth suddenly courses through her cheeks as she feels his eyes on her. She got distracted that she doesn't notice their hands are not moving anymore. She takes a deep breath to summon the courage to meet his gaze.