“Hmm, that smells good.” Maja said, sniffing the air as she entered the condo.
“Anong binili mo, Pards?” Kim hardly looked up from the stove.
“Durian… Pards, kakain ba dito si wizheart mo?” Maja placed a plastic bag on the kitchen bar top.
“Oo, aalis kami mamaya. Wedding nung officemate ko, diba?” Kim wrinkled her nose at the wrapped parcel. The doorbell rang.
“Good morning, Maj.”, Xian smiled as Maja opened the door. He had showered, shaved, and looked so boy-next-door in his white T-shirt, khaki walking shorts, and Converse sneakers.
“Hi Xi. Sige, magbibihis lang ako at may date din kami ng bro mo.” With that, Maja disappeared into her bedroom.
“Kain na tayo.” Kim placed two plates on the bar top.
Xian approached her and hugged her waist from the back.
“Hmm…. parang may iba akong gustong kainin.” Xian buried his nose in her neck, grinning mischievously. Kim squirmed, tickled by his warm breath.
“Behave ka ha. Ito gusto mo?”, Kim smiled but held up a fork, as if ready to attack.
“Joke lang.” Xian chuckled against her neck and then suddenly lifted his head, his brows furrowed.
“Kim, naligo ka na ba?”
Kim turned to face her boyfriend, spoons and forks in one hand, her other hand on Xian’s shoulder.
She shook her head.
“No wonder.” He wrinkled his nose.
“No wonder… ano?” Kim was puzzled. Maja emerged quietly, all dressed up, from her bedroom.
“Amoy---“, he started.
“---durian, gusto mo?” Maja appeared at their side, holding up the plastic bag and offering it to Xian. He shook his head, his nose wrinkled even more as Kim giggled. Maja shrugged her shoulders and took her leave, taking the offending fruit with her.
Kim and Xian settled themselves on the bar stools to share a breakfast of hotdogs, scrambled eggs, fried rice and steaming hot coffee. This was their usual weekend breakfast routine. He’d come down from Unit 810 which he shared with best buddy Matt (who happens to be Maja’s boyfriend) to Unit 708 which Kim shared with her best friend Maja. They took turns with the cooking and this weekend was her turn.
“Saan tayo mag-go-grocery?”, he asked, halving a hotdog with one bite.
“Diyan na lang sa Cold Storage. Tapos bibili pa tayo ng wedding gift. At saka magre-remit pa pala ako.”
In between bites, they agreed on the rest of their weekend itinerary. There was the weekly laundry and house-cleaning to do. Of course, there was Sunday mass tomorrow and the rest of the things they couldn’t pack into the busy workweek. Such was the life of an OFW.
“Kim, anong oras pala yung wedding?”
“4 pm.” They both finished eating by now.
“Ok.” He nodded as she stood up to gather their plates. Suddenly, he grabbed her by her waist and pulled her close, entrapping her between his thighs while he remained seated. He gazed into her eyes, brushing a stray hair strand away from her face. She gazed back at him, amused.
“Pakasal na tayo.” He said softly.
“Ha?” Her eyes widened and she moved her head back to get a full view of his face.
