SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Sakuras

CHAPTER 3

Even if rain was pouring hard outside, it was still a beautiful Sunday morning for Victoria. She woke up with Ramcel still on bed beside her. Everything that happened yesterday was real indeed. She wasn’t dreaming. Pagkatapos nyang titigan ang nahihimbing pa ring si Ramcel, bumangon sya sa kama, mabilis na naghilamos saka dumiretso sa kusina to prepare breakfast.

“Smells delicious,” Ramcel whispered in her ears while Victoria was flipping eggs. Muntik nang mapasigaw si Victoria sa gulat kasabay ang sensasyong dumaloy sa katawan nya. Nakiliti sya sa hininga nito. “May maitutulong ba ako?”

“W-Wala. I mean, I’ll…I’ll do the cooking,” medyo nauutal na sabi nya dahil hindi pa rin umaalis si Ramcel sa likod nya. “Baka masunog mo pa o kaya maglasang beef ang itlog,” biro nyang dugtong at napangiti nang maalala ang adobong baboy na niluto nito noong mga bata pa sila.

“Ang yabang mo,” bulong sa kanya ni Ramcel sabay kiliti sa tagiliran nya. Hindi sya nito tinigilan kahit anong gawin nyang pag-iwas. Para silang mga batang naghabulan around the kitchen counter. “Kapag natikman mo ang luto ko, makakalimutan mo ang pangalan mo.”

“You mean, I’ll forget that we are friends once I tasted your bad cooking,” sarkastiko nyang sabi. Hindi na sya nakatakbo nang mahigpit sya nitong niyakap sa beywang sabay kiliti sa kanya. Pareho silang maluha-luha sa kakatawa.

“I love your accent, Vi. I love hearing your American “twang”.” Napatitig sila sa isa’t-isa. Doon lang napansin ni Victoria na magkadikit pa rin ang katawan nila at ang lapit ng mukha nila sa isa’t-isa. Nag-umpisa na namang lumakas ang tibok ng puso nya lalo na nang nakatitig si Ramcel sa mga labi nya. Tila gusto sya nitong halikan. Pero naputol ang moment nang pareho nilang maamoy ang nasusunog na itlog sa frying pan.

“It’s your fault!” Natatawang sabi ni Victoria at agad na kumalas sa yakap ni Ramcel saka mabilis na pinatay ang stove. “Umupo ka na nga lang dyan at ako na ang bahala.”

Nakahinga sya nang maluwag nang sumunod naman si Ramcel. Tahimik lang itong umupo sa harap ng kitchen counter. But Victoria felt self- conscious knowing that Ramcel was observing her quietly. Did Ramcel find her attractive? Bakit ba nya naiisip yan? Nagconcentrate na lang sya sa pagluluto.

Victoria prepared crispy bacon, hashbrowns, sausages, pancakes and well done sunny side up just the way Ramcel liked it. She enjoyed watching Ramcel eat. It seemed like she was savoring the most delicious meal in the world. Maybe that’s the reason why she loved cooking for her.

Ramcel took care of the dishes while Victoria vacuumed her carpeted room and living room. Napangiti sya nang maalala ang usapan nila noon, na titira sila sa iisang bahay at maghahati-hati sa mga gawain. Bigla nyang narealized na hindi pa pala nya natatanong si Ramcel kung saan ito titira. May extra room sila rito at willing syang ipagamit yun kay Ramcel. She was sure her mother wouldn’t mind. She got excited with that prospect.

After cleaning the kitchen, Victoria found Ramcel sitting on the bed and reading something from her laptop. Hindi sya nito napansin. Engrossed ito sa binabasa nito. Pinagmasdan ito ni Vi. Nakakunot na naman ang noo ni Ramcel at paminsang-minsang umiiling. Nag-ring ang cellphone nito at agad nitong sinagot. “I’m reading it,” bungad nito sa kausap. No hello or any pleasantries. “And it’s crap. The storyline is very lousy. We need something refreshing, Liv. Hindi porke adobo ang handa ng kabilang istasyon, adobo rin ang ihahain natin.” Ramcel ended the call with annoyance and slammed the phone down.