Graded Hearts

Chapter 32: Work

Gabriella's PoV

"Then, I'll just wait for it to boil? Then season with salt?" Tanong ko ulit kay Jefferson na nasa kabilang linya habang abala ako sa pagluluto ng simpleng soup.

I never thought having no cooking skills would be a problem. Not until now.

Ngayon tuloy ay napatawag ako kay Jefferson para lang maturuan ako paano gumawa ng soup. Halatang nagising ko siya sa tawag ko, nagtext siya sa akin kagabi na late siyang makakatulog dahil may files pa siyang tatapusin. Kaya naman late rin siyang nagising. Actually, hindi pa dapat siya gising, ginambala ko lang.

"Maybe a week. I'm not sure, masyadong maraming gagawin dito." sabi ko nang tinanong niya kung gaano katagal ang magiging medical mission na ito. Hindi ko pa sinasabi sa kanya ang totoong nangyari, ni hindi niya alam na kasama ko si Alekhine. Hindi kasi ako kumportable na sa tawag ko sabihin, I'll explain to him once I get back. Maiintindihan naman niya iyon. I know Jefferson, he has always been understanding, even if I am so hard to be understood most of the time.

"Yes I will bud. Mag-iingat ako." I assured him. Kahit kailan talaga ay para pa rin akong bata sa paningin niya. "Yes, I will update you from time to time, don't worry. Ikumusta mo nalang ako kay tita, and don't tire yourself. Okay, bye." I turned off the call at tiningnan iyong niluluto ko.

"Who was that?" napaiktad ako dahil sa gulat nang may nagsalita sa likod ko.

Bumungad sa akin ang kakagising lang na mukha ni Alekhine. His hair was a mess, his shirt was wrinkled and he looked drowsy. "Who were you talking to?" he asked in a raspy voice. He slowly enveloped his arms around me while he place his chin on my shoulder. "Good morning, love." he greeted softly.

God. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyayari sa loob ko. I feel like my rib cage will collapse anytime soon.

Sa loob ng ilang taon, ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman ito.

I smiled. Ang saya-saya ng puso ko.

"You have to let go, may ginagawa ako." sabi ko habang tinitingnan iyong niluluto ko. I want to make it palatable at least, baka maturn-off agad ito sa akin at pagsisihan na hinintay ako.

"I can't. I waited for this. I'm happy I can do this now." sagot niya, at mas lalo pang hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa akin. "Do you know I've been thinking about this?" bahagya akong napalingon sa gawi niya. "I picture myself going home from work, meeting our kids at the living room while they're watching a tv show." Napangiti na naman ako, mukhang makakarami siyang banat sa akin ngayong araw ha. Masisira na iyong mukha ko kakangiti.

"Then, I'll see you in the kitchen, cooking for us. I'll hug you from behind, and kiss your cheeks." I felt my cheeks heat up.

As cliche as it may seem, but I'm feeling it. Kinikilig ako.

Nakakahiya. Pakiramdam ko nasa high school lang ako.

"Hindi mangyayari 'yon." I turned to face him. Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin. His brows furrowed.

"I can't cook. Hindi ako marunong magluto." I said, a matter-of-factly. Instant foods lang ata ang kaya kung lutuin, tsaka adobo. Sabi ko nga, Jefferson takes care of me. If he's not around, I usually order food. Kaya hindi ako natuto, besides, med school was demanding, wala akong panahon para roon.

Hindi ko naman kasi inisip na kakailanganin kung matuto, not until now though. Alekhine made me realized that I should at least learn, for the future, for my future family. I wouldn't want them to suffer just because I was incapable. Tungkulin kong matuto, tungkulin kong alagaan ang magiging pamilya ko.

One of these days, I would probably find the time to learn.

"Is this what you're concerned about? The ability to cook?"