Pepper and Salt

Chapter 11 - Cilantro

Chapter 11 - Cilantro

"What are you saying?!"
Gulat na gulat ako sa sinabi niya.
Gabi na, tapos beach? Okay lang ba siya?

"Ah...night swimming?"
Parang nahihiya na tanong niya.
Hindi mo ba alam ang night swimming Anj? Nasapo ko ang ulo ko.

"Yeah...But...."
Bakit bigla bigla na lang nagyaya to.
I'm 110% sure hindi ko naman siya boyfriend at lalong hindi naman kami close.

"Nevermind."
He said looking disappointed. I don't get him.

"How about let us talk first, why you have to dragged me to your house?"
Hindi na ako nakatiis. I am so curious.

"Ah that one. My mom keeps on asking me about you. Na ekwento ka kasi ni Rory sa kanya. Remember nong nagkasakit ako? She said hindi man lang ako nakapag-thank you ng maayos sayo.  Thank you nga pala."
Paliwanag nito. Sus yun lang pala.

"No worries and I really enjoyed the food. Your mom even gave me a lot of stuffs kahit hindi naman dapat."
Nahihiyang sabi ko sa kanya at binalingan ang mga ibat-ibang shopping bags sa likod.

"Why are you even labeled as Ice queen? You don't even look like one. You're soft."
He knows about that?

"How did you know?"
Nakakahiya naman. So, nasa iisang university lang talaga kami. Pero hindi ko man lang siya na pansin.

At paano ko siya mapapansin. Hindi ko pa naman siya kilala non?

"You're very popular. Hindi mo alam?"

I don't know.

"Yes."
Tipid kong sagot. I am very sleepy. Kaya napahikab ako. Nahiya naman ako kaya tinakpan ko ang bibig ko.

"Where do you want to sleep?"

Before I could answer him, hindi ko na talaga mapigilan ang mga mata ko.

That's how I fall asleep...

---

Today is my day, my year, my century
And you can't take any of it from me
We got a place in all this crazy
You're not alone 'cause we came a long away🎶
(Song title:  All Day by: One United)

Oh. That was my phone.
Wait... The ceiling looked strange to me.

Bigla naman akong napabangon.
I looked around.
Black & white?
I don't remember my room being as aesthetic as this.

THIS IS NOT MY ROOM OF COURSE!
Where am I?

I heard the door swung open.
"You're awake?"
Is this his room?

"Uh...I'm sorry Nakatulog pala ako."
Ngumiti lang siya.

"Baba na tayo. Breakfast is ready."

"What? Morning na?!"
I shouted.

"Of course. Breakfast nga diba?"
Oh. This is the real Justine I know.

"Ang dilim naman kasi ng kwarto mo. What is this? A cave?!"
singhal ko sa kanya. 

Nakakabadtrip naman ang isang to. Parang hindi man lang siya naging sweet kagabi. Sus, assuming lang siguro ako. Tama assuming ka Anj.

Hindi niya ako sinagot. Lumabas lang ito kwarto. Mabilis naman akong sumunod.

I'm beginning to feel nervous for the breakfast. Nakakahiya sa mommy ni Justine.

"You okay? You looked weird."
Justine snaps out of nowhere.
I roll my eyes and mentally bang my head.
Am I that transparent?
I didn't bother to answer him and he doesn't look like he mind after all.

Justine immediately sit when we arrived at their dining area. I walk over and sit down next to him.

"Oh! Good morning Anj. I'm so happy so stayed here!"
The voice of Justine's mom rings through the room.  His mom walks towards me and I stand up to face her. Her eyes are bright and her smile is lovely. She is wearing a pink apron.

"I'm so sorry staying a night here Tita--"

"Oh! I told you! It's mom already!"
She beamed. She looked classy and beautiful as always.  A timer goes off from the kitchen and she turns her head, showing her stunning pearl earrings.

"Well, I'm going to finish up in the kitchen."
She immediately dismiss herself.

The long dining table is decorated beautifully. I can't help but to admire everything in this house.

I can smell cilantro all over the house.
We ate our breakfast silently.

She also made a lot of sweets for us.
I ate almost everything while she was discussing about her love for baking.

"I love baking too. Oh I think I love everything which is related to foods."
I said and she laughs.

"That's good.  You can come here after your class or when you are free." She smiles. Hope is evident in her eyes. How could I say no?

"Sounds great."
I don't have a heart to say no.
She is way to good to me.

"Mom, we should really get going. I have to take Anj back to her brother's condo."
Justine looked at her mom.

"Oh. I'm sorry Anj. I am talking too much right?" She laughs and looked at me.

"No, it's okay. Thanks for everything Tit--"
I almost say Tita.

"Take care of her Justine."
I'm glad she didn't notice that. She just face her son. Justine's forehead creased when she whispered something. Seems like this two have a secret. Well, I don't mind. Hopefully, it's not about me.