Steady Rhythms of Love (Ryker Series #2)

SROL [8]

"I have training until 6 pm later. Just call me once your class is done," Zeke told me as he pulled over his car.

"It's okay, you don't have to pick me up. I have other plans after my class," I instantly told him.

"And what specific plans do you have?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"For Cali's surprise party. I'm in charge of buying cake and food."

"With whom?"

Ngumisi ako. "With Blade."

Sinamaan niya kaagad ako ng tingin. "Fine. Message me when you're home."

"Yeah, yeah," I said lazily because he is sounding like a big brother again.

We did our usual routine during classes. We listened to the discussion, participated in recitation, and had a short quiz.

"Maaga akong aalis ngayon. I have to run some errands," I said while looking meaningfully at Lorelei.

"Mag-isa mo? Pwede ka naman naming samahan," Cali suggested.

"Tinatamad ako," pagdadahilan bigla ni Lorelei. "Uwi nalang tayo, Cali. For sure kasama niya si Zeke. Hindi naman pumapayag 'yon na lumabas 'yan na mag-isa."

Lorelei convinced Cali on going home kaya naman pagkaalis nila ay mabilis akong nag-message kay Blade.

@zaragray: Tapos na last class namin. Anong oras tayo aalis?

@bzander: I'll be there in ten minutes.

I liked his message and told him that I will wait for him at the cafeteria near the parking lot. Habang naghihintay ay minabuti kong kumain nalang muna ng meryenda para hindi ako magutom mamaya.

"I'm sorry for making you wait," paumanhin niya nang dumating siya. Eksaktong tapos na rin akong kumain.

"Okay lang. Tara na?"

"Yeah," he nodded. Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang kunin niya sa akin ang mga librong hawak ko. "I'll carry your books."

Imbes na sumagot ay hinayaan ko na siya. Duh! Siya naman itong nag-volunteer. Malay ko ba kung gagawin niya pa ulit 'to sa susunod!

"Tell me if you're feeling uncomfortable," he told me while driving.

We went straight to The Baking Bean, owned by Mrs. Rizzy Ryker, mother ng cousin ni Blade.

I always hear good reviews regarding this bakeshop and I think may branch na rin sila international. My eyes immediately sparkled when I saw the displayed cakes behind the glass counter.

"What kind of cake do you think Calista would like?" Blade asked me. "If you can't choose anything, we can go to another bakeshop."

"Dito nalang," mabilis na sabi ko. I started to look at the cakes one by one. "Mahilig sa chocolate si Cali. Maybe a classic chocolate cake?"

Blade nodded as his eyes drafted towards a multi-layered chocolate cake. "You can check this or you can think of what particular design of the cake you want to be made. I can request it from the owner."

Umulit sa isip ko ang huling sinabi niya. From the owner. Bakit hindi niya na lang deretsuhin na pwede niyang irequest iyon sa Tita niya?

"Good morning, sir. Ma'am Rizzy already gave us a heads up that you're visiting our branch today. May napili na po ba kayo?"

Sabay naming nilingon ang staff na lumapit sa amin. Tipid akong ngumiti nang tumingin siya sa akin.

Blade let me talk to the staff regarding what I want to be in the cake. I just told them to make a chocolate cake that could do a layer of chocolate mousse and a layer of raspberry filling since it's Calista's calling. Nag-request din ako na kung pwede ay maglagay sila ng fresh raspberries at strawberries on top.