When Love Was Found In Bicol (WLD)

Two

Chapter 2: The Man

Jolaizza

"Hi, good morning." He smiled upon greeting me. Natameme ako at hindi agad nakasagot. Is he really here?

Teka, bakit siya nandito?

"G-Good morning," I cleared my throat when I stutter. Pilit kong kinunot ang noo para maitago ang pagkagulat sa biglaang pagdalaw niya. Well, this isn't the first time but he rarely visit me. Maybe once a year or such? I don't know. Kevin is my friend but we are not that close for him to always visit me at my home.

Isa pa, malayo ang bahay niya dito.

"Napadalaw ka."

The side of his lips rose before he nod and spoke.

"Naisipan lang. May binigay kasi ako kay Maribel."

My lips form 'o' at what he said and nodded. Ate Maribel is my cousin who lives next to my house. Nag-iisang anak ni tita at kaklase rin ni Kevin. Hindi kami masyadong close pero hindi rin naman nagkakailangan kapag nagkakaharap. Casual lang kung baga. Kaedad siya ni Kevin making her two years older than me.

"Naglilinis ka?" He asked when his eyes dropped at what I'm holding. Bumaling ako sa walis na hawak at mahinang natawa.

"Ahh, oo. Uuwi kasi si lola kaya naglilinis ako ngayon."

"Do you need help?"

I kinda got stun at his offer, "Y-You wanna help me?"

"Yeah, sure. Wala naman akong ginagawa eh."

"N-Nakakahiya."

He chuckled before he put his hands on his pocket. He's wearing a simple grey v-neck shirt and shorts pero nag-uumapaw pa rin ang kagwapuhan niya. This guy... may pagkakataon bang pangit siya sa mga mata ko?

"Parang hindi naman tayo magkaibigan niyan. And I'm bored kaya hayaan mo na akong tumulong."

Gulat pa rin ako sa mga nangyari. Hindi ako sumagot sakanya pero hindi rin naman ako tumanggi. Hinayaan ko lang siyang pumasok at tulungan ako kagaya ng gusto niya. But I was still hesistant!

He made his way to the room I'm cleaning that made me follow him. Kita kong nakangiwi siya habang tinitingnan ang kalat sa loob. It was a total mess, alright.

"Ito ang lilinisan mo?"

I sighed at his question and nodded.

"Yes. Pinapalinis ni lola dahil may kasama raw siya."

"And you don't want any help? I mean, look at those boxes." Tinuro niya ang naglalakihang kahon na may mga laman. "At ang alikabok pa, diba may asthma ka?"

Napanguso ako at napatango.

"Don't you still need my help?" Nanunuyang aniya. Pasimple akong umirap bago napabuntong hininga. Nandito naman na eh. 'Tsaka, may point naman siya. With all this mess, I really need some help.

Sinimulan namin ang paglilinis sa paglabas niya ng mga kahon. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nandirito siya at tinutulungan ako. I mean, this is the least thing I've expected between the two of us. I told you, we are friends but not to the point that he'll help me clean my messy house!

"Why don't you cook lunch instead? Mas mabuti yun sayo kaysa maglinis dito. Baka sumpungin ka ng asthma mo, mahirap na." Anito ng maibaba namin ang panghuling kahon. Tumingin ako sakanya at nakitang pawis na pawis na ito. Bukod sa paglilinis, hindi maiwasang pagpawisan kami dahil sa init ng panahon.

"Alas diyes pa lang naman, eh. 'Tsaka mas mapapadali ang trabaho kung dalawa tayong gumagawa." Ani ko. But he shook his head and countered what I've said.