Cassidy Hurdiss intentionally broke the heart of the one man who has always loved her. She had to set him free so he could fulfill his lifelong dream to be a successful business tycoon in New York City.
Four years later, Aaron Ceyx Monteverde come...
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Hapon na umuwi sina Mang Carding. Awang-awa ako kay Aaron dahil mukhang pagod siya kaya sinalubong ko siya agad.
"How did it go?" I asked him as soon as Mang Carding was out of earshot.
"I suck at it," he replied, obviously annoyed. I patted his back. "I can't even hold a milkfish with my bare hands. Lagi kong naibabato because it keeps on fucking wriggling under my grip," pagmamaktol niya.
Niyakap ko siya habang natatawa."It's okay for a starter. Masasanay ka rin."
He sighed. "I feel like I burdened Mang Carding."
"It's okay, baby."
He put his hand on his pocket and reached for a one hundred peso bill. "Ito lang kinita ko. Sabi ko kasi kay Mang Carding na kanya na 'yong 300 dahil siya naman halos ang nanghuli. Dapat nga hindi ko 'to kukunin, but he insisted."
I cupped his face. "You look knackered. Go take a bath, then dinner na tayo. May ulam na." I smiled at him before coaxing him to clean himself up.
"What's for dinner?" tanong niya.
"Bicol Express."
His eyes widened. "Did you cook it?"
I nodded shyly. "Nagpaturo ako kay Aling Pacing. Ayoko naman kasing umuwi ka ng bahay na wala kang madadatnang pagkain."
He chuckled and held my chin up. "I'm so proud that you can cook now."
I gave him a timid smile. "We're a team here."
A smile was tugging at the corner of his lips. He was about to lean so he could give me a kiss but I blocked his puckered lips using my hand. "Hey, what was that for?" pagrereklamo niya.
I grinned and pointed to the bathroom. "Bath first. Amoy dalagang bukid ka."
---
"How was it?" kinakabahang tanong ko.
He tasted the Bicol Express and was silent. He looked at me intently then back at the bowl of viand.
"It's okay. Tawag na lang tayo sa fastfood," marahang sabi ko, pero umiling-iling siya. I sighed. I know his reaction would be like this. I never should've tried.
Sumubo ulit siya ng Bicol Express at inulam ito sa kanin. Pinigilan ko 'yong kamay niya. The spoon was halfway through his mouth when I grabbed his arm.
He frowned. "What? I'm eating."
"You don't have to eat this. Hindi ako magagalit."
Umiling-iling siya. "I want to eat it. Kung gusto mong mag-fastfood, then okay. Pero ito ang kakainin ko."
"You don't have to pretend that you like it."
Inilapag niya'yong kutsara niya at tinitigan ako."I'm not pretending. I do like it. It tastes good."
He looked sincere but I was still doubtful. "Bakit hindi ka nagsalita agad no'ng matikman mo?" nagtatampong tanong ko.
He grinned. "Hindi ako makapaniwalang ikaw ang nagluto."
I pouted but he just pinched my nose. Inusog niya palapit ang mangkok ng ulam tapos nilagyan niya ako ng kanin sa plato ko.
"Eat up, I think I've just fallen in love with your Bicol Express."
---
"Ano ba kasi 'yang surprise mo, Aaron?" Hindi mapakaling tanong ko ulit.
"Patience is a virture." He proceeded to blindfolded me.
Kakatapos ko lang maligo at magbihis nang kumatok si Aaron sa kuwarto ko. He said that he has a surprise for me. He insisted that I put on a blindfold. Inaalalayan niya naman ako. "Careful, chief," he said while holding me.
"Bakit kasi ayaw mo pang sabihin kung ano ito." Mareklamong saad ko, but he just chuckled.
"Then it won't be a surprise anymore." Binitiwan niya ako at narinig kong naglakad siya palayo.
"Saan ka pupunta? Don't leave me here!"
I felt a hand on my arm again. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. But why does Aaron's hand feel softer and more wrinkled?
"You can take off your blindfold now," says Aaron's voice that seems to be coming from in front of me.
I can't handle the suspense anymore so I hastily untied the blindfold. Nasilayan ng mata ko si Aaron.
He smiled at me and motioned me to turn. Umawang ang labi ko nang makita ko kung sino ang humahawak sa akin. Nag-init ang sulok ng mga mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. Niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit at naiyak sa balikat niya.
"Surprise." Aaron said next to me while watching us hug.
"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me," naluluhang sabi ko pa rin. He pulled me for a quick hug and kissed the top of my head.
"I just want you to be happy." Bumitiw ako kay Aaron at tumingin ulit sa sorpresa niya.
This time, it was her who reached out for me to give me a hug. Masuyong hinaplos niya 'yong buhok ko. "Pinasundo ako ni Aaron sa probinsiya kasi nami-miss mo raw ako. Para na rin daw may kasama ka sa bahay kapag magtatrabaho na siya." Then she wiped my tears using her palms.
