No Longer

o

I never went out of my room after our small talk. I don't know, I just feel awkward kahit mukhang okay naman sya. Lumabas lang ako nang dumating si kuya.

It's already dinner time. I don't need to cook because kuya Ares already bought food for us. It's the first time that the three of us are complete during dinner. How weird.

"Kumusta ang paghahanap mo ng trabaho, Ae?" baling ni kuya sa'kin sa kalagitnaan nang pagkain.

"Wala pa rin eh. Most of the companies here needs someone who'll do clerical work."

"Why don't you try that?"

"Kuya, my degree isn't for that. Saka alam mo namang ayoko ng gano'n," sagot ko.

"Your friend said earlier that you can do makeup, right?" Justin suddenly joined the conversation.

"Ah yeah. Marunong ako, but not that good."

"I need a personal makeup artist. You can also be my personal stylist," he suggested.

Me as his makeup artist and stylist? Seryoso ba sya?

"You've been helping a lot, man. Salamat talaga," sabi ni kuya.

"Are you serious with your offer? Diba may makeup artist naman na yata kayo? Saka stylist?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

"I'm serious. Pwede ka ring personal cook especially when we're on tour," he looked really serious.

"Uhm okay? May pipirmahan ba akong kontrata or what?"

"I'll arrange that tommorow. And since, you'll be my personal artist, you're going with me sa shoot namin."

"Agad-agad?"

"Ayaw mo ba?"

"Aya— I mean, nakakabigla naman. Pero sige," natataranta kong sabi.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain. Kuya Ares and Justin talked sometimes. While I remain silent. Contemplating on what has happened. It's all too fast. But who am I to complain? Trabaho na ang lumapit so might as well grab the opportunity.

🍑🍒

I woke up feeling light-headed. Agad akong bumangon para maghanda ng breakfast namin ni kuya. But when I reached the kitchen, nando'n si Justin. And he's topless. And cooking. What a sight.

I faked a cough to get his attention. He looked at my way after.

"Hey, good morning," he greeted.

"Morning," I replied.

"Nagluto na ako ng breakfast. Naliligo na yata si Ares," sabi nya.

"Ako na dapat ang nagluto," sabi ko.

"I'm not as good as you, but I think my cooking is fine."

"Hala. That's not what I meant. Kasi ano— paano ba 'to? Kami na nga nakikitira dito tapos ikaw ba nagluto. Nakakahiya naman," paliwanag ko.

"It's fine. I really appreciate your company. Saka your kuya helped me back then, it's my time to turn back the favor," he smiled. And his smile looked so pure and genuine. His dimple showed. Ang cute.

Oh geez. Ano bang pinagsasabi mo dyan, Ae? Oo na sige, gwapo nga. But don't you dare go beyond that thinking.

"Okay ka lang?" he snapped me back from my weird thoughts.