Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 19

Priceless

"Ano palang lulutuin mo ngayon?"

He opened the door of his unit before giving me a glance.

"Crab-Stuffed Filet Mignon with Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce,"

Napanganga ako. Maging nang tuluyan na kaming makapasok ay nakaawang pa rin ang mga labi ko.

"What the heck is that?" I can't help but ask. I haven't heared of such a thing before. Hanggang jollibee burger steak lang ang alam ko.

He chuckled. "You'll know later,"

Tuluyan na naming nailapag sa kitchen counter ang mga naipamili pero naiintriga pa rin ako sa iluluto niya.

"Pero akala ko ba beef ang iluluto mo?" tanong ko dahil iyon ang nakita kong binili kanina.

He faced me with a delightful expression. He always looks like this around the kitchen.

"Well technically, we will still use it for the broth." he said with a sense of enthusiasm.

"Anong we we ka dyan? Ikaw lang magluluto no, wala kong alam dyan." sabi ko. Mamaya makadisgrasya pa ko eh. Malay ko ba sa mignon mignon na sinabi niya kanina eh pancit canton lang naman ang alam kong lutuin.

He chuckled a bit. "I didn't mean it like that. You'll watch me cook so basically, part ka na rin naman ng process."

My brow arched at that.

"Wait, what? Ikaw papanoorin ko? Papanoorin kitang magluto?" paninigurado ko.

Last time I checked, he doesn't want me watching him move around the kitchen and do his thing. It was as if he was afraid I would judge him that time.

But now this?

He gradually paled. Nawala rin ang kurba ng labi niya.

"A-ayaw mo ba?" he hesitantly asked as if he lost his hope and confidence all of a sudden.

I instantly stood straight. "Huh? Hindi no! Nagulat lang ako kasi diba nung nakaraan ayaw mong magpanood," sabi ko agad dahil baka bawiin niya pa.

His face relaxed in relief. "Okay, then.. Bihis lang ako,"

I unconsciously reached for my bag. "Ay, oo nga pala. Nagdala rin ako ng pamalit. Ang unfair kasi eh ikaw lang
palagi kumportable tuwing nandito tayo tas ako naka-uniform pa rin,"

Saglit siyang napangisi sa pagmamaktol ko. Ngunit nang tila may napagtanto ay napawi iyon.

"You should have told me. I could have offered you my clothes," he said with a hint of concern.

"Huh?" my forehead knotted. "Wag na no. Bakit pa kung pwede naman akong magdala. Oh siya, san ba pwedeng magbihis?"

He lead me to the guest room. Sabi ko'y ayos na siguro sa CR lang mismo ng condo niya pero sabi niya ay baka mahirapan ako dahil basa ang sahig. Baka mabasa pa raw ang damit ko. I can't help but appreciate his little thoughtfulness.

Agad niya naman akong iniwan at nagsabi siyang magbibihis din muna siya. Hindi ko alam kung matagal ba kong magbihis o talagang mabilis lang siya dahil nasa loob pa man ako ay narinig ko na ang pagbukas ng pinto ng kwarto niya sa labas.

I changed into a pair of cotton shorts and a comfy shirt. Tinupi ko nang maayos ang uniform at sinilid iyon sa bag ko bago lumakad papunta sa pinto.