Love In Progress

Chapter 20

Priority

I went out to the balcony for some air because I felt my face getting hot. Twice in just a day, kaya pa ba ng heart ko ito? This man and his blunt words, kelan ba ako masasanay?

He acted just normally pagkatapos niya akong tawagin para sa dinner. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung ako lang ba itong hindi sanay at masyadong affected sa actions niya!

He cooked seafood pasta for us. Sa may living area kami naupo. I felt my stomach growled as I look at the plate in front of me, it smells so good! I took a mental note to wash the dishes later dahil wala akong natulong sa pagluluto.

He sat beside me at binuksan niya ang TV. Nagplay siya ng isang movie kahit na mukhang pareho naman kaming walang interes manood ngayon.

"Wow! It's really good!" sabi ko nang nalunok ang first bite. He faced me and smiled widely, satisfied with my reaction.

"Ilang babae ang pinagluto mo nito bago mo na perfect ang recipe na ito?" I asked teasingly.

His smile disappeared instantly at suminghap siya. "Ewan ko sayo. This is actually my mom's recipe and it's my first time making it for someone else. Kahit si Zaiden ay hindi pa nakakatikim nito."

Natawa ako sa lengthy explanation niya kahit na nagbibiro lang naman ako. I noticed that he didn't like it whenever I point out na madami siyang experience sa mga babae. The more reason na I should tease him with that dahil iyon lang ang leverage ko sa kanya!

I enjoyed dinner. Masarap ang pagkain at ang kwentuhan tungkol sa school activities. Madami din akong nalaman na kalokohan ng pinsan kong si Ace dahil blockmates sila ni Flint. I should probably use it to blackmail him next time?

He allowed me to help him in washing the dishes. It's almost 9PM when my sister Yani called and asked me where I am. Nasa condo na sila ni Ate Stella.

Once again, Flint found a way to make me agree for him to walk me back to my condo. He used the reason na gabing gabi na at delikado. Kahit na 5 minute walk lang naman iyon.

"Susunod ka sa mga pinsan mo mamaya?" I asked habang magkatabi kaming naglalakad sa dilim.

"Nope, I still have like two major projects due tomorrow." Sagot niya na parang wala lang.

"WHAT?" hysterical kong tanong "You could've finished it already kung hindi ka nag prepare ng dinner tonight. Dapat ay sa labas nalang tayo kumain para mabilis tayong natapos!"

"I can do it later." Sabi niya binabalewala ang pagwawala ko.

"Then baka umaga ka na matapos niyan! You should have prioritized your tasks."

Parehas kaming natigil sa paglalakad. Iniharap niya ako sa kanya. Nanatiling nasa magkabilang balikat ko ang mga kamay niya. The street is dark with only one street lamp opened.

Hinanap niya ang mga mata ko sa dilim. He smiled "You are my top priority, Mischa."

I sighed. My heart felling the warmth. The logical me would find his reason so dumb! Bakit ako ang priority niya? Dapat ay ang studies niya! I am just someone new na nakilala niya. But my heart on the other hand is feeling 'awwww'. How precious of him to think of me as his priority, to constantly making effort to pursue me, to be so understanding of me.

However though, gusto ko paring ipaintindi sa kanya na there are more important things than me. I don't want his world revolving just around mine at mapabayaan niya ang ibang mga bagay.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Can you promise me next time you would put your studies first? Then maybe your career next. Tapos siguro sa third ay pwedeng ako."

He pouted a bit, thinking.

Nagpatuloy ako. "You know, we are graduating students... pagkatapos syempre ay kailangan natin i-start up ang career natin. We have yet to accomplish so many things. Ayaw ko lang na baka mamaya dahil ako ang 'top priority' mo may ma miss kang opportunity."

He pulled me for a hug and breathe deeply. "Fine, Mischa. I promise. Studies, career, then you. I hope someday when we have proven ourselves enough you allow me to make you my 1st priority."

I was relieved and content with his answer. At least we are dealing this maturely. Marahan ko siyang tinulak para makalas ang yakap. Instead, I hold his hand and pulled him para magpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad.

"Iyon ay kung someday nasa buhay mo pa ako. Mamaya nakailang palit ka nun ng babae ha. Knowing how fast you want things to progress."

Ngumiwi siya sa pahayag ko. "Mischa." He called helplessly.

"Aba malay ko bang puppy love lang itong nararamdaman mo ngayon."

"Puppy love?" sabi niya hindi makapaniwala sa naririnig. "You just wait, Mischa. When that day comes talaga, wala ka nang kawala sa ayaw at gusto mo!"

I smirked at him and raised an eyebrow. Well, let's see.

Pagkadating sa condo building kinalas ko na ang magkahawak naming kamay. "Sige na bumalik ka na sa inyo. Galingan mo sa project mo."

Tumango siya. "Good night, Msicha." Then he pat my head. I waved at him and went inside.

I actually enjoyed this day so much; I actually enjoyed hanging out with him. My heart feels warm and light na kahit nung sinabi sakin ng kapatid ko na may family dinner this coming Saturday night with my grandmother ay hindi ako kinabahan.

I did my night routine after a brief talk with my sister. Humiga na ako sa kama checking my social media notifications. I saw that Zaiden actually sent a friend request to me, I accepted it. Lumabas kaagad sa recommendations ang iba pang nakilala kong pinsan ni Flint kanina kaya ni click ko din ang add as friend sa kanila.

Afterwards I opened my messaging app. May mga pictures na nisend sa group chat namin sa special project team. And another message sent by Flint a while ago.

From Flint, 09:35PM

I'm back. Will be doing my project... gagalingan ko. Goodnight! See you tomorrow ❤

Hindi ko na siya gustong istorbohin pa kaya nag react nalang ako ng puso sa bubble niya.