Who Do You Love?

CATORCE

Warning! Some parts are not suitable for young readers! Read at your own risk.

CHAPTER 14

HECTOR FELIPE

"Hex…"  I turned to her.  "May passcode din pala iyang gate kapag palabas ka."  My eyes widened. Akala ko naman…

"H-hindi mo ako papapasukin?"  Nakaka-gago na tanong ko. Seryoso ba si Amar na paaalisin na niya ako ng ganoon lang?!

"Ah… p-puwede naman. Gusto mo mag-coffee?"  I made a face. Deep inside tuwang-tuwa ako.

"Okay lang. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali."  Amar smiled at me and she guided me inside the house.

The last time I was here, it was all a mess. This time it's different. Her place feels homey. It smelled of lavender and peppermint. The lights are dim but I can still see that she rearranged the place. There are lots of flowers, very girly. She walked straight to the kitchen.

"Upo ka muna diyan Hex. Gawa lang ako ng coffee."  I nodded at her and I sat on the couch. I was looking around when I saw a picture frame on the side table, on the other side. It has Amar and Henri's photo. They were hugging each other, my brother Henri was wearing his graduation dress. This photo was taken years and years ago. I bitterly smiled because I realized, bagay pala talaga silang dalawa.

"Here, sinamahan ko na ng mga cupcakes na na-bake ko kanina."  She came back with a tray of cupcakes and two cups of coffee. I stood up to help her, then she sat on the couch opposite to mine.

"Did you bake these minies?" I asked her, wala naman kasi akong maitanong. Medyo awkward pa sa pakiramdam ko.

"Oo, nag crave kasi ako. Dulce de leche filled iyan tapos boiled icing iyong nasa ibabaw." Oh d^mn her smile makes me weak.  "Favorite ko kasi iyong boiled icing sa chocolate cakes."  She seemed to be so fond of what she made. Natutuwa ako.

"Really? Then let me taste it."  Napamaang ako sa sinabi ko. May maduming bagay kasi na pumasok sa isip ko. I shrugged it off. I leaned forward to get a piece of cupcake. I peeled the paper lining and then took a big bite. Mmmmm… it is actually good.

"Masarap?"  She excitedly asked. Napatulala ako kay Amar. Iba kasi ang dating ng tanong niya sa aking pandinig. Ano ba naman Hex?!

"Mmm… Mmmm."  I nodded my head for an answer. My mouth's kinda full. I swallowed and then licked some icing on the sides of my mouth.  "It's really good. Ang sarap ha." Tapos iba na naman ang dating sa akin ng sinabi ko. Seriously Hex?!

"Kain ka pa. Madami kasi akong nagawa, eh ako lang naman ang kakain niyan." She smiled.  "Nadalhan ko na rin si Tita H kanina eh." I nodded and smiled at her.

I kept on eating, drinking coffee. She became silent. Awkwardness filled the air. Neither one of us wants to break the silence. Minsan magkakatinginan kami, tapos ay bahagyang ngingiti. Pero mawawala din. We stayed like that for a few minutes, and lasted until I finished four cupcakes and a large cup of coffee.

"Busog na ako Amar."

"Gusto mo pa ba?"

Halos magkapanabay naming sabi. Tapos ay pareho kaming natigilan at pagkuwa'y sabay ring tumawa.

"Ahhh.." Nag-iisip ako ng sasabihin.  "Thank you sa snack."  Iyon lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko.

"A-ano, uuwi ka na ba?"  Nag-aalangang tanong niya. Pinapaalis na ba niya ako? Kung sa bagay, gabi na rin naman. Nakakahiya at naka-istorbo pa ako.