Eloveator (Short Story)

Chapter 12

Naligo at nagbihis na rin ako ng simpleng shirt at shorts.

Ayoko naman magmukhang trying hard kaya pasimple na muna.

Nagpabango na rin ako para amoy mabango naman. Kinuha ko susi ko at phone ko tsaka ako lumabas ng unit.

I pressed the down botton and waited.

After ilang minutes bumakas naman na 'to at pinindot ang floor niya.

Bumukas na rin ang pinto sa floor niya at dumeretsyo ako sa unit nito at nagdoorbell.

Narinig ko naman ang ingay sa loob ng unit niya after ilang seconds lumabas na 'to at mukhang nagluluto.

"Wait! Hindi ko pa tapos niluluto ko eh! You're early!" sigaw nito.

Natawa naman ako dito at ginulo ko ang magulo niyang buhok. Nagpout naman 'to.

"Tulungan na kita," I suggested.

Tumango 'to at nagulat naman ako at nagluluto pala siya ng carbonara.

"I thought it would take me thirthy minutes to finish. Kaso, uhm, nakatulog ako bigla. Sorry!"

"No need to say sorry," sabi ko dito at tawa.

"Tulungan na kita."

Nakita kong nagboboil na siya ng pasta at mukhang okay naman na. She already cut the garlic and onions. Konting steps na lang pala.

"I was supposed to cook for you though," she suddenly said and pouted.

"It's okay. Pang-luto mo na lang ako ulit," tawa ko dito.

"Sige ba. Promise! Hindi na ako makakatulog!" she even made the cross the heart sign.

I chuckled. Ang cute niya talaga.

I started cooking at tahimik lang siyang nasa tabi ko. Tinitignan niya akong nagluluto. She was clapping like a little kid.

Hindi ko napigilan pero pinisil ko ang cheeks niya kaya nagulat kami sa nagawa.

"U-uhm. Sorry. I'm just gonna.. cook," awkward kong sabi.

"A-ahh, y-yeah. I-I'm just g-gonna seat o-over t-there," sabay turo niya sa couch niya.

Ugh, ang torpe ko ampota.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tinuloy ko na lang ang pagluluto ko.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutes natapos ko na rin ang niluluto ko.

"Here," sabi ko dito at sinerve ko na siya.

"Parang ako ang bisita ah," sabi nito.

Natawa naman ako. "Luto ka sa unit ko next time, para even."

"Sige ba!" she said excitedly.

Kumain naman na kami at buti na lang at medyo masarap naman ang naluto ko.

She was clapping excitedly and gave me a thumbs up.

"Sarap?" I asked.

Sumubo pa siya ng isa pa at nagkadumi siya sa cheeks niya. May nakita akong tissue sa may table niya kaya kumuha ako nun at pinunasan ang cheeks niya.

"May sauce," sabi ko dito.

Her flustered face was cute. She became instantly red when I placed my hand on her cheek.

She pouted her lips.

Damn, tempting.

I shook my head and sat down again. I have to control myself. Napaisip naman ako bigla.

I can't really have her instantly. She has just gone through a break up. She's still moving on and I can't let her force herself to like me.

We quietly ate the food. Napapatingin 'to sa akin pero hindi ko na siya tinanong kung bakit.

Baka kapag tumitig ako sa kanya lalo, baka matuluyan na ako.

That's how big her impact is.

Siya naman na ang nagvolunteer na maghugas dahil ako na daw nagluto at ako daw bisita.

Tumango na lang ako at pinanood ko na lang siya maghugas ng plato. She was humming and swaying her body like a happy kid.

I can't help but smile sadly. I have to give her space.

Pagkatapos niyang maghugas ng plato, nilapitan niya ako sa couch.

"Micaella," I said.

"Hmm?" she said while fidgeting her fingers.

Huminga ako ng malalim. I have to tell her.

"I like you, dati pa," her eyes widen but it immediately turn into a soft smile.

"Pero?" her soft smile became a sad one. She knew there was something after that.

"Pero, ayaw kitang pilitin. You're so special for me that I wanted to give you time for yourself. Ayoko maging selfish katulad ng iba. I don't want you to feel rushed," I said while giving her a sad smile.

She was teary-eyed. I panic a bit when she smiled and the tears went down on her face.

"Thank you," she was crying. "I wanted to hear that."

Pinunasan ko ang mga luha nito at tinignan ko siya.

"I'll wait for you to heal. Don't worry, I'll still be by your side. I'll watch you from afar until I can finally be closer and fall deeper for you."

Her tears were streaming down and I couldn't help but get teary-eyed also. She's so gentle and that bastard just hurt her like that. Their relationship was too toxic and I don't want us to be like that.

I carresed her hair and gave her a hug.

"I'll wait for you," she held onto my shirt and started crying harder.

I'll wait for you Micaella.

***