Disturbing The Calm Water

Chapter 6

Cake

"Best friend!" Tawag ni Asher sakin, hinahabol ako sa paglalakad. "2 days mo na akong hindi pinapansin, hindi mo ba ako namimiss?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad.

I'm not 'mad – mad' at him naman, pinagtripan niya lang naman kami ni Vini pero wala namang masamang nangyari and no one really got hurt. Oh, siya nga pala yung nasaktan.

But also, I almost died of embarrassment kaya I'm prolonging his misery for revenge. I'm pretty sure naman na may mag-cocome up na argument between us soon at mag-uusap na kami ulit.

I focused on our professor when she started the class habang si Asher sa tabi ko ay ang kinukulit ako. He scribbled a lot of sorrys on his notebook and showed it to me.

"Make sure you practice baking your cake at home para smooth ang process niyo sa exam day." Paalala ng prof. before dismissing the class.

"Doon nalang tayo sa amin ha?" Sabi agad ng katabi ko.

See? Argument.

By pair ang midterm practical examination namin at bago pa kami nag-away ni Asher ay napag-desisyunan na kung sino-sino ang magkapair. Hindi ko tuloy mapapalitan ang partner ko ngayon.

"Bakit hindi sa amin?" I fired back.

"Pwede naman din, pero kasi we have the same oven model at home as the one here sa kitchen lab. Mas magagamay natin yun-"

"Whatever." I cut him off. "Pwede din naman ibang model." Masungit kong sabi.

That weekend, nagpahatid ako papunta sa bahay nila Asher. He was already waiting for me sa gate ng exclusive village nila. Nagbigay ng ID ang driver namin at sumunod sa sasakyan ni Ash.

Their village is huge! Hindi ko alam kung malayo talaga sa gate ang bahay nila o sadyang pinapaikot-ikot niya pa ang kotse sa loob ng village. Nadaanan pa namin ang park, clubhouse, pavilion, iilang mga bahay bago ang kanila.

I looked at their house when I stepped out of the car. It looks like one of those modern square houses.

"My parents are not here so don't worry. Pero darating ang mga pinsan ko mamaya."

My eyes suddenly widened at the word pinsan. Hindi pa kami nagkikita ulit ni Vini since the last time.

"Bakit? May lakad kayo?"

"Hindi, I invited them. We need people to judge our cake." Sabi niya habang iginigiya ako papasok sa loob ng bahay nila.

He had a point though, pero pwede namang kapatid niya nalang or mga kasambahay nila. Nag-abala pa siyang mag-invite ng pinsan.

A big chandelier greeted me when I stepped inside their house. Sa living area ay may lalaking naglalaro ng video games.

"Hi Trail!" Bati ko sa kanya. Asher's younger brother. We've seen each other a few times already.

"Hey Yani." He greeted back without looking at me, busy sa game.

Nadaanan namin ang dining area na may glass long table sa gitna. It was a huge one with 10-seater. Their kitchen is spacious too, napapalibutan ito ng marbled countertops. They have a large fridge and all sorts of expensive appliances. Lumapit ako sa oven at nakitang parehas nga iyon sa ginagamit namin sa school.

Nilapag ko sa counter ang plastic na dala. I brought some ingredients na hindi nabili ni Ash. The kitchen has a glass door leading to their backyard na may pool at sun loungers. Lumabas ako roon, appreciating the weather.