He Broke Me First

Chapter 24

"Hi." Ngumiti ako pagkabukas ng pinto ni Joaquin.

I visited him since it's our rest day today. Hindi pa maganda ang huli naming pagkikita. Tinaas ko ang hawak kong paper bag na may lamang pagkain. I cooked adobo for him, for peace offering. Nagpatulong pa ako kay Mama at Manang.

He sighed before hugging me. "I missed you," he whispered against my neck.

I smiled while caressing his hair. "I missed you, too, baby." Bahagya ko siyang tinulak para makapasok na kami sa loob ng unit pero ayaw pa niyang humiwalay. "Come on." Mahina akong natawa. I kissed his temple and pushed him lightly again. He then let go before pulling me inside.

Joaquin was wearing a white sweater and a pair of board shorts. While on the other hand, I was just wearing a grey sweat pants and yellow tank top. Nilapag ko ang dala ko sa lamesa.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Uh... adobo. I cooked it."

He looked at me. "Really?"

I only nodded, worried if what would it taste like. I mean, natikman ko naman na kanina. I was just not sure if pasok 'yon sa panlasa niya. He knows how to cook!

"Let's see." He was smiling.

This is the very first time that I cooked for him. Lagi kasing si Joaquin ang nagluluto para sa' kin. I watched how he took a spoonful of adobo. Kumunot agad ang noo ko nang tumingala siya habang ngumunguya.

"Ano ulit 'to?" he pointed at the food.

"Adobo."

Tumago-tango naman siya. "Akala ko menudo," aniya at sumubo pa ng isa.

"Menudo?!" I hit him a little but he just laughed and kissed my cheek.

"Joke lang. Masarap nga, e," bawi niya agad. "Pwede ka na mag-asawa." He did a thumbs up.

Natatawang inirapan ko lang siya. He went to the bathroom after eating. Niligpit ko lang ang pinagkainan namin at hinugasan ang mga pinggan bago ko nilinis ang kaunting kalat sa condo niya habang naghihintay akong matapos siya.

He went outside just when I finished cleaning. I sat on the couch. "Come here." I opened my arms at him.

Joaquin walked closer and sat beside me before hugging me. I took the towel from his neck to dry his hir with it.

"Did you clean?" he asked after noticing the living room.

Tumango ako. "I did."

We went silent for minutes. I was thinking how I behaved last night. I shouldn't have talk to him that way and besides, he was right. Lagi ko na lang siyang napaghihintay sa wala.

I sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry."

We both looked at each other nang hindi sinasadyang magkasabay kami. I pouted a bit before kissing his jaw. "I'm sorry I didn't have time for you. I was too occupied with my work."

He smiled a little. "Okay lang, sorry din. Dapat hindi na 'ko nakasibay, pagod ka noon, e. Naiintindihan ko." Hinalikan niya ang noo ko.

I gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you."

"Where do you want to go? Our third anniversary is coming." Ngumiti ulit siya.

Right, malapit na nga talaga.

"Anywhere. I'll be fine. As long as you're with me," I answered.

"H'wag ka namang gan'yan." He held the bridge of his nose.