DV Series: decoding the boys (under revision) ??

35 - falling || uncut ver

Bumaling ulit ako kay Racel. "I really need to go home. I'll book my ride na lang."

"Ihahatid kita," he said firmly.

"Hindi talaga pwede," I said.

He threw me an indignant glance. "Too bad. There's no way I'm letting you go home by yourself," sabi niya with finality.

I sighed in resignation. Tumatakbo ang oras. The longer na makikipag-argue ako, the higher yung chance na mahuli kami.

Seeing his victory, Racel let out a triumphant smile. Lumabas na siya para bigyan ako ng oras na makapag-ayos. I wanted to take a shower sana since he offered to let me borrow some clothes. But I can't exactly go home wearing a man's shirt, so I just washed my face na lang.

Pagkatapos kong maghilamos, pinusod ko ang buhok ko. When I deemed myself presentable enough, I joined him in the dining room.

As soon as I saw the breakfast he prepared, my eyes widened like saucers. Ang dami niyang niluto! May pancakes, bacon, omelet, tocino, fried rice and veggies. Yung servings ay yung tipong parang hindi dalawang tao lang ang kakain.

The scent of the delish food made my mouth water. Marunong pala siyang magluto.

Despite myself, a wide ear-to-ear grin blossomed on my face. Sinong hindi kikiligin sa idea that he, THE Racel Gutierez, made breakfast for me in his condo? The thought alone sent wild butterflies flitting about in my stomach.

"Eat up," Racel invited habang naglalapag ng baso sa mesa.

Medyo stunned pa ako. It was my first time to go here pero napaka-cozy na makita siyang ganito first thing in the morning. So much so it was giving me crazy, unthinkable ideas. Idagdag mo pa yung image niya na nakasuot ng apron. If that's not sexy, I don't know what is.

Hoshet.

Umiling ako at my own thoughts.

Clearing my throat, I managed to say, "Ang dami naman nito." I sat down and grabbed the utensils.

He removed the apron and hung it before taking a seat in front of me. "I got carried away. Hindi ko napansin na naparami na pala."

"Mahilig kang magluto?"

He nodded with a smile, filling his plate with large servings. Hindi na ako nagulat. He's an athlete. Food is like their fuel, and with that kind of physique, I'm sure matinding maintenance talaga ang kailangan para i-maintain 'yon. Kuya Jacob, in fact, could eat four servings just by himself.

"Lagi ka sigurong nagluluto," sabi ko.

He reached out for the pitcher and poured orange juice into the glasses.

"Not really. Only for family."

For family.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Casual niyang sinabi 'yon. Parang wala namang ibang meaning. In fact, hindi nga siya nakatingin sa 'kin dahil naglalagay pa rin siya ng pagkain sa plato.

Pero. Bakit. Kinilig. Ako. Doon?

Shaking the thoughts away, I grabbed the spoon and fork. I was about to put some food on my plate nang bigla niyang kinuha ang plato ko.

He placed his own plate down instead. Nagulat ako sa inakto niya kaya tumingin ako sa kanya.

"Uy," protesta ko. "Ang dami nito!" Puro gulay pa!

Tumawa lang siya. "Kumain ka ng gulay."

Damn. Hindi pa naman ako mahilig sa veggies.

I tried the bacon and fried rice first, almost moaning at the taste. Perfect combination.