Love Me or Hate Me

EPISODE 11

Asa genuinely thought that his morning sickness will never get worse. Although sensitive siya sa ilang amoy at mga pagkain, halos wala namang ibang nagbago sa sistema niya. He thought that those dramatic tales about severe morning sickness were just exaggerations meant to scare pregnant people.

Unfortunately, he was badly mistaken.

Asa woke up one weekend morning feeling unnaturally irate and jumpy. Pagharap niya sa salamin ay tila mas lalo lang siyang nainis pagkakita niya sa ayos niya.

"Have I always been this ugly?" he whispered to himself while inspecting his face on the mirror. Agad naman siyang naghilamos at nag-ayos ng sarili niya bago siya lumabas ng kwarto.

"Good morning po, sir," bati sa kanya ni Harold na abala na sa pagluluto sa kusina.

"Kanina ka pa ba nandito?" tanong sa kanya ni Asa bago siya dumiretso sa ref at nagsalin ng gatas sa isang baso.

"Around thirty minutes pa lang naman po. I'm cooking your breakfast, so hintay ka na lang po muna," sagot ng assistant niya.

"Is Jarvey not coming today?" tanong pa ni Asa bago siya dumiretso sa living area at bumaling sa tablet niya para magbasa ng balita.

"It's Sunday po, so probably not," replied Harold.

Asa frowned deeply. "Bakit pa siya mangangako na mag-aasikaso sa 'kin kung hindi naman pala siya makapupunta rito? I should've just shooed that brat away. I know he's busy and all, but can't he at least allot some more of his time on his obligations to me?" he said.

Harold fidgeted uncomfortably on his spot. "Uh, sir, nandito naman po ako. Do you need something? May ipapabili po ba kayo? I'll just finish cooking this and then aasikasuhin ko po kung may gusto kayo. I'm sure Jarvey's also resting today. Alam niyo naman po na medyo busy ang tao. Besides, nandito naman po siya kagabi."

Asa seemed to turn even more irate upon hearing what Harold said. "Of course, ako lang 'tong magmumukhang masama kung magde-demand pa ako sa kanya. Why did I even choose him in the very first place? I must be insane. I should've just chosen someone who's not busy. Pwede naman kasi siyang 'wag na lang magtrabaho tutal ang dami ko nang perang ibinigay sa kanya. As if naman na ang laki ng sweldo niya sa restaurant na 'yun," he said, tapping his tablet vigorously.

Napangiti na lang si Harold habang inaasikaso ang linuluto niya.

I see.

"Gusto niyo po bang papuntahin ko si Jarvey ngayon?" he asked. "I'm sure he won't mind. Makapagpapahinga naman po siya rito lalo't nagawa ko na po mostly ang chores dito kahapon. I can call him po."

"No," Asa replied firmly. "I don't want to sound like I'm desperate. I can manage. Kaya ko ang sarili ko kahit na wala ang tulong niya."

Huminga na lang nang malalim si Harold. He's always had dramatic mood swings even before, but this is entirely new. I can't believe his already extreme behavior can still go beyond his usual standards.

Binilisan na lang ni Harold ang pagluluto, hoping that a warm breakfast might brighten up his boss' dark and gloomy mood.

"What did you cook?" tanong ni Asa nang tawagin na siya ni Harold para kumain.

"Lugaw po, sir. I also included egg. It's good for you. It's also essential for your health, lalo't nagbubuntis po kayo," paliwanag ng assistant niya sabay latag ng isang bowl sa harap ni Asa.

Babahagya pa lang na naaangat ni Asa ang kutsara nang bigla na lang siyang maduwal.

"What the hell is this?!" he shrieked before covering his nose. "What the hell did you cook, Harold?!"