Hues After The Rivalry
Kabanata 18
Umupo ako sa monobloc habang naghihintay kay Rue. The rainbow seemed to have been there for a while as its colors were gradually fading together.
Ayaw kong isipin na gusto pa rin ako ni Rue dahil nag-akala ako noon na hindi na. His actions were normal and friendly to me. Unti-unti ko na ngang nakakabisado ang ugali niya, lalo na sa loob ng court.
Actually, I was glad that he didn't bully me. Tama nga si Jam, desenteng tao siya. I don't think he can afford to bully someone. Mabait si Rue at magaan pakisamahan.
I saw Rue jog towards me. Hinintay ko siyang makalapit, dala ang isang puting shirt.
"There's a bathroom," he pointed to a door. "Magpalit ka na bago ka pa matuyuan. I'll wait for you here."
Tumango ako at tumayo. Pinakiramdaman ko siya. His actions right now are just normal. Mukhang tropa-tropa lang. Maybe I'm just overthinking.
I changed my jersey in the bathroom. Kaamoy ng shirt si Rue. And just like what I've noticed about him, it's a Nike shirt again. He has tons, huh. Sana pwedeng mag-arbor.
Nang lumabas ako ng bathroom, nakita kong may nilabas na container si Rue mula sa maliit na oven. Sumabog ang usok no'n at kumalat. Natakam agad ako!
"Here's the snack. Ryhs said she'll be here in minutes. She's preparing what she baked."
The corn cheese was mouthwatering. Umuusok pa 'yon at naghalo sa ere ang amoy ng mais at mozzarella. Nakakagutom!
"Sino nagluto?" tanong ko at kinuha ang kutsara sa maliit na plato.
"Ako."
Nagsandok ako at tumikim. Napapikit ako nang matikman ang sarap no'n. Damn, girl!
"Rai, it's still hot. Blow it first."
"Ang sarap, Rue!" sabi ko at nilingon siya. "Ang sarap nito!"
He licked his lip. "Really? I specially baked it just for you. Masarap talaga 'yan."
Itinaas ko ang kamay ko para makipag-apir sa kaniya. He gave me a proud high-five. Humagikhik ako at sumubo ulit.
Wala akong masabi. Ang sarap talaga.
"Pwedeng magpalit ng deal?"
"What?" Natatawa na siya habang nakapamaywang at pinapanood ako.
"Corn cheese, for one week."
His lips protruded. Hindi siya agad sumagot. He looked amused, though.
"Pwede naman. Kaso baka magsawa ka. 'Yan lang ang perpekto kong naluluto at ayaw kong pagsawaan mo agad."
"Hindi ako magsasawa, Rue," seryosong sabi ko.
His brow raised.
"Hindi 'to nakakasawa. Hindi ko pagsasawaan 'tong corn cheese mo."
He nodded and looked away. Kita ko ang diin ng kaniyang paglunok.
"No problem, Rai. If that's what you want. My pleasure."
Ngumisi ako sa tuwa. Minsan lang ako nakakakain ng corn cheese at kung sa isang linggo, hindi ko 'yon pagsasawaan kaagad. Kung ganito ba naman ang sistema ng pagluluto tulad ng kay Rue, babalik-balikan ko pa.
Kalaunan, umakyat na si Ryhs. May kausap siya sa phone habang dala ang isang tray na may cake.
"Kuya, I don't think we can go. We are busy. I'm sorry," Ryhs said and when she saw me, she winked at me.
BINABASA MO ANG
Hues After The Rivalry (Achievers Series #1)
RomanceRivalry, a basketball athlete and a culinary student had never seen herself attracted to any men. Despite her friends' persistent attempts to set her up with various men, or at least one guy, she remained uninterested. Men don't ignite her heart. Wa...
