melt in the fireplace | Buenvenidez Series #5 [ON-GOING]

14

Chapter 14

"Are you going to cook first? Tapos dadalhin nalang natin?" 

Nakaupo ako ngayon sa ibabaw ng counter top habang pinapanood siyang magcheck ng stocks sa pantry niya. I actually feel helpless right now. He's doing all the chores for the hike tomorrow. Wala akong ibang ginagawa kung hindi ang magtanong sa kanya tungkol sa mangyayari bukas.

"Yup. Any requests? Anong gusto mong lutuin ko?" Saglit siyang sumulyap sa akin.

Nagkibit balikat lang ako dahil hindi ko naman talaga alam kung ano bang pagkain ang gusto ko. Anything will do. Mas excited lang talaga ako sa hike dahil hindi ko masyadong nagagawa 'yon noon.

"Sure ka wala kang gustong ipaluto sa akin?" Tanong pa niya ulit.

"Wala. Ayos lang naman kahit ano..." I said and took the peanut butter jar beside me. I opened it and took a spoonful in my mouth. 

"Sandwich?" 

I nodded. Tumango rin siya saka tumalikod na para kuhanin ang ilang pagkain sa pantry. He put it on the counter top where I am seated. Naghugas rin siya ng kamay bago siya magsimula sa lulutuin niya kaya bumaba na ako para bigyan siya ng space at lumipat nalang sa stool para panoorin siya.

Nagsimula na siyang magcut ng pork and beef strips. He is really used to it based on the movement of his hands. Nakafocus rin ang mga mata niya sa ginagawa at mukhang seryosong seryoso doon.

"Bakit mo nga pala naisipan 'yung hike? For a date?" Tanong ko para hindi naman masyadong awkward ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"Because I don't think you're a fan of fancy dates.." He glanced at me and smiled a bit.

"Right," I'd give him that. 'Yun lang?" 

Umiling siya. "Dani told me you're an adventurous person. You like to travel and you're into some sports. Naisip kong baka magugustuhan mo ang hiking kaya sinubukan ko.." He shrugged.

Tumango tango ako. I don't know how much he knows about me. Mukhang binenta na ako ng sobra ni Dani sa kanya dahil pati ang mga ganitong bagay, alam na niya.

"This is just my third timing hiking. The first one was when I was with Kuya," I shared while watching the blades of the knife cut the flesh.

"At 'yung pangalawa?" Tanong niya.

I pursed my lips and looked at him but he didn't looked at me. 

"Anniversary namin ni Pierre," I answered honestly.

That was pretty memorable, though. I smiled to myself.

"Oh... saan?" 

"Mt. Ulap. Familiar ka?" ani ko.

He immediately nodded. "Last hike ko sa Pilipinas, 'yun ang pinuntahan namin.."

"Namin?" 

"Ng ex-girlfriend ko," He chuckled.

Hindi ko alam pero natawa rin tuloy ako dahil pareho pala kaming may history sa hiking kasama ang exes namin. At sa parehong hiking spot pa. This is really one of the things I enjoy here. Ang dami dami naming pagkakapareho. Tama nga si Dani noong una niya 'yong sinabi sa akin. Except the annoying parts. I was never annoying. Si Jace lang ang makulit dito.

"Was that ex of yours the one Dani told me? 'Yung ilang beses mo raw binalikan?"

"Oo, si Astrid," Simple niyang sagot.

Astrid. I know someone names Astrid, though. But I guess our worlds aren't that small at all because if it is, I'd curse to it.

"Ilang beses mong binalikan... bakit natapos?"