Masked, Unmasked

18: Stuck With You

"Hhmmm. Is it true?" There's this hint of happiness in Alyssa's eyes na hindi niya kayang itago. Her hearts frantically beating and seeing Dennise's cute reaction bought warmth on her being.

"Yup. Supposedly galit ako sayo, more so, nagtatampo ako because hindi ka nagtext. It seems to me na nakalimutan mo ang sinabi ko the last time na magkasama tayo. But seeing you, and knowing that your out of harms way just bought me that much needed relief." She continued, head still hanging low.

"Sshhh. Come here. I am all good and okay. No need for you to worry na. Im sorry." Alyssa crossed that small distance between them and hugged the architect.

"Okay ka lang pala, yet hindi ka nagtext! Where were you Alyssa?" Dennise asked sa nagtatampong tinig.

Alyssa lets her go and...

"Well talk about that later my lady. But first, I need to change my clothes. It's wet and I am starting to feel cold! Pasok na muna tayo Den." Nakita niyang kinuha nito mula sa bulsa ng suot na jacket ang susi ng pintuan.

In no time nagawang mabuksan ni Alyssa ang bahay. Hinatak niya si Den papasok. They are holding each others hands. Hindi na nga binitawan ni Alyssa ang kanyang ng dalaga hanggang sa makarating silang pareho sa kanyang kwarto.

"Seat and wait for me, just gonna change my clothes." Pinaupo niya si Dennise sa kama at mabilis na hinalukay ang closet looking for fresh clothing. Basta nalang siyang dumampot ng kung ano doon and agad na tinungo ang cr.

Naiwang napapailing at napapangiti nalang si Dennise.

"I'm gone changing. Come let's went outside. Gotta cook some lunch. Tulungan mo akong magluto. Gutom na ako." Alyssa said the moment na lumabas ito ng comfort room. Inilahad niya ang kamay sa nakaupo paring si Den.

"Huh?" Tinitigan lamang ni Dennise ang nakalahad na kamay ni Alyssa.

Napataas ang kilay ni Alyssa dahil sa naging akto ng babae.

"Dali hold my hand na, magluluto pa ako. May's not coming today coz of the weather, so no one's gonna cook something for us." She flashed her signature cutie patootie smile.

"Uhm the problem's I don't know how to cook." Sabi niya upon holding the other lady's hand.

"Aww. Sad naman. Eversince ba hindi ka talaga marunong magluto?" Papasok na sila noon sa kitchen.

"May alam naman like the once for breakfast. Eggs, hotdogs, bacons, hams and stuff. Simple once lang talaga, ang mga complicated dishes nadah! Plus takot kasi akong matalsikan ng cooking oil so hindi ako madalas tumambay sa kusina. What are you cooking nga pala?" She asked ng makarating sila ng kusina. Umupo siya sa stool by the counter habang si Alyssa ay hinalungkat ng ref.

"Pork sinigang. Saktong sakto sa malamig na panahon."

"Sabi mo gutom kana? Matagal lumambot yung pork. Luto ka nalang ng iba."

"Napakuluan ko na kanina ang pork. I just need to add these ingredients." Alyssa then put all the needed ingredients on the counter top.

"Let me help you with those." Tumayo si Dennise at lumapit kay Alyssa.

Nagtulong silang dalawa, nagcut at nagbalat ng mga ingredients ang arkitekto habang nagsaing naman si Alyssa.

Hindi nagtagal luto na ang pork sinigang ala Alyssa.

"Okay lang sayo na ito lang ang ulam? May breaded pork ribs ako dyan or if you want inihaw na isda. I could cook any of those if gusto mo?" Sabi ni Alyssa habang naghahain.

"No. No, ayos na ito Ly. This is more than enough." Nakangiti niyang sabi habang nag-aayos ang kubyertos na kanilang gagamitin.

"Time na para tikman mo itong recipe ko. Let's eat Dennise!" Alyssa happily said.