Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Twenty-one

The Jar

"Hungry?"

My eyes roamed around Ashen's room. It's smaller than Rhysand's and enough a one-night stay only. Mayroong higaan, dalawang upuan at isang lamesa, isang banyo, at maliit lang na kusina ang nandito. There's a small sink in the corner too, and a single window. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa sahig at napangiti nang makita ang mga strings roon at mga tools para sa kanyang gitara.

He told me he's been fixing his guitar since last night. His guitar is not one of those modern and new, but it still had the perks to used beautifully. Pero mabilis pa rin itong masira sabi niya. Lalo na't madalas na niya itong ginagamit. Tinanong ko siya kung may balak siyang bumili ng bago. He immediately shrugged that idea out. He said it's still useful to him, and that this old guitar was his only companion he ever had.

And at that thought, I realized how much he must've loved his passion.

Isang tanging bagay na mayroon siya at masaya niyang ginagawa. I saw how he embraced this... Right here, right now. But it's only a dull passion because he's only keeping it to himself.

"Are you?" Tanong ko pabalik sa kanya at natawa. "Kung gusto mo, ako na ang magluluto. Magaling kaya akong chef sa bahay." I proudly said.

He smiled then seat on the edge of the bed. Kinuha niya ang ilang strings ng gitara sa sahig at ang pliers. He pulled his guitar out of the bag and placed it beside him. Napatikhim naman ako bago tuluyang pumasok ng pintuan. I was hesitant to close the door behind me but ended up locking it anyway.

Masyadong mainit na kanina sa rooftop kaya napagdesisyonan na naming bumaba. We talked a lot at the railings, but we never got too personal. I don't know why but I feel like we're too careful with each other. Like we are aware that we have problems, but choose not to dwell on it in a conversation. It's comfortable, and a relief.

"I only have eggs and hotdogs..." He laughed. "Hindi pa ako nakakabili ng iba kanina. I'll just bought other supplies after my first salary. But for now, you only have two options... I mean, three. You have three options if you want to add me on the list."

Kumindat siya sa akin. I rolled my eyes and went to the kitchen. Pinigilan ko ang sariling tumili habang hinahanda ang frying pan at ang mga hotdogs na nakahanda na roon.

We were supposed to have lunch on a restaurant near the building, but I remembered he's short on budget for that. Kaya nag-offer nalang siyang dito nalang maglunch sa floor niya. Wala naman akong reklamo. Mas gusto ko pa ngang dito lang sa loob. I felt more safe. Kaysa naman sa labas ako at may posibilidad na may makakakilala sa amin. And besides, I liked cooking.

"What time tonight?" I asked him and glanced at him.

"Seven. And I'll probably take until morning there. A bar is a bar, right?" Bumuntong hininga siya at sinimulan na ulit ang pag-aayos sa gitara niya. He's like fixing the broken strings and changing some too. Kinakabit niya lang ang mga iyon at sinisigurado ang tunog nito.

"So ito ang unang beses mong magtatrabaho?" Tanong ko ulit. Tumango-tango siya at halatang bumakas ang kaba sa mukha niya. He licked his lower lip and gulped.

"You?" Tanong niya sa akin pabalik.

"I work in a resto. Pero nakadependa sa araw. Kapag kinukulang sila sa tao, doon lang ako pumapasok at nag-o-overtime. I... I haven't been back there lately. Maybe I'm good as fired now." Bumagsak ang balikat ko at mabilis na umiwas ng tingin sa kanya nang bigla siyang tumingin.

"And in the org too..." Dugtong ko. "I usually help with the editing and publishing processes. Pero matagal na akong hindi nakikipag-usap kay Sir Valez. I don't attend online meetings anymore too." I calmly said then placed three hotdogs on the pan. Narinig ko lang ang mahina niyang tawa.