Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 36

Kabanata 36

Sweet Pacific Breezes

I decided to take on some matters left at work. Nang mag-email ako ulit sa aking boss ay binigyan niya ako ng maikling assignment dahil nagtanong ako kung ano bang pwede kong maitulong. They asked if I was okay with a new project since the others have reached their deadlines. Wala namang problema sa akin kung may bago bang gagawin kasi gusto ko rin naman na may mapagtuonan ng pansin. It's like I was counting days for the end to be over. I stayed in my room, browse a few things on the internet, go back to sleep, eat, and sleep again. Ganoon ang routine ko kapag wala namang ginagawa. Isidore on the other hand, never left the house as if we were both prisoners.

Unlike me, he was physically active. He jogs around every morning and jogs some more during sunset. Siya lahat ang gumagawa ng gawaing bahay kasi sa tuwing magigising ako ay linis na ang lahat. Sometimes I could hear him talk in the adjacent room.

Lumabas ako ng aking kwarto para sana dalhin ang aking trabaho roon sa visitor's lounge. Sakto namang bumukas rin ang pinto sa kabilang kwarto kaya pareho kaming nagulat nang makita ang isa't isa. He looked down on my laptop and then back to my face. Bumaba rin ang tingin ko sa kaniyang pajama na hindi naman nag-match sa kaniyang pormal na pang-itaas.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Did he wore that on an online meeting? Alam kong hindi naman kita ang pambaba but to see him like this around the house, it looks ridiculous on him. Iisipin ko pa sana na nagmamadali siyang umalis ng bahay at nakalimutang magpalit kasi late na siyang gumising.

"Were you working?" siya ang unang nagtanong at nagkamot ng batok.

"I am. May pasok ka ba?" I asked casually, ignoring his almost piercing stare.

"I had a meeting with my class."

Tumango ako at nagpaalam na pupunta sa visitor's lounge para roon na lang magtrabaho. Hindi pa man umiinit ang pwet ko sa pag-upo ay kinatok niya na ako roon.

"What is it?" I asked without even glancing at him.

"I brought you coffee. Hindi pa tapos ang klase ko so I just brought you snacks para hindi ka magutom."

Tiningnan ko ang inilapag niyang pagkain. There was nothing fancy about a biscuit and a cup of coffee—and him on a pair of unmatched clothing. Umalis na siya nang magpasalamat ako at hinayaan ko na lang iyon. I busied myself with highlighting some important citations to be included on our online journal. Maya-maya pa ay tumawag ang aking boss para sa isang videocall para i-discuss sa akin ang iba pang importanteng detalye ng journal.

The rest of the morning went like that.  Nang mag-lunch na, napansin kong hindi pa rin lumalabas ang asawa ko kaya nagpasya ako na ako na lang ang magluluto ng aming pananghalian. We don't have much supplies at home so I cooked something na pasok lamang sa ingredients na naiwan sa ref. Sakto namang tapos na akong magluto nang lumabas siya sa opisina.  Mukha pa siyang nagulat nang makita akong naghihintay sa kaniya. Sayang naman ang ulam kung malalamigan lang. I just thought he'll end before the food gets cold.

"Wala na palang supplies sa kitchen," panimula ko nang maupo siya. Gone was the unmatched clothes. Mukhang nakaligo na rin siya dahil iba na ang kaniyang suot na damit.

"I'm done with my class. Pwede akong mag-grocery pagkatapos kumain," he suggested but I have other thoughts in mind.

"I'm done with my work, too. I can go with you," sabi ko. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. I saw him smiled a bit before he looked down on his plate. Kumunot lamang ang noo ko at nagsimula nang kumain.

"Did you make some list for the groceries? Para hindi tayo abutan ng gabi."

"I can make one right now," I proposed.