Footprints on my Heart

Chapter 12 -- Temps lié

I half-expected him to claim her mouth with the same intensity, instead his lips moved gently against hers. It was really painful to watch them canoodling inside the car

"You think?"

I forgot what they were arguing about because I was so busy trying to distract myself from the eye sore view. I've learned, from Mich's friendly open-handed questions awhile ago that she hails originally from Batangas and was a good old family friend of the Esquivel's (Ted).

I've also learn that she's three years my junior and was studying Culinary Arts at Palate Sensations Cooking School In Singapore

Keeping an eye on the traffic, which was moderate, I watched as drivers noisily shot by at a Manila speed. We are now stuck in the middle of this traffic along EDSA for fifteen minutes now and to Michelle's decency, she decided to at least have a small talk with me.

"I started baking when I was still studying in Poveda, and baking and cooking are very different from each other" She began but I could only muster a nod because quite honestly, I was not interested to know but she wouldn't get a hint of it so she continued

"In baking, every single measurement, the temperature, the time are all exact. While in cooking, I've been told, its more on gut feel. Naku! Hanggang fried egg at hotdog lang ang napapainit ko. But that was before."

It was not hard to miss the secret glance she did to Travis and that sweet smile he flashed within micro seconds ago. He smiled, and for a minute he was my Travis again. That smile he only ever seemed to give to me before, and my heart ached so much I thought it would break.

We used to do that a lot back then and I dont know where to begin with that pain I'm feeling right now just watching them

"It all started when Travis came back from an out of town trip and to surprise him as soon as he would get back and visit me, I decided to cook his favorites."

"The Steak and prawns?" I asked and now I got the attention of both them. Mich gave me a questioning look but it was quickly mask by her smile.

"Yeah" Briefly, she turned to Travis whose eyes were on the road. "But in the end I relied on my Mom and my yaya to help me every step of the way"

I heard how Travis chuckles filled the entire car "Otherwise, masasayang yung groceries dahil masusunog lang" he said and that earn him a weak punch from Michelle

Michelle gasped and complained "Kainis ka!"

My breath hitched at the sight of another make out session when Travis grabbed Michelles's right in front of me when the Traffic light turned Red.

He kissed her so longingly, so lovingly that my stomach clenched watching them. I feel like puking as warmth spread downwards from my stomach, a little voice shouted, "Stop stop stop".

"Shh. I think your pininyahang manok's my new favorite now" Travis grinned and Michelle just stick her tongue out and said

"Nagpapalakas ka lang eh!"
She shook her head and gave him a mock slap on both cheeks. Travis took her hand as she finished and kissed the palm.

All these things had happened so fast, it didn't seem possible despite seeing it right in front of my eyes. I was in denial as I watched them laughed while I was there, sitting behind them, watching as they exchange more of that secret smile we used to share, I then felt that it has doubled the pain now that I realized that I am replaced for good