The Pseudo Bride (Revising + Translating)

Pseudo 18: Candice Natividad

Pseudo 18: Candice Natividad

Luiz scrutinized me intently. He had a poster plastered on her face saying "are you crazy?" I smirked at him. His jaw tightened and he took a deep, low breathe.

"Tell me you didn't mean that," sabi niya. He kept his both hands inside his pockets.

I let out a lazy growl. "Kailangan ko pa bang ulitin? I do not know how to cook. Ano bang mahirap intindihin dun?" inis kong tanong sa kanya. Almost half hour narin kaming nakatayo rito sa kusina. It's almost eight at nalipasan na ako ng gutom. When he told me I must cook dinner, I was appalled. Not in my life I have cooked. Maraming katulong sa bahay at may sarili rin kaming cook. So, hindi ako natutong magluto.

"Babae ka ba? You should know how to cook! Mamatay tayo sa gutom kung walang magluluto satin," kulang nalang ay sumigaw siya na mas lalo kong ikinainis. At kasalanan ko kung bakit hindi kami makakakain?

"Really, you're asking me that question? Babae ako. Don't you dare asked that question again if you don't want to regret you born in this world."

"Hell. I'm starving."

"So do I," lumapit ako sa telepono at nag-dial ng number. Pizza would do. Pero baka bukas pa makarating dito 'yun knowing we are far from the Metro. "Kumakain ka ba ng pizza?" tanong ko dahil baka mag-inarte pa siya sa pizza.

"Pizza for dinner? Dangit, but it's good than having nothing,"

An hour later, dumating ang pizza na in-order ko. Tumayo ako mula sa couch nang may mag-doorbell. "Wallet mo?"

He looked up at me. "Bakit?"

"Anong bakit? Anong ipambabayad ko sa delivery boy? I didn't bring my own money," inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa harap. He groaned out of frustration and handed me his wallet.

"Kung alam ko lang na mauubos ang pera ko sa'yo.." he trailed off when I shoot him my infamous glare.

"Continue what you were saying and I'll kick your ass off. Try me," banta ko.

"Okay. Just get the pizza. Gutom na ko." I flipped my hair before leaving him on the couch. Baliw ba siya? I ranaway

and he expected me to have my own money? Gah.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay ang amoy agad ng pizza ang naamoy ko at biglang kumulo ang tiyan ko. I smiled awkwardly at the delivery boy. Alam ko namang hindi niya narinig ang pagkulo ng tiyan ko pero hula kong bakas sa mukha ko ang sobrang pagkapatay gutom at the moment. He smiled back warmingly. I shove him a one thousand peso bill, bid my thanks and shut the door. I eagerly opened the box and put a slice of pizza on my mouth. Geez. Bakit sumarap ata ang cheap na pizza sa panlasa ko? Well, 'yun siguro ang epekto kapag gutom.

"Hey, bakit ang tagal―" Luiz took away the box of pizza from me hurriedly. "May balak ka bang tirhan ako?" inis niyang sabi.

I rolled my eyes. "Isang slice palang―"

"Tatlo na ang nakain mo," kinagat niya ang slice ng pizza at bigla na naman akong nagutom.

"Isa palang," lumapit ako to hand another slice of pizza but he shoved it away.

Tinaasan niya ko ng kilay, "I knew better with numbers,"

"Damot!" I finally gave up with the knowing that I'll never win a fight with him. He's the SCC President for nothing. Half satisfied, I sat again on the couch and continued watching The Merchant of Venice, the original movie version.

"Oh, Porchia, milady,"

Naramdaman kong tumabi sakin si Luiz - with the box of cheap pizza in his hands. I dunno but he seems to enjoy the movie when in fact it's a love story. "Gusto mo?" I folded my legs and settled it the middle of us and turn to face him. Inaalok niya sakin ang slice ng pizza na nasa kamay niya.

"Tsk! Kapag sinabi kong ayoko, hindi ka maniniwala. So, I guess, yes. Gusto ko. Ganitong gutom ako," ani ko at akmang kukuha ng pizza sa box pero inilayo niya lang uli ang box. Tinitigan ko siya nang masama. "Ang sama talaga ng ugali mo."

"Say ahh," he acted shaping his mouth in an O form for me to imitate him. But I didn't do. "Ikaw din. Just say ahh and you'll have your pizza." he shrugged.

"You're ridiculous," I'm so agitated by him but in the the end, I just say ahh.

"Ang sarap di ba?" and I swear I felt something weird when he winked at me. Jeez.