When Life Sucks

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Help

I was awakened by the loud thuds banging on the door. Umupo ako mula sa pagkakahiga at pinasadahan ng palad ang aking mukha. Napangiwi pa ako nang may kumalabog na naman sa pinto. Hindi nito kailangang magsalita para malaman ko kung sino siya dahil isa lang naman ang makakagawa nito.

"Good morning," Arch greeted me with a wide grin. He seemed just got out of the shower room, basa pa ang buhok nito na hindi pa napasadahan ng suklay. The shower gel he used lingered on my nose and god knows how manly that scent is. Nakasandal pa ito sa gilid habang nakahalukipkip.

I yawned. "Yeah," I lazily responded.

He winced as he moved one step backwards. "Don't open your mouth when you haven't brushed your teeth yet," maarteng sabi pa nito bago umayos ng tayo. "Anyway, mag-ayos ka na. Cook breakfast for us," aniya pa bago tumalikod at umalis na.

Ilang segundo matapos niyang umalis ay hindi pa rin naalis ang amoy niya. I waited for his scent to subside before I closed the door. I didn't intend to, it was just too much just to be wasted.

Kumuha ako ng damit sa closet bago lumabas. Naabutan ko sa sala si Arch, as usual ay tutok na naman ito sa TV. Mukhang wala na rin siyang panahon para magsuklay.

"Hey!" Rich greeted me as soon as I stepped my feet in the kitchen. "Good morning."

Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa hubad niyang katawan na tinatakpan ng kulang asul na apron. Lumunok ako bago inangat uli ang tingin sa kanyang mukha. Those eyes covered with glasses were smiling at me. Ganito ba talaga sila tuwing umaga?

"Ah! I was about to cook breakfast for us," he held that brought me back to sanity.

"You know how to cook?" I almost rolled my eyes. He wouldn't say that if he couldn't, right?

He chuckled. "Basic," he arrogantly responded with a slight wink.

"Gusto mo bang tulungan kita?" alok ko, handa nang bitawan ang mga damit na hawak ko.

"Sure!" Binitawan niya ang kasangkapan na hawak. "Mag-ayos ka muna ng sarili. I'll just wait."

Tumango ako bago dumiretso sa bathroom. Nang maayos ko ang mga damit ko ay agad na hinagilap ng aking mata ang shower gel na ginamit ni Arch. Halos ibaliktad ko na ang mga gamit dito pero wala akong makita. Saan niya kaya tinago 'yon?

Why am I even bothering?

I just shrugged it away. He keeps it away and that means he doesn't want anyone using it.

Maghihilamos lang sana ako pero nang maalala ko kung gaano ka-fresh ang kambal ay napagpasyahan ko na ring maligo. Nakakahiya naman na amoy bulaklak sila tapos ako ay amoy basurang matagal ng nakaimbak sa gilid.

Nang matapos ay lumabas na rin ako ng CR. Naabutan ko si Rich na nagbabasa ng libro. Nakatalikod ito sa akin, nakasandal siya sa lababo. Mula rito ay kitang-kita ko ang porma ng kanyang likod na hubad. I immediately looked away when he turned his gaze at me.

"Buti naman 'di ka inabot nang matagal?" biro niya.

"I'll just dry my hair," I said as I skedaddled the kitchen. Muntik pa nga kaming magkabunggo ni Arch na papunta palang kusina. Ako ang gumilid at mabilis na dumaan. Masyadong maaga para makipagtalo sa kanya.

It took me five minutes to completely dry my hair. Pagkabalik ko sa kusina ay inuumpisahan na pala nila Arch at Rich ang pagluluto. Rich even asked me if I still wanted to help but Arch answered for me, "Ako na. Mukha namang walang alam sa kusina 'yan kung hindi ang kumain."

"Kuya," Rich warned his brother.

I gave no fuck when I just sat down and watched them. I was amazed that Rich could cook but even more amazed that Arch could cook, too. I mean... he was the type of guy who would rather stay outside and play basketball than study to cook.