All at Once (Absinthe Series 6)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

All at Once

Hindi ko namalayang napapangiti ako habang naliligo sa banyo. I massaged my scalp well while it was filled with white bubbles.

Sleeping on Rogan's lap was the best bed I've ever had. Iyong tipong kahit hindi naman malambot ang kaniyang hita ay nagawa kong makatulog nang mahimbing. Maybe it's the warmth, it was a bit comfortable when he placed his hand on my arm while I sleep.

"You should sleep more. Sorry, I wasn't able to stay awake till sunrise," aniya nang maabangan na ang aking paggising.

I giggled softly. "Mukha kang pagod kaya hinayaan na kita."

He was watching me while I sleep. Malalim ang kaniyang titig at matagal na kahit sa panaginip ko ay ramdam ko iyon. When I opened my eyes, his enticing Cimmerian eyed welcomed me with a glint of softness in them.

Binanlawan ko na ang aking sarili matapos ang pagsh-shampoo at pagsasabon. I dried myself a bit before going out and getting my towel. Nang makapagbihid ay lumabas ako sa kwarto at may tuwalya pang nakapuluot sa aking buhok.

I found Rogan sitting on the couch. He was stretching his neck. Pagkatapos ay itinaas niya ang dalawang braso para mag-stretching din habang nakaupo. His arms were covered with sleeves but I know how it flexes as his moved his arm. Nag-umigting ang ugat sa kaniyang kamay nang hawakan niya ang siko.

Iniwas ko ang aking tingin nang maramdaman ang pamumula ng aking mukha. Inalis ko na lang ang pagkakapulupot ng towel sa aking buhok. I tried drying my hair with the towel by rubbing it there. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad patungo kay Rogan.

"Do you want coffee?" I asked when I neared him. Natigil naman siya sa ginagawa at napalingon sa akin.

"Sure." Tipid siyang ngumiti.

"Doon na lang tayo sa kitchen. I'll cook breakfast. What else do you want? Because I am cooking it as a thank you token for being here till today."

"Anything will do. Kahit ano namang luto mo ay kinakain ko."

My lips protruded a bit. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa bago ko itinigil ang pagpapatuyo sa aking buhok.

"You're always letting me choose for you," ani ko.

"I think you have the best choices than I have."

Pinaningkitan ko lang ng mata si Rogan. Kapagkuwan ay pabiro ko siyang inirapan habang may ngiti sa aking labi. He chuckled lowly before standing up. Sinuklay niya ng daliri ang kaniyang buhok kaya bahagyang nagulo.

"Sa kitchen na tayo. I'll cook pancakes."

Iyon nga ang naging agahan namin. I served him his hot coffee while I have my hot choco. We engaged in small talks while eating because we haven't seen each other for almost three days too. Kaya hindi ko rin naman alam na dadalo siya dahil doon. After our breakfast, he just stayed for a little bit before I convinced him to come home.

Sa sumunod na mga araw ay normal na lang naman. Mom visited me twice in the next week which was a surprise to me. Pero naalala kong gusto niyang bumawi kaya hinayaan ko siya. I let her watch me work in the kitchen. Nagsabay din kaming mag-lunch at magdinner sa mga araw na iyon. It was a good thing that during her visit, she didn't convince me to visit Dalton or bond with Dilly. Talagang iniwasan iyon ni Mommy at iba ang aming napagluwentuhan.

I was hoping that she cleared her name to Dilly. Sana ay ipinaliwanag ni Mommy na hindi naman niya intensyon na gamitin ang pangalan ng mga Belmonte para tulungan ako. Mom promoting me on her friends was good. I had a customer that week who told me that my mother recommended my cafe to her. Sayang-saya naman daw sa serbisyo namin.