Something That Glitters

17 // Let's Fix that Stutter

I closed my eyes and grinned. While I wiggled my brows, I sang, "Hindi ko po sasabihin. Akin lang 'yon."

Once again, she pinched my baby fats. And as the heavenly mother of them babies, I jolted in futile defense. I playfully growled at Auntie to get even, but she already continued to work and got back to completely ignoring me. So I just worked, too.

I did good at my job today. Syempre, kasi excited akong umuwi. Grabe pala, 'no? Lalaki na lang talaga ang kinasisiyahan ko ngayon. Like, hindi ko inakala?

Oh, well. Mahina lang talaga ang puso, kaluluwa, at damdamin ko. Hindi ko na lalabanan ang pwersa ng pag-ibig. 'Di na rin ako magpapakipot kasi alam ko namang kami na talaga ni Archer sa dulo. Keme!

But it's not keme, for sure. No, nope!

As soon as Daily Bloom closed for the day, I did my grocery. Mabilis lang ulit, because I wanted everything to be ready once Archer got home. And also because I was just using my bike with a basket that's small it couldn't hold a lot.

Ang iluluto ko para kay Archer ngayong gabi ay Chicken Curry, para siya ay mag-hurry... na mahulog na sa 'kin.

I snickered as I parked my bike. Oo, ipu-push ko talaga ang love story namin. Wala, eh, kasado na ang puso't damdamin ko. I've been a strong, independent, single woman all my life, never laid eyes on people who never mattered, never attempted love with anyone ever, and yet here I was going gaga over a man in New York!

I bet people would think that I was indeed crazy for spoiling my feelings, but in my honest opinion, I didn't think that there's something wrong with it so I'll keep going.

Nag-focus na ako sa pagluluto. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras umuuwi si Archer galing sa trabaho. What I did know was that he's a stealth. Well, it's either that or he always got home late. Ni hindi ko siya nakasalubong sa hallway kahit isang beses bago 'yong umagang kay gandang naabutan niya ako na bagong gising!

Anyway, pagkatapos kong magluto ay binuksan ko ang pinto ng apartment ko, so that I'd easily hear and see Archer when he comes home.

I watched TV while I waited. I was sure Archer wouldn't ditch me... right? He's polite, he's a gentleman, he'd say it if he won't be able to make it.

Hindi rin naman masasayang ang niluto ko kasi, duh to the highest, kaya kong ubusin 'yon lahat. Easy slay!

Patingin-tingin lang ako sa labas ng pinto, mga every one second. Hindi naman sa atat na ako, pero medyo. At nang hindi ko na talaga matiis, kinuha ko ang ceramic platter at lumabas na sa hallway.

Gusto ko sanang mag-walling habang naghihintay para may effect, 'yong parang sa movies tuwing nagda-drama ang bida. Kaso may hawak akong food, baka matapon. Next time na lang, 'pag winasak ni Archer ang puso ko. Kapag.

For a moment right here, I thought I heard the sound of a stampede, but it was only Archer running up the stairs and almost missing the last step. He's on his work attire—his smexy long-sleeved polo, black pants, and leather shoes. His left hand gripped on a suitcase that actually saved him from the fall.

Huminga siya nang maluwag habang nagpipigil ako ng tawa. His face instantly turned crimson when he realized I saw what happened. Syempre, makita ba naman siya ng crush niya, e.