Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

'It tastes fine, right?'

Unang pagkakaton na kinakabahan si Eleanor habang nagluluto. Her mother always tells her to be happy while cooking. Iyon daw ang isa sa magpapasarap ng niluluto nya. But damn, she can't even focus!

Even her hands are slightly shaking while chopping. And funny thing is, she doesn't even know the exact reason why she's nervous. 

El cleaned everything after she was done cooking. Tulala sya pagkatapos ipatong sa mesa ang mga niluto nya. She cooked some Filipino dishes that she usually cooks. 

'Will he like it?' wala na syang ibang maisip na lutuin kanina. Come to think of it, she doesn't know even a single food he likes. 

Alas syiete-trenta na ng gabi. Maybe it's not that late for a dinner.  

The foods' are ready, plates and utensils are already on their places, the kitchen's cleaned. And she looks fine on her usual clothes. Hindi nya naman seguro kaylangang mag-formal dress, diba?  

'What's missing?' napaisip sya. 

It was obvious! The question should be, who's missing. Of course, ang taong nilutuan nya ng mga ito. 

Picking up her phone and clicking Fourth Ycarius' name on her contacts took a lot of her courage. This time, she'll follow what Cloud said. Ang tawagan ito. She's on the wrong after all. 

El cleared her throat when the ring stopped. Sinagot nya! Her mind exclaimed. Tahimik ang kabilang linya. Hinihintay nyang magsalita si Fourth pero wala syang ni isang boses na narinig pagkatapos ng sampung segundo. 

"Y-ycarius?" She tried her best not to stutter but she failed. Traidor ang boses nya.  

One, two, three seconds, still nothing. 

Maybe his Secretary answered his phone? 

"Hello?" Aniya.

"What did you just called me?" Ang pamilyar na boses ni Fourth ang biglang sumulpot sa kabilang linya.

She gasped. Halata nya ang lalim ng boses nito. His voice became more deep on the phone. 

Her mind pushed her mouth to answer.

"Ycarius," sa pagkakataong 'to, tagumpay nyang napigilan ang pagka-utal nya. 

Bakit parang nag-iba ang boses nya? 

Narinig ni El ang pag-ikot ng swivel chair nito, "My second name suddenly sounded good," she heard him chuckle.

Kagat ni El ang pang-ibaba nyang labi ng maramdaman ang biglang pagaspas ng mga papak ng paru-paru sa tiyan nya. Not only there, the butterflies already reached her heart. 

"Busy ka ba?" 

'Why does my tone keeps on changing?!'

"Come in," tunog ng pagbukas ng pinto ang sunod nyang narinig, "Nope, I'm not busy, why?" Balik nito sakanya.

"Kas—"

"Sir, ito na po ang iba pang documents na kailangan nyong pirmahan." Another voice of a man stopped her from answering. 

Fourth lied. Busy pala sya. El's lips pouted without her knowing. Nanatili syang nakikinig sa kabilang linya habang pinaglalaruan ang kutsyarang wala sa sariling pinulot nya kanina sa mesa. 

She heard Fourth giving some instructions before he get back to their call. 

"I'm sorry about that," anito.

"It's fine! So, ahm.. you're busy. I'm sorry, nadisturbo ba kita?" 

"No!" he answered fast, "I-i mean, you'll never be a disturbance to me. And it was just some.. papers." 

"So, you're free to eat dinner right now?" Diretso nyang sabi. 

"Of course, I'm totally free!," Sagot nya, "Wait, what? Dinner?" 

"Yes?" Patanong nyang sagot, "Nagluto kasi ako. I mean, kung gusto mo lang. Did you already had dinner?" 

"Nope, actually, I'm already hungry." 

She chuckled because his voice suddenly changed into a funny one. 

"I'll be there in twenty." Aniya, "See you later, Healia."

"Hmm... I'll be waiting, Ycarius." 

TWENTY MINUTES was a lie. Wala pang bente minutos ang lumipas ay may kumatok na sa pintuan ni Eleanor. And as she expected, it was Fourth. 

'Just how fast did he drive?' kyuryusong tanong nya sa isip.

Hindi naman ganoon ka layo ang De Salvo Corp. sa condo, pero matraffic naman ang daan papunta dito tuwing ganitong araw. 

Pagkabukas na pagkabukas nya ng pinto ay sinalubong ng bouquet ng bulaklak ang mga mata nya. When the bouquet of flowers slowly went down, Fourth's smiling face greeted her. 

"Hi," nakangiti nitong bati.

"You're already here?" She asked.

"Hmm, the traffic's not heavy today," sagot nito. 

He handed the flowers to her, "For you, I hope you like it." Malumanay nitong sabi.

Sunflowers, was it a coincidence? Or did he know that those flowers are her favorite? 

"They're beautiful." Pahayag nya. The sunflowers are perfectly placed, so as the designs. 

"Maganda nga," 

El's eyes slowly averted to Fourth's, he's not staring at the flowers, he's staring at her! 

"Let's go inside?" Pang-anyaya nya. 

Una syang umiwas ng tingin. Bigla tuloy syang naconcious sa itsura nya ngayon. She's in her sleeping wear! Hindi man lang naisip na magpalit habang naghihintay kay Fourth na dumating. She was too occupied that she forgot about changing her clothes.

Napatingin sya kay Fourth na nauna ng naglalakad papunta sa kusina. He's still on his tuxedo, malinis paring naka-ayos ang buhok nito. Ni hindi man lang ito mukhang haggard sa pagdadrive papunta sa condo.

"May problema ba?" He looked back at her. 

"Can I change for a bit? It'll take just some minutes." Pangkukumbinsi nya dito.

Fourth's brows furrowed, "Why? I mean, you don't need to." He looked at her from head to toe, and it made her more conscious.

"I'm in my pajamas? And we're having dinner?" 

"You can wear anything you're comfortable with, Healia." He assured.

"Really?" Parang batang pag-uulit nya.

Natigilan si El ng tumawa si Fourth at dahan-dahang lumapit sakanya. She closed her eyes tightly when she felt his fingers on her cheeks.

'Did he just pinched my cheeks?!'

Mulat na mulat ang mga mata ni El pagkatapos non. Her shocked eyes are staring directly at Fourth Ycarius who's chuckling at her reaction.

She can feel her cheeks burning red. Ramdam nyang gusto ng sumabog ng mga pisngi nya.

"Wait, I have an idea. Teka lang." Paalam nito.

Tango lang ang naisagot ni Eleanor. Lutang syang naglakad papunta sa salas at maingat na ipinatong ang bouquet na binigay ni Fourth sa center table nya. 

She slapped her cheeks right after.

Hindi nya pa tuluyang napakalma ang sarili ng marinig nya ulit ang tunog ng pagbukas ng pinto nya. Eleanor's mouth hanged open when Fourth entered wearing his pajamas.

"Now we're both on our pj's." 

Both of their laughter filled the the room. Walang ibang naisip si El kundi ang tawa ni Fourth at ang pagtawa nya. If only things between them will always be like this. She need to cherish this happy moments.

"Let's eat?" 

"Hmm," tango nya.

Pareho silang naglakad papunta sa kusina. When they reached the table, she felt Fourth's hand unclasping from hers. Were they just holding hands right now?

"Here," nakangiting alok ni Fourth ng upuan sakanya.

Maybe, they were too caught up in the moment. But why does she like it though? 

"Glad they're still warm." Aniya ng nakangiti sa pagkain. 

Those special containers she bought really worked. Napatingin sya kay Fourth na kagaya nya ay malapad din ang ngiti habang inaayos ang mga kakainin nila. 

She should be doing those because she's the one who invited him. Should I interrupt? Pero hindi nya magawang disturbuhin ito dahil nalibang narin sya sa panonood kay Fourth na hinahainan ng pagkain ang mga plato nila. 

"Can I sit here?" Hatak ni Fourth ang kaninang upuang nilagay nya sa kabilang side ng mesa.

'He wants to sit next to me?' 

"O-oo naman," she moved her chair a little.

"Here, let's eat." Sabi nito pagkaupo nya. 

She gladly accepted the plate filled with foods. Imbis na sya, ay si Fourth na ang naging host sa dinner nila. She can't stop him though. 

"How was it? Masarap ba?" Tanong nya pagkatapos sumubo si Fourth ng pagkain. 

"Yes, they're delicious." He answered, and continued to eat.

"Talaga? You don't need to lie!" 

"They really are, Healia. Trust my tastes." He winked. 

Muling bumalik ang init ng pisngi ni Eleanor. Damn, they're too close for her to handle. 

Their whole dinner was great. Marami silang pinag-usapan, pero ni isa doon ay walang kinalaman sa naging problema nila. None of them tried to start the conversation about their misunderstandings earlier. 

Hanggang sa natapos nalang ang hapunan nila ay hindi sila nakapag-usap tungkol doon. Maybe it was the right thing. Hindi naman bagay na pag-usapan nila yun. El's sure that they won't be able to focus on eating if they'll talk about what happened earlier. 

They both ended up on the sink, where Fourth is washing the dishes while she's wiping them. 

Para silang mga bagong kasal sa mga movies na napapanood nya kasama si Flare! It was so cringey for her when she watched those. But they're acting like those couples she watched! 

"At panghuli," abot sakanya ni Fourth ng huling plato.

Hindi naman ganoon karami ang ginamit nila. She can't understand themselves why do they need to wash those dishes together. 

"Let me put that back." Presenta na naman ni Fourth habang nililinisan ang kamay nito. 

"Nope! Ako na ang magbabalik sa mga 'to." Agap nya. 

She blocked the plates, and by that, she successfully managed to stop him.

"Ok, ok. I won't, tigress." He held both of his hands up, chuckling.

"Don ka muna sa salas." Aniya kay Fourth.

Tumango naman ito at kaagad na sumunod sa sinabi nya. 

She unconsciously smiled from ear to ear all by herself when Fourth got out of the kitchen. Hindi nya sinaway ang sarili dahil sa reaksyong yun, bagkus tinawanan na lamang nya iyon. 

Suddenly, her place doesn't seemed to big and lonely to her. 

"El?" Tawag ni Fourth mula sa salas.

"Bakit?" She responded.

"Do you, ahm.. have some CDs here?" Tanong nito.

"Meron sa cabinet, beside the TV!" She shouted.

Nailpag nya ang hawak na plato ng maalala ang nag-iisang CD na nilagay nya doon. 

She run like a tigress on the wild. Pero ng marating nya ang sala ay nasa kamay na ni Fourth ito.

"Princess Diaries?" 

Mabilis syang tumakbo at hinablot ang CD. 

"This isn't it. Nasa ibang cabinet ko ata nalagay." 

"We can watch that. That's a great movie."

"Napanood mo na 'to?" She curiously asked. Interesadong malaman ang isasagot ni Fourth.

"My little sister used to invite me to watch that." 

Now her embarrassment doubled. Bakit naman kasi sya nahihiya, eh ang ganda naman talaga ng movie na 'to? She can prove it! But she's still embarrassed! 

Maybe because it's Fourth Ycarius?

"Come on, let's watch that." Pangkukumbinsi sakanya ni Fourth.

"Stop smiling first!" Saway nya dito.

"I can't help it, you look too cute." He honestly said.

"Fourth Ycarius!" She warned.

"Yes, Healia Eleanor, I'm stopping it." He still failed not to smile.

The Princess Diaries ended up on the DVD. Bumalik si El sa kusina para kumuha ng snacks, habang si Fourth naman ay nasa salas parin at hinihintay na magplay ang papanoorin nila. Both of them are doing their things while smiling from ear to ear. 

"Snacks?" Alok nya kay Fourth, tinanggap naman nya ito.

Pagkatapos ibigay ang tsitserya ay awtomatikong napa-upo si El sa tabi ni Fourth. Her eyes widened by her sudden act, napatingin sya kay Fourth pero nakangiti parin ito habang nakatingin sa TV. Tahimik syang umusog para magbigay ng distansya sa pagitan nila. 

Uusug pa sana sya papunta sa kabilang side ng sofa pero biglang lumingon si Fourth sakanya. She felt like she got caught from doing something bad. 

"Are you ok?" Still smiling, he asked.

"O-of course!" Sagot nya at napa-ayos na lamang ng upo. She stopped her plan and faced the TV.

The movie started and both of them bacame silent. Eleanor tried to focus her attention to the movie, she tried to focus her hearing on what the characters are saying. Pero sadyang napakalakas ng tibok ng puso nya kaya yun na lamang ang naririnig ng tenga nya. De aircon naman ang condo nya pero bakit pinagpapawisan parin sya? Her sofa suddenly felt so small. 

She flinched when she felt a touch on her hand. 

"Your hand is cold," anito habang hinahawakan ang hintuturo nya, "Can I hold it?" 

Umangat ang tingin ni Fourth papunta sakanya. She felt it, that electricity suddenly traveling her body. Saan ba sya dapat tumingin? Sa mga mata ni Fourth o sa kamay nyang nakahawak sa daliri nya? 

"H-huh?" She doesn't know what to say.

"Can I hold your hand?" He asked again. 

She didn't know why, but her head nodded right after his question. Gusto nyang kaltukin ang ulo nya. 

With her approval, he smoothly intertwined their hands. His hand felt soft on hers. When every seconds past, their bodies moved closer to each other. 

She wonders, can he feel her pulse beating fast? 

Hindi nakatingin si El sa TV kung nasaan ang moving dapat na pinapanood nila, instead, her eyes are focused on their intertwined hands. 

Sa mga nagdaang minuto, sometimes he'll squeeze her hand, can she do that too? Gusto nya ring gawin yun. 

El tried her best to move her stiff hand. She bit her lower lip when she successfully squeezed his hands. Bumaling sya kay Fourth para makita ang reaksyon nito. He smiled while his eyes are still on the TV.

"I'm sorry," panimula ni El.

Dahil don ay napunta sakanya ang atensyon ni Fourth.

"Yes I'm avoiding you for those past days. I'm really sorry, hindi ko dapat ginawa yun." 

Umusog si Fourth papalapit sakanya. He closed the gap between them, and she remained still, she didn't mind.

"Can I know why?" Tanong nito.

Napayuko si El. She can't answer that question. If she will, it will come out as a confession. She's not ready yet.

"Can you tell me?" He lowered his head, trying to catch her eyes. 

"I-I can't." Iling nya.

She looked up immediately after she felt him kissed her forehead. 

"There, you're forgiven." He smiled.

He moved closer, and leaned his head on her shoulder. She can smell his hair. Hindi nya napigilang singhutin ito. The strands of his hair are reaching her neck and cheeks. It tickles her skin. 

"Nagalit ka ba sa'kin?" She asked. 

"Hindi nagalit, nag-alala." He corrected.

Bumalik na naman ang kaninang nawala na nyang guilt. 

"Don't worry about it, everything's fine now." He assured her. 

Mawawala din seguro ang guilt na nararamdaman nya. She did the right thing now, her heart felt light.

"Thank you, Ycarius."

Naramdaman nya ang pagtango nito, "You're welcome, wife." 

Their hands softly intertwined together, and their bodies leaning to each other felt warm and comfortable to her. 

That made her sleepy. Hindi nya napigilang humikab. Dahil don ay inangat ni Fourth ang ulo nya at tumingin kay El. 

"Are you sleepy?" Anito.

"A l-little?" She answered, "I still want to finish the movie." Dagdag nya.

Ilang scenes na lang ay matatapos na ito. 

Her eyes widened when Fourth Ycarius guided her head towards his shoulder. Their positions switched.

"There," anito.

"Thank you." 

It wasn't awkward, she didn't felt stiff leaning on his shoulder. On the other hand, her body felt so comfortable that she failed to stop her eyelids from closing. 

Moments later, naramdaman nyang parang lumulutang sya. Pilit nyang binuksan ang mga mata nya. And she found herself on Fourth's arms. 

"I can walk!" Protesta nya.

He chuckled, "Don't worry, ihahatid lang kita sa kwarto mo. You can go back to sleep." 

It was like a magic command, "I can still.... walk." Antok na aniya.

She didn't notice that she dozed off on his arms. She's too sleepy to protest. 

Pagkatapos marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto ay naramdaman nya ang paglubog nya sa kama. He covered her with her blanket, and after that she felt his hands stroking her hair. It was light, and soft. 

"I want to know you more," She uttered, sleepy. 

"Me too." He replied.

"Like, the things you... like, and dis..likes." 

"My wife's too." He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "We have a lot of time in the future to know each other." 

"Hmm," sang-ayon nya. 

Her consciousness' slowly fading. Mas lalo pa syang inaantok dahil sa paghaplos ni Fourth sa buhok nya. 

"Do you want to know one of my likes, El?" She can feel him smiling.

"Hmm," pinilit nyang tumango.

"I like Healia Eleanor Scarletti." 

———

ELEANOR DIDN'T immediately opened her eyes after waking up, because she felt something caging her. 

Nang buksan nya ang mga mata ay tumambad sakanya ang isang pamilyar na porma ng leeg.

An adam's apple greeting her eyes in the morning! 

Gumalaw sya, sinubukang makawala sa pagkakayakap ni Fourth Ycarius pero sadyang mahigpit ang pagkakayakap nito sakanya. Everytime she tries to move, he'll hug her tighter. 

Hindi nya magawang makita ang mukha ni Fourth kahit anong angat nya ng tingin. She just noticed that she's leaning her head on his chest!

'He slept here?' he slept beside me! nagsisigaw na ang utak nya. 

She didn't gave up. Sinubukan nya ulit na alisin ang braso nito nang hindi nagigising si Fourth. Nang tagumpay nyang naalis nito ay bumaling sya ulit kay Fourth, checking if she woke him up. 

Her shocked eyes met Fourth's widened eyes. Pareho silang gulat na nakatitig sa isa't-isa. 

"I-im s-sorry!" He exclaimed, "Sh*t!"

The next thing Eleanor heard was a loud bang. Fourth Ycarius De Salvo fell on the floor! 

Takip ni El ang bibig habang nakatingin kay Fourth na hawak-hawak ang ulo nyang nauntog sa sahig. 

"I-i was uhm... w-watching y-you sleeping, a-and I-i didn't n-notice that I-i feel a-asleep." He explained, "I-i didn't mean t-to s-sleep be-beside, uhm.." 

The famous Fourth Ycarius De Salvo, stuttering in front of her, trying to explain himself like a child caught from doing something bad, after falling from the bed!

"Pft, HAHAHAHA!" She failed to stop laughing loud. 

"Don't laugh at me," his lips pouted. 

"I-im s-sorry." Pigil nya sa pagtawa. 

El stood up from her bed and reached out her hand to Fourth. 

"Here, let me help you up." She offered.

The mischievous smile on Fourth's face when he reached her hand gave El a hint about what he's planning to do. Kaya nya itong iwasan, but she doesn't know why her body let herself be pulled towards Fourth Ycarius.

Parang nagslowmo ang pagsalo sakanya ni Fourth at pag-upo nya sa sahig. She flinched when she felt his arms hugging her waist from the back. 

Isiniksik nito ang ulo sa leeg nya, "I'm still sleepy." nakapikit na anito.

His breath on her neck gives her shiver. Bumaba ang tingin nya sa mga kamay nitong nakapulupot sa bewang nya. Ng sinubukan nyang abutin ang kanang kamay nito ay awtomatiko itong bumukas at sinalubong ang kamay nya. 

Resulting to their hands intertwining again. Kaagad syang napalingon kay Fourth, nakangiti itong nakatingin sa mga kamay nila. Hindi lang yun! Ang lapit-lapit ng mga mukha nila!

Too close...

They're like cuddling— they are cuddling! On the floor! 

'Oh my God, Healia Eleanor!' sigaw nya sa sarili.

She averted her head, and her eyes stopped at the wall clock. 

"A-aren't you going to work?" Naalala nya.

Mabilis itong umiling. Mas hinigpitan pa nito ang pagkakayap sakanya at sumiksik ulit sa leeg nya.

He's acting like a baby. She chuckled.

"Leaving for a day won't hurt." Rason nito.

She can't believe her heart can still handle this. They're like a real couple, it makes her cheeks burn.

Both of them are too focused on cuddling that they both flinched when Eleanor's phone rang. 

He unwrapped his arms on her waist, but still kept their intertwined hands on. He helped her up, bago binitawan ang kamay ni El. 

El walked towards her side table and picked up her phone.

Sinagot nya ng makitang si Sky ang tumatawag. She looked back at Fourth who's sitting at the edge of her bed, trying to fully wake himself up.

"Sky?" Aniya 

"Empress where are you?" Nababahala nitong tanong.

"In my condo, why? Did something happened?" Sunod-sunod nyang tanong.

"I'll go there and pick you up. You need to go to Scarletti, something happened." Mabilis nitong sagot

"What?! Just slow down and tell me what happened." 

Lumapit sakanya si Fourth at inabot ang kamay nya, giving her a worried look.

"Someone bombed our headquarter."