"Tama na yan. Magsimula na kayo. Baka wala kayong ulamin mamaya," sabi ni Chef. Agad akong dumistansya kay Lev nang mapansing nakahawak na pala ako sa dibdib niya. I cleared my throat and briefly smiled at him before turning my back at bumalik sa tabi ni Kali."Nahihiya si Miss Kaia," tawa ni chef. "Magpaalam ka kasi Mr. Laurier.""I can't help it," he chuckled. "Nanggigigil ako."Napairap ako sa kanya but he returned with a wink. Out of the sudden, I giggled which made him giggle too. Luh?"Sige! Magsisimula na!" Anunsyo ni chef. "Miss Kaia, ano yung unang gagawin?""Oh. Right." Umiling ako. "Marinate the meat with soy sauce. Kayo na bahala sa pantimpla. Surprise us!"Kumuha na sila ng karne at hinugasan muna bago nagmarinate. Seb seems to know what he's doing. Mukhang bihasa na siya sa pagluluto. Hindi halata sa mukha. For sure, masarap outcome nito.Si Lev naman ay parang batang nawalan ng laruan. It looks like he's lost. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata and he's giving me a signal to
"Kali, stop it," sita ko sa kakambal na nasa harapan ko.We are currently sitting on the floor with a mini table between us. Four-cornered yung table at each side ay nakaupo kaming apat. Nasa right side ko si Lev, left side si Seb, at nasa harap si Kali."Last nalang, please?" Kali begged. I told Kali na hindi siya iinom. I remembered the last time he drank. Hindi niya kayang control-in yung alcohol. She's not tolerant and I don't want her to have headache tomorrow morning."Last na yan."She nodded. "Yes!"Pinabayaan ko nalang siya at inabot yung baso ko. I was about to drink my alcohol when Lev took the glass from me."What the heck?" "That's enough din, Kaia." Sabi niya at nilagok yung alak.I scoffed. "You know that I can handle my alcohol, right?""Yes," he nodded. "But not this time.""Let her drink, dude." Sabi ni Sebastian. "Malaki na si Kaia. Wala ka bang tiwala sa kanya?""Yes. Thank you," Sabi ko kay Seb. He handed me another glass pero kinuha ulit ito ni Lev at siya mis
After how many minutes of staring into space, I decided to go back inside. Sa sobrang gulo ng nangyayari, parang ayaw nang gumana ng utak ko. Mabuti pa't pumasok nalang at baka lamigin ako kapag nanatili sa labas.Pagkapasok ko sa bahay ay naabutan ko ang dalawa na nagpatuloy sa ginawa nila kanina. They are sitting on the floor again with bottles on their hands. Akala ko ba hindi sila goods? Napailing nalang ako at nilapitan sila."I thought you're done with this?" I asked, pointing at the bottles."Sayang yung alak," Sagot ni Lev na hindi pa rin makatingin sa akin."Don't worry, Kaia. Everything is under control," ngiti ni Seb.I exhaled. "Fine. I'll prepare your rooms."Tinalikuran ko na sila para ihanda yung mga guest rooms. Pinuntahan ko na muna si Kali para masiguradong okay siya. I saw her peacefully sleeping in her bed. Well, my bed. Hindi na inform si Lev na sa guest room na natutulog si Kali. I went to the guest room and prepared everything. Malaki naman ang kama kaya pwede
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, Lev and I strolled side by side through the tranquil park. The whispering leaves and distant chirping of crickets filled the air. We made sure to have space in between us. I mean, we are not lovers to begin with. Ewan ko lang kung ano yung naisip niya para lumabas hating-gabi. We just have to make sure that we won't get caught by authorities dahil sa curfew.Pumikit ako nang madiin bago binalik yung mata sa daan. I'm a little tipsy but I still know what's going on. I'm conscious and that is enough for me to make sure I'm safe.The park, normally bustling with daytime activity, now belonged to us alone. As we wandered along the dimly lit paths, we found a secluded bench and settled in. I needed to sit. Kanina pa kami lakad nang lakad at kahit isa ay walang nagsasalita. Bumuntobg-hininga ako at nilingon siya. Nakatingin lang siya sa malayo na para bang malalim yung iniisip."What are you thinking?" I asked.Napakurap siya at umiling. Lumingon siya s
As the morning sun pierced through the curtains, I groaned and blinked my bleary eyes open. A pounding headache throbbed mercilessly in my skull, and I winced as I tried to recall the events of the previous night. We were in the park. Lev was with me and we had a talk about things which I couldn't recall most of them. We got caught pass curfew so we ran until we reached home, laughing, thinking how big the trouble is when we were caught. But before that, I finished a few bottles and so did he.I rubbed my temples, attempting to soothe the ache. I am never drinking again! Ang sakit ng ulo ko na para bang mabibiyak na. I need a hot soup."Kaia, you're awake." I squinted my eyes, forcing to open it and saw Kali sitting at the edge of the bed. She's smiling at me with probably the same sabog look. Natawa ako at tinuro mukha niya. "Do I look like that?"She nodded. "Mas malala ka pa."Nagtawanan kaming dalawa but I stopped midway dahil kumirot yung ulo ko. "Ow!""How much did you drank la
"I'm fine, Lev.""No. Dito ka lang," he said as he tucked me in bed.Nang malaman ko na I am on my period, I got so embarrassed. Nakakahiya ka talaga, Kaia! Ang oa ko pa kanina. Sobrang dramatic that I blurted out things that I shouldn't have. I'm in my room right now and Lev is currently taking care of me. Medyo oa lang yung act of service niya."I'm not sick, okay? Nireregla lang ako.""You are still sick. Nakikita ko sa internet kung gaano kasakit yan. Period cramps hurts like heart attack daw. Hindi lang puson yung masakit, pati na rin yung lower back, legs, even your chest feels heavy and swollen."Napakurap ako. Andami naman niyang alam. "How did you know?""Come on, Kaia. I live with my sisters and my mom. Of course I know these things." He said in a matter of fact tone."Okay, let's say they are true. Pero hindi naman all the time sumasakit yung katawan ko. Well maybe nasanay na ako," I shrug my shoulders."That's why I'm here with you in case you need me," he said. "Anyway, d
"I wish I could bring you to different places," bulong ni Lev sa akin. "Lev, watching a movie is perfect," Sabi ko at itinaas yung pagkain na binili namin kanina. "Besides, my comfort foods are here with me. Contented na ako sa ganito."Yes, ang sabi kanina at maghahanap ng makakain but we ended up watching a movie. Yun lang din naman gagawin namin sa bahay if we stayed. We'd watch a movie and yun na. Watching a movie on the big screen is better, you know.Katabi ko si Lev sa right habang nasa left naman si Kali. Sitting beside her is Sebastian, of course. I brought tons of food to eat. Fries, popcorn, coke. May dala pa akong biscuits. I don't crave but I found foods comforting when I'm on my period."What's the movie all about?" Bulong ni Lev."You'll see."I only saw the trailer of the movie on one of the apps online. It got my interest kaya I suggested to them na ito ang panunuorin. Buti nalang they all agreed. After we watched the movie, I told them na punta muna kami sa booksto
KALI'S POV"Let's talk later, okay?" Sabi ni Lev kay Kaia. Nakauwi na kami ng bahay. Kaia seems to be feeling off kaya umuwi na kami. I can't blame her though. She's on her period and I get that a lot. Pero mukhang ayaw niya munang makausap si Lev. I read the atmosphere kaya ako na ang umalalay sa kanya hanggang sa pag-uwi. We may be apart for so long but I can still read her like an open book."Later," Kaia said tiredly. Ngumiti siya mang matipid bago isinara yung pinto.I still felt Lev's presence behind me. Nasa labas kami ng pinto sa silid ni Kaia. She doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. Gusto niya daw muna mapag-isa. She must be having cramps.Huminga ako nang malalim bago nagpasyang harapin si Lev. Yes, I still feel the same way. How can I move on kung palagi ko siyang nakikita? He's staying in our house for a few days maybe. Nakatingin lang siya sa pintuan na para bang gusto niyang sumugod sa loob to make sure Kaia is fine. "May nasabi ka ba sa kanya?" I hesistantly ask