Remember That Day

Chapter 27

Damek couldn’t put his happiness into words when Jayda kept being nice to him. He wasn’t sure if it was a dream or not, but all he knew was they were going to have their dinner together and he would cook for the both of them.

“Other else aside from Cheesy Pork Menudo and dumplings?” asked Damek as they made their way to the elevator.

Jayda looked over her shoulder and said, “You really can cook what I asked you?”

“Exactly,” Damek said with confidence in his voice. “I told you. I’m a good cook.”

“Okay. For the desert... I want a chocolate cake. I’m craving for chocolate right now.”

“Noted!” Damek smiled from ear to ear as he walked just behind Jayda.

He didn’t expect that this day would turn into a good and memorable day with her. Until he remembered how it happened when they were still on the road.

On their way home, Damek couldn’t deny that he was happy although they didn’t talk much. To think that Jayda didn’t raise her voice over him for the whole time that he was with her was an achievement for him.

“If I could just run away with you, I wouldn’t be driving you back to that hotel ever again...”

“Saying something?”

Damek bit his lip as he glanced at Jayda. He was almost caught.

“I mean, how’s going on with you and... Faris?” he asked as his grip to the steering wheel tightened.

“I think we’re fine,” Jayda said. It was a quick respond with no hesitation. “He’s busy so it’s quite hard for him to contact me, but I fully understand that.”

Damek swallowed. Although he was worrying about Jayda being alone, he wished that he could be Jayda’s first person to look for when she needed someone to be with her.

“I see,” he said, nodding. “He’s not here. I’m just wondering if you’ll be fine when you are struggling right now. I mean, the crime...”

“Ah. I’m okay,” she replied. And a slight smile flashed on his face. “As much as I want to tell it to him, I can’t do it. I don’t want to bother him.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let that criminal hurt you.”

Jayda grinned. “As if you know him?”

“Well, at least I’m always near you. I can help you in any way I can.” Damek smiled. “Anyway, would you mind if I ask you to drop in my room first? I can cook. Let’s have a dinner together?”

It was so calm and gentle. Damek was too afraid to get rejected again.

When Jayda turned to look at him with so much confusion in her eyes, he added, “Well, I saw the Afritada last night as I confirmed from Gon that it was from you. I enjoyed it. I want to cook as well for you to return the favor.”

“Wait,” Jayda cut in. “For the record, I didn’t cook for you in the first place. I cooked it for myself and I just want to share it to you because I realized I was too harsh to you at the park.”

Damek swallowed hard. Blinking few times, he said, “I know, of course. But I didn’t expect that it would be a peace offering? Well, it’s okay. I’m—”

“No,” Jayda cut him off as she cleared her throat. She sounded so defensive so he couldn’t help, but to smile. “I have a lot so I just shared some.”

Damek cheerfully opened the door for Jayda and as soon as they stepped inside, he walked straight to the kitchen to prepare all he need for cooking.

“Wow,” Jayda gasped when her eyes landed on Damek’s working table. “I can still remember that I arranged your desk last night. But in just less than 24 hours, look how chaotic it is again!”

“You cleaned it?” Damek said, almost jaw dropped. “I thought it was Gon... Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to clean it again.”

“Whatever!” Jayda rolled her eyes as he inched towards the sofa to sit.

Damek chuckled in return and started everything in the kitchen.

After almost an hour, the savory aroma from the kitchen wafted throughout the room. Jayda’s stomach clenched with hunger at the thought of sweet and salty Chessy Pork Menudo and the crunchiness of dumplings.

Damek secretly took a glance at her and he witnessed how she inched her nose up a little, smelling the savory smell mixed in the air.

The dumplings and Menudo were ready when Damek put the mixture in the oven for chocolate cake.

“I guess we can eat now,” Damek said once he was done preparing the plates.

“Really?”

Jayda was obviously excited when she asked it as she stood up, making Damek to smile once more.

“Sure thing. Come over here.”

“Um. What else do you know aside from drawing, writing story, and cooking?” she asked as she walked over the kitchen counter. “And of course aside from teasing, being a stalker, and annoying me?”

Damek gasped. “What?”

“You heard me.”

He giggled. “Look. I’m not stalking you, but I’m sorry if I annoyed you. I’m doing my best not do it again. Swear! Here,” he said and gave her the spoon and fork.

Jayda twitched her lips, but at the back of her mind, she was happy. She didn’t know why and how exactly, but she felt safe and secured with Damek despite the fact that she had only a little knowledge about him.

Maybe he’ll be a good friend of mine, she thought before she gave a bite to a piece of dumpling that Damek put on her plate.

“It’s great!” Jayda exclaimed, chewing it in a very gentle way.

“Well.”

After another bite, Jayda said, “I think I overreacted earlier.”

Damek, who was drinking a glass of water looked at her with wonder. He asked, “What do you mean?”

“Remember the bestfriend of mine, Tris?”

Damek squinted his eyes, tilted his head a little sideward as he tried to recall the name.

“Yes,” he finally said. “It is your bestfriend who celebrated her birthday last October 25, and the date when the crime happened as well, right?”

Jayda nodded. “I went to her place to say sorry. You know, we had a little misunderstanding, but something happened.”

“Don’t tell me...” His brows knitted. Curious enough, he mentioned, “Seems like it’s something about the murder incident. Is it the reason why you were too afraid a while ago?”

When Jayda heaved a deep sigh, Damek assumed that it was a yes.