A Childhood Relationship Chapter I: THE BEGINNING AND DISTANCE

Chapter 13

CHAPTER XIII: SEPARATION

Finally, the day came when everything calmed down and I was able to use the internet and my phone again. It really helped when the television studio didn't divulge information where we lived. Through this, no one knew about our whereabouts aside from the people around. It would have been chaotic if people began storming this place one after another for interviews and whatnot. Still, I cannot fathom the number of messages on my phone as well as the numerous missed calls from my friends. However, something unexpected happened and I'm pretty much the cause of it unbeknownst to me. He suddenly talked to me when I went down to anticipate the breakfast he is about to cook. He asked me if I wanted to learn how to cook. It caught me off-guard, specially since I remembered something that happened in the past. It's been a few months since that happened yet it's still vivid in my memories. I could still remember the day he pushed me on the dining table and did what he pleased.

Obviously, I wanted to decline but he got ahead of me and I wasn't able to tell him what I had in my mind. He brought out a new apron which he took on top of the counter. I didn't notice something like that was there since it's inside an opaque plastic and seemed like an ingredient. He looked away for a while and then he told me to wear it as he'll start teaching me how to cook starting from the breakfast. I could see him blushing and that he looked serious. Since he ordered me to do so, I didn't have any chances to decline at all. I got the feeling that he was able to spin me around his fingers. Thus, I took the apron from within the opaque plastic and wondered what the pattern would be. As soon as I took out the apron, I was surprised with what I saw. It's not something like what he usually wears, it looked much more expensive with its thickness. Then, I noticed how the color as if by coincidence is my favorite. I asked him why he chose this particular apron while I'm putting it on. Then, he told me that he would always see me wearing the same color of hairpins while we are still young. I blushed for a moment while I thought about how he still remembers it even though I never mentioned this fact to him. After putting on the apron he motioned me towards him near the stove. Slowly, I walked near him and there he started talking about what I need to do. He gave me lots of tips and directions regarding what I need to do. He even repeated the things regarding the gas pipe and the fire in order to avoid what happened in the past. I couldn't even remember how many times he talked about being careful with cooking.

Eventually, he proceeded to teach me how to cook scrambled eggs and hotdogs with as minimal cooking oil as possible. I wondered as to the reason why he is teaching me how to cook out of blue after four months of him cooking for me. However, at least I'll finally be able to learn how to cook once and for all. Honestly, now that I'm following his instructions in great detail, I realized my mistakes from cooking during the early days I went to live at his house. Although we're just cooking hotdogs and eggs, it's already tiring. I cannot believe how much he's been having a hard time cooking for us every single day. Suddenly, he grabbed me from the back and moved my arm to flip the egg. He talked about how that is the right way to flip the egg in order to avoid it from being disfigured and falling apart. However, he's too near me that I could feel his breathe on my neck. I slowly struggled and told him how I already know how to do it when he immediately pulled away his hand and moved back from me. The moment I looked at him, he is looking away and apologized to me for acting close. Since he apologized for it, I told him that it's okay and that it didn't bother me. Afterwards, we finished cooking and I got the gist of how to cook for the very first time. I thought it was already over when he told me that he'll also teach me how to come the more advanced dishes for lunch and dinner. We ate the food he helped me cook and it seemed fulfilling since it is something that I cooked myself and all the efforts paid off. Then, he started laughing at me and so I asked him as to the reason why. He pointed his finger on my body so I looked and realized how I'm still wearing the apron that I felt embarrassed. I stood up and took it off when I asked him why bought one for me in the first place. He stopped laughing and began to show a serious face before he answered. Apparently, it is so that what happened in the past when I got my clothes wet wouldn't happen again. He apologized again for what he did during that time when he pushed me down the dining table and did all sorts of stuff on me. Today, he apologized several times that he seemed out of character as if he's about to do something I don't know. But, I just brushed this thought away until the day ended and I learned a lot of things with regards to cooking.

For the days that followed, he continued to give me instructions on how to cook that I even used a notepad to take down notes. He taught me a lot of recipes about what he usually cooks and each time it gets even more complicated. At least, cooking rice is the easiest one to do as I need only wash it and pour water on the rice cooker and wait for it to finish cooking. At first, it felt troublesome to cook, but now it feels fun. It's amazing how ingredients that wouldn't normally taste good alone can turn into something delicious. Really, the art of cooking is nice, I cannot understand why my mother never taught me this. Then again, I wondered about how he was cooking for us all this time when this is something girls are meant to do. My friends even laughed at me when I told them how I'm being taught how to cook by him. They asked me how I managed to push away my pride as a woman for a guy to teach me how to cook. I even called my mother since this is bothering me and she told me how since she is always at home, I need not learn how to cook. With this, I blamed her for almost burning the house down when I last tried to do some cooking. She laughed for a while before she apologized to me since she's no longer at the house and that I'm left with eating food bought outside for the past four months. Apparently, she is not aware of the fact that he's been cooking food that I told her this. She was surprised and told me how that is really embarrassing. I was about to tell her that I'm currently being taught by him when she told me that she'll increase my allowance to buy him desserts every once in a while for his efforts. With this opportunity, I didn't tell her about it and our conversation ended. At least, this time I can pay him back for all the trouble I've been causing him every single day.

Thus, a week after he started teaching me how to cook I proceeded to buy a cake from the confectionary at the shopping district. It's quite expensive but my mother will cover for the cost so it doesn't matter. After all, I'll also be able to eat it and enjoy the expensive taste. I arrived back to his house when I saw him about to open the front door with a large bag with him. I was dumbfounded so I asked him where he is going. Then, he told me that he forgot to mention how he'll be away for two weeks for a summer training camp for his soccer club. He told me that he'll be back in exactly two weeks and that it is the reason why he taught me how to cook. Well, at least I learned why he taught me as I thought it was because he'll do something reckless. I told him to take care with his training and all. On the other hand, he kept on telling me to take care and to always lock the door. He even asked me to never go outside as soon as the sun disappears. I could have told him how our neighborhood is really safe but I cannot just tell him that when he is really serious. Eventually, he waved goodbye and his shadow was all that lingered before it also disappeared. For two weeks I'll be staying at his house alone, just like how he left in the past, but this time he told me about the reason for him leaving for a while.

One week on, I'm already bored with living alone even though this is something I once liked. I cannot believe how much I've become attached to him these past few days. If this is how empty I'll feel, I would have went with him to his summer camp. However, asking him to bring me with him is really a great no-no. In the first place, what would he think when I told him this, it's obvious that he'll think I like him. In order to stop thinking about these things, I invited my friends over for some lunch. I told them how I'll cook the main dish and that they could just bring some snacks and desserts if they want. Eventually, each one of then arrived on short intervals. The last one to arrive is my friend who has an older brother that is a part of the soccer club. I was surprised when she arrived on a bicycle driven by his older brother that I wondered what I will tell her. I had a thought that he lied to me regarding the summer camp that I decided I'll ask her about it later. I went to the kitchen afterwards and started cooking, the three of them on the other hand helped prepare the dining table. Soon, we finished eating and so we proceeded to my room to talk.

The two of my friends were surprised with how big the room provided for me is. It's the first time for them to go to his house that it's only natural. They talked about how he really is rich and that their house is just a fraction of it and that my bathroom is already the size of their bedroom. We laughed while we talked about this before we moved to different topics. Most of things we talked about are all about gossips which is a common thing for us; although, at least we aren't the kind who would badmouth others behind their backs. We're just talking for fun before we moved to their boyfriends. We interviewed each one of us about our relationships and I felt really happy since they're still with their boyfriends and that they meet every once in a while the past few days this summer break. Suddenly, they asked me about my relationship with him and if I already accepted his feelings. I felt flustered since they kept bombarding me with stories and questions regarding our being a hit both in the media and the internet. It's quite a problem as I felt like I am surrounded by paparazzi that are hungry from information. I burst all their hopes and told them that there is nothing between us even after what happened when I drowned on the swimming pool. In unison, they sighed and told me how disappointed they are for my being too stubborn to not accept his feelings when he is an outstanding person every girl would want. Then, one of them told me how it will all be too late when I decide to accept his feelings as he might change and start looking at other girls. Suddenly, the thought of it made me feel flustered as it might actually happen and I'd really regret it. So, in order to break this sad thought in my mind and for them to stop teasing me, I told them how he is a liar and that he is someone I cannot trust.

Obviously, as if I don't already know it, they asked me regarding this. Since I cannot escape from their interrogation, I answered with what I actually thought. I told them about how there was no summer training in the first place and yet he went away. That it would be better if he just told me he doesn't want to bother taking care of me anymore. However, my friend negated what I said and told me that it is true that there was a summer training camp. I felt ashamed of what I just said since I accused him of lying. I did not realize that perhaps her older brother wasn't able to attend it. In order to clarify my mistake, I asked her about this to end the misunderstanding. But, it appears my doubt is actually true and that he indeed lied. After all, the summer training camp is only for a week and thus it already ended. Due to this being the case, I talked about how he said he'd be away for two weeks. They remained speechless before one of my friends changed the topic. They didn't tell me this explicitly, but they implied that I shouldn't think about this anymore. It is also possible that they already realized how I feel for him since I wouldn't be this uptight had it not been the case. With this, I decided that I'll just enjoy their company and talk about how we should go out every once in a while and enjoy our well deserved summer break. Soon, they went home as it would already be dark if they stay any longer. Although I didn't like what I found out, today was indeed fun.

The following days, I just stayed home and talked with my mother every once in a while. We talked about our lives and I even asked her if I can go and visit them. Unfortunately, it's not possible as the cost for the transportation would be really high. I cannot even force her for it since I'm studying at a prestigious educational institution and the tuition fees are quite high. Thus, even though I really want to see my parents, I need to stay at his place and wait for three more years. I managed to live without them for four months, so I just need to endure some more and present myself to them as an outstanding person they can be proud of. However, I could see that my parents are really carefree since they left me alone with him at his house. Not that I can blame them since this is the most feasible way especially since I can be with someone who can protect me. It also helps that he is the son of their close friends who also agreed. Although, now that I think about it, perhaps his parents aren't aware of him sleeping with girls since if they are, they wouldn't agree with me living with him as he cannot be trusted.

Soon, more than two weeks passed and he still wasn't at home. I went downstairs and turned on the air conditioning unit in order to cool the entirety of the living room. As with my usual routine, I turned on the television to watch the news. It's still early so I thought about cooking after a few hours. Then, the loud lock on the front door sounded and it surprised me. There, he appeared with the bag he brought with him. He was about to open his mouth and tell that he's home but I stopped him. The moment I saw him, I got really angry and went towards the refrigerated to bring out the cake I bought for him two weeks ago. I hurried back to him and threw it on him and it ruined his attire. Obviously, he was shocked with what I did so he asked me for the reason. There, I told him everything about how he lied to me and that I discovered it from my friends. As for the final blow, I told him about how if he's already tired of cooking for me, he should tell it to me straight. He made some excuses and told me that it's because he was hired for a commercial and that he thought it would only take a week. I got really mad and told him that if he's going to lie, he should tell a believable one before I pushed him away. I told him that if he really liked me like he always told me, lying is not an option and for that I'll never trust him once and for all. He apologized to me for lying before he brought out something from his bag. The moment he gave it to me, I pushed it away from his hand and it fell on the floor. Since it is made out of glass, it broke the moment it touched the floor. He fell silent afterwards and apologized again.

I sat down the couch and continued to watch television as I ignored him. On the other hand, he picked the pieces of the glass on the floor with his bare hands. He had a sorry look on his face, but this time I decided that I'll live independently. While he is cleaning the mess, I told him that starting today I'll cook food for myself now that he taught me how to do it. He kept quiet and so it was a sign of affirmation. Then, as the commercial appeared, I couldn't believe what I saw. It is a commercial for a famous swimming attire brand. The model was none other than him. I became dumbfounded as I argued and got mad at him for no reason at all. I said all sorts of hurtful things on him and even threw away the gift he brought for me. I looked at him yet he didn't talk about it and continued what he is doing. I felt really guilty so I approached and talked to him. I don't know how to start so I apologized to him for accusing him and telling him all sorts of things when I didn't know better. He looked and smiled at me but that was all. It's really obvious that he couldn't bring himself to talk to me right after I implied to him that his feelings weren't real. Since I cannot do anything and reverse what I just did, I went to the kitchen.

There, I began to cook food as that way he cannot avoid talking to me. As soon as I finished, I called for him and so we ate together after two long weeks. It's really awkward, but I asked him what his story is and for him to tell me everything. He didn't respond at first but he finally talked. Apparently, he thought I wouldn't find out that the summer training camp would only last for a week. Also, he felt that he need not tell me about being hired as a model for a commercial as I wouldn't need to know about it which is actually what I would say. He apologized again for lying to me and for making me mad for it. For some reason, the person who would always push me down and harass me is acting this way. It's like I'm seeing the him from when we are still young, the one who would always cry whenever I would make fun of him, but this time he's not crying and that's only natural. Since it was all entirely my mistake, I told him that I'm the one who should apologize and that he should lift up his face. At the very least, this calmed him down and all the tense from his disappeared. In order to make him feel better, I asked him if I can have what he was supposed to give me. He took something from his pocket and it was none other than a gold ring with a diamond. I was surprised and asked him where he got it, but obviously it was from the salary he received from working. Even though it is something that I must not accept, I took it from him and told him that I'll cherish it. Finally, he smiled at me and told me that he is glad that I liked it. For some reason, I felt really happy too the moment we reconciled. Eventually, we finished eating and I went back to my room.

I looked at the ring I received from him and it really looked expensive. However, instead of wearing it, I placed it inside the drawer by my bed. Even though it is a gift, I simply cannot wear something as intimate as that. Even though I don't know why he chose a ring, I'm perfectly aware that if I wear it, it would imply something. It would imply that I already accepted his feelings. Although I'll be happy with that, I simply cannot do just that. This is something serious and I don't want to experience the sadness of making a mistake with love. Since everything is okay with the two of us again, I decided that it's about time for me to relax and throw away all the worries inside my heart.