Chapter 20
1462 Words
Nasa bahay na sila Mark when Lexie and Lucas arrived.
“Hey, saan kayo galing?” Bungad-tanong agad ni Niam. Bigla naman itong lumapit sa kanya. “Babe, food.” pagbibiro naman nito.
Mahinang Itinulak naman ito Lucas. “Hands -off.” May diin ang pagkakasabi nito at tiningnan naman nito ang kaibigan ng masama kahit alam nitong nag bibiro lang sya.
“Wait lang. Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes.” kaagad nyang sagot sa tanong ni Niam.
Sumunod naman both Lucas and Niam sa kanya.
Una nyang sinilip ang ribs na nasa smoker.
“This is good to serve already.”
“Okay, we got it. Kami na mag serve.” Ani ni Lucas.
Bumalik na rin sya ulit sa loob ng bahay and quickly turned on the gas to let the soup simmer again. She quickly prepared the meringue to top on the lemon pie.
Nakita nyang inihain na ni Niam ang smoked ribs sa dining table.
“Wow! That smells delicious!” si Matt.
“Thank you, sis!” Malakas na sabi ni Mark para marinig nya.
Napangiti naman sya sa mga papuri. “Wow ha! Hindi nyo pa nga natitikman.” Sagot nya naman sa mga ito.
Lucas came to the kitchen to prepare the plates, ina-assist naman sila ni Aling Pasion.
Niam served the rice.
Mark picked up 2 bottles of red wine.
When the soup simmered, Niam served it also.
Lumapit naman sa kanya si Lucas, “Aren’t you done yet?”
“Done.” She just left the meringue on the bowl to cool it and went to the dining table already.
As usual her seat was between Mark and Lucas. Pag ka-upo nya nag serve naman ng wine si Niam skipping her glass which Mark filled with orange juice.
“I want to offer a toast to the generosity of Mark, Lexie and their family for the last 2 weeks. This is one of the best vacations I have had.” ani Niam.
“For the delicious food, every meal. Thanks, Lex.” Si Mark.
They loved the food as usual. I knew they were heavy eaters lalo na ang mga boys so she intentionally prepared a lot of servings ng ribs pero naubos naman lahat.
“Leave some space for dessert.” Paalala nya sa mga ito.
Tumayo na rin sya to prepare the dessert sa kitchen. When she looked back. It was Niam eager for more food ang naka sunod sa kanya.
When she looked back at the dining table, nakamasid naman sa kanila si Lucas.
“That guy is so paranoid. Don’t mind him.” sabi nito. Like he had eyes behind his head at alam nitong nakabantay si Lucas dito.
Nakasunod ito hanggang sa pagbukas nya ng ref. Kaya binigyan nya ito ng gagawin.
“Slice the strawberry pie.” Utos nya dito.
“Ilang slice?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Ang kulit.” Natatawa nyang sagot dito.
Sya namang pag lapit ni Lucas. Wala lang. Tumayo lang sya doon at nagbantay.
Tawang-tawa naman sya sa inakto nito.
Inihatid naman ni Niam ang strawberry pie sa dining table. Bumalik at kumuha ng dessert plates and tinidor. Masama din ang tingin nya kay Lucas ng madaanan ito.
She started to brew coffee. Nang makita yun ni Niam, he also gathered coffee cups and brought them to the dining table. While coffee was brewing, she topped the lemon pie with the meringue and torched it.
“Looks good?” tanong nya kay Lucas na naka ngiti.Tumango naman ito.
Dinampot naman nito ang coffee pot. At sabay na silang bumalik sa dining table.
Each of them tried the pies, Niam had another slice ng Lemon Pie and Matt had the extra slice ng strawberry pie.
“What are you going to study in uni?” Tanong ni Mark while they were sipping coffee, sya naman was drinking tea at ayaw nyang mapuyat.
“I’d probably take up Business Administration.”
Umakyat na si Brenna sa loft to sleep and Jessica was quietly listening sa usapan around the table.
“Why not Hotel and Restaurant Management?”
“I don’t want to limit my scope to the hospitality business. I want to explore the whole business in general.”
Tumangu-tango si Matt. “I want to discuss your cakes and pastry though.”
“Matt,” si Mark, warning Matt not to pursue the topic.
“Okay, Okay. Some other time.”
The boys continued to chat and decided they want to continue at the deck.
When she heard it, pinuntahan nya si Aling Pasion at nag request ng firewood so ma-enjoy ng magkakaibigan ang ambience sa deck.
The bonfire was started and aakyat na rin sana sya sa loft when Lucas held her up. “Join us.”
“I don’t drink.”
“I know. And you can’t drink. Just keep us company.”
Nagpahila na rin sya dito. She noticed that he had a shawl and another jacket with his arm.
He sat her beside him. Threw his jacket over her shoulder and cover the shawl sa legs nya.
Patuloy na nag usap ang magkakaibigan nang kung anu-ano lang din naman. They opened another bottle. She no longer kept track. Habang lumalalim ang gabi. She was getting sleepy too.
Magpapaalam na sya when Lucas stopped her by holding her hand and prevented her from going. “Just rest here.” Nakita nya ang parang lungkot sa mga mata nito. She sat beside him again.
She couldn't help it but she was already sleepy. She felt Lucas pull her to lean by his side. Hindi na sya nag reklamo at natulog na.
Hindi naman kumibo ang iba na naroon. Jessica was sleeping on Matt’s lap too.
He stared at the peaceful face sleeping on his shoulder. He expelled a loud sigh.
“So, what’s the deal with you and my sister?” Tanong ni Mark, naging seryoso bigla ang usapan around the bonfire
“I like her.” seryosong sagot naman nito kay Mark.
“Does she like you?” Si Niam.
Tiningnan naman ito Lucas.
“Do you like her?” Balik-tanong ni Lucas kay Niam.
Hindi agad nakasagot si Niam kay Lucas. It raised the tension in the air. “It’s not like how you like her.”
“So, you like her like how?” Naiinis ng tanong ni Lucas kay Niam
“I guess, like a sister.”
“What’s with the “I guess”, man?” si Matt na napataas din ang tono sa ambiguity ng sagot ni NIam.
“I feel protective about her. But I don't feel jealous you practically guarded her the whole time, man.” sagot nito na naka tingin kay Lucas.
Mark and Matt breathed a sigh of relief.
“So, does she like you?” tanong ulit ni Niam
“You think she doesn’t?” Balik-tanong na naman ni Lucas kay Niam.
“f**k! You didn’t formally ask her, right?” si Niam na ulit.
“I didn’t while I didn't have permission yet.” Naihilamos ni Lucas ang isang kamay sa mukha.
“You’ve been having breakfast with dad since you arrived. You always had an opportunity. For sure, the topic came up.” sabat ni Mark.
“He didn't say yes. He said pag-uusapan namin ulit.” Lucas told them and expelled a deep breath.
“Mmmmmm.” Napapa-isip naman na turan ni Mark. “That doesn’t sound good, man.”
Walang nang naisagot pa si Lucas. He just stared at the gentle, sleeping face of Lexie.He moved her so she can rest her head on his thigh.
He looked at Niam and silently ordered him to lift Lexie’s legs on the bench. He was watching him closely. Naiiling na lang si Niam sa titig ni Lucas.
They continued to drink. Lucas was gloomily drinking from his glass.
His friends tried to give him some space. They have changed the topic sometime ago and hindi na sya kinulit while he seemed to just want to drink.
Finally, the group of friends called it a night. Lucas picked up Lexie and brought her inside. He laid her on the mat downstairs in front of the fireplace at tinabihan.
Hindi na kumibo si Mark. He felt that his friend might get his heart broken at the end of this vacation. Tinulak na rin nito si Niam na tumigil sa hagdan to watch Lucas too.
Lucas laid down spooning Lexie. He breathed in the strawberry smell of her hair and hugged her tight.
- Writer
