CHAPTER 6
1087 Words
(FLASHBACK...)
FIVE MINUTES before Blythe got off from work, Evron’s black sedan was parked at the parking lot in front of the building. Tumingin siya sa gusali kung saan nagtatrabaho si Blythe. Kapagkuwan, binuksan niya ang pinto ng sasakyan saka lumabas.
He checked his watch. By this time, Blythe was already fixing her table.
Habang hinihintay ang dalaga, tumayo siya at sumandal sa kabilang gilid ng sasakyan kung saan ay madali niyang makita si Blythe kapag lalabas ito.
Hindi niya sinabing susunduin niya ang kasintahan.
He wanted to surprise her.
Gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makita niyang lumabas si Blythe.
When Blythe stepped out from the building, she saw some of her co-workers giggling and looking at something in the parking lot.
Naging curious naman siya at tumingin doon.
Her eyes widened when she saw the man leaning comfortably on the black sedan.
She froze for a second, clearly not expecting it.
Kumaway sa kaniya si Evron.
Gumuhit naman ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at kakaway na sana pabalik nang marinig niya ang usapan ng mga katrabaho niyang babae.
“Ang gwapo niya.”
“Kilala mo ba?”
“Hindi. May girlfriend siyang susunduin.”
“Tanungin mo kaya at kunin mo ang number.”
Bahagyang kumunot ang nuo ni Blythe. Nainis siya dahil sa narinig. She looked at Evron. Tama naman ang mga ito. Evron was a handsome man and well-built. Hindi naman niya masisisi ang mga katrabaho na pagnasaan si Evron, but she was here… she’s the girlfriend.
Blythe walked towards Evron. Nakasimangot ang mukha niya.
Kinuha ni Evron ang bag ni Blythe. “What happened? Why are you frowning?”
Tiningnan ni Blythe ang mga katrabahong nakatingin kay Evron.
Evron chuckled. “I didn’t see them. I only see you.”
Naningkit ang mata ni Blythe.
Ngumiti si Evron. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng passenger seat. “Get in.”
Blythe was still frowning as she stepped inside the car.
Hindi agad isinara ni Evron ang pinto ng sasakyan. He was the one who put Blythe’s seatbelt. Bahagyang nagkalapit ang kanilang mukha.
And Blythe remembered the time she kissed Evron. Pinilit niya ang sarili niyang mag-iwas ng tingin.
“Don’t worry, even if many women coveted me, sa ‘yo lang ako.” Sabi ni Evron.
Blythe let out a small sigh. “Hindi mo naman kasalanan na gwapo ka. And it’s not your fault that they like you.”
Evron smiled. “Looks like I have to distance myself from women. Selosa ang girlfriend ko.” Aniya. Pinisil niya ang isang pisngi ng kasintahan.
Blythe crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, I’m possessive. Ang akin ay akin. Walang puwedeng umangkin.”
Evron leaned toward Blythe and spoke lowly to her ear. “Don’t worry, I’m clean.” He pulled away and closed the door.
Nagtaka naman si Blythe sa una nang hindi niya agad naintindihan ang sinabi ni Evron. And when it registered in her mind what he meant, she blushed.
Mahina namang tumawa si Evron. “Ngayon hindi ka na makatingin sa akin.” Sabi niya nang makaupo siya sa likod ng manibela.
Hindi nagsalita si Blythe.
“Are you heading straight home or may pupuntahan ka pa?” tanong ni Evron habang pinapaandar ang makina ng sasakyan.
Umiling si Blythe saka sumandal sa kinauupuan. “I’m tired. I want to go home and rest.”
“Okay. I’ll cook dinner.”
“No!”
Evron paused. “No?”
Alanganing napangiti si Blythe. “I don’t know how to cook. So, there’s nothing…” tumikhim siya, “…you can cook in my apartment.”
Kumunot ang nuo ni Evron. “Paano ka kumakain?”
Blythe answered with silence.
“Tell me,” Evron said in a gentle but firm voice.
Napakamot ng batok si Blythe. “Instant and take out.” Nakangiwi niyang sagot.
Evron let go of the brake. “From now on, I’ll cook for you,” he said as he maneuvered the car to the right.
“Pero…”
“No buts, Blythe. Ayaw kong kumain ka ng mga unhealthy foods. No wonder you were thin.”
Tiningnan naman ni Blythe ang sarili. “Hindi naman ah.”
Evron ignored it and didn’t argue with Blythe. “Ihahatid kita sa apartment mo para makapagpahinga ka. Pupunta ako sa supermarket para bumili ng lulutuin ko para sa dinner natin.” Aniya sa seryosong boses.
Pagkahatid ni Evron kay Blythe sa apartment nito, agad siyang nagtungo sa malapit na supermarket.
He pushed the cart down the aisle with quiet ease, one hand resting on the handle, and the other casually reaching for ingredients—fresh vegetables, meat, and seasonings.
Kapagkuwan, napatigil siya sa harap ng noodles section.
Hindi pa siya nakakapasok sa apartment ng kasintahan, pero mukhang alam na niya ang laman ng cupboard nito.
He reached for the proper ingredients—garlic, onions, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
If she didn’t know how to cook. Then, he would cook for her.
Simple.
“Excuse me…”
A soft feminine voice broke through his thoughts.
Bahagyang humarap si Evron. “Yes?” he asked the woman.
Mukhang ordinaryo lamang ang babae, pero hindi nakaligtas kay Evron ang amoy ng dugo mula rito. It’s not literally blood, but the scent of blood that lingered on some people.
Assassin.
“I’m new around the area,” the woman said. “I was hoping you could recommend something to cook.”
Pasimpleng tiningnan ni Evron ang babae.
Nilapitan siya nito, kaya malamang kilala niya ito. He just wonders, who sent this woman…to maybe… kill him?
Her posture was relaxed, and her breathing was steady. But her eyes tell a different story—observant and calculating.
Hindi siya agad sumagot. Kumuha siya ng isang pack ng herbs at inilagay ito sa kaniyang cart. “Hindi ka dapat nagtatanong sa taong hindi mo kilala,” simpleng sabi ni Evron, saka tinalikuran ang babae.
The woman laughed lightly. “Then maybe we shouldn’t be strangers,” she said as she extended her hand. “I’m—”
Hindi tinanggap ni Evron ang pakikipagkamay ng babae. Tiningnan niya nang diretso sa mata ang babae.
The woman’s smile didn’t falter, but something in her eyes flickered. Pero panandalian lamang ‘yon, saka nito ibinaba ang kamay. “Well,” she said softly, “maybe next time.”
Tumalikod na ito at naglakad palayo.
Sinundan naman ni Evron ang tingin ng babae.
Looks like this night won’t become peaceful for him.
And he was right.
- Writer
