What It Means To Be Free

Chapter 16

"U-uhm. W-would you like one?" I said as I offered him the cupcake after the momentary silence as I felt my cheeks blushing.

"Patikim nga." He took the cupcake from me and removed the paper on one side before biting half of the cupcake. I watched him chew on the cupcake as I anticipated his comment.

"Ano? Masarap diba?" I asked when I saw his adam's apple bob when he swallowed the cupcake.

He tsked and wiped the icing on his upper lip using the back of his hand. "Kung alam mo lang...." Pabitin na sabi niya na ikinataas ng kilay ko.

"Na? Finish your sentence, Brixz. Ayoko ng pabitin. Subukan mo lang na hindi ituloy ibibitin kita ng patiwarik." Napangiti naman siya at yumuko saka pumameywang bago tumingin sa akin na inaabangan ang sunod niyang sasabihin.

"Kung alam ko lang na mas masarap akong gumawa. Baka hindi mo na 'ko pakawalan." He said with an arrogant smirk on his lips. Aba!

I frowned. "Ang yabang mo."

"Ay, ayaw maniwala?" He even placed his hand on his left chest and hissed. "Sakit no'n ah." He hissed and acted like he was in pain but I just shook my head and bit my cupcake.

"Fine then," I said as I chewed. "Patunayan mo."

"Are you challenging me, Miss Arandia?" He leaned closer to my face while his hands were in his pockets.

I swallowed the lump on my throat and spoke as I look straight into his eyes. "No. I'm asking you to prove your point." Matapang na sabi ko sa kabila ng magkalapit naming mga mukha.

"Expect me tomorrow." Sabi niya bago umayos ng tayo at pinuntahan ang sasakyan niyang katabi lang ng sa akin.

What does he mean.....

Sinubo ko ang natitirang kalahati ng cupcake na kinakain ko at nagmamadaling sinara ang kahon ng cupcakes na nasa hita ko bago itinabi sa box ng groceries ko nang may maalala.

"Teka, Brixz!" I called him but it was too late since he had already driven away. Yung jacket....

I exhaled and closed my car trunk. Pumasok ako sa loob ng driver's seat at nagmaneho paalis doon.

After getting stuck in traffic, I finally stepped foot in my unit. Pinasalamatan ko ang guard na nagrepresentang tulungan ako sa pagakyat ng box ng groceries ko. I carried the two boxes, my right hand carrying the groceries while the my left hand carrying the box of cupcakes.

Inayos ko na muna ang mga pinamili ko at inilagay sa refrigerator at cabinet ko sa kusina. I couldn't reach the upper cabinets so I used a stool so I was able to put the canned goods I bought.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko at naligo.

Expect me tomorrow? Ni hindi niya nga alam ang unit number ko. Binaba niya lang naman ako sa tapat ng condominium pero hindi sa mismong pinto ko.

I changed into my pajamas and went out of my room with my books, highlighters and reading glasses as I'm planning to pull an all nighter to read all the cases and reading that I was reading before I left to eat outside.

I walked my way towards my kitchen and stepped on the stool under my kitchen counter and stepped on it to reach the upper cabinets. Binuksan ko ang isa at kinuha ang isang pack ng marshmallows na may iba't ibang kulay at ang garapon na naglalaman ng tamarind at mint candies bago sinara ang kabinet at bumaba.

I strolled back to my coffee table and sat on the carpeted floor. Sinuot ko ang reading glasses ko at binuksan ang isang pakete ng marshmallows na kinuha ko. I opened one of my books and highlighters and started reading.

Patagal ng patagal ay ramdam ko ang pananakit ng ulo ko. I also feel sleepy as the night gets deeper but I set aside the thought of closing my eyes and ate one of my tamarind candies.

Agad namang umasim ang mukha ko nang isubo ko ang candy. I chewed on the candy as I resumed on reading.

I don't know what time I slept but I woke up to the sound of my doorbell. Inangat ko ang ulo kong nakapatong sa mga braso ko habang nakayuko at papungas pungas na pinuntahan ang pinto ng unit ko.

Sino ba 'to? Ang aga aga eh. Istorbo. Lagi na lang! And I'm sure it's Aeya. Siya lang naman ang may lakas ng loob na istorbohin ang tulog ko!

I rubbed my eyelids with the back of my hand and opened the door.

I yawned with my eyes closed. "What—"

"Good morning?" My eyes flew open when I heard a familiar deep voice.

"Brixz?!" Gulat na tanong ko. "B-bakit...why, what...how?" Naguguluhang sabi ko.

"Ano?" Napatigil ako at natulala sa kaniya.

He looks fresh in his light blue checkered button down shirt, white inner, light wash loose denim pants and white sneakers. My eyes followed his fingers as he brushed his brown wavy hair backwards and noticed his black hoop earring and a black stud earring on his right ear.

"Hindi mo ba ako papapasukin?" He asked and glanced inside my unit.

"C-come in?" I invited him in, dazed and confused.

Tinawanan naman ako ng loko at ginulo pa ang buhok ko bago pumasok. Tsaka ko lang napansin na may dala dala pala siyang ecobag nang makapasok siya.

I followed him to the kitchen and watched him make himself feel at home. Parang siya ang may ari ng kusina dahil walang paalam na binuksan niya ang ref ko at walang kahirap hirap abutin ang upper cabinet na hirap na hirap akong abutin.

"Hindi ka pa kumakain?" Nilingon niya ako na nakaupo sa island chair sa tapat ng kitchen bar dito sa kusina ng unit ko.

"Nope. I just woke up." I replied with a popping sound at the end.

"May pupuntahan ka ba ngayon?" He asked as he took some food and ingredients outside my fridge while I watched him move around my kitchen.

Today's Saturday and I was planning to go to my parents last night and will be back tomorrow. Hindi nga lang natuloy dahil sa dami ng babasahin. Maybe I'll visit them next time? When I have spare time.

Iyon naman kasi ang isa sa mga pakiusap sa akin nila Mommy at Daddy. They agreed when I told them that I wanted to move out for college since it would be more convenient for me. Medyo malayo kasi ang distansya nito sa bahay namin sa isang subdivision sa Makati hanggang dito sa Manila at alam kong hindi ko kakayanin kung araw araw akong magbabyahe dahil sa pagod.

They told me to at least call them and visit them sometimes para na rin daw sa ikagagaan ng loob nila.

I was so surprised when they did let me move out the last time I convinced them. Matagal ko na rin kasi silang kinukulit na payagan na ako. I even listed some pros and cons and presented it to them just to make them agree.

Sobrang saya ko noong pumayag sila dahil pakiramdam ko ay malaya na ako. Because finally, I'm out of their sight. Ibig sabihin lang noon ay hindi na ako bantay sarado.

Moving out made me the happiest but I wasn't prepared for the responsibilities that greeted me. Nahirapan ako noong una pero patagal ng patagal ay nakasanayan ko na rin.

It's been almost four years since I left and lived alone.

"Wala naman. Why?"

"Wala. Curious lang. Masama ba?" He turned the stove on and placed a pan over the stove.

"Hindi naman. Ikaw ba? Wala ka bang balak? I just thought that you planned something out for the two of us." Biro ko nang maalala ang pangaasar niya sa akin dati kaya naman nilingon niya ako ng may malisyosong ngiti sa labi.

He leaned on the counter between the sink and the stove top with his hands crossed over his chest while I looked at him from here.

"Huwag kang masyadong mabilis, Rubyane. Wait for me, okay?" Pagsakay niya sa biro ko na ikinailing ko na lamang.

Tinalikuran niya ako at hinarap muli ang stovetop kung saan nakapatong ang pan na inilagay niya.

I was left dumbfounded with my cheeks burning red. Hindi naman siguro totoo 'yon diba? Maybe, just like the old times, he's also kidding since I was the first to.

I exhaled, I didn't even notice that I was holding my breath.

I watched him wash his hands and cut some green onion, spam and carrots. Naglabas din siya ng apat na itlog na kahit ang kanin na nilagay ko sa ref noong isang araw pa.

Napangiwi ako nang tumingin siya sa akin. "I tried. Fortunately, edible naman. May konting sunog nga lang." I winced when he saw the bowl full of rice and looked at me with those eyes filled with curiosity and amusement.

He just smiled and continued cooking. Nang makita kong halos magsiliparan na ang mga niluluto niya ay napatayo ako at nilapitan siya.

"Hoy, baka matapon!" I exclaimed when I saw the ingredients fly from the pan.

Tinawanan niya lang ako at tinuloy ang ginagawa. Halos yugyugin ko ang braso niya dahil sa taas ng pagbabato niya ng mga hiniwa niyang mga sangkap kanina.

"Chill." Mahinang bulong niya sabay sulyap sa akin ng may ngiti sa labi habang nilalagyan ng ketchup ang niluluto.

"Yabang." Bulong ko rin kahit na alam kong narinig niya iyon dahil sa pagiling niya. Sinilip ko ang niluluto niya habang nakaharap sa kaliwa ko.

"Ano ba kasi 'yang niluluto mo?" I asked curiously.

"Omurice." He replied curtly.

“Magaayos lang ako.” I left him in the kitchen to take a bath. Umalis na ako dahil alam kong wala naman akong matutulong doon dahil hindi naman ako marunong magluto.

I know how to sweep the floor, mop, wash my clothes and dishes pero hindi nga lang ako marunong magluto. I'd rather clean our mansion than frying an egg!

I went out of my room wearing an oversized white printed shirt and dolphin shorts.

"Hey." I greeted Brixz who's placing two plates on the table bar for the both of us when I entered the kitchen.

I placed my phone beside my plate and went to my cabinet where I put my plates and utensils. Kumuha ako ng dalawang wine glass na nakasabit ng patiwarik sa may taas ng sink sa may kaliwa at nilagay sa tabi ng mga plato namin. I poured us water and sat at one of the island chairs.

Tumikhim si Brixz kaya naman napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Wine glass." He said that made me grin.

I picked up the spoon and fork beside my plate and was about to dig in when Brixz stopped me.

"Teka." He said before he went on the kitchen counter and opened one of the lower cabinets where the plates and utensils are placed.

Hiniwa niya sa gitna ang itlog na nakapatong sa sinangag na kanin dahilan para bumagsak ang magkabilang gilid nito at takpan ang kanin na nasa ilalim.

I heard him chuckle which made me realize that I looked too amused at what he did. Tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo.

"Ketchup?" He asked as he waved the bottle of ketchup.

"Yes, please." He poured the ketchup on my egg in a zigzag manner.

Nang matapos ay namangha ako sa itsura kaya naman kinuha ko ang phone ko na katabi ng plato ko at kinuhanan ng litrato ang pagkain.

"Done?" Tumango ako kahit na nakatingin parin ako sa cellphone ko.

"Wait, Brixz. What's your IG account?" I asked as I thought of what caption to put.

"IG? Wala akong IG. Bakit? Gagawa na lang siguro ako mamaya." Sagot niya at ibinulong ang huling sinabi dahilan para mawala ang tingin ko sa cellphone ko at napunta sa kaniya na nakaabang sa akin na para bang hinahantay akong matapos sa ginagawa.

"Totoo?" I asked as I clicked the check on the right corner to post the photo.

Added to list of favorites. Thanks bfnmy.

That's what I came up with for my caption.

"Let's eat." Masiglang sabi ko habang may ngiti sa labi at nauna ng sumubo sa luto niya.

"Mmm. Ang sarap! Favorite ko na 'to." Sabi ko at sumipa sipa kahit pa nakaupo.

"Sulitin mo na 'yan. Huli na 'yan." Medyo nanghinayang naman ako kaya naman konti konti lang kung sumubo ako.

We finished eating and I told him to wait for me as I wash the dishes. Hinayaan ko na muna siyang magikot ikot habang naghuhugas ako ng mga pinaglutuan niya at pinagkainan namin.

"Brixz." Tawag ko sa kaniya habang binabalik sa mga pinaglagyan ang mga plato, kutsara at tinidor.

"Oh?" Rinig kong sabi niya sa kung saan.

I finished what I was doing and looked for him. I caught him reading the court cases that I have been reading since yesterday.

Humalukipkip ako habang pinapanood siyang nakakunot noong nagbabasa na para bang hirap na hirap sa nababasa.

"Chef Anderson." I called him.

"Yes, Attorney Arandia?" Napatigil ako dahil sa itinawag niya sa akin at napabuntong hininga bago siya tinabihan na nakaupo sa carpeted floor.

"So, chef ba talaga yung gusto mo? Culinary arts ba? Sabagay, magaling ka nga naman magluto."

"Ganito kasi ‘yan. Dati ‘di ko rin talaga alam yung gusto ko eh, ‘pag tinatanong ako rati kung anong gusto ko, sasabihin ko, basketball player o ‘di kaya engineer pero ewan, lumabas sa spin the wheel chef eh, edi ‘yon na lang.” He explained so I gave him a quizzical look. “Masaya naman ako sa pagluluto ‘wag kang magalala. And no, HRM ang kinuha ko." Sagot niya na sinangayunan ko naman.

Sumandal ako sa sofang nasa likod namin at tumingala para ihiga ang ulo at lumingon patagilid para makita si Brixz na seryosong nagbabasa. I took one throw pillow from my sofa and placed it over my legs to hide them.

"Ikaw? Bakit Law?" Pagbabalik tanong niya sa akin na ikinatigil ko.

Bakit nga ba?

I let out a deep breath and answered. "I...." I glanced at him who was waiting for my answer, probably thinking that I have some acceptable reason for my choice of course. "Don't know." I said and watched him turn a few pages from my book.

“Hindi ko rin naman talaga alam yung gusto ko. I guess anything would do. Bahala na.” Sabi ko ng hindi iniisip kung ano nga ba ang sagot at rason. Siguro kasi gusto ni Mommy? Parang ang pangit pakinggan.

"Ikaw na kaya gumawa niyan? Mukhang mas interisado ka pa diyan." He glanced at me and smiled before he lightly tossed the book on the coffee table.

Hinarap niya ang katawan sa akin bago pinatong ang siko sa sofa at humalumbaba. "I'm not. Sa totoo lang, kung hindi man halata sayo, mas interisado ako sayo, Rubyane." He said with his face looking so serious as ever.

What does he mean? What does he mean by that?!

I faked a cough and looked away trying to avoid his gaze, not knowing what to say.

"A-anyways, pa'no mo pala nalaman ang unit number ko?" Pagbabago ko sa usapan. I don't remember texting him my unit since I don't have his number at hindi rin naman niya ako hinahatid dito sa mismong unit ko sa tuwing nagkikita kami....

"Ah, may nakasalubong akong babae kanina sa may reception desk sa baba, itatanong ko kasi sana kung saan yung unit mo tapos narinig niya, sinabi niya sa’kin. Kaibigan mo raw?" My brows creased in confusion and gazed back at him. Sino sa kanila?

"Sino?"

Natahimik siya sandali na para bang may inaalala habang kunot noong nakatingin naman ako sa kaniya at naghihintay sa sagot niya.

"Hindi ko na maalala eh." Maybe it's Aeya?