To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 10

Chapter 10

Ako na ang magliligpit ng pinagkainan mo, hija." presinta ni nana Mirna.

Hindi na ako umalma pa sa gusto ni nana Mirna dahil sa pagkirot ng aking ulo. I just eat my breakfast fast but I didn't finished it all because of the ache on my head. I calm myself first before I leave in the dining to came back in my room and prepared for this day.

Marami naman akong naging tulog, at alam kong sapat na sapat iyon ngunit bakit may kirot parin akong nararamdaman sa aking ulo? Siguro'y, nasobrahan naman ang pagtulog ko? Hayystt!

What the fudge!

I thought I will be energetic this day but I was wrong. Matamlay na matamlay ako pagkalabas ng aking kwarto hanggang sa makarating sa restaurant.

Hayystt, what's wrong with me?

"Can you all promised to give your best for this event?" I ask seriously on my employees, tryna lighten up my mood.

I arrived at the restaurant too early to meeting them, thought I'm not really on the mood. Kailangan kong ipaliwang sa kanila kung ano ang gagawin for this coming event ng Dela Torallez family upang mapaghandaan na namin.

"Makakaasa ba ako?"

"Yes miss!" sabay-sabay nilang tugon, excited.

Tipid ko silang nginitian. "Okay. I'm glad to heard that. I know we can do this!"

"Oo naman, miss!" silang lahat muli.

Tapos ko ng i-discuss ang mga kailangan gawin para sa araw na iyon and I'm glad that they all happy for this coming event. They all excited and I am too but I'm really not on the mood right now. I think I need something to lighten up my mood.

Nagtungo ako sa counter at tumunganga doon habang napasimangot na pinagmamasdan ang mga costumers. I already sighed for several times but I couldn't lighten up myself. I feel that I only want to sleep again.

"What's on that face, K?" si Sheeme at hinarap ang mukha kong nakasimangot.

I looked at her lazily and she's wearing a big smile on her lips while her eyes twinkling. Hayystt, she's happy I hope I am too.

"You okay na ba? Kung hindi pa ay magpahinga ka na muna."

"I'm fine." matamlay kong sagot.

She then pinched my cheek. "Then, what's on that look?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

Napabugtong hininga ako at tumulala nalamang muli sa counter. What I need to do right now so I won't feel this feelings?

"By the way, someone give that to you." ani Sheeme at may nilapag na paper bag sa aking harapan. "This person know that you're not on the mood that why he gave that to you. He know that you like that." dagdag ni Sheeme sabay kindat sa akin.

"He?" I uttered.

"Hmmm." tango ni Sheeme ng tatlong beses sa akin. "By the way, I will go now. Enjoy your foods." paalam niya.

Gusto ko pa sana siyang tanungin ngunit mabilis na siyang umalis sa aking harapan. Napatunganga ako sa paper bag na nilapag sa aking harapan. I just stare it for a couple of minutes before I decided to open it now.

I'm just curious what's inside and to the person who gave it to me.

He?

Who's he?

I slowly opened the paper bag and saw what's inside. First my brow quickly arched and pouted but at the end I feel excited to eat it. It was a burger and milktea. Marahan ko itong nilabas sa paper bag habang may sumisilip na ngiti na sa aking labi. I quickly bit my lips.

Nang mailabas na sa paper bag nakuha ng isang maliit na sticky note ang aking atensyon. I then read what's written on it.

"I hope you're feeling well now." I whispered softly as I read what's on the note.

I caressed the sticky note softly as I heard my phone beep inside my shoulder bag that I'm still wearing. I got my phone to check who sent message.

And guess what... it's from unknown number again!

Unknown:

I hope you're feeling well now.

My eyes widened as my heart started beating widely when I realized something. Ang nakasulat sa sticky note ay parehas sa message ng unknown number. So it means, iisa lamang ang nagbigay ng foods at ang nagt-text sa akin?

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib nang may isang taong naiisip kung sino ito. But it's really impossible! Why this man sending me a foods and message when he's already - when he's already in a relationship? He's already engaged!

What the fudge!

Who's this?

Why that the only man my mind thinking!?

Gulong-gulo ang aking isip sa kung anong dahilan nang muling tumunog ang aking phone. May dumating nanaman na mensahe.

Unknown:

Please, eat all the food.

Napabuga ako ng hanging dahil sa bagong dating na mensahe, gusto ko itong replayan upang tanungin kung sino ito ngunit hindi magawa dahil sa lakas ng kalabog ng aking dibdib. My heart says that I don't need to confirm who it was because I already knew. I don't need to confirm it 'cause my heart already knew! The fudge!

And about the message. Though, I couldn't hear the voice who's sending me a message I feel that is was so soft, every words was sounds so soft!

Ayaw ko sanang kainin ang mga pagkain ngunit natagpuan ko na lamang ang aking sarili na kinakain na ito. I almost finish it all and I want more. I don't remember that I like the taste of this foods way back when I'm in France but I really like it now.

The fudge! I want more!

The day passed and I didn't confirm yet who's the person sending me a message and foods. Ngunit isang taon lamang ang tinuturo ng puso ko. But still, I don't want to assume again!

I forget about it and focus first for the upcoming big event of Dela Torallez family because we really need to prepare. I decided na hindi na muna kami nag-o-overtime. I want to prepare them lalo na at bukas na iyon. Alam kong malaking event iyon lalo pa't maraming dadalong mga business man at isa na doon si kuya Aldwin at ate Zen and if tito Amer and tita Gemi is here I know they will going to attend too.

When the day came we arrived early in the location for the event, though the event will start around 7:00 pm we're here now around 3:00 pm. Ang gaganapan ng event ay isang malaki at sikat na hotel. Dumeretsyo ako sa kitchen at sumalubong sa akin ang aking mga server. They all prepared and I just give them a few words and let them start now for their task.

"My gosh I'm late." napatigl kami at napatingin sa kakapasok na si Sheeme.

Napataas ang kilay ko sa itsura niya. Mabilis ang pag-angat at Pagbaba ng kanyang dibdib, siguro'y tumakbo siya?

"My gosh, my foot hurts." reklamo niya pa. "Don't mind me, let's prepared para makapagsimula na." ngiti niya.

My gosh! What's wrong with her?

I'm wearing a jeans and maroon t-shirt with collar, Sheeme wearing the same as mine as well as my employees. Maroon t-shirt with collar is our uniform. Anyway, I bought a dress para pamalit ko mamaya dahil kasali ako sa event, sa tingin ko ay ganoon din si Sheeme.

Sheeme family is rich, then why she's working in my restaurant as a manager? Seriously?

We checked first the kitchen and changed our clothes. I make myself busy rooming around in the kitchen to check everything when I heard all my employees greeted the person who's entered in the kitchen.

"Good day, Sir." my employees greeted.

Bumaling ako sa pintuan, napaatras sa gulat sa kung sino ang nakita. What the hell he's doing here!?

I almost get a heart attack because of his sudden presence!

"Your too early, Dar. The event will start around 7:00 pm?" Sheeme chuckled.

"Tsk." tanging tugon ng supladong si Darrow.

Napaikot ang mata ko ng wala sa oras. Kahit ganoon lamang ang sagot niya kay Sheeme ay nakaramdam ako inis na hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling. I don't know why, but seemed they really know each other - and... and I'm jealous about it!

What the fudge, K!

You shouldn't!

I sighed and swallowed for several times. "Let's start." anunsyo ko.

I didn't mind the man who's here seems I didn't feel his presence. Nagsisimula na ang iba kong kasamahan habang ako ay nagtungo sa isang gilid upang maisuot ang aking apron at hairnet, gayondin upang maiwasan ang dalawang pares ng matang nanonood sa akin.

"You didn't greet him, huh." may kahulugang saad ni Sheeme, sinadya niya pang lumapit sa akin.

Hindi ko siya pinansin na tila hindi narinig ang kaniyang sinabi at sinimulan ng itali ang aking buhok ng pabilog. While I'm doing it, I feel someone staring at me. Iyong tipong titig na titig na tila pinag-aaralan ka, ang kabuoan mo. I stiffened as I feel my heart beat faster while a tiny piece of sweat started to form over my forehead.

I turned to caught who's staring at me that way, and guess what I'm not mistaken it's Darrow. I caught him staring at my neck but he didn't bother to take away his eyes even I already caught him!

I sighed heavily. "No wonder, siya lang naman ang nakakapagdulot ng ganoong pakiramdam sa akin dibdib." I whispered to myself.

"Let's go, K." baling sa akin ni Sheeme.

Binilisan ko na ang pag-aayos para makatulong na. Nilampasan ko siya ng hindi parin binabati. I just pretended that I didn't see him.

Why the hell he's here ba?

Mamaya pa naman ang event!

He too excited, huh!

Why he doesn't go to her fiancee, instead?

Nagsimula na kami sa paghanda ng iba't ibang sangkap, ramdam ko parin ang presensya ni Darrow ngunit pilit na hindi pinapansin kahit pa kanina pa nanginginig ang aking tuhod! The fudge it's really bad!

Why the hell he's still here!?

Isang oras na ang lumipas at nakatapos na kami ng mga ilang potahe. Darrow's still here and sometimes I caught him and Sheeme talking about something and looked on my way. I just rolled my irritatedly. Minsan ay hindi ko na sila binabalingan ng tingin dahil busy ako. In the middle of checking some already cooked foods when my phone rang.

Taka ko itong hinugot sa aking bulsa upang makita ang tumatawag and if isn't that important I will just turned it off.

But it was Kyros, I need to answer it.

Sheeme turned to me when I approach her.

"I'll just take this call." tahimik kong paalam sa kaniya.

She nodded, kaya mabilis na akong dumeretsyo sa labas habang tumutunog parin ang aking cellphone. Napadpad ako sa labas kung saan ang magandang garden ng hostel.

"Why it took so long before you answered?" pagalit na bugad ng tao sa kabilang linya.

I rolled my eyes. "Haystt, I'm busy! Just thank me because I answered your call." sighal ko.

"You're busy? Busy with whom?" he then asked seriously.

I rolled my eyes, again. "We have a big event."

"And?"

Hayystt! I still need to explain it to him! I wanted to end the call now upang makatulong pa sa mga employee ko sa kusina but it's Kyros...

"They chose our restaurant to serve for this big event." napasimangot kong paliwanag kahit hindi niya naman kita ang mukha ko.

"Did aldwin know that?" he asked seriously.

"I cited. But don't worry they also part of the event.

"You sure?" paninigurado nya.

Napatangotango ako, nakasimangot. "Hmmm."

Napatahimik siya sa kabilang linya taging mabibigat niyang paghinga ang naririnig ko. Napatahimik din ako to hear what he was doing but in his line was to quiet. Where is he?

"Ky."

He sighed. "How are you there."

"Ohh, I'm fine. Don't worry about me." nakangiti kong utas.

He keep silent in the other line.

"Don't worry about me na. I'm fine here-"

He cut me off quickly. "We're really worried here. We all know that you came back there to relax."

"I am." agap ko "Don't worry na."

I hear him sighed again, hard. "Don't stress yourself."

"Of course." napangiti ako. "By the way, kailan ka pala mag-vivisit here?" I asked

"I don't know yet. Why you miss me?"

My eyebrow arched. "Hmmm." ngisi kong saad.

"Why don't you come back here, instead?" kahit hindi ko siya kita ay alam ko nakataas narin ang kilay niya.

"Ayyysstt." suplada kong saad.

Narinig ko ang pagtawa niya sa kabilang linya dahil sa aking reaksyon. He know that I don't like to come back there because they won't allow me to work! At isa pa ay marami bodyguard ni tito Amer ang sumusunod sa akin kahit saan. I like more to stay here that there.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you laughing at me?" iritado kong saad.

"Of course... not" bakas pa rin ang tawa niya.

"Nah, you are!"

"Your reaction make me laughed... what was that reaction?"

Napasimangot nanaman ako. "I'm gonna off this now." galit ko kunwaring tugon.

"Ohhh, no, no, you miss me so don't." pilig niyang natatawa parin.

"Yeah! A little bit?" I chuckled. "And miss mo na rin ako ano. Kaya you called me and pissed me too."

"I'm not pissing you." agap niya, bakas pa rin ang pagtawa niya. "But I admit that I miss you."

"Ohh, come on. Ikaw na lang ang magvisit sa akin here. But please, don't try to pissed me. That's bad." I pouted.

He laughed in the other line so loud. Making fun of me again. Tssk, kakasabi ko pa ngalang, eh!

"I could still imagine your face here. Pouting while rolling your eyes." natatawa niyang saad.

Napairap ako sa inis. "Kyros!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm not promised." aniya, natatawa parin.

"Stop laughing na!" pagalit kong utas.

"Ohhh, my little girl cousin commanding me now, huh." sabay malakas niyang tawa muli.

Little girl!

What the fudge!

Sahalip na mainis ay natawa na lamang din ako dahil sa pinsan. I just laughed silently but I stopped quickly when I feel someone presence on my back as my heart beat softly because of someone who's on my back right now.

"What's you're doing isn't allowed." the familiar deep baritone voice of the man said from my back.

Nagulat ako sa biglaan niyang pagsasalita ng seryoso sa aking likuran dahilan para mapatalon at mahulog ang aking selpon. Maingay na bumagsak ang selpon kong nakatihaya pagkakalaglag sa sahig. My cousin name was still on the monitor.

Kyros.

What the heck this man doing here!?

"Seriously? In the middle of your work?" Darrow Dela Torallez added, sounds disappointed at me.

I couldn't speak. Couldn't answer him. Guilt cross inside me quickly. Nakayuko lamang ako at hindi makaimik sa kahihiyan.

"Tsk." suplado niya pang saad.

Kagat ang labi nang mag-angat ako ng tingin kay Darrow. Naabutan ko ang mapanuri niyang titig sa akin.

I swallowed for several times while bitting my lips. "H-uh, it was an important c-all." kabado kong saad at mabilis na bumaling sa selpon ko na nasa aking paanan.

I'm ready to get the phone on the ground when Darrow quickly bend and get my phone. Nagtagal ang titig niya roon bago iritadong nipower off ang aking selpon.

What the fudge!

"Important call from your?" he raised his brow as he turned to me.

"I-t's none of your business anymore." iritado kong saad at binigyan siya ng masamang tingin. "Marami rami pa kaming lulutuin. I'll leave you here na." pilit akong lumapit sa kaniya kahit sobrang kabado at padarang na hinablot ang aking selpon sa kamay niya.

I rolled my eyes irritatedly.

Bago ko siya tuluyang takasan ay pansin ko ang sakit at galit sa kaniyang mga mata dahil sa aking ginawa. I see again the sorrow and pain in his eyes.

"I'm still thinking if I'm not important in your life anymore? It was easy for you to turned your back from me, huh." I heard him said, sadness and pain traces with his every words.

Wait, what?

I stopped as my heart skipped when I heard what he just said. I didn't turned my back to face him because I don't know if he's saying it to me. I then quickly felt myself numb, though I didn't confirm yet if he's saying it to me.

One thing I'm pretty sure! My heartbeat sayin' that I'm the reason why he's sad right now. I'm the reason why he's on pain right now.

I couldn't control myself to turned to him and confirm if he's saying it to me. Hindi ako makalingon sa kaniya dahil naninikip nanaman ang aking dibdib, nanghihina ako habang isang senaryo ang pilit na pumapasok sa aking utak ngunit hindi ito nagtagumpay. Namanhid na ako at tanging masakit na pagtibok ng puso ko ang aking nararamdaman.

My heart keep beating with pain - pain that I shouldn't be feel!

One tears quickly fell from my eyes. I don't know what's that tears for! I don't know the reason! Maybe - maybe it's just because of the onions I cut lately!?

I closed my eyes as I sighed silently before I continue my walked and didn't try to turned to him, because I don't think I still need? That's hurtful word's isn't for me! That is for someone that isn't me!

Ngunit bakit nasasaktan ako!? Nasasaktan ako sa kadahilanang hindi ko alam! Nakakainis dahil siya lamang ang nakakapagparadam ng ibat-ibang klaseng pakiramdam sa akin. Nasasaktan ako ngunit bakit hindi ko alam?

Darrow Dela Torallez, am I really don't know you? But why my heart keep beating some special feelings just for you?

My heart didn't lying at me! Swear!

******

Pain was part of our life that we need to accept wholeheartedly — but I'm still wondering where this pain came from? How could I accept this pain when I didn't know what the reason?

Just one valid reason and I will accept it wholeheartedly!

I sighed heavily as I still feel the pain inside me. It couldn't fade away even I already sighed for several times!

What was really this feeling?

Wala ako sa sarili nang bumalik sa kitchen at tila nakalutang nang magpatuloy sa pagtulong. Lumipat ako sa kabilang bahagi ng kitchen kung saan ginagawa ang mga dessert, to at least divert myself that not on the mood because of what happened earlier. I put my hand over my chest to feel my heart beat more.

It's still beating with pain!

I sighed and turned my attention to the unbaked cupcakes, I will just going to bake it then. Anyway, I know how to bake too, I learned it when I'm abroad. I found that doing it was fun at the same time this was my way of relaxing. I continue baking kahit pa medyo ramdam ko na ang aking pagod dahil na din siguro sa pagkakatayo ng matagal dito. Hindi pa ako masyadong sanay.

"Miss, ayos na po magpahinga na ka muna." si Ruth, isang kasama ko sa pagb-bake.

"It's okay." I smiled at her a little.

"Mukhang pagod kana, Miss." saad naman ni Jessa, friend of Ruth.

They too close to each and other, indeed they're best friend. At napag-alam ko din na meydo matagal na silang server sa restaurant. They're three years older than me.

"Kinda. But it's okay." I smiled more to assure them.

Magpapatuloy na sana ako ng marinig ko ang isang seryosong tikhim sa aking likuran. I already know who is it. I smelled his scent, ang pabango niyang panlalaki na nasasanay at nagugustuhan na ng aking pang-amoy.

I sighed first to calm my heart.

Lumingo ako at halos mapaatras dahil sa lapit niya but he quickly hold my waist and pulled me closer towards him as my heart skipped for a moment. He then turned on my back while his eyes was too serious, seemed he's mad. Mabilis na kumalabog ng malakas ang aking dibdib nang bumaling din sa aking likuran at napagtantong malaki at mainit na oven na sana ang aking maaatrasan kung hindi niya lamang napigilan ang aking pag-atras.

My heart flip softly because of our position. We remained on that position before I get my soul back to me and pushed his hard chest. Napabuga ako ng hangin upang mapakalma ang malakas na kalabog ng aking dibdib. Humugot ng malalim na hininga bago umikot at balingan ang oven sa aking likuran to check if the cupcakes already baked.

Darrow still on my back, I didn't feel him move, he stayed on his position. I'm wondering why he's here ba talaga? At bakit niya pa ako sinundan kanina sa labas habang may galit na itsura ang nakaukit sa mukha niya and I think hanggang ngayon ay may galit parin siya sa akin! Why? Because I'm talking someone in the phone while in the middle of my work! Ayysstt!

And the words he said makes my heart hurts in a sudden — but it's for whom? For me? We're just two there lately when he says it!

It was really for me? Or he's talking someone from the phone? Maybe!

I just ignored Darrow, pretending that he's not around even I can't focus because of his presence plus his intently gaze on me. Nagpatuloy lamang ako kahit minsan nawawala sa sarili. Nagtungo ako sa kabilang parte ng kitchen upang mapalayo kay Darrow. Sa parteng iyon ay ang mga luto ng paborito kong pasta. My favorite pasta was seducing me. I want it right now.

I excitedly put some pasta on the small plate. I'll just gonna taste it!

"I want to taste it, po." saad ko kay chef Loisa na nagluto nito.

"Sige, Hija." she smiled at me.

She's on her late forty and she's serving to our restaurant for how many years. Siya ang pinakamatanda at matagal ng naninilbihan sa amin base sa pagkakaalam ko. Before, I heard that they promoted her as a manager but she declined it, she wants to remained as a heads of cooking, maybe that's why Sheeme got the position for a manager.

Isn't bad, though.

"Wow, it's really delicious." nakapikit kong saad, ninamnam ang masarap na pasta pagkasubo ng isang tinidor.

"Then, can I taste, it too?" a deep voice from my back asked while I smell his manly scent.

Napadilat ang aking mata at napaikot sa inis. What the fudge! He's still following me until here!

What's up on this man!

"H-uh, you should get your o-wn." may pagkarude kong saad.

Ang akala ko ay maiinis siya ngunit tumaas lamang ang kilay niya kasabay ng pag-angat ng kaliwang gilid kaniyang labi, seems his lips tryna forming a smile. Tskk, he's suplado!

My brow arched as his reddish lips got my eyes attention when he licked it once. Dahil masyadong nabaling ang atensyon ko sa mapula niyang labi I didn't notice kung paano niya nakuha ang ginamit kong tinidor sa aking kamay.

My eyes widened when he quickly eat the pasta I was eating on my plate using the fork I already used!

What the!

"W-ait — W-hat... what did you...." gulat kong saad, habol ang paghinga.

Gustohin ko man siyang pigilan ngunit huli na ang lahat. My chest started to beat so loud! And what the shocks! He used my fork seems isn't matter to him! Why he's doing it to me when all people knew he's already engaged! I don't want to be involve to them!

But, the fudge it was an indirect kiss!

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita nang muli siyang sumandok at sumubo pa ng pasta sa aking plato! Napatunganga ako sa kaniya. I get it for myself not for him! How dare him!

It was a big deal to me but to him isn't! Maybe, I'm just overacting!

"You're sweating, do you want to use my handkerchief." tanong niya na nagpabalik sa aking wisyo.

"H-uh?" pag-angat ko ng tingin sa kaniya ay naramdaman ko ng dumapo ang malambot na tela sa aking noo.

Awang ang aking labi sa bawat pagdampi ng kaniyang puting malambot na panyo sa aking noo. I quickly bowed my head a little bit as I stepped backward because of shocked but he keep wiping my sweat over my forehead.

What he really serious! Earlier, he used the fork I already used! Now he keep making our distance small and he still have courage to put his hand on me!? He's really doing it to me in front of my server! Some of them was watching us... and... and what if his fiance would reach it? I don't want to be involve to the both of them!

I'm not part in their relationship! And I will never be!