Consort in Solitude

Consol 6

I asked Sam if the job offer he's been bugging me for months is still available. He's more than happy to welcome me to his company.

My work wouldn't start until next week kaya habang wala pa akong trabaho I did some grocery shopping at pinalinisan ko ang condo. I checked my savings account, napabuntong hinga nalang ako.

Sa unang buwan ng pag-iwan sa akin noon ni Jewel ay nilubog ko ang sarili ko sa sugal at bisyo. Unti-unti ko rin pinagbenta ang mga properties ko. And now pati savings ko nagagalaw ko na. I stopped gambling now pero if I won't be back working I'll end up a beggar o palamunin ng pamilya ko. I will not gonna let that happen.

"Hindi ka ba mabubuhay ng walang alak?" Clezl asked me while she's stacking my liquor sa cupboard.

I called a cleaner but she insisted of doing the chores. Such a flexible woman. I wonder what she can't do.

She's a bartender, a former rescue officer, a delicate in bed and now a housekeeper. What more she can offer?

"I can't function well," I honestly answered.

Inutosan niya akong maghiwa ng gulay, she'll be cooking pakbet for lunch. I don't know what I'm doing pero sumunod lang ako sa utos niya.

"Hiwa ang sabi ko hindi gutay-gutay." Napabuntong hinga pa talaga siya nang makita niya ang ginagawa ko. Inagaw na niya mula sa akin ang kutsilyo. "You do it like this."

She showed me the right way of cutting the veggies. I just pretended I'm interested but in reality mas nakafocus ako sa pawis na nasa leeg niya.

She's wearing my shirt that is too oversized for her but not that long, she's tall for a woman my type. I didn't even remember what is it with her that fascinates me that night I asked her to have s*x.

I like my woman petite and has fats. But Clezl, she's tall, almost skinny.

"Titignan mo nalang ba ako? Tumulong ka kaya?" Sita niya sa akin.

Kinuha ko nalang ang mga naslice na niyang gulay tsaka ko hinugasan. That's the only thing I know how to do properly.

"You're extra grumpy today. Are you tired or something's going on?" I asked concerned and careful not to offend or hit a sensitive spot.

She stop slicing and look dagger to me. Napaatras naman ako ng kaonti. She's a scary woman. "Ang dami mong tanong ngayon. Usisero ka ba or what?" Balik tanong niya.

I scratch the back of my nape. Seriously, she's scaring me. Para niya akong lalasonin any minute.

She used the bathroom after we eat lunch. With my curiosity pagkatapos niya ay nagbanyo rin ako. I'm trying to find some clue why she's extra grumpy.

"Tsk. Kaya naman pala," I murmur to myself when I saw a sanitary pad on the trash bin. I have 4 older sisters, and I was so used of women being grumpy during the time of the month.

Paglabas ko ay nanunuod siya ng movie. I leave her alone at dumeretso ako sa kusina. Naghalungkat ako kung may sweets ba ako na nabili kanina but unfortunately none kaya bumaba ako sa convenient store. I bought chocolates, other sweets and ice cream.

Pag-akyat ko sinalubong niya ako ng masamang tingin. "Saan ka naman galing?"

I showed her the paperbag. "May binili lang."

She didn't say anything else after. Bumalik lang ang tingin niya sa tv screen. I went back to the kitchen again, I put everything on a food tray. I heat water para ilagay sa heat pad for hot compress para kahit papano ay mabawasan ang cramps niya.

She didn't give me a glance nang nilapag ko ang food tray sa center table. I sit beside her. Kinuha ko ang heat pad tsaka nilahad sa harap niya. "Put this on your tummy."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "I don't need that."

I huff an air. She's stubborn. I took the initiative to pull her shirt up, pinigilan niya pa ang kamay ko pero nang malagay ko na sa tiyan niya ang heat pad she just lean her back comfortably on the sofa.

She started digging in the ice cream. Nakangiti lang ako habang tinitignan siya. Such an angel when tamed.

"Why don't you skip work muna and stay here for the night? I can take care of you," offer ko sa kanya nang matapos ang movie na pinapanuod niya.

"Sobra na 'yon. I feel fine na."

I tsked and shook my head. Hinila ko ang kamay niya patayo at papunta sa kwarto ko. Pinaupo ko siya sa paanan ng higaan ko. "Stay here."

Pumasok ako sa walk-in at kumuha ng comfortable na pamalit niya. "Take a warm shower. I'll make the bed comfortable for you. Don't worry, I'll pay for your night."

She's a practical woman, I saw that in her. She wanted to argue for a bit pero hindi ko siya pinagbigyan. Nagpatisunod nalang din siya nang kulang nalang kargahin ko siya papasok sa banyo.

I prepared the room. Kinuha ko sa guestroom ang oil humidifier ni Jewel na naiwan. I put lavender scent in it and turned it on. I change the light of my room to blue light para makapagrelax siya.

"Okay?" She muttered when she step out of the shower.

I tap the bed to gesture her to sit down. Pag-upo niya ay inayos ko ang hair dryer for her to use.

"Magluluto ako ng dinner," sabi niya matapos na tuyuin ang buhok niya.

"Don't worry about it. I'll order out."

I helped her lay comfortably on the bed. Muli kong binigay sa kanya ang heat pad tsaka ko hinila ang duvet hanggang sa leeg niya. I set the room temperature to low para maganda ang magiging pahinga niya.

"Sleep ka muna. I'll wake you up if dinner is ready."

She blink few times after I kiss her forehead. She might be confuse with my kindness but I know she's smart enough not to give malice in it.

"Lalabas muna ako. I need a drink," ani ko tsaka ko na siya iniwan.

Clezl

Lango na naman sa alak si Desmond nang magising ako. He is so drunk that he passed out on the sofa. I reheat the food na inorder niya tsaka ako kumain.

I didn't bother waking him up. Nilagyan ko lang siya ng kumot tsaka na ako umalis. I am lightly punching my chest habang nasa elevator ako. I'm starting to catch something for Desmond.

Mali ito. This isn't right with the kind of relationship he can offer.

"Are you okay, Miss? May masakit ba sa 'yo?" nag-aalalang tanong sa akin ng lalaking kasabay ko sa elevator.

He has a pale skin, curious eyes and natural pursed lips. Sa braso niya nakasabit ang lab gown, kaya sa hula ko doctor siya.

"Okay lang ako." Tinigil ko na ang pagtapik sa dibdib ko. Tumayo nalang ako ng tuwid tsaka tinuon ang atensyon ko sa pinto ng elevator.

"Ngayon lang kita nakita rito. May unit ka sa taas?" He started a conversation.

"Wala," malamyang sagot ko para maramdaman niya na hindi ako interesado na kausapin siya.

"Visiting a friend?"

Napabuntong hinga ako sabay harap sa kanya. "Can't get the hint? Ayaw kong makipag-usap."

"Woah!" He reacted while putting his hands up like surrendering. "Nagtatanong lang naman."

"Well, don't ask. Wala ako sa mood maging friendly ngayon."

He chuckled. "Sungit."