A Decade in Waiting
1091 Words
Khaleb was stirring the soup, steam rising around him, hands steady and precise. The kitchen smelled of garlic and simmering broth, warm enough to ease Levi’s fevered body.
The door opened, and Hunter and Knox stepped in. Hunter’s basket of eggs wobbled dangerously; Knox’s vegetables were stacked neatly.
“Nag-kusa na kaming pumarito, concern din kaming magkasakit ka, kaibigan!” Hunter teased immediately, leaning against the doorframe, grin wide.
Knox gave a quiet nod, placing his basket down.
Khaleb didn’t look up. “Mag-tadtad ka na lang ng karne ng baka, Hunter. Wag mo kong binubungaran ng bibig mo.”
Hunter raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Mas mainit kapa sa kumululong sabaw di ka ata naka-isa?”
Khaleb’s jaw tightened. “ Utak mo may bacteria, hinayupak ka!- Mas mapapakinabangan ko ang mga kamay mo kaysa sa bibig mo, Hunter.”
Hunter laughed and teased him again while picking up a knife. “San mo ba pa-gagamitan kamay ko.”
Khaleb shook his head, muttering. “Baka gusto mong ikaw ang isahog ko sa sopas, Hunter.”
"Extra Yummy!" he said proudly.
Hunter leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Speaking of balita, have you heard it?"
Khaleb’s gaze bore into his friend, sharp and annoyed.
“Kalalaki mong tao, chismoso ka eh, no?” he retorted, his tone half-amused, half-exasperated.
Hunter just shrugged, that smirk never leaving his face. “Tignan natin kung di ka rin interesado pag binigyan kita ng hint,” he teased, leaning casually on the counter.
Khaleb rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Di ako interesado, Hunter. Hindi mo ako makukuha ng ganyan.”
“Sale,” Hunter started, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Farm and Ranch,” he added, slowly, drawing out the words like a man savoring a game.
“Gi—” he paused, letting the syllable hang, intentionally teasing.
Khaleb’s patience snapped. His hand shot out, pitching a freshly chopped onion squarely at Hunter.
Hunter flinched, eyes watering immediately.
“My eyes! Oh no, my precious and gorgeous eyes!” he complained dramatically, waving his hands.
Before Khaleb could say anything, Knox’s calm voice cut in from behind, quiet but pointed: “Spill the tea.”
Both Khaleb and Hunter turned sharply to glare at him.
Hunter blinked, surprised. “Interested ka rin?” he blurted, his grin faltering slightly.
Khaleb’s expression hardened. “Isang gagong sagot, Hunter! I-uumpog na kita sa counter,” he warned, voice low and dangerous.
Hunter raised his hands in surrender, finally relenting. “Fine! Fine! Eto na…”
He leaned closer, smirking, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“The ranch… it’s up for sale. And… the girl you’ve liked for years? She’s struggling. Farmers need help, the place is in chaos… you could step in, help her, and well—also take advantage of the farm itself. Big land, big opportunity.”
Khaleb froze mid-chop, the weight of the news sinking in. His jaw tightened, a storm behind his eyes. For a decade, he had quietly carried feelings for this girl, watching from afar. And now… fate—or maybe Hunter’s relentless teasing—had shoved the chance right into his hands.
“Hunter,” Khaleb said, low and controlled, voice carrying the edge of barely restrained emotion. “Why didn’t you just say that from the start?”
Hunter shrugged, smirk returning, though a hint of sincerity peeked through.
“Where’s the fun in that? You had to earn it, chef. Besides… I knew you’d get fired up.”
Khaleb shook his head, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. “Next time, I’m throwing the whole basket at you.”
Hunter laughed, waving his hands again, still smirking.
“Deal. But trust me—this is worth it. She’s counting on you. And so is the farm.”
Khaleb let out a long breath, gripping his knife a little tighter. The soup, the kitchen, the teasing—all faded into the background. This wasn’t just about food anymore. This was a chance he couldn’t let slip, a decade-long crush, Hmmm.
“Di ako ganon ka-interesado sa sakahan at rancho,” he blurted, voice low but firm. “I just want the girl!”
Hunter froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Namumulubi ka na ba, Khaleb Herrerro?” he teased, shaking his head.
Both of them froze immediately when Knox spoke up from behind the counter, calm but with unexpected conviction.
“I’m interested. Ako ang bibili… pero si Khaleb ang a-ako hanggang sa that girl falls for you, bro.”
The kitchen went silent. Khaleb’s knife hovered mid-air, eyes wide, caught between disbelief and gratitude. Hunter, usually untouchable in teasing, blinked once, then twice, and slowly let his jaw drop.
Hunter’s voice came out a low whistle, half in awe, half in mock complaint.
“Wait… what?! Knox, since when do you…? Dude, seriously?”
Khaleb’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“Thanks… I mean, I don’t know what to say.” His voice was quieter now, more vulnerable, but steady. His hands gripped the knife tighter—not out of anger, but as if grounding himself.
“Really. I owe you one, Knox.”
Knox just shrugged, cutting his vegetables with the same calm precision as always.
“I just said what needed to be said.”
Hunter shook his head, flopping onto a stool, smirk slowly returning.
“Man… I can’t even mess with you guys right now. Knox, you just killed the teasing mood… but seriously, Khaleb, bro, this is big moves territory. I gotta admit, I didn’t see that coming.”
Khaleb let out a low chuckle, still gripping the knife.
“I didn’t either. But I’m… grateful.”
Hunter leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, grinning like a wolf with no shame.
“Okay, fine. I’m happy for you… but don’t think this lets you off the hook from my teasing later. Big plans, big feelings… man, this kitchen just got way more interesting.”
Khaleb shook his head, smirking despite himself. “Di talaga matigil bunganga mo no?”
“Never. That’s my charm, chef,” Hunter said, winking.
“But hey, at least now we know—this isn’t just soup we’re cooking. It’s strategy, emotions… and a whole lot of drama.”
Khaleb glanced at Knox, a quiet gratitude in his eyes. Knox’s calm certainty had shifted everything—Hunter could tease, the kitchen could roar with energy, but this was serious, and Khaleb felt it deep down.
- Writer
