Chapter 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chapter 5

Nakasunod lang ako sa likod ni Aaron habang naglalakad patungo sa kaniyang kwarto. Nang makapasok ako sa kaniyang silid ay agad niyang sinirado ang pintuan na nasa likod dahilan na magdikit ang aming dibdib. Agad akong umiwas at nag-iwa ng tingin. 

I saw him remove his watch and put it inside of his watch collection. He gestured to me to take a seat on his sofa there. Sinunod ko naman iyon at pinanood lang siyang itabi ang mga gamit niya bago tuluyang umupo sa harap ko. 

“How’s your day with Azi?” he asked. 

“Maayos naman. Hindi naman ako nahirapan kay Azi, he’s a good boy.”

Tumango-tango siya at kinagat ang ibabang labi. “Give me your phone, I’ll give you my contact number so you can call me anytime there. Azi is now allowed to get a gadget yet so you’ll be the one who will reach me out.” 

Agad kong binigay ko ang phone sa kaniya. Nagtipa siya roon ng kaniyang number. He was about to hand me my phone but he saw something on my screen that made him stop. I saw how shamelessly stared at the screen of my phone, para bang may importante siyang binabasa roon. I heard him scoff and finally gave the phone to me. Agad kong tinignan kug ano ang nakita niya sa phone ko. It was a message. 

It was Vince’s message for me. Ngayon lang ang message niya na yon kaya paniguradong iyon ang nakita ni Aaron. 

Vince: Hey. How’s my wife? I know it’s late and you are probably sleeping by now but don’t forget to reply to my message. Gusto ko malaman na okay ka. 

Ngumiwi ako at muling nilipat ang atensyon kay Aaron na ngayon ay nakakunot ang noo mariin ang mga titig sa malayo. When he finally turned his gaze to me, I saw how his eyes darkened and took a glance at my phone I was holding. 

“Save my number, Elora.” Agad akong tumango at ginawa ang sinabi niya. 

“You may take your leave now and rest. Magsabi ka lang kung may kailangan ka o gusto. Don’t hesitate,” malamig na sabi nito bago tumayo at talikuran ako. 

“O-Okay… Good night, Aaron. Babalik na ako sa kwarto ko,” paalam ko. He paused and turned to me. I saw him gulp like he’s having a hard time. 

“Good night, Elora. And I hope I can have my breakfast tomorrow too,” namamaos ang boses nito. 

Nag-angat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Confused, but still I nodded to his words. Lumabas na ako roon at bumalik sa silid ko. I realized that I was having a hard time breathing. Ngayon lang ako nakahinga ng maayos. Nag half bath na ako at pagtapos ay binagsak ang sarili sa kama hanggang sa nilamon na ako ng antok. 

“Dulce. Tulungan ko na po kayo sa breakfast.” Lumapit ako sa kanila at agad naman tumango si Dulce. She said something to the chef of the house. 

“Gusto mo bang ikaw na ang magluto?” tanong nito, may pahiwatig ang sinabi. She wants me to cook. 

“I can do that. Gusto ko rin lutuan ng breakfast si Azi. I told him I'll cook for him,” I said. Dulce smiled and said something to the maids and chef. The chef left with the other maids. 

“Ikaw na ang magluluto. Magsabi ka lang kung kailangan mo ng katulong. Matutuwa ang bata at ipagluluto mo sila,” nakangiting sabi nito. 

I awkwardly laughed. “Hindi naman po siguro.”

“Sige at maiiwan na kita. Magsabi ka lang.” Then she left the kitchen. 

I started cooking breakfast. A light breakfast for Azi and heavy breakfast for Aaron. Sa laki niyang tao ay paniguradong marami kumain iyon. He needs to eat before going to work. I also prepared fruit shakes for Azi, and black coffee for Aaron. Tuloy-tuloy ang mga kilos ko na para bang alam na alam ko ang ginagawa. Kahit na baguhan pa lang ako sa kusina na to ay hindi naman ako nahirapan. 

The maids came and helped me prepare the breakfasts on the table. Later on, Azi came with his sleepy eyes. Halatang bagong gising lang. I helped him to his chair and served him his breakfast. 

“Wow! It all looks delicious! Can I start my food?” Azi with his wide eyes, looking at the breakfast I made. 

“Of course, Azi. I’m sure you’re hungry.” I caressed his blushing cheeks. He looks so happy as he starts his food. 

“I missed these chocolate waffles,” Azi said to himself. I was about to say something to him when I heard footsteps. 

“Good morning,” Aaron smiled at me. Tumayo ako at pormal na bumati. Tuloy-tuloy ang lakad nito hanggang sa sobrang lapit na niya sa akin na para bang may gagawin. I gasped and looked away. 

“Dad,” boses ni Azi mula sa likod. Aaron stepped away from me, he let out a heavy sigh and ran his hand over his face. 

“The breakfast are ready,” tanging sabi ko na lang para maibsan ang tensyon. He nodded and finally gave his attention to the table. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin iyon bago muling tumingin sa akin. 

“You also cooked for me?” tanong niya. I nodded at him. There is a ghost of a smile on his lips. Umupo na siya at inanyayahan akong umupo. I took a seat beside Azi. 

I couldn’t help but smile while watching them loving the breakfast I made. Aaron touched his cup of coffee that I made. Hindi niya kinuha iyon ngunit ang mga tingin ay naroon.

“Black coffee, huh,” he said to himself while smirking. 

I stood from my seat. “Uh, kung hindi mo gusto–” I stopped when he took a sip of it. 

“Nope. I love it. Still the same black coffee I love,” he said. Tumango ako at dahan-dahan bumalik sa pagkaupo. 

“Eat with us, Elora.” 

When Azi finished all his breakfast, sinabayan ko si Azi umakyat sa kaniyang bedroom para asikasuhin siya sa pag-ayos. Aaron was left there at the dining area. Naalala ko tuloy kung gaano siya kabagal kumain. 

“Can we bake together?” Azi asked, already in his shirt and shorts, freshed from the shower. Sinusuklayan ko ang kaniyang may kaunting kahabaan at makapal na buhok. It’s straight and soft.

“You want to bake? How about your study?” I asked. 

He shrugged. “I can skip that and bake with you instead. I want to do that…”

“Sure, we will do that. Anything else?” BInaba ko na ang hawak at hinarap siya. 

“Let’s make food for Daddy. He doesn't eat when he’s at work.” 

Ngumiwi ako at tumango. “Okay, Azi. Let’s do that. What food should we make for him? Pero bago ‘yon, we need to go down first so we can prepare.” 

“I don’t have any idea…” he looked away and caressed his nape. I chuckled and pinched his cheek lightly. 

“Want my idea?” tanong ko. Agad siyang tumango at tumingin sa akin. I laughed and gave him a thumbs up. 

Nagsimula na akong mag-prepare ng lulutuin. Aaron was not around. Siguro ay naghahanda sa trabaho. I thought of cooking an adobo for him. Iyon ang naisipan kong lutuin para maibaon niya. 

“That looks yummy! Can I have some too? Only Dad can have those?” Azi asked while tiptoeing to see my cooking. I laughed and prepared it already. 

“You can have some of this too, Azi. Gusto mo ba? Or you want me to cook another dish for you? May gusto ka ba?”

“I can have that adobo na lang po,” anito. 

Naglagay ako sa bukod na lagayan para kay Azi. Nang mahanda ko na ‘yon ay agad na kaming nag-umpisa ni Azi. Tuwang-tuwa si Azi habang ginagawa namin iyon. I let him do most of it, inalalayan ko lang siya sa mga gagawin. 

“Narito na po si Sir. Aaron,” sabi ng kasambahay. 

“Daddy! Look, we are baking.” Azi giggled and showed it to him. Halata ang gulat sa mga mata ni Aaron. Naglakad siya papalapit sa amin habang inaayos ang kaniyang necktie, ngunit hindi niya naayos ng tuluyan iyon dahil agad siyang hinila ni Azi. 

“That’s great, Azi. You’re doing great. Can I have some of your cookies and cupcakes?” he leaned on the counter top and turned his gaze at me. 

“Yes, Dad. But, ginagawa pa lang po so later na lang when you got home,” Azi said, so focused on his bakings. 

“Okay, son. Tirhan niyo ko, okay?” 

Aaron licked his lower lip, umayos siya ng tayo at hinarap ako. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kaniyang suot na necktie. I pointed at it and was about to say something when he suddenly leaned forward to me. Magkalapit na ang aming mga mukha. Natigilan si Azi at parang nag-ingat sa ginagawa habang ang mga mata ay sumusulyap sa amin.

“Uh, your necktie.” Imbis ay inabot ko ang kaniyang necktie at inayos ‘yon. The shock on his face was visible, he’s looking down at me, watching me doing it for him. 

“Hindi kasi naka-ayos, magulo” sabi ko. I saw his lips curved into a smirk. 

“Hindi ako marunong. Can you fix it for me everyday?” His voice was deep and tempting.