❝It's nice to see you care again.❞

— ❁ —

        TOYING WITH his necklace, Lee watched as Sandro performed the title track, "Breakthrough". He couldn't help but think. Malinaw naman na sa kanyang hindi siya nagdedeliryo noong pinuntahan siya ni Laurie. Ang hindi malinaw ay kung bakit. She didn't have to deliver the soup personally. In the first place, she didn't have to cook for him.

        "While I'm up here, I wanna thank you all for the love and support," nakangiting sabi ni Sandro habang yapos ang mic. He blew a kiss to the audience. "Thank you so much din for not gatekeeping me," he joked before waving goodbye.

        Smiling, Lee sipped his drink. Napangiwi siya sa lasa. Iced coffee lemonade iyon. Hindi maayos ang pagkaka-blend kaya medyo nangibabaw ang kaasiman ng lemon. "Kapag may nag-tweet niyan, yari ka," umiiling niyang sabi kay Sandro na umupo sa tabi niya.

        "I don't really care," nakangising sagot nito. "I'm being honest lang naman. If my fans decided to gatekeep and hide me, I'd be long dead by now. I would have died even if 'di ako nagka-COVID."

        Pumalatak siya. "Hoy, bad joke 'yan, a."

        Sabay silang humanap ng kahoy na makakatukan. They ended up knocking on the underside of the wooden stools they were sitting on.

        Sandro waved at the barista. "I'll have a beer. Thanks."

        "Iinom ka na naman?"

        "Junnie's driving naman, e. How about you? You keep on complaining about not being able to sleep tapos you're drinking coffee tuloy?"

        Lee sipped his drink. "I'm trying to write."

        "Dude, really ba?" Sumimsim din ito mula sa baso ng beer na nilapag ng barista. "You know I can help, right? Just call me whenever."

        "Ewan, baka subukan kong mag-paint na lang."

        "Ha?" nalilitong sabi ni Sandro. "Is something bugging you ba? Ah, I think I know na. It's your ex, 'no?"

        Lee shot him a look. Si Charlotte lang naman kasi ang nakaaalam tungkol sa pagiging involved ni Laurie sa production ng music video. "Ano?"

        "She's why you canceled, right?" Sandro asked, raising his brows. "Manager said it was an emergency but I figured it had something to do with her. You've been out of it lately, e. Is she back? Does she want to get together again?"

        Natatawa siyang umiling. "Nope. Hindi siya gano'n."

        "But is she back?"

        "Medyo," buntonghininga niyang sabi. "'Di ko nga lang sure kung hanggang kailan."

        Sandro chuckled at his sappy answer. "Why don't you ask her? It's gonna be easier that way. At least, you know agad if you need to stop hoping."

        "Hoping ka d'yan. 'Di naman ako umaasa. Nakakamatay 'yon."

        "Stop bullshitting me. We've already showered together. There's no point in lying." Natahimik si Lee. "I know that look on your face. You're hoping already. I'm sure."

        Lee just made a face. Hindi na lang niya ipinahalatang nasapul siya ng kaibigan. "Lasing ka na. Last mo na 'yan, a?"

        "Nope." Sandro stuck his tongue out.

        Lee's phone vibrated in his pocket. It was an unknown number, calling. Sinenyasan niyang tumahimik ang katabi. "Hello, who's this?" he asked the caller.

        "It's Theo from the café. I believe I gave you my number that day I almost killed you."

        Mahina siyang natawa. "Actually, mabagal kang magpatakbo no'n. Tingin ko, 'di naman ako mamamatay no'n kahit mabangga mo 'ko." Ipinitik ni Sandro ang mga daliri sa harap niya at saka, tumuro sa kahoy ng stool. Lee knocked on it again. "Anyway, ba't ka napatawag?"

        Theo cleared his throat. "So, you didn't really save my number?"

        He sounded disappointed. Napamaang tuloy si Lee. "Nakalimutan ko lang atang i-save. Sorry, nawala ko yata 'yong card mo."

        "It's okay. I'm calling for something trivial anyway. Are you in a bar? Medyo maingay kasi sa background."

        "Yep, sorry sa ingay," nakangiwi niyang sabi. "May itatanong ka ba or something?"

        "I just wanted to ask you to accompany me somewhere," Theo mumbled.

        "Hmm, saan ba? Anong oras?"

        "Tomorrow, around 7 AM. I could pick you up at your house."

        "Wait, ha-ha. 'Di mo 'ko sinagot, e. Pasaan tayo?"

        "Jogging at QC," Theo answered.

        "Jogging?" nakatawang tanong ni Lee. "Wala bang ibang p'wedeng sumama sa 'yo? Kung sinasama mo 'ko dahil iniisip mong 'di tayo okay dahil do'n sa last time, pass ako. Okay na 'yon. No minor injuries naman, saka nilibre mo pa nga ako ng lunch."

        Bumuntonghininga ito. "Kilala mo si Stefan, 'di ba? I always go with him but he's busy. I can't ask Laurie because as you know, she runs alone."

        Lee bit the inside of his cheek. He needed an outlet besides painting and writing. Nahihirapan kasi siyang balikan ang dalawa sa tagal niyang huminto. Jogging with Theo might just be the new outlet he needed.

        "Okay, call," he said with a sigh.

—

        STEFAN HAS been calling for minutes now. Kada aabutin ni Laurie ang phone para manood ng cooking videos, muli itong tumatawag. Inis siyang bumuga ng hangin. The cooking class Theo recommended was about to start. Umayos siya ng upo sa stool. She checked her wristwatch.

        Only five more minutes before class starts. Wala pa naman iyong magtuturo pero hindi niya mapigilan ang kaba. She always wanted to take a class but that soup was the extra push she needed. She always excelled in school. Wala siyang problema sa pagsunod ng instructions. Kapag nagluluto sila ni Malie, maayos naman ang outcome.

        The only problem was that she couldn't cook alone.

        Her phone vibrated loudly against the tiled countertop. Kaagad niyang kinuha iyon. Napatingin kasi sa kanya ang mga katabi. She was typing a message for her brother when the door swung open.

        "Fuck," she muttered under her breath.

        Ang nakangiting si Stefan kasi ang iniluwa niyon. Nasa tainga pa ang phone nito, tinatawagan siya. He looked around the room before approaching her. "Hi, sis," bulong nito, sabay upo sa tabi niya.

        "What are you doing here? Sabi ni Theo, busy ka."

        "This is a 2-hour class. I can make time," ngiting-ngiti nitong sabi. "How did you know about this class, by the way?"

        She shot him a look. "How did you know about this class?"

        Stefan took his blazer off. Tulad ng ginawa niya sa sariling blazer, itinupi nito iyon nang maayos at itinabi. "I know Denise through a friend."

        "I'm guessing that friend is Theo?"

        He nodded. "I tried to ask her out, kaso engaged na siya at the time. Arranged marriage yata. I have no idea if it worked out, though." Muling bumukas ang pinto. "I guess we're about to find out," he mumbled before facing the door.

        With her brown hair in a low bun, Chef Denise settled on the front table. Inilapag nito ang dalang tote bag at saka, ngumiti sa klase. "Goodmorning, everyone. It's nice to see both new and old faces," she said with a smile. Lumiit ang ngiting iyon nang dumapo ang mata nito sa direksyon nila ni Stefan.

        "If I fail this class because of you, I swear I won't be as forgiving like that time you buried my Tamagotchi alive," Laurie muttered under her breath. Dahil papalapit sa kanila ang chef, sinikap niyang itago ang pagbabanta sa pagngiti.

        Ngumisi si Denise habang nakatitig kay Stefan. "And what are you doing here, Steffie? Gosh, you just look out of place." Mahina itong tumawa at saka, bumaling kay Laurie. "Theo said you needed help so rest assured na 'di kita papabayaan, Miss Navarro."

        Stefan raised a finger. "Paano naman ako? Should I rest assured, too?"

        "Stop," bulong ni Laurie. "Not the time or place, Steffie."

        "That depends," the girl answered coyly before fixing her chef's hat. Napaismid si Laurie nang excited siyang siniko ng kapatid. Denise just intentionally showed her hand off. There was no ring. "But for now, we're here to make our own pasta and make carbonara with it. Excited ba kayo, class?"

        Everyone – except Laurie of course – answered yes childishly.

        She brought the ingredients out. At the chef's instructions, she poured the bag of flour on the wooden board. Hinukayan niya iyon ng butas sa gitna. She cracked three eggs in the middle. After that, she mixed them while slowly incorporating the flour.

        "Wow, mukha kang pro." Parang bata pang pumalakpak si Stefan habang minamasa niya iyong dough. Nang hindi makuntento, inilabas nito ang phone. He took a video and some pictures. "Squeeze it harder. Ang daming lumps, o."

        Laurie scrunched her nose. "You still haven't told me why you're here."

        "Don't panic if the dough feels wet. Dagdagan niyo lang ng flour, it will be okay. Kapag feeling niyo naman, masyadong dry, add some water," paalala ni Denise na may inaalalayang estudyante sa kabilang bahagi ng kuwarto. "Remember that we're all beginners here. No need to feel pressured."

        Using the rolling pin, Laurie stretched out the dough. Halos tumalon pa nga siya para lang madiinan ang ginagawang pasta. Frustrated, she was about to slam the pin on the board when Stefan snatched it.

        "Napakahina mo talaga." Pumalatak pa ito habang itinutupi ang manggas ng suot na dress shirt. "Put your back into it. Wala kang lakas, e."

        Laurie crossed her arms. "Are you here because of me or Denise?"

        "I told you already. 'Di naging kami," sagot ng kuya niya habang tinutupi ang medyo manipis nang dough. He added a few drops of olive oil.

        "Then that means you're here because of me," she stated, nodding. "Nandito ka ba para mang-asar o tumulong?"

        "Does that matter?" Stefan neatly folded the dough into four parts. He searched for the knife before handing it to her. "Alam mo kung ga'no kanipis ang fettuccine, 'di ba?"

        Laurie didn't bother complaining. Hiniwa na lang niya iyong pasta.

        "Don't look so surprised. I live alone. 'Di ako katulad ng iba d'yan na umaasa sa fastfood, Americano, or instant noodles," he teased.

        "For those who don't trust their skills, may pasta cutter tayo dito sa harap," deklara ni Chef Denise. "Pila lang kayo dito, and I'll assist you."

        "Dapat pala 'di muna natin hiniwa," buntonghiningang sabi ni Stefan. "I could have gotten a chance to get close."

        "Why do you refuse to answer me?" Laurie mumbled as she transferred the pasta to a glass bowl. Tinakpan niya iyon ng plastic sheet. "Si Denise ba talaga pinunta mo dito?"

        "You know, I could ask you the same question." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Bakit ka ba nandito? You know how to make carbonara."

        "We're planning to make our own pasta. I've no problem with our supplier but making our own would be cheaper."

        "It tastes better, too." Stefan sighed dreamily as he watched Denise help other students in cutting pasta. "Problema lang siguro 'yong shelf life, saka serving."

        For the next few minutes, Chef Denise taught the class her cream sauce recipe. They added mushrooms and bits of bacon to the carbonara after that. Tawang-tawa si Stefan kada makadudurog si Laurie ng mushroom.

        "So, why now?" her brother asked while chopping some parsley. Ibinudbod nito iyon sa ibabaw ng umuusok pang carbonara. "Bakit mo naisipang um-attend ng ganito ngayon?"

        "Why not?" kunot-noong tanong ni Laurie. "Sabi mo, 'di naman naging kayo pero kanina mo pa 'ko parang gustong paalisin."

        Stefan chuckled. "It's not that. Ang biglaan lang. Did someone special insult your cooking skills besides me?"

        Natigilan siya sa pagpunas ng counter. Nakagat din niya ang pang-ibabang labi. "It's the opposite, actually," she said under her breath.

        "What?"

        She shook her head. "Here." Inabot niya sa kapatid ang tinidor.

        Together, they waited for the chef to visit their cooking station. Kaunti lang naman ang nasa klase. Nang maaninag na tapos na sila, lumapit si Denise. She grinned widely before holding out her hand. Stefan gave her a fork with which she stabbed the carbonara. "This smells good."

        Stefan leaned against the counter, flashing his million-dollar smile. "Me or the carbonara?"

        Laurie groaned in disgust. Ikinatawa lang iyon ni Denise.

        "It actually tastes great so you can relax, Laurine. Ang comment ko lang siguro ay masyadong malapot 'yong sauce. It's supposed to be creamy, not sticky."

        Laurie and Stefan exchanged looks. Sabay silang nagturuan. "You measured the water."

        "Oh, no, as I've said, it's more than okay. So as much as I find this—" Denise pointed at them. "—entertaining, 'di niyo kailangang magsisihan. You did a great job working together."

        Silence enveloped the twins after that comment. It was the first time they did something that involved little to no bickering. Nakadagdag siguro sa hiya nila iyong katotohanang nasa klase sila. Still, Laurie thought it was a nice surprise from Stefan. She wouldn't say it out loud, though.

        She was scooping the carbonara into a container when Stefan elbowed her again. Tapos na kasi ang klase at halos sila na lang ang naiwan.

        "You go on ahead," he said with a grin. Nang inakalang hindi niya nakuha ang ipinararating, ngumuso ito sa direksyon ni Denise.

        "I'm not waiting for you. Dadaan pa 'ko sa café. I promised Mal she'll be the first to eat the pasta I made so—" She awkwardly patted his head. "—bye."

        Napamaang si Stefan. Laurie just scrunched her nose. On the way to the door, she thanked Denise for the class. Pinabaunan din siya nito ng recipes na puwedeng subukan sa bahay. Kalalabas lang niya ng building nang makatanggap siya ng text message galing kay Lee.

        It was a simple "goodmorning (:".

        Nalukot ang noo ni Laurie. She glanced at her watch. It was only 10:26 AM. Himalang gising na si Lee. Tumitipa siya ng message para kay Malie nang sumulpot si Stefan.

        "What?" nakahalukipkip niyang tanong. "Dala mo kotse mo, 'di ba? I already told you I can't drive you. Didiretso ako sa café."

        "Ang dami mo namang sinabi," tumatawang sabi ng kakambal niya. "I just wanted to say thanks and that I had fun cooking with you."

        Laurie squinted her eyes. "Are you getting all soft on me now?"

        "Maybe." Stefan chuckled. "I have to say, though, ako man o hindi 'yong dahilan kung ba't ka nandito, it's nice to see you take the initiative."

        She huffed. "Of course. 'Di ako p'wedeng umasa nang umasa kay Mal."

        "Exactly." He laughed again before ruffling her hair affectionately. Napakurap siya dahil doon. "It's nice to see you care again, baby sis."

        Laurie watched her brother drive away with knitted brows. She couldn't help but wonder about the card she saw in his wallet. Mukhang epektibo ang muli nitong pagti-therapy. Still, she wouldn't consider it for herself. Masyado kasing mahal ang isang session.

        Stefan was neither right nor wrong about her caring.

        Matagal naman na siyang may pakialam kay Malie at sa café. It's their brain baby. Kung wala siyang pakialam, malamang ay tinanggihan niya ang music video ni Lee. Scoffing, she got in her car and drove to Cafuné.

—

        THE WHOLE ride was enveloped in silence. When Lee could no longer watch Theo drive, he turned the car radio on. It was awkward. Isa kasi sa mga cover niya ang pinatutugtog ng DJ. Lee thought Theo would ask why he hasn't sung anything self-composed but he didn't. Nagbigay pa ito ng constructive criticism na puro positibong kumento lang.

        An hour into traffic, Theo's phone rang. Dahil abala ito sa pagmamaneho ay walang pag-aalinlangan nito iyong in-unlock at inabot kay Lee. "Please answer it for me."

        Nang maaninag niya ang pangalan ni Laurie bilang caller ID, napakurap siya. "Si Laurie, sasagutin ko ba?"

        Bago makasagot si Theo, tumigil ang pagtunog ng phone. "I was planning to eat there anyway."

        Muli niyang inabot ang phone kay Theo. "Saan?"

        "Cafuné," maikli nitong sagot. Mahinang natawa si Lee. Napilitan kasi siyang gumising nang maaga para mag-jogging pagkatapos, pakakainin siya ni Theo. "I know what you're thinking. It's a misconception: not eating after exercising."

        "Wow." Napapalatak siya. "Nagpa-part time ka rin ba as fitness coach?" biro niya.

        Saglit nitong pinakawalan ang manibela. "What do you mean?" tanong nito, nakakunot na naman ang noo. "I already told you that I'm a photographer, right?"

        Theo even glanced away from the road to look at him questioningly.

        "Ha-ha. Never mind." Lee quickly brushed off the pity he felt towards Theo. Itinuon na lang niya ang atensyon sa bintana. Isinandal niya roon ang ulo.

        The moment he plopped down the passenger seat earlier, he felt his soul leaving his body. They did warm-ups and cool-down exercises but every part of him still hurt. Lee just wasn't athletic. Hindi naman siya umaabot ng dalawang oras sa pagbibisikleta. Kapag masyadong malayo, nagpapahatid-sundo siya kay Junnie.

        "You can sleep," rinig niyang sabi ni Theo. "Gigisingin na lang kita kapag malapit na tayo."

        Pinigilan niya ang paghikab. "Okay, thanks."

        "Besides lunch, I just thought you might want to see Laurie."

        Tuluyan siyang napahikab. "Gigisingin mo 'ko, a?" nangingiti niyang tanong.

        "Yep. This is my apology for making you run this morning."

        "Okay." Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo. "Apology accepted."

        Lee didn't sleep. Kada ipipikit niya kasi ang mata, naaalala niya ang naka-schedule nang shoot ng music video. Nahasa naman na siya ni Charlotte sa pagkilos sa harap ng camera. What he was really worried about was his fans' reaction. Kabisado na niya ang mga kumento kada may mangyayaring hindi ayon sa gusto ng mga tao.

        Maski nga sa nag-viral niyang video noon, ang daming mura. Some said it was staged. A few even labelled him a "clout chaser".

        "We're here," narinig niyang sabi ni Theo.

        Slowly, Lee opened his eyes. Saktong pagmulat niya ang siyang pagbaba ni Laurie ng sasakyan. Halos katabi lang nila ito. Kararating lang din ata nito pero hindi naman mukhang bagong-gising. Her hair didn't look wet. It wasn't clamped, either. He couldn't help but chuckle in amusement.

        Para kasing pinaboran siya ng mundo.

        Pinatay ni Theo ang makina. Nagmamadaling inalis ni Lee ang seat belt at saka siya bumaba ng sasakyan. "Goodmorning, Lau," he greeted her, smiling.

        Laurie pulled the café door open. Saglit siya nitong tinitigan. Naramdaman niya ang pangangamatis ng mukha dahil doon. "Goodmorning," she finally answered with a polite smile, effortlessly melting his worries.#