CHAPTER 7

IN THE DAYS that followed, Zehannah and Reigo had become constant text mates. Their messages to each other were comprised of savagery and sarcasm on Zehannah's part while kisses and flirting on Reigo's.

Sanay na sanay na si Zehannah sa kalandian ni Reigo sa text man o sa personal na nagiging immune na siya.

Though nothing really changed between the two. Reigo still buys food for Zehannah and Zehannah would sometimes do the same for Reigo. And it might not be every day, but Reigo was happy when Zehannah would let him drive her home and have dinner with him in her condo.

Just like that Friday night. Inimbitahan ni Zehannah si Reigo na mag-dinner nang ihatid ito ng binata sa condo nito.

Reigo eagerly accepted the invitation, and now he's trying his hardest to peel four pieces of carrots for their dinner.

It was so hard, Reigo started cussing at the carrots.

Napailing naman si Zehannah na katatapos lang maghiwa ng bawang at cabbage.

"Don't judge. I don't cook, okay?" said Reigo when he felt Zehannah's gaze on him.

"I'm just looking," inosenteng sagot ni Zehannah.

"Yeah, right."

Pigil ni Zehannah na matawa nang sunod-sunod na mura ang lumabas sa bibig ng binata nang dumulas ang ginagamit nitong peeler para balatan ang carrots.

"This is so fucking hard..." Despite that, he continued peeling the carrots until he got the hang of it and slowly finished peeling the four carrots.

"Slice it afterwards," utos ni Zehannah kay Reigo habang nakapamaywang si Zehannah sa harap ng air fryer at binabantayan ang nilulutong buong manok sa loob.

Reigo let out a loud, exhausted breath. "Zee! Can't we just order? It's as easy as breathing."

"Nope. Kung gusto mong kumain kasama ko, umpisahan mo nang hiwain 'yang carrots."

Nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga si Reigo saka dahan-dahang hiniwa ang carrots. He had no proper training, so Reigo was scared shit that he'll cut his fingers.

Meanwhile, Zehannah was inwardly smiling at Reigo's unparalleled concentration while slicing the carrots.

Hindi alam ni Zehannah kung papalakpakan niya ang binata nang matapos din ito sa wakas.

"Yes! Success!" he hissed and even punched the air in happiness.

Napailing si Zehannah saka pinatay na ang air fryer na katatapos lang lutuin ang roasted chicken. Kapagkuwan ay kinuha niya ang cabbage at bawang na hiniwa na nasa island counter bago kinuha ang carrots na hawak-hawak pa rin ni Reigo ang pinaglagyan na pinggan parang nagmamalaki ito saka mabilis na niluto 'yon.

It was nothing complicated. She just sauteed the carrots and cabbage in garlic and butter. Then she added a little bit of water, let it boil for a couple of minutes, seasoned it with salt and pepper, and done.

Zehannah served it alongside the roast chicken. And she was thankful that Reigo did not ask for a cup of rice because, truthfully, she had none. Nasanay kasi siya sa bahay ng mga magulang niya nang doon pa siya nakatira. Hindi kumakain ng kanin ang Papi at Papa niya. They said it's for their health and she adopted that way of eating as well.

Nang makaupo si Zehannah, bahagyang pumikit si Reigo saka umusal ng maikling pasasalamat sa pagkain bago nito tinikman ang roasted chicken na ginawa niya.

"It's..." Patuloy itong ngumuya saka nagkomento, "It's not bad."

Sapat na 'yon kay Zehannah. Wala naman kasi talaga siyang talent sa pagluluto. And she preferred the 'it's not bad' comment than a 'it's delicious' just to please her. Alam naman kasi niyang hindi siya kagalingang magluto.

"Magpasalamat ka sa air fryer," ani Zehannah na nag-umpisang kumain na rin. "It did all the work. Pinaglalagay ko lang lahat ng ingredients sa loob tapos ini-on ko."

Reigo was impressed. "Damn. That's magic."

"Yep," sang-ayon ni Zehannah saka itinuro ang nilutong cabbage at carrots. "Eat it, just don't expect anything. I'm not a good cook. I just like cooking for myself."

Reigo said nothing and ate the cabbage and carrots. After chewing, he looked at her and said, "Walang lasa. Ang tabang."

Tinuro ni Zehannah ang asin. "Dagdagan mo na lang."

Without complaints, Reigo added salt to his sauteed cabbage and carrots and continued eating.

"You said you like cooking. Have you tried attending cooking classes?" tanong ni Reigo kay Zehannah habang kumakain.

"Walang oras, walang pera," deretsong sagot ni Zehannah dahil 'yon naman talaga ang dahilan niya.

"Are you having a hard time?"

Napatigil sa pagkain si Zehannah saka napatingin kay Reigo. "What?"

That was the first time someone asked her that. Ang iba kasi kapag nalalaman na marketing supervisor siya, feeling ng mga ito e ang yaman-yaman na niya.

"I'm born wealthy, but even I'm having a hard time with this 'adulting' thing." He looked at Zehannah. "Are you, too?"

Reigo was always flirtatious, and when he gets serious, it always takes Zehannah aback. Like now.

"Who doesn't?" Zehannah went back to eating. "May pera naman ako, may ipon, pero hindi pa rin sapat. I have bills to pay, I have dues, and I'm working my ass off every day to not go broke and support myself. But at the end of the day, I'm not really going anywhere with my job and life. I mean, it has always been a dream of mine to build my own business, but it's not really that easy. Sa pinagtatrabahuan ko ngayon, kahit naman mag-split at tumambling ako sa trabaho, wala pa ring patutunguhan 'yon."

Reigo nodded after listening to Zehannah. He understood her, and he was happy that she was thinking about her future. "You're still young, Zee. Marami ka pang magagawa at mababago sa buhay mo. Just keep on slaying like you're doing now."

"Young, huh?" Mahinang natawa si Zehannah. "Malapit na akong mamaalam sa kalendaryo."

"Mamamaalam na ako ngayong taon sa kalendaryo pero wala lang naman sa 'kin 'yon. Aging is inevitable, but it's no reason to stop growing, dreaming, and setting goals, Zee. As they say, life begins at thirty. There's still a lot you can do. Maybe, hmm, say, build a business?"

Napangiti si Zehannah. "Hindi ka lang pala malandi, puwede ka na ring maging motivational speaker."

Reigo smiled back. "I will be your motivational speaker anytime. I may not be able to tell you what you want to hear, but I will be sure to tell you what you need to hear. I won't sugarcoat my words. I'll always give it to you straight." Then he grinned so gorgeously. "How's that for your future boyfriend?"

Natawa si Zehannah saka inirapan ni Reigo. "Okay na sana. Dinagdagan mo pa sa huli."

"Siyempre. I have to work hard. I only have a week left."

Napailing si Zehannah saka hiniwa-hiwa ang roasted chicken at nilagyan ang pinggan ni Reigo.

Nuong unang kumain si Reigo kasama si Zehannah, ikinagulat 'yon ni Reigo, pero ngayon, naiintindihan na ni Reigo na ugali na 'yon ng dalaga. She was doing it unconsciously that Reigo would bet that she was not even aware of it.

"Papauwin mo ba ako kaagad pagkatapos nating kumain?" tanong ni Reigo habang inuubos ang nilagay na roasted chicken ni Zehannah sa pinggan nito.

"Hmm. Why?" She glanced at him. "Want to stay?"

"Can I?" The way Reigo's face lit up made Zehannah smile inwardly. "Just until your bedtime, but if you want, I can—"

"Huwag mo nang tapusin," pigil ni Zehannah sa iba pang sasabihin ni Reigo. "Alam ko na ang kasunod niyan, kabastusan. Huwag mo nang dagdagan pa. Baka magbago ang isip ko at pauwiin kita kaagad."

Reigo immediately straightened his body as if he was in the military and in front of his commander. "Yes, Ma'am."

Inirapan ni Zehannah ang binata saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Napangiti naman si Reigo saka tinuloy na rin ang pagkain.

Zehannah and Reigo finished their dinner while making small talks and when it was time to wash the dishes, Reigo tried again, but failed. Sa pagkakataong 'yon, pinggan naman ang nabasag nito kaya naman pinaubaya na nito kay Zehannah ang paghuhugas.

Napailing si Zehannah sa nabasag ni Reigo. "Go away. Doon ka sa salas. Wait for me there."

Reigo instantly listened and left the kitchen to go to the living room, afraid that he might break something again.

Sa barn ni Lysander, hindi siya nahihirapang maghugas dahil may dishwasher doon. He just had to put the dishes in, press some buttons, and then viola, done.

Who would have thought that it was hard to manually wash the dishes?

Sighing, Reigo stayed in the living room, appreciating the minimalist design of Zehannah's condo, when he spotted a guitar in the corner.

'Does she play?' tanong ni Reigo sa isip habang naglalakad patungo sa gitara.

It has her name on it. Reigo carefully picked up the guitar and strummed it softly to check the tune. It was in perfect condition. And by the looks of the guitar up close, it was often used.

Reigo wanted to play but was reluctant since it was not his, so he called out to Zehannah from the living room. "Zee...! Can I borrow your guitar?"

"Sure!"

With Zehannah's consent, Reigo took the guitar and went to sit on the long sofa. Reigo did not have to think about what song to play, he always played the same song when he's playing the guitar.

'I feel you crumble in arms down to your heart of stone,

You bled me dry just like the tears you never show,

Why don't you take want you want from me?

Take what you need from me,

Take what you want and go.'

That's when Zehannah entered the living room and when she saw Reigo playing the guitar and singing, she stopped in her tracks to watch and listen. His deep, baritone voice immediately got her.

'I never needed anything from you,

And all I ever asked was for the truth,

You showed your tongue and it was forked in two,

Your venom was lethal, I almost believe you.

Yeah, you preyed on my every mistake,

Waited on me to break,

Held me under hoping I would drown,

Like a plague, I was wasting away trying to find my way out.

Find my way out...'

Zehannah was listening intently, but Reigo suddenly stopped.

In Zehannah's eyes, Reigo looked so somber that she unconsciously walked towards the long sofa and sat on the opposite end while facing Reigo. "What's that song called? Ngayon ko lang narinig 'yon."

Reigo faced Zehannah and placed the guitar in between them. "Take What You Want by Post Malone."

Zehannah took the guitar and placed it on her lap. "I'll assume that it's your chosen break-up song?"

Reigo leaned on the back of the sofa on his side while looking at Zehannah. "I don't know. It's a song that sums up my dating experiences, so... maybe?"

Zehannah strummed her guitar. "I envy you a little. You've dated a lot, been hurt, and cheated on, but you're still here and risking it all over again. Only brave people could do that."

"Choosing to be single and staying single is also a brave thing to do, Zee," ani Reigo. "Hindi lahat kayang gawin 'yon. Some are afraid to be alone and single but not you. It takes courage to be alone same as it takes courage to enter a relationship. I dated a lot and honestly, I'm at my limit." Reigo let out a strained chuckle. "I don't want to date anymore because I can already see how it'll end. I can already see them cheating on me or picking on my mistakes and shortcomings."

"But here you are..." Zehannah drawled.

Reigo smiled at her, and it was the most gorgeous smile she had ever seen him wear. "But... here I am. I want to risk it one more time with you. One more. Who knows? You might be my lady luck."

"And if I'm not?"

"That's why it's called risk. Because nothing great comes without a risk. And you, my Zee, are one of the greatest human beings I've met. You... are worth the risk."

Wala sa sariling humigpit ang hawak ni Zehannah sa gitara kapagkuwan ay huminga siya nang malalim dahil pakiramdam niya kinakapos siya ng hininga.

And it's all because of Reigo's earnest words and the sincerity in his eyes.

He's exasperating but amusing when he's flirty, however, when he's like this... I honestly don't know how to handle him. Zehannah felt like she was being cornered, but it was not an uncomfortable space like she was used to.

"Did I make you uncomfortable?" he asked as if that was the last thing he wanted.

Umiling si Zehannah. "May naisip lang ako. Pero bakit parang huli na ang tanong mo na 'yan? Pagkatapos ng mga malalanding pinagsasasabi mo?"

Nagkibit-balikat ang binata. "You don't really get uncomfortable when I'm being flirty and suggestive. Yes, you get exasperated with me, but not uncomfortable."

Reigo was right on the money that Zehannah couldn't even deny it. "Well. You're amusing sometimes."

"I deserve praise and a kiss then," Reigo extolled shamelessly.

"Nope."

"Why?" He was like a child asking why he couldn't have what he wanted.

"Because I don't want to kiss you. Is that reason enough?"

"Well..." He sighed heavily and his shoulders fell. "Yeah. It is."

"Good." Zehannah smiled and turned her attention to her guitar.

She had been strumming it since earlier and she was itching to play a song.

"Want to play?" Reigo asked, seeing Zehannah staring down at her guitar.

"Kinda. Pero pakiramdam ko, hindi mo magugustuhan ang mga paborito kong kanta."

That intrigued Reigo. "By all means, let me hear it."

"Hmm..." Zehannah strummed her guitar and started with the first chord of one of her favorite songs.

'I book myself tables at all the best restaurants then eat alone,

I buy myself fast cars just so I can drive them real fucking slow,

I like my own company, company I don't need it,

I'm not always cold, I'm just good on my own, so good on my own.'

Zehannah raised her head and looked into Reigo's eyes as if the next lyrics were meant for him.

'I've always been told

One day, I'll find somebody who changes my mind,

If they come along, I won't think twice,

'Cause I already got a good thing with me,

Yeah, I already got everything I need,

The best thing in life are already mine,

I'm good by myself, need no one else,

Don't tell me that you got a good thing for me,

'Cause I already got a good thing with me.'

Zehannah stopped playing and smiled at Reigo. "That's one of my anthems. It's 'Good Things' by Zedd and Kehlani. Did you like it?"

Reigo smiled back, unfazed by the lyrics of one of Zehannah's favorite songs. "My Zee, I'm not that fragile. If that one song could easily break my spirit, then I don't deserve to be sitting in front of you right now."

Zehannah chuckled and started playing her guitar again. This time, it was a different song but still one of Zehannah's favorites.

'Kings & Queens' by Ava Max.

'If all of the kings had their queens on the throne,

We would pop champagne and raise a toast,

To all of the queens who are fighting alone,

Baby, you're not dancing on your own.'

She looked at Reigo and smiled.

'Oh, no damsel in distress, don't need to save me,

Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me,

And you might think I'm weak without a sword,

But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours.'

Zehannah repeated the chorus while looking into Reigo, who never looked away. He listened to her song, her anthem, without making a face or a snide comment. He even seemed like he was enjoying himself listening to her.

At nang matapos siyang tumugtog at kumanta, pumalakpak pa ang binata habang nakangiti. "Indeed. That song is so you."

Zehannah was pleased with Reigo's reaction. "I know, right?"

Reigo's smile turned flirty and Zehannah exactly knew what he would say next. "Though that song mentioned a king and since you're the queen, I could be your king. I'm not really interested in anything but you, so you can have the throne. I don't mind."

"I'm really amazed at how your brain works, Mr. Vasquez."

"I know, right?" Parang nagmamalaki pa ang binata. "So, how am I doing so far? Are you leaning to 'yes' now?"

Napailing si Zehannah. "I'm leaning toward 'kicking you out of my condo'."

Kaagad na umayos si Reigo. "Can't I stay for the night?"

"Nope."

His shoulders fell. "At least I tried asking."

Tinuro ni Zehannah ang pintuan ng condo. "Oras na para umalis. Inaantok na ako."

"Yes, my Zee. I'm leaving."

Zehannah was surprised that Reigo stood up without a fuss, but she was not surprised when he leaned in, stole a kiss, then ran.

Napailing naman si Zehannah na nakatingin sa pintuan na nilabasan ni Reigo. Kapagkuwan ay hinagilap ang cellphone para i-text ang binata.

'Kapag ginawa mo pa 'yang modus operandi mo, hahambalusin ko ng maraming spatula 'yang labi mo hanggang sa magtanda ka.'

At ang reply ng dumuho, 'Good night, my Zee. Until my next modus operandi.'

Napabuntonghininga na lang si Zehannah saka ni-lock ang pinto at tinungo ang kuwarto para matulog na.

She prayed for a good night's sleep, but it looked like she wasn't heard because in the middle of her sleep, she dreamed of Reigo and that dream was far from being wholesome.

CECELIB | C.C.