‘Yes, gurl. Fuck that guy!’

‘You don't need a fucking trash in your life!’

‘He's a 💩’

I chuckle as I read Janine and Ashley's replies. I was just about to type another one when I heard my doorbell rang. Natigil ang paghimas ko sa likod ni Neeko nang tumayo siya at mabilis na lumkad papunta sa harap ng pintuan.

“Hi!” Nakangising salubong sa akin ni Archibald nang buksan ko ang pinto.

“Hi...” sagot ko at niluwagan pagkakabukas nito.

Bumaba ang tingin namin parehas kay Neeko na nag-iikot sa paanan niya at malambing na kinikiskis ang pisngi sa pantalon ni Archibald. She looks like she really missed her Dad.

“Pasok ka,“ yaya ko at humakbang paatras.

Yumuko muna si Archi upang buhatin si Neeko at pinaulanan ng halik ang ulo nito bago tuluyang pumasok.

“Have you been a good girl to mum?” I heard him whispered to Neeko as they passed by. My brows instantly raised but didn't bother to say anything.

“Nag-dinner ka na?” tanong ko matapos isarado ang pinto.

“Hindi pa. Pero kumain kami kanina ng pizza at coke,” sagot niya at naupo sa sofa. “Ikaw?”

I watch him look around my place. Mabuti na lang at naisip kong maglinis ng apartment kanina kahit kaunti.

“Hindi pa din.” I shook my head. Tumalon si Neeko mula sa hita niya at sinimulang hamagin ang laruan niyang squishy. “Gusto mo dito na lang kumain?”

He raised a brow and stare at me with judgement. “You can cook?”

I gasped and walked closer to him. Hinampas ko agad ang balikat niya. “Of course, I can!”
  
      

    
I rummage through my refrigerator for ingredients for any dish ngunit kung hindi wala ay expired na ang nandoon.

“You have a nice place,” I heard Archi's voice from my back.

Iniwan ko sila ni Neeko sa living room kanina upang tingnan kung anong puwede kong lutuin. Siguro ay nainip na ito kaya naisip na sumunod sa akin sa kusina.

"Thanks," I responded as I started looking at my upper cabinets for any ingredients.

I hissed at what I am doing. Why did I invited him to eat here again? Ang lakas lang ng loob kong magyaya tapos hindi naman ako prepared.

“Any problem?” He asked. But his attention immediately shifted on his phone when it started creating noise repeatedly, a cue that notifications keeps on popping on his phone, specifically his messenger.

I heard him laughed on something. Nangunot ang noo ko nang mapansin na patuloy pa rin ang pagpasok ng notifications niya at parang hindi natatapos.

“Daming ka-chat ah.” Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong pansinin. I bit my lower lip. 

“Oh, this is our family GC. My sister is boasting about her successful operation and our Kuya is picking up on her,” kaswal na sagot ni Archi at tila natatawa pa mula sa pagbabasa ng mensahe. “It's her first time doing an open heart operation and she succeeded.”

“Oh...” My lips parted. “That's great. You must be proud of her.”

Geez, I'm so embarrassing. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya binigyang pansin ang tono ko.

“We all are.” There's an obvious admiration on his eyes. I felt a pinch on my chest.

I cleared my throat. “Ilan kayong magkakapatid? Lahat ba kayo mag-do-doctor?”

“Ah, yes. My parents are also doctors...” he trailed while typing his reply. “Tatlo kaming magkakapatid. And I'm the youngest.”

“We're the opposite. I'm the oldest.”

“Really? Must be tough.” He returned his phone on his pocket at binuhos ang buong atensyon sa akin. “Kayo? Ilan kayo?”

“Well, by blood, we're three. I have two half-brothers.” I tilted my head and face him completely. “One from my father, and one from my mother. My parents separated when I was 4.”

His mouth opened to say something but chose not to when he noticed that my shoulders dropped. He made an understanding nod.

“So, anong ulam natin?” he randomly asked. He walked closer and reach out to me for comfort. A slow smile formed my lips.

“Great conversation changer. I suddenly remembered that I am near starving.” I let out a shaky laugh. “The bad news is that I don't have any ingredients left to cook for anything proper.”

“I guess we need a quick run to a grocery store.” He shrugged as he squeezed my shoulders.

I leaned more into his chest. He smells like woods and a hint of musk. He's felt so warm.

“Just thank God because there's grocery near the area,” ngisi ko at umayos na sa pagkakatayo.

"That's good news.” He smiles.