Mister Mendrez [Y-Yes Sir]

XII: New Beginning

"Hello?"

I held my phone at eye level. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kaya tinitigan ko nalang ito.

"Are you there?" I gulped bago dahan-dahang inilapit sa tenga ang speaker ng phone.

"H-hello?" My face turned sour.

Bakit ka nauutal Chandria Leone?!

"Hey, kamusta? Hindi ka sumasagot sa mga chat ko kahapon."

I cleared my throat. "Okay lang naman ako..." huminga ako nang dahan dahan para pakalmahin ang sarili dahil para akong ninenerbyos.

"Sigurado ka? Your voice sounds shaky."

"Hindi ah!—" Hala napalakas yata?!

"I mean, no. Kakauwi ko lang kasi."dugtong ko.

"I see. Saan ka galing? Do you want me to come by and cook for you for dinner?"

"Ha? Bakit?" tanong ko

"Is that a yes?" tanong niya rin.

I glanced at the grocery bags in front of me.

"Kaka-grocery ko lang..."

"So? Is that a yes?" I bit my lower lip.

"Uhm... I bought meat but I don't think I'll be able to cook this alone..."

"Okay, I'll be there before 7."

"Wait---" the call ended right before I can even react properly.

Napasapo nalang ako sa mukha gamit ang dalawang kamay ko.

"What the hell was I thinking?!" I mean totoo naman na I won't be able to cook meat dahil hindi ako marunong magluto. Nasanay kasi akong bumibili ng meat and etc. dahil Aries always does the cooking and it became a habit of mine even after we broke up.

However, what on earth was I really thinking? Did I told him that because that's the truth or did I gave him a signal so that I could see him?

I don't know anymore. Nalilito na ako minsan.

"Aghh!"

Mali ba 'to?

I mean, ipagluluto niya lang naman ako eh...

"Okay. I'll think of this as a teacher na very caring sa kaniyang student"

"Yes... very caring to the point na pupuntahan ka niya sa sarili mong unit para ipagluto ka lang."

"AGHHH!!!!!" Para na akong tanga dahil I keep on contradicting myself but I did nothing in the end. Hinayaan ko parin siyang tumuloy, kahit na alam ko sa sariili ko na hindi normal 'to

~*****~*****~*****~****~

"Chandria pakiabot nga 'yung wok." Axel told me while he's slicing the meat.

"Anong wok?"

"Ayan oh!" ngumuso siya sa may bandang gilid ko. Kumunot ang noo ko.

I held the egg mixer up. "Ito ba?"

"Hindi 'yan! Yun oh" ngumuso siya ulit." Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"Saan ba? Ito?" I held the big spoon this time.

"Hindi nga yan! Yung wok, kung saan ka nagsasangag"

"Ha?!" I was even more confused. "Anong sangag? Is that even a word?"

Axel put the knife down before taking a deep breath. Siya na mismo ang kumuha sa wok na sinasabi niya.

"Ohh! The frying pan? Wok pala ang name niyan."