Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-36

"Kapag malambot na ang karne, anak, ilagay mo na ang siling tagalog." Bilin ni Nanny Fe habang nakatingin sa akin na nagluluto.

I wiped the sweat on my forehead with my back hand. "Nanny Fe, hindi po mahilig si Gellian sa maanghang tsaka 'di na rin po siya magaling mag-tagalog, kaya wag na po tayo mag-siling tagalog."

Napatakip si Nanny Fe ng kanyang mukha, pinipigil ang pagtawa. Napag-
desisyunan kong lutuan si Gellian ng sinigang dahil wala pa akong nabibigay sa kanya simula nung makabalik siya sa Pilipinas. Ito ang unang beses kong magluto at ayaw pa nga akong payagan ni Nanny Fe pero nagpumilit ako.

"Ang bango naman!" Kinusot ni Dad ang kanyang mga mata nung makita ako sa kusina. "Wait! Totoo ba 'to, anak? Nagluluto ka para sa amin?"

"Bakit naman ang konti ng niluto mo, anak? Hindi kakasya sa 'tin ito." Kaagad namang lumapit si Mommy at kumuha ng kutsarita. Akmang sasandok na siya sa kaldero nang bigla akong nagsalita.

"Mom, Dad, this special sinigang is meant for... someone else." I shyly admitted.

Mom took a step backward and then whispered something to Dad, which made him gasp. I wasn't able to hear it, but I knew it was about me when they gave me a questionable look afterwards.

"Zein, anak, okay na yung van. Pupuntahan na ba natin si Gel–" Hindi natapos ni Mang Noel ang kanyang sasabihin nung senyasan ko siya na wag itong ituloy.

Dad crossed his arms over his chest, now grinning. "So that special sinigang is for someone special like Gellian. Are we not special, anak?"

I pouted my lips, tightening my grip on the wooden spoon I was holding. "N-no, dad. You are all special in my heart. I can cook again for all of you... if you'd like."

 

Mom gave me a hug upon noticing that I was almost crying. "Anak, don't take it seriously. Your dad is just joking. We already ate, so you can just give that to your special someone—I mean, to Gellian."

I just pouted upon hearing them tease me. They must be enjoying it since I often do not get their jokes most of the time that I end up believing them. I'm a feebleminded person, and I admit that.

"Anak, ihahatid ka ba ni Gellian pauwi?" Mang Noel asked while looking at my reflection in the rear-view mirror.

I shook my head, letting out a small smile. "Hindi po ako magtatagal, Mang Noel. Ibibigay ko lang po ito tapos uuwi na po tayo kaagad."

Nang makababa ako ng van ay marahan akong lumakad papunta sa Rising Stars Studio. Malayo palang ay nginitian ko na agad ang guard na nakatingin sa akin habang papalapit.

"Bagong artista? Ano pong pangalan nila?" He opened his log book, checking the names listed on it.

"Hindi po ako artista. Nandito po ako para kay Dza–Gellian Ross Zamora." I slipped my tongue a bit, causing my heart to race at a fast pace.

I showed him the paper bag I was holding, which made him nod in response. He called someone on his radio phone before allowing me to enter their lounge. I simply sat on one of the comfy chairs on the side before sending a message to Gellian that I was here.