Conquering Territories: Completed

27

"Sino 'yon?" Jacob asked. He was now preparing food for dinner. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung magugulat ba ako sa nakikita ko dahil may hawak siyang kaldero at nakasuot pa ng apron. That was a whole new image of Jacob for me.

"A friend of mine," I answered. "Susunduin ako."

"Buti naman. Hindi rin kita papayagan na umuwi mag-isa. A lot of bad guys lurk around here. Mahirap na at mapagtripan ka pa nila."

A huge development between the two of us after a couple of hours. Jacob finally do have a new image inside my mind. After months of bantering and trying to beat each other, we're now good.

"Ano nga pala ang lulutuin mo?" I asked. I do have some knowledge when it comes to cooking, and I somehow wanted to help him. Nakakailang naman kapag nakatambay lang ako rito.

Jacob smiled at me. "Corned beef. May nakita kasi si Vale na commercial at gusto raw niyang kumain no'n. Sino ba naman ako para tunanggi, 'di ba?"

I slightly chuckled because of what he said. He' s really fit for a father figure. "Tatay na tatay, 'ah?"

"Naman."

Marahan akong lumapit patungo kay Jacob at hiningi sa kanya ang kutsilyo. While he was busy preparing the pan, I cut the onions and diced the garlic. Mabuti na lang talaga at tinuruan ako ni Kuya Leon na magluto.

"And here I thought you don't know a single thing aside from being a scene-stealer." Jacob chuckled while looking at me. Napailing na lang ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

"How about me? Akala ko ay wala ka ng ibang emosyon maliban sa mukhang galit," I said. Para kaming tangang dalawa na nag-aasaran habang nagluluto. I really don't know much information about him. Hindi ko na lang napipigilan ang magulat dahil sa mga nalalaman ko sa kanya.

Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas at natapos na rin kaming magluto. It wasn't that hard since corned beef lang naman ang niluto naming dalawa. Nagpaalam na muna siya na gigisingin muna niya si Vale para kumain. Baka raw kasi mapalalim ang tulog nito at hindi ka makapaghapunan.

"Dito ka na kumain, De Luna." Jacob came from their bedroom with Vale holding his hand. Nagkukusot pa ng mata ang bata habang marahang naglalakad. She's cute while doing that kind of sleep walk.

"Salamat na lang. Sa bahay na ako kakain," I smiled at him. "And please, just call me Khay."

Jacob just shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, Khay."

With that cue, my phone rang. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita ang pangalan ni Irvin. He really travelled that far in a matter of short time.

"I'm here."

"I'm here."

A smile was formed on my lips after hearing that familiar voice. I thought he won't come here. After knowing him for the past weeks, kabisado ko na ang ugali niya. He really would come.

Marahan kong binuksan ang pinto at hinanap siya sa labas. It wasn't that hard since he was the only one standing outside. His aura was strikingly powerful, which caused me a smile even more. Irvin was really quite a head turner, even if he was just standing.

"Irvin!" I shouted his name to get his attention, since he was facing the other side. He slowly turned around, which I welcomed with a big smile plastered on my lips.

He was wearing his usual get up. A white shirt layered with a black bomber jacket partnered with a black jeans. He looked like an action star ready for a shoot. His big motorcycle add some effects on his look.

"Wow, happy?" He smirked as he walked towards my direction. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang natawa dahil para talaga siyang action star dahil sa galaan niya. May ilang mga kapitbahay tuloy sila Jacob ang sumisilip sa mga bintana. I guess they also wanted to take a peak.

"A bit?" I smiled. "Come in."

I thought Irvin would decline my invite but, he did not. Ako pa mismo ang nagulat nang siya ang nagbukas ng pinto papasok sa bahay ni Jacob. Jacob welcomed us with a curious face. His face looked like he was asking for questions that were never raised.

"Jacob, mauna na kami," I said. Mahirap na baka gabihin pa kami sa daan. "Bye, Vale!"

Vale waved me a goodbye, as well as Jacob. "Hindi ko na kayo ihahatid tutal alam n'yo na rin naman ang daan. Ingat." Jacob plastered a smile before waving his hand. Kumaway na rin ako sa kanilang mag-ama bago hatakin si Irvin palabas.

"Let's go?" I asked Irvin who was quiet for quite a minute. Hindi ako sanay na hindi siya nagsasalita. He was usually the loudest between the two of us.

"Why didn't you introduced me?" Irvin asked. Napalingon na lang ako sa direksyon niya. Unlike his usual look, he was quite different right now.

"He's busy with his daughter, Irvin. Maybe next time, okay?" I said, trying to lighten his mood. Hindi ko naman alam na gusto lang pala niya na ipakilala ko siya.

"Wait, that was his daughter?" He looked surprised after that. I just nodded as a sign of answer. I don't know if I was just imagining things or I really saw him plastering a smile.

"Okay then, let's go!" Irvin suddenly became energetic. He held my hand and ran towards his motorcycle. Kung hindi ba naman isip bata.

Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang maawa dahil sa naging aksyon niya. He really looked like a child. Ang sarap tuloy ibulsa.

"Why are you laughing?" Irvin asked before passing me a helmet.

"Na, I just remembered something."

He just shrugged his shoulders before helping me put my helmet. I couldn't help to stare at his eyes as he leveled his face with mine. Even though he wasn't looking at me, it was already hypnotizing.

"Done staring?" My senses came back after hearing his voice. Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin dahil sa kahihiyan. Good thing I was already wearing my helmet, or else he would see my red cheeks.

"As if," I said as I sat on the motorcycle. I could hear him chuckling while starting the engine. Siraulo.

The both of us travelled the night peacefully. Only the sound of the wind was heard. Walang sigawan. Walang ingay. A literal peace for my mind. Sayang nga lang at walang mga bituin dahil natatakluban ng ulap.

"So, why are you on a bad mood awhile ago?" I asked, breaking the silence between the two of us. Nakakailang naman kasi kung walang nagsasalita sa among dalawa.

Irvin stayed silent for a moment yet, he still answered me. "I'm just overthinking. That made me quite moody." He chuckled. Napailing na lang tuloy ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko man lang naisip na baka ay inatake lang siya ng mood swings niya.