Irresistible Pulchritude

Chapter 14

"ANO PO oras darating si Tita?"

Atticus sighed when he heard little Fleair asked him again that question. Hindi na bilang sa daliri ni Atticus kung ilang beses na siya nitong kinulit.

They went to the grocery store to buy ingredients. Fleair was craving for cookies and was bugging her Tita Khaila. Gusto raw nito ang cookies na palaging dinadala nito sa twing umuuwi ito sa bahay.

She's busy as of the moment and couldn't go to the café she's talking about. Kaya pinabili na lang siya nito ng mga ingredients na kailangan para makagawa sila ng cookies. He even bought some baking tools, na wala sa kusina nila sa bahay.

"Walang sinabi ang Tita mo, Fleair," sagot niya.

"I wanna see her! I want Tita!" tumaas ang boses nito at pinadyak ang paa sa sahig.

Atticus sighed. Umupo siya sa harapan nito at inayos ang magulo nitong buhok.

"Baby, what did I say? Tita is coming, hindi lang nagsabi kung anong oras. Hindi magugustuhan ng Tita Khaila mo ang nagdadabog." Mahinahon na sabi niya sa bata.

Fleair sometimes acts like a brat because she grew up with her grandmother. Lahat kasi ng gusto nito ay kaagad ibinibigay ng nanay niya.

Lumabi ang bata at inangkala ang mga braso nito sa leeg niya. "She won't see us anymore po kapag nagdabog pa ako?"

"It's not like that, Fleair. Hindi lang niya magugustuhan, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay hindi na siya babalik dito." Atticus explained carefully. "Don't do it anymore, okay? Kapag may gusto ka, you should ask nicely. Kapag hindi naibigay agad, you should learn how to wait patiently. Are we clear, Fleair?"

"But…"

"No buts, Fleair." Atticus placed his index fingers on her lips. "Are we clear?" ulit niya.

"Yes po," mahinang sagot nito.

"Let's tie your hair? I bought you an apron too. Isuot mo na?" Atticus smiled when Fleair eagerly nodded her head.

Kinarga niya ang bata at pinaupo sa lamesa para maayusan niya ito. He always had a ponytail in his shorts pocket, para kay Fleair. Kapag mainit at iritado na ito sa buhok niya.

He was tying her hair into a bun when Khaila arrived. Naka puting t-shirt lang ito at maong na shorts, naka tali rin ang buhok nito. Kaagad itong lumapit sa kanilang dalawa ni Fleair.

Khaila kissed Fleair's temple. "I'm sorry, may ginawa lang si Tita."

"It's fine. Mag o-order na lang ako ng pagkain natin for lunch. Is that okay?" Atticus asked her.

Gagamitin ng dalawa ang buong kusina nila. It's too small for three people, lalo na at mukhang may balak maging magulo ngayon ang batang kasama nila.

Atticus' breathing hitched when Khaila placed her hand on his waist, she was about to kiss him on his cheek but he avoided it. Instead, he cupped her face and gently pressed his lips against hers. A kiss on his cheek wasn't enough for him.

"Atticus!" angil nito sa kanya.

Narinig niya ang mahinang palakpak ni Fleair, nang lingunin naman niya ito, mabilis na tinakpan ng bata ang mga mata nito gamit ang mga kamay.

"Fleair?" tawag niya sa bata.

"Yes, Pa?"

"Keep covering your eyes, yeah? 'Wag mong aalisin hanggat hindi ko sinasabi." Utos niya sa bata.

Tumango ito sa kanya but Khaila wasn't convince. He quickly leaned down and claimed her lips, wala siyang pakialam kung ma-transfer man sa kanya ang lipstick stain.