Hues After The Rivalry (Achievers Series #1)

Kabanata 22

Hues After The Rivalry

Kabanata 22

Rue was a friend worth keeping. He wasn't toxic. He wasn't arrogant and full of himself. 'Yon ang mga gusto kong kaibigan.

Pero kung may gugustuhin man ako ngayon, it's that he no longer has any feelings for me. I shouldn't feel guilty, but, every time I take a look back at Palawan, where I saw how he was hurting, I felt bad to myself.

Until now, I still vividly remember his eyes filled with love and pain. The tears he couldn't hold back. I may not know his weaknesses, but I know him as a tough man. And in Palawan, I never anticipated witnessing him vulnerable, weakening under the weight of my words.

Rue cried in front of me. Because I couldn't love him back.

I know it's painful, but I don't know how painful it is to be rejected by the person you love. I've never experienced rejection from the women I've loved. Gaano kasakit 'yon para kay Rue nang marinig niya mula sa bibig ko na hindi ko siya kayang mahalin?

If I were a woman, I would have fallen for him a long time ago during those times when we became close to each other. Hindi siya mahirap mahalin. We have the same vibes and interests. I would've fallen in love with him—if only I were a woman.

Sa maling tao ka nahulog, Rue.

"Santisima, anak, hindi mo pa rin na-perfect!"

I groaned frustratedly. Napasandal ako sa malaking walk-in meat freezer at napatakip ng mukha.

"Akala ko perfect ko na! Ayaw ko na talaga, Pa! Ilang taon na akong puro palpak! Paulit-ulit na lang! Tanggap ko nang hindi ko mape-perfect ang dish mo!"

He immediately shook his finger. "Hindi kita pinalaki para lang sukuan ang bagay na gusto mo. Marami pang panahon at naniniwala ako sa'yong makukuha mo ang tamang lasa nito."

Parang maiiyak ako sa frustration. Ilang taon ko na bang inaaral ang mahiwagang dish ni Papa? Ang tagal na! At ngayon, wala pa ring pangalan 'yon dahil hindi ko pa nakukuha nang tama!

"Remember, this dish will only have its name once you perfectly cooked this. Ikaw ang magpapangalan nito, anak. And we will also feature it on the menu once you perfect it."

That's the reason why I don't give up too. Dahil nasa akin ang pribilehiyong iyon. It makes me eager. Sinasabi ko lang na gusto ko nang tumigil, pero hindi talaga ako susuko. Eme ko lang 'yon.

Bumalik ako sa kitchen line para mag-serve. Wala kaming pasok tuwing Tuesday kaya rito ko ginugugol ang oras ko. Wala ang lima dahil busy daw. Busy-busy-han lang naman. Pustahan tayo, tulog pa 'yung mga 'yon.

"Blooming, Chef, ah," halakhak ni Chef Jacobe nang ibigay sa akin ang bandeha.

I chuckled. "Kailangan ba ako pumanget? Always pogi 'to."

Natawa siya at tumango. "Sabagay."

I served the food to the customers. Napangiti ako nang makita ang naghihintay na dalawang bata kasama ang mga magulang nila.

"Yey! Makakakain na kami ulit ng pasta! Si Ate Chef pa na favorite ko ang naghatid!"

I chuckled heartily. "You're so cute, little girl. Ano'ng pangalan mo?"

I don't completely remember the kid. Pero nakakatuwa na kilala niya ako.

"Lienah po. Pangalawang beses pa lang po namin dito, Ate Chef. Sahod kasi ng Papa ko kaya kakain kami sa mahal na kainan ngayon. E sabi ko po rito ang gusto ko kasi ang sarap po ng pagkain niyo. Gusto-gusto ko po 'yung spaghetti na walang kulay!" Masigla niyang sabi.