Perfect Timing

[17] New Year, New Life

Finally! I'm back in Cebu! 2001 was exciting; now I'm raring to see what 2002 has in store for me, woohoo!

"O, nakangiti ka na naman dyan! Si loverboy na naman ang iniisip mo ano?" Sam asked in an irritated tone as she entered our house holding a baking dish filled with pasta. It looked like... baked macaroni. Oh goodie, I hope there's garlic bread too!

"Yes, may garlic bread po, pakikuha na lang sa bahay." Did I ask my question out loud? Sam stared at me and sighed. "Dearest Dei, napaka-transparent mo kaya. You didn't need to ask the question out loud for me to figure out what you were thinking. Plus, I know how much you love bread. In this case, 1 + 1 = 2."

I laughed uneasily in reply. "Um, bakit ka nga pala nagluto ng baked mac? Parang sa April pa naman ang next birthday sa atin ah."

"Yes, I know. Masama ba? One week na tayong nakabalik dito sa Cebu; I figured we needed some comfort food after ng bonggang-bonggang overtime natin this week," she answered matter-of-factly. "Besides, I like cooking for you guys. Nakakabato naman mag-isa sa bahay na walang ginagawa, might as well be productive."

Hmm, something's off about Sam but I'll just ask her after we've stuffed ourselves with her delicious dish. "Sam, kunin ko lang yung garlic bread sa apartment mo ha? Para naman may maitulong man lang ako."

Sam nodded absently. There really is something wrong; I can feel it in my gut. I was deep in thought as I headed out of our house that I bumped into Rich as he reached the top of the stairs!

"Ay kabayo!" I shouted in surprise.

"Grabe, nabangga lang kita, kabayo na agad naisip mo. Di naman siguro ganon itsura ko," he teased me with a bedimpled smile and a wink.

I suddenly remembered his text message a couple of weeks back. I had just finished "a talk" with my grandmother and was surprised to receive two new messages from Kim. Or so I thought - since one of the messages came from Rich instead.

Rich
"By chance we met, by choice we become friends." - Millie Huang
Thank you for choosing to be my friend ;-)
See you back in Cebu soon!

I only replied "See you soon!" since I didn't know what else to say. That darned wink reminded me again about it today. Think about Kim, think about Kim!

"Ah, eh, nagulat kasi ako. Yan yung expression ng nanay ko kasi nung bata ako, nadala ko na siguro hanggang paglaki ko."

Rich was about to respond when Sam shouted, "Dei! Nasan na yung garlic bread? Hindi mo pa ba nakukuha?"

"Sandali lang! Eto na!" I hurried into Sam's place and grabbed the pan containing the garlic bread. "Ouch!" I exclaimed as parts of my left hand got injured by the pan. I took a pair of tongs and transferred the food onto a plate.  Nandyan na po!" I said as I walked back to our house as quickly as I could.

"Ako na magdadala nyan, Dei," Rich said as he opened the door for me. "No, it's fine. Magaan lang sya, promise," I answered with a smile.

"Hoy kayong dalawa, tama na ang landian at tulungan nyo akong maghanda ng mesa!" Sam snarled at the two of us. "Rich, ang gaan lang nyan, kaya na ni Dei yan. Ako na lang ang tulungan mo dito."

Rich looked at me quizzically, as if asking me what is happening to Sam. I shrugged as I was as baffled as he was on Sam's suddenly surly attitude. I was about to ask Sam about it when Ben and Ryan arrived together, shouting in excitement at the prospect of free food.