All or Nothing [Fin]

Twenty-four

"Bye Ails!"

"Bye!" Kumaway si Ailee sa mga katrabaho bago siya pumasok sa kanyang kotse. Kaagad niyang dinial ang number ni Vaughn bago binaba niya ang dashboard at nagsalamin. She was applying her lipstick when Vaughn answered her call.

"Hey babe, what's up?"

She pucked her lips and smiled at herself in front of the mirror. "Let's have lunch, maaga natapos rehearsals ko."

She heard some shuffling of papers at the background, also she heard him giving instructions to whomever he's with.

"Sorry babe.. what was that again?"

She started her car. "Let's have lunch. I'm starving."

"Uh.. can I take you to dinner instead? I can't go to lunch. Dad's been bugging me to finish some reports by EOD." he said apologetically.

She smiled while driving. "You owe me dinner, Mr. Versoza."

She can imagine Vaughn smirking. "Yes, yes." he laughed.

"Okay, don't stress yourself out. I love you."

"I love you. See you later. Bye!"

Pagkatapos ng tawag, niliko niya ang kanyang sasakyan papunta sa St. Clarisse University. Nagpark siya at tinawagan ang kaibigan na si Vera.

"Hey Vera! Where are you?" tanong niya kaagad ng sagutin nito ang tawag niya.

"Hi ate Ails! Dito ako sa canteen. Lunch namin, why?"

"Nandito ako sa univ, wait me there."

Naglakad siya papunta sa canteen at hindi naman mahirap makita si Vera dahil kakaunti palang naman ang tao sa canteen dahil alas-onse palang naman. Mostly ay twelve ang lunch ng mga estudyante.

"I need your help." diretsong sabi niya nang maupo siya sa may lamesa nila Vera. Nginitian niya ang mga kasama nito.

"Sure, ano 'yon?"

"I want to cook something for Vaughn."

Isang mapanudyong ngiti ang binigay sakanya ni Vera na ikinairap niya lang. Hinila siya nito papunta kitchen ng college building nito. Vera's taking up  Culinary Arts the same course as Calvin, Calix's brother.

Gusto niyang sorpresahin si Vaughn sa opisina nito at since hindi pa niya ito napapagluto, she thinks this is the perfect time to do so. She just hopes the food will turn out well.

--

Malaki ang ngiti ni Ailee habang papasok sa building ng mga Versoza. She glanced at the paper bag she's holding that contains the food she and Vera prepared. Vera just gave her instructions while cooking.

"You do all the cooking, and I'll just give the instructions."

"You won't help me?" she asked Vera.

"If I'll help you cook then it will not be your effort alone."

"Baka hindi masarap kapag ako lang gumawa nito." she said worriedly.

"Always remember that the secret ingredient is always love." Vera winked at her and began giving instructions.

Napailing nalang siya sa mga nangyari kanina. Medyo natakot siya na baka hindi masarap ang luto niya, pero nang tikman naman ni Vera ay binigyan siya nito ng thumbs up.