Unreachable Zacharius

4

Chapter 4

I dropped my suitcase at the mahogany table in the living room and plopped myself at the sofa. Tinanggal ko ang aking stilleto at inilapag iyon sa carpet. I moaned softly while massaging my feet.

My day was hectic and I am so exhausted. Kinailangan kong tapusin ang lahat dahil napaka-istrikto ni Zach pagdating sa trabaho. After lunch, I told him about the going-ons within the company and announced that Mr. Martini Wayne declined his proposed deal. He was brisling in annoyance that I had to leave his office.

I was humming and making my way to the kitchen when my phone began to vibrate. I fished it out on my blazer and answered the call without even looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?" I called out languidly.

"Amber darling!" A familiar cheerful voice answered back.

"Tita Leandra..." I cleared my throat and calmed myself.

It's been almost a month since I visited her due to my busy schedule. I felt guilty that I don't visit her often anymore. Masyado akong naging abala sa trabaho at sa pagiging asawa ni Zach na nakakalimutan ko ng bisitahin ang mansion. Well, she knows that I can't just travel alone and visit without his son.

"I just called to check out on you. How's your relationship with your husband?" She asked sweetly.

Napakurap-kurap ako at saglit na natigilan.

"Huh? Uh, maayos naman po." I answered back, trying to sound sure and casual. Binuksan ko ang ref at nagsalin ng malamig na tubig sa baso. She giggled on the other line. Napangiti ako habang sumisimsim sa tubig.

"That's good! Anyway, do you know how to cook caldereta?" She asked excitedly. Ngumuso ako at maingat na inilapag ang baso sa counter.

"Hindi po, tita. I only know how to cook adobo." Bumalik muli ako sa living room upang maghubad ng blazer.

I don't really have a talent on cooking. Doon ako mahina. And I struggled hard on learning how to cook adobo. Sinabi kasi sa akin ni manang noon na paborito iyon ni Zach kaya pinilit kong aralin.

"Really? Sayang naman. Your tito Alejandro's craving for caldereta. He doesn't want our cook to cook it. He wants me to cook it for him. Magpapaturo sana ako para sa recipes. But it's okay, i'll just google the recipes." She said using her naturally soft voice.

I admire tita Leandra and tito Alejandro's relationship as a couple. Sa maraming beses na pagbisita ko sa mansion at pagbisit rin nila sa amin ay nakikita ko ang pagmamahal nila sa isa't-isa. If I remember it right, tito Alejandro is already 56 years old. Even so, he looks very lean and strong at his age. He is very good-looking, well, all the Grays do. Tita Leandra, on the other hand, is quintastic.

"I'm really sorry, tita. Wala po talaga akong talento sa pagluluto." I said apologetically.

Tinanggal ko ang pagkaka-bun ng buhok ko at hinayaang nakalugay na lamang ang mga ito habang naglalakad ulit ako pabalik ng kitchen. It's 7pm and i'm planning to cook adobo for Zach.

"No, no! It's okay. So what was my son's reaction when you first cooked adobo for him?" Parang kinikilig na tanong nito. My smile instantly fell at the question. Kumuha ako ng fresh chicken meat sa fridge at inaalala ang unang reaksyon ni Zach nang ipagluto ko siya ng adobo.

Umaga noon ng linggo ay maaga akong gumising upang magluto ng agahan. Hindi ko mapigilan ang humagikhik habang itinuturo sa akin ni manang ang paraan niya ng pagluluto ng adobo. She was very patient and I enjoyed learning from her. Sinasamahan niya kasi ng mga kwento patungkol kay Zach kaya't nalilibang ako. It's been two weeks since our wedding at dalawang beses pa lamang siyang umuuwi dito sa condo. Ngayon ay susulitin ko dahil baka hindi nanaman siya uuwi mamayang gabi.