Breaking His Callous Heart (Part 1 of 3)

13: Humble

Aisha looked around the condo unit. Maliit nga ito, may isang kuwarto lang sa kanan ng mini-living room. It has a small dining area and a kitchen on the right. It was really ready for occupancy. Kumpleto na sa gamit para ngang showroom ang dating niya.

She inhaled deeply when her eyes settled on the suitcase. Kinuha niya ito at inilapag sa couch saka binuksan. Her forehead creased when she saw how her clothes were neatly folded. Ang naaalala niya, hindi na siya nag-abalang ayusin 'yon, iyong iba nga ay hindi pa nalabhan. Pauwi na rin kasi sila noon. So, she didn't mind arranging it. Ipapa-laundry rin kasi sana niya lahat pagkauwi. Did she forget to lock it?

Hindi siya makapaniwalang binuksan nito ang laman at ipina-laundry pa. Her underwears were there. Her cheeks burned. Sana naman hindi si Ayder mismo ang nag-ayos no'n. Sabagay, imposible nga, baka ipinaayos lang nito sa mga maids. He's too busy to even bother fold them.

Hinila niya ang suitcase papasok sa kuwarto. She decided to just stay for the night.

******

She was awakened by the continued ringing of the doorbell. Agad niyang inabot ang phone sa side table. It was only 8AM. She extended her hand on the headboard. Inabot niya ang intercom button sa taas nito pero hindi niya makapa. She groaned as the doorbell continued ringing. Pinilit niyang imulat ang mga mata na namimigat. Only then she realized that she wasn't home. Nasa condo unit nga pala siya.

Thinking that it was her cousin, she went out without minding how she looked. Ganoon kasi iyon. Walang pinapalampas na kuwento sa kanilang magpipinsan.

"Ang aga mo namang mag-interrogate," she said yawning when she opened the door.

"Who will interrogate who?"

Napamulagat siya nang marinig ang boses ni Ayder. Nayakap pa niya ang sarili. She was wearing a thin silk nighties. Iyon kasi ang nasa suitcase niya.

Ayder chuckled.

"Don't worry. You looked the same as I imagined you on that nighties," he said chuckling. Pinamulahan pa siya. She wasn't wearing a brassiere and she knew when she yawned, it almost exposed her soul.

She hurriedly went inside the room. She heard Ayder's chuckles before shutting the door closed.

Huminga siya nang malalim at nag-ayos na lang. Mabuti na lang bumaba siya kagabi para bumili ng toiletries sa convenience store ng building.

It took almost 20 minutes before she went out. Sumalubong sa ilong niya ang amoy ng kape at garlic rice pagbukas ng pintuan. Her stomach grumbled. Nakaramdaman siya ng gutom.

Ayder was seated on the dining table sipping on a cup.

"Seems like you are not using your kitchen, mukhang bago lahat ng gamit," he commented as she sat across him.

"Marunong lang akong mag-alaga ng gamit kaya mukhang bago," aniya. Tumawa naman ito nang mahina. Her eyebrow raised, but she was too hungry. Hindi siya laging nagkakape pero parang nainggit siya kaya kinuha na rin ang isa pang tasa ng natimplang kape.

"Puwede ba akong mag-paalaga kung gano'n para mukha akong bago lagi," he said with a chuckle. Bigla pa siyang nasamid. She immediately put her cup down.

"What?!" bulalas niya. Mas lalo namang natawa ang binata. His chuckle filled the room.

"Hindi ka na bago. You are overused," she said with a smirk. Mas lalo naman itong natawa. When his chuckle died down, it was replaced with a mischievous grin.