Bad Times at Sunrise (La Fortuna Series #3)

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

Enough

When the door opened, Ico in his simple white T-shirt and black jogger pants welcomed us. My rib cage swelled when his fragrance lingered a while longer on my senses. Nginitian ko siya ngunit tulad ng kadalasan, hindi niya 'yon sinuklian.

"Good evening," I greeted.

Tinanguan niya ako. "Good eve. Pasok kayo."

Pumasok na 'ko habang hawak-hawak si Sab sa kanang kamay ko. I cut her a glance and saw her grinning widely while admiring Ico who's also walking on her other side. Napansin ni Ico ang paninitig ni Sabby kaya nginitian niya ito. I frowned and snickered at that. Favoritism, ampota.

"Kuya, ang bango mo naman," komento ni Sab matapos maupo sa sofa ng living room.

Ico let out a thick, sexy laugh. "Talaga? Katatapos ko lang kasing maligo, Sab, kaya gano'n."

"Ba't 'di po basa 'yong buhok niyo kung katatapos niyo lang maligo?"

"It's dry now, but I really took a bath." He smiled at her once before glancing at me. Napatuwid ako ng upo. "Did you have your dinner already?"

"Yup, we alr—"

"No!" Sab cut me off. Kininutan muna ako ng noo ni Ico bago binalingan si Sab na nasa harap ko. "Di pa ako busog," dugtong niya sa maliit na boses.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. "We already ate, but the dishes weren't to Sab's liking kaya kaunti lang ang kinain niya."

"Ate, 'di naman talaga kasi masarap ang gulay!"

"It's healthy for you," I insisted while giving her a glare.

She pouted and said, "Not yummy."

It's understandable how she hated vegetables because she's just a kid. Kanina nga ay nahirapan pa akong mapakain siya sa harap nina Lola Cordelia at Tita Sora. She's complaining because aside from disliking the food, she's also forced to act all formal. 'Di siya lousy-eater pero 'di rin siya ganoon kapormal kung kumain tulad ng mga Casagrande.

On the other hand, I wasn't a picky-eater, though it was indeed boring that all I had to eat in the mansion were salads and more salads. Istrikta si Tita pagdating sa pagkain dahil para raw 'yon sa kalusugan ni Lola. They prepared feasts when there were parties, but they had their self-imposed rules about what to eat and not to eat themselves.

"Alright. What food do you want to eat, then?" Ico asked in a soft tone while looking at Sab.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Did I hear him right? Did he just use a soft tone?!

Nanatili akong tahimik at palihim na namamangha habang tinitignan sila ni Sab na nagdidiskurso tungkol sa pagkaing kakainin nila. A few minutes passed before I realized I wasn't included in their conversation! Napasimangot ako. Hello? Gutom din ako!

When Ico started walking toward the kitchen without asking me what I wanted, I shouted, "May nakalimutan ka ata?!"

He halted then turned to me, his face mischievous. "Oh, Sunny," he faked sounding surprised. "Nandiyan ka pa pala?"

"Ay, ang kapal," utas ko bago humalukipkip at sumandal sa backrest ng sofa. "Tss. Anyway, gusto ko ng fish and chips 'tsaka French fries. Buksan mo na rin 'yong mamahaling wine sa may mini-bar kasi nauuhaw ak—"

"Did I ask?"

"No," I countered in a feisty voice, "but I'm just saying. Gutom din kasi ako."

He shrugged. "Edi magutom ka diyang mag-isa."