Elijah Alkie Rivera

"I don't really know how to pay you back," I said shyly habang tinatanggal ng pretty girl iyong swero ko.

She told me kanina na I don't need this anymore daw kasi I'm doing great naman. My complexion's back to normal and I've never felt as healthy as before.

"Hoy, ang OA mo, te!" She playfully make irap sa akin bago siya nag-smile. "I don't really mind helping lalo na at sobrang cute mo."

I smiled shyly when she called me cute. I don't get that kind of compliments very often kasi.

"But at least let me pay you back. Meron naman akong small na savings. Will 10k do ba? Or you need more?" I asked carefully.

10k is all of my savings na talaga but I don't know naman how much 'yong price if nagpapagamot. Aircon pa 'yong room ko and considering the fact na they give delicious meals since kahapon after I woke up from sleeping for two days.

"We don't really need that and I can't decide about this. Si kuya naman ang nag dala sa'yo dito so siya ang may desisyon sa lahat. If you really want to insist you can talk about it kay kuya after dinner."

I thought about it for a second before ako nag nod sa kaniya. But before she go I just have to ask this question talaga sa kaniya.

"Is mamang police your kuya po ba?" I watched her reactions cautiously, hoping na she wouldn't take it as something bad.

She grinned at me and pinched my neck. "Yup! Crush mo?"

I could feel my cheek going rather hot from her sudden question. I shook my head furiously and wave my hand at her. "N-No! I was just curious po."

She stood up from her seat tapos namaywang sa harap ko. "Bakit ka ba po nang po sa harapan ko? Do I look older than you? Hello! I'm just 23. Call me Ali, okay? Short for Aliyah."

I giggled at her bago nag-nod. "Okay, Ali."

After that conversation with Ali we went down na sa dining room nila kasi magd-dinner na kami. When we went inside we saw mamang police still in his uniform, but he doesn't look as put together as kaninang morning when he headed out.

The button of his uniform were unbuttoned, his hair was messy, and he's holding a giggling baby on his arms. And for a moment I stopped breathing looking at him. He looks so hot.

"Hey," he called us nang mapansin niya kaming dalawa ni Ali.

"Bakit nakatayo ka pa diyan? Sit." He sounds so commanding but it doesn't come out as harsh and scary like the powerful men I had as customers dati.

I walk timidly papunta sa dining table at naupo sa isang chair doon. Aliyah was busy preparing stuffs sa kitchen.

"Aliyah, kunin mo muna si Jacky magpapalit lang ako ng damit." He tried to hand the baby kay Ali after Ali placed the bowl na may rice sa table but Ali dodged him.

"Hala, kuya, kita mo namang busy ako. Maya na." Ang reklamo ni Ali bago niya tinalikuran si mamang police.

I heard mamang police clicked his tongue before rocking baby Jacky ulit. I watched her watch me as she suck her thumb before giving me a toothless smile.

"Hi! You're so cute," I cooed at her kasi super cute talaga.

She's so chubby. Super cute ng mga chiffon rolls niya sa arms tapos ang pink pa ng pouty lips niya. My eyes widened when she reached her tiny hands to me.

"I think she likes you ," mamang police commented as he looked at her affectionately.

I smiled at her. "Can I hold her po ba? I know how to carry a baby and I'm pretty strong na naman. I won't drop her."

He nodded his head. "If you don't mind. That'll be a huge help."

Tumayo ako mula sa seat ko saka kinuha si baby Jacky sa kaniya. I wasn't expecting her to do something that definitely melted my heart.

She just laid her head on my chest and yawn. She snuggled close to me and suck his thumb.

"Oh my god! Ang cute niyong dalawa!" Ali squealed excitedly beside me kaya napatawa na lang din ako.

We sat on the chair I was on before tapos nilaro ko na lang si baby using the toys na nasa table ng high chair niya. I couldn't believe how sweet and comfortable she became towards me when we just met like mga kahapon lang.

But who I am to complain?

This scene suddenly reminds me of home. Back when everything was fine between my family and I. I used to babysit my niece and nephews a lot. It was my little joy spending time with them.

And now I couldn't even see them and maybe they must have been thinking bad things about me.

"Something wrong?" I didn't notice na nakabalik na pala si mamang police. Ang bilis naman.

I shook my head and offered a small smile. "Everything's fine po."

"Elijah, kunin ko na si Jacky para makakain ka na, papakainin ko na rin." Hindi na ako umalma pa kay Ali at ibinigay na sa kaniya si baby Jacky.

Now, I'm wondering how old baby Jacky is. Kumakain na kasi siya ng mga solid food though I saw naman na pinapadede pa rin nila si baby.

Mamang police, as usual, sat at the center of the table and then followed it with his, "Let's eat."

All of us were silent after that. Sometime at the middle he started asking questions kay Ali about her school, how's her day was, if she needs anything, if baby Jacky was fine.

It was a warm moment I'd never expected I'd see again. I forgot how it feel na may kasama mag-eat during meals. I forgot how it feels when someone asks you how your day was. It was something I have always longed for since forever.

"How about you, Elijah?" I instantly snap out of my thoughts nang mabaling ang attention nila sa akin. Even baby Jacky's eyes is on me.

"Po?" I blinked.

"How was your day? Feeling better now?" I smiled at him and nodded.

"What did the doctor I sent here told you?"

"Uh..." I scratched the side of my cheek before answering. "I have to eat more daw po kasi underweight ako, tapos I can't be stressed, I have take some vitamins and put some ointments on my bruises."

"That's good," he briefly commented before looking at Ali na busy sa pagsubo kay baby Jacky. "You got his prescription right? Bumili ka sa school niyo. I'll send you the money tomorrow."

"Oh no!" I immediately intervened nang ma-hear ko 'yong sinabi ni mamang police. "I can buy it on my own po. I have my own money naman. In fact I also wanted to ask you how much should I pay you for helping me."

He looked at me cold in the eyes. "I don't need your money. But if you insist, you can pay her for your prescription. The school she's going to gave them discounts for the medicines they buy."

I smiled brightly at him and nodded. "How about my bill po during the past few days?"

He put down the water he was drinking and crossed his arms. "What's your work schedule?"

Napakamot ako ng head sa question niya. Now I'm suddenly reminded again about my temporary unemployment. I hope my 10k can survive until I'm able to work again.

"I'm currently out of work po eh."

He sighed and nodded. "Until when?"

I looked at my empty plate and stole a glance at him. "Until I'm healthy again po."

Until my body is flawless as it was before. Until I'm marketable. Until I'm strong enough to take their inhuman hunger for flesh. Until I'm ready to get broken again.

"That will work. We own a convenience store just near my apartment and one of our employee asked for a one week leave. Can you help?"

"Yes!" I excitedly answered pero mabilis din akong kumalma kasi parang nakakahiya. I cleared my throat. "It's fine po. I have nothing to do naman."

"Good. My employee will orient you before she goes on vacation. Don't worry I'll pay you."

And that's what happened nga. After worrying about not having any source of income while pinagbawalan ako ni Ching na mag-work nag-offer naman si mamang police.

Since he doesn't like to get paid back sa ginawa niya, I'll just do my best na lang sa pag-help sa kanila.

Sabi ni mamang police punta lang daw ako sa house nila at doon na niya ako susunduin. When I arrived, Ali was awake na with baby Jacky.

"Hi, Eli! Kumain ka na ba?" Ang enthusiastic na greetings sa akin ni Ali pagpasok ko.

"Hi, Ali! Hello, baby Jacky." I touched baby Jacky's hand and squeezed it softly. "Nag-eat na ko ng cereal bar kanina, Eli, tas nag-drink din ng milk."

"Anak ng! Kakasabi pa nga lang ni doc sa'yo na kumain ka ng maayos. Ay naku ha."

I stopped breathing at Ali's comment. I don't know what to do. I don't want her to get mad at me. I can't be hated... I just found a friend. I can't lose them this early.

My vision suddenly darkened.

Not because I was about to lose all my shit but someone was covering my eyes from behind. I tried to remove the hand as a reflex and natanggal ko naman agad.

But I wasn't able to let go that easily. Not when it was owned by the man na super crush ko talaga right now.

"Mamang police!" I called him happily.

"Did she bully you?" Ang taas kilay niyang tanong sa akin before siya tumingin lay Ali.

I looked at Ali who was grinning mischievously at us. "Oi, hindi ah! Di kasi 'yan kumain ng maayos, kuya. Pagsabihan mo nga."

"Is that true?"

I pouted. "I'm sorry po. I don't have stocks na kasi sa house. I was planning na mag-grocery na lang later."

"Okay. Kumain ka na lang ulit dito."

I smiled shyly at him and nodded. "If you don't mind po."

"I don't. Pwede mo na bang bitawan ang kamay ko? I need to get something upstairs." He looked at my hand na nakakapit pa rin pala sa hand niya.

I hurriedly let go of his hand and stepped back. Gosh! That was so nakakahiya, Eli.

Mamang police walked past me like nothing happened while Ali immediately went beside me tapos hinampas niya pa 'yong left shoulder ko. "Winner ka, auntie! Ganiyan gumalaw pag may crush. Nasayo boto ko."

Hindi ko masyadong maintindihan si Ali pero I'm happy naman na she's voting for me. "Saan mo ko i-v-vote pala, Ali?"

Her smile froze tapos lumaki bigla 'yong hole ng ilong niya. "Alam mo ang cute-cute mo, Eli."

"Thank you, Ali. You're very pretty din."

Malakas siyang humalakhak bago niya ako inaya sa dining room nila. We ate breakfast together with mamang police. There's also this one old lady na helper daw nila mamang police and she's helping Ali and a part time nanny take care of baby Jacky.

I'm so amazed kasi sa house namin before nakatayo lang sa likod namin ang mga maid. Whenever we go out they'd sit and watch us eat. It was so uncomfortable and in some ways nahihiya ako sa kanila. It's not humane to do something like that. I tried to talk naman kina mommy but she'll glare at me lang.

"Are you done? We should go now. I still have work."

Tumango ako kay mamang police tapos I said goodbye na kila baby Jacky.

Nang ma-reach na namin 'yong car niya sa likod na ako naupo. I think it was more respectful that way. But I saw mamang police na naka-wrinkle ang noo niya habang tinitingnan ako sa rearview mirror. Bigla naman tuloy akong na-conscious sa self ko. Did I do something wrong ba?

"Why are you there?"

"Po?"

"Lumipat ka dito sa tabi ko."

Huh? Did I hear that right? Sa tabi daw niya ako mag-seat.

"Faster, kid. We're running late," he commanded pero wala naman sa tone niya na minamadali ako.

Mabilis akong lumabas ng door kasi baka magbago pa isip ni mamang police. I don't know when ulit ako makakatabi sa kaniya na kami lang dalawa. I gulped and tried to suppress the kaba and excitement na naf-f-feel ko right now.

"Seatbelt, Elijah."

What should I do next? Should I talk to him ba or like mag-watch lang ako sa outside. Does he like it when its silent? Or he likes it when there's a small chika going on while he drives? But what kind of things should I talk to him naman? What if it makes me look desp--

I held my breath when his body moved so close to mine. Like super duper close. His perfume smelled so much stronger now that he's breathes away from me. I think I'm going to faint. Help me!

He met my eyes after he sat properly na sa seat niya.

"Seatbelt."

Will he do it again ba if i-remove ko 'tong seatbelt? I bet not. 

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Edited: 3/24/24