"Damn." Napatigil ako sa pagsusulat ng marinig ko si Louie, he's groaning in something.

Napatayo ako at nagpunta sa kanya, nakapikit ang mga mata niya. Panay ang galaw sa batok at balikat. Kaagad naman akong nag-alala, mula rito sa harapan niya ay umikot ako sa likuran niya. He is currently sitting in the swivel chair, facing his desk. Hinawakan ko ang balikat niya.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

He took a deep breath and shook his head. "Sumasakit 'yung balikat ko, nangalay 'yata."

Napatango ako. "Is that so? Can I massage it?"

"Nah, I'm fine."

"Nah, you're not."

Natigilan siya, hinawakan ko naman ang balikat niya saka marahang iginalaw. Napadaing siya ng mahina kaya pinagpatuloy ko ang pagmamasahe. Napangiti ako tuwing napapapikit pa siya, ito ang isa sa mga katangian ko na marunong talaga ako. Magaling akong magmasahe sabi ni mommy ganda, namana ko 'yata kay dad.

"Damn, this side please?" I smiled and did what he wanted.

"Does it still hurt?" I whispered softly, enough for him to hear.

"Kinda." He said, so honest.

I pressed my thumb lightly on the back of his shoulder. I slowly moved my other finger in front of him, holding his shoulder on both sides. Mahina siyang napapadaing tuwing nahuhuli ko 'yung spot na gusto niya. Iginalaw ko ang kamay ko patungo naman sa batok niya kaya napaigtad siya. Naglikot ang kamay ko at sinakop ang likuran niyang batok at marahan itong minasahe.

"Paniguradong nasobrahan ka sa pagyuko, stress in your new case?" I asked gently and faced him.

"Yeah, it's for my friend. A favor."

"Ah, that's why." I whispered softly and secretly sighed. In few times that I went to their firm —which he allowed —I could almost memorize his behavior.

He's workaholic but not in a bad way, he knows his limitations. Ngayon lang talaga siya nagkaganito. Yes, lagi niyang pinapalayas 'yung mga kaibigan niya kapag pinupuntahan siya rito. But he care in all of them. Like now, halos kanina pa siya abala sa ginagawa niya. Naiintindihan ko naman dahil may ginagawa rin ako, probably my assignments.

"Thanks, I need that." Napatingin ako sa kanya, mahinang natawa saka tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Let's eat, I'm hungry na."

"I know, I already order our lunch today."

Nangunot ang noo ko. "How? I mean, you're so busy—"

"I'm sorry about that."

"Nah, ayos lang."

"Really?" He said, silently amused.

"Of course, you'll see I have this attitude na kapag busy ka—ayos lang. I understand, hindi naman ako ganun kababaw para hindi maunawan 'yun. May ginagawa din naman ako kaya equal lang."

"Hmm.. I like that, teenagers nowadays are so aggressive lalong lalo na kapag emosyon ang pagbabasihan."

Napatango 'tango ako. "Oh, kaya siguro hindi ka pumapatol sa bata."

"How did you know that?"

Napahawak ako sa baba ko at kunwareng nag-isip. "Remember the girl named Lydia? 'Yung sa park? Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, she said na hindi ka pumapatol sa mas bata sa'yo."

"She's right, but that's before."

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Huh?"

"Pumapatol na ako sa mas bata sa'kin." Natigilan ako sa diretsong sabi niya'ng 'yun. Nakatingin siya sa mga mata ko kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

Tumikhim ako at kunwareng sumang-ayon. "Right, anyone can change their mind."

"But the only one can change of heart." He said, my throat seemed to dry up.

He chuckled as I couldn't speak anymore. He stood up and held me by the wrist, I knitted my forehead. He just smiled and made me sit on the sofa. He took my belongings and moved to the vacant sofa on the side. I smiled and looked at him silently. After he put my stuff in the right place. He looked at me. Ibinuka niya ang bibig niya para magsalita ng tumunog ang pintuan.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. "Come in."

"Attorney Sovyl, ito na po 'yung foods." His secretary said.

Napatayo naman ako at nginitian siya. "Hello, kumain ka na?"

"Ahm, katatapos ko lang ma'am—"

"Hazel, diba sinabi ko na sa'yo?" Napahawak ito sa batok at tumingin kay Louie na tahimik lang kaming pinapanood.

"Call her whatever she want." He said, always serious kaya natatakot sa kanya 'yung mga tao 'eh.

"O-Okay, I've eaten Miss Hazel. Thanks for asking." He smiled.

"Small thing." I said and looked at the food, he said goodbye to us and closed the door. I sat on the sofa, next to Louie.

Habang kumakain ay saktong pagkain lang ang kinakain ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya, he tilted his head. He's really observant, lahat napapansin niya kahit maliit na bagay. O baka naman masyado akong halata? Napanguso ako at sumimsim ng juice na may straw.

Sabihin ko na kaya sa kanya? Tumikhim ako. "Fine, I'll tell you. I have BED."

"Like the usual eating disorder?" He said, more like clarifying me.

I nodded and sighed. "Yeah, I need to limit my self when it comes to food. Lalo na kapag mga paborito ko, you'll see ako 'yung tipo ng taong kain ng kain. Stress or what, dinadaan ko talaga sa pagkain. Na umabot sa puntong, sumobra na ako. I didn't even know na may ganyang condition."

"BED is about more than food, it’s a recognized psychological condition. That means people with the disorder will likely need a treatment plan designed by a medical professional to overcome it. So, you have one?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. "You know that?"

"I'm an attorney."

"Pero hindi ka doctor or something that involves about it."

"Miss Hazel, let me tell you who am again? I'm an attorney, I always reading book. Not just about law, lahat pinag-aaralan namin. Sa mga kaso maraming involve ang pagkain, sa paglason or whatever kaya talagang mapag-aaralan ko 'yan."

My lips form 'O' in what he said. "That's awesome."

"But exhausting, tiring, and mentally drained."

Mahina akong natawa. "Well, you took it. Face the consequences."

He nodded and looked at me. "So?"

"Yes, my mom. She's an retired doctor. She's the one who's guiding me about my foods, hindi naman siya strict pero ako na mismo ang nagdisiplina sa sarili ko. She even gave me a schedule para sa tamang oras ako kakain."

"Setting a regular eating schedule and sticking to it is one of the most effective ways to overcome binge eating." He said, agreeing with mom.

"Skipping meals can contribute to cravings and increase the risk of overeating na iniiwasan ko na." I said and set aside the food in front of me.

"I'm curious, when and how did you find out you had BED?"

I shrugged and didn't answer, hindi naman siya nagtanong pa kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Matapos naming kumain ay bumalik na kami sa kanya 'kanya naming ginagawa. Nakaharap siya ngayon sa laptop niya habang ako naman ay pinagpapatuloy ang ginagawa ko. Ganun kami hanggang sa sumapit ang alasingko. Inayos ko ang gamit ko at handa ng umalis.

Sinulyapan ko siya, natigilan ako ng makitang nakayuko lang siya sa mesa. Mukhang natutulog, marahan kong inilapag muli ang gamit ko saka sinilip siya. Mahimbing siyang natutulog, nakapikit ang mga mata at pormal na pormal pa rin ang dating. Napailing ako saka napangiti.

I looked at my wristwatch. "I still have two hours to go home."

I sat down in front of him as i leaned over the table. I looked at him. I could freely observe his face. From his thick eyebrows, to his lashes, sharp nose, and kissable lips. What a beautiful view. There is no denying that I like him. Huminga ako ng malalim at sa pagpikit ng mga mata ko, hindi ko inaakalang makakatulog ako.

"A-Anong.. Nasaan ako?" Mahinang bulong ko.

"You're awake." Automatiko akong napatingin sa kanya.

Natigilan ako ng makita ang suot niya. He's wearing a muscle shirt pair of an armani shorts. His hard muscle is visible in my eyes, pawisan din siya. Mukhang nag-work out. Palihim akong napalunok, napatingin ako sa mukha niya. Basa ang ilang hibla ng buhok niya. Nakasuot siya ng earpiece habang may white towel na nakalagay sa balikat niya. Kinuha niya ito at pinunasan ang mukha.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, making me nodded.

"Let's eat then, get up there." Napakurap 'kurap ako at napailing. Ang yummy niya.

Inayos ko ang comforter na nakalagay sa akin saka bumangon. Naupo sa kama at nagsuot ng sleepers. Mukhang kanya ito dahil sa laki ng size. Mahina akong natawa, hindi kasya sa akin. Narinig ko naman ang paglabas niya kaya tumayo na ako.

Naghanap ako ng bathroom, nakita ko sa gilid ang isang itim na pinto. Pumasok ako doon saka naghilamos, ang ganda ng bathroom niya. Inikot ko ang mata ko sa paligid, ang laki. Parang kwarto ko na 'to ah.

Habang nagpupunas ng mukha ay tinignan ko ang wristwatch ko. "What the, umaga na?"

"It's already five thirty nine in the morning." I murmured as I shook my head.

Mabilis kong tinapos ang ginagawa saka nagtungo sa living area ngunit wala siya doon. Mukhang nasa dining area siya. Itinaas ko ang baba ko saka naghanap kung saan 'yun. Naglakad ako sa kaliwa ng makarinig ako ng ingay, at tama nga ako. Naabutan ko siya roon habang naghahanda ng agahan.

"Good morning attorney." I show my bright smile at him. He glanced at me and smile a little. Inayos ang mga pagkain sa lamesa.

"Good morning miss." Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi saka naupo sa harapan niya.

"Bakit puro gulay naman 'to at prutas attorney? It's still morning." Mahaba ang ngusong sabi ko.

"You're always limiting and dieting yourself aren't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

He tsked. "Instead of following diets that focus on cutting out entire food groups or significantly slashing calorie intake to lose weight quickly, focus on making healthy changes."

"What? Kumakain naman ako ng gulay 'ah." Giit ko pa.

"Eat more whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and moderate your intake of treats rather than excluding them from your diet altogether. This can help reduce binge eating and promote better health."

Umuwang ang bibig ko. Tumingin naman siya sa akin. "You'll see, i research about your condition. And I read more. 'Wag mong limitahan ang sarili mo, makakasama 'yun lalo sa'yo. Instead of forcing yourself not to eat more, control it. Kase habang tinitiis mo ang sarili mo, lalong lalo mo lang hahanapin 'yung pagkain."

Malumanay ang pagkakasabi niya 'nun kaya natigilan ako. He looks so serious but I can feel the care of his voice and the warmth of it. And in a seconds, I think my heart just melt. Nagbaba ako ng tingin ng magtama ang mata naming dalawa.

"And when you look for the food, your condition gets worse. So, control it okay? I'll guide you, don't worry." He said, making me looked at him.

"T-Thank you." I whispered softly.

He softly smiled. "Anything for you."

Napalunok ako at nginusuan nalang siya, bakit parang nanghihigop ang mga mata niya? Napailing ako saka kinuha ang spoon na nasa plate ko. Tinikman ko ang isang salad, I'm not that familiar to this vegetables kaya ito ang nakakuha ng atensyon ko.

"How is it?" He asked, still looking at me.

"Mmm, masarap naman. Anong tawag dito?"

"It's called ground turkey with tomatoes."

"Oh, kaya naman pala. Onion, bell paper, clove garlic, tomatoes, butler flavor pam I think? And of course the main food. It's good." Napapatango tangong sabi ko.

"Did you taste it all?"

I shrugged. "Not really, that's why maybe I got BED because I eat too much. Even the ingredients, I already know. Although this one isn't that tasty, it lacks butler favor pam and bell paper I think?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just made that now, you know research. So, it's my first time. But promise next time, I'll make it good."

I laughed softly. "Nah, you don't need to."

He stared at me. "I want to help you."

"Hmm, but why?" I asked smiling as I chewed. I looked at him, he leaned back in his seat while still looking at me.

"Because.. I like you."

Umuwang ang bibig ko. "C-Come again?"

He chuckled sofly, watching my reaction. Looked into my eyes, and looked at me seriously. I was secretly swallowed. When our eyes met I was so bitten on the lower lip. He spoke seriously.

"I like you a lot.. Hazel."