A/N:

Happy Monday.

Had my first taste of Jollibee here in Canada.

It was good. So good :)

Feels like home.

Yung tipong napapasayaw ka sa upuan habang kumakain :)

Ang babaw pakinggan but I'm sure you'll understand.

Also, I'm kinda mababaw. Haha!

Ingat kayo lagi.

xoxo

***

I feel different. Like a new person.

Even if my back and legs are sore from sleeping on the sofa, I am rested and happy.

When I woke up at around five in the morning, Maria was already up.

The fluorescent light in the kitchen was making a slanted shadow of the giant bookcase on the wall.

I could hear Henry snoring.

I thought of the little privacy that Maria and Henry had.

No wonder she was so mad at me when we had the discussion about money.

They are doing the best they can with what they have.

I lifted the blanket and swung my legs out of the sofa.

Naamoy ko ang kape, pritong itlog at toast.

Aside from Henry's snoring, it was very quiet inside the house.

The neighbors must still be asleep because the only sound I hear was Maria stirring in the kitchen.

I slowly walked to the kitchen because I didn't want to scare her.

She was putting plates on the table and must have heard my footsteps because she raised her head.

"Gising ka na pala."

"Hi." I smiled.

"Can I use your bathroom?"

"Sure." She pointed to the back with her thumb.

A door with fading brown paint was closed.

"Malinis iyan." She said sheepishly.

I walked up to her and when we were inches apart, I gently touched her elbow.

Maria looked up and smiled at me.

I think I noticed a faint hit of blush on her cheeks.

Was it from her cooking?

We had breakfast together.

She made instant coffee and was surprised that I take my coffee black.

"Ang pait niyan." She cringed.

"I like it this way." I sipped the dark brew and closed my eyes.

"This is good." I said when I set the cup back on the table.

"Instant lang iyan. Hindi Starbucks." She looked skeptical.

"You made it. That's why it's good."

"Asus." Kinurot niya ako sa tagiliran.

Thank God I'm not ticklish there dahil baka mahulog ako mula sa inuupuhang Monobloc.

God! Those chairs are very uncomfortable.

"Marunong ka palang mambola."

I laughed but then immediately covered my mouth when I remembered that Henry was still asleep.

"Huwag kang mag-alala. Parang mantika iyan matulog." She squeezed my hand.

I caught her fingers and stroke her knuckles.

Last night, when she told me she wanted to think about what I said, I was a little disappointed.

Neri was right.

Maria is different.

She's not like the other women who threw themselves at me.

I'm used to being pursued and not the other way around.

"Seryoso ka ba talaga sa sinabi mo kagabi?"

She was now stroking my thumb, gently caressing my skin.

It made my spine tingle and my body warmer.

I don't think it was the instant coffee.

"Yes I am. Why? You don't believe me?"

"Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. Ano bang nakita mo sa akin?"

"Probably the things you don't see about yourself."

"Tulad ng?"

"Okay." I turned so I was facing her.

"You speak your mind." I said slowly.

"When we were at that restaurant and you gave that waiter hell, I learned that you don't take shit from other people."

"Uy!" She squeezed my fingers.

"Nasa harap tayo ng pagkain. Bawal magmura."

I blushed but continued exalting the virtue of the woman I'm trying to win.

"When you visit on the set and you bring food to the crew and set aside the one for me, I knew that you are caring and thoughtful."

"From what I can see in you're relationship with Henry, you're a strong and a good sister. You made a good life for both of you and I admire that. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko if I were to lose my family."

"Paano mo nalaman ang tungkol sa family ko?" Nanigas ang katawan niya.

"Sa script. There was one character na ulila. Isa pa, I looked around the house, it's just you and your brother. Also, you never talk in detail about your parents." She withdrew her hand and turned silence.

Crap!

Things were getting good and I have to say something to ruin the moment.

"Dapat talaga naging psychologist ka." When she smiled, I knew I was still in the clear.

Maria told me about the accident that claimed her parents' lives.

I listened, held her hand in mine when the tears fell.

Her story gave me a broader perspective of who she is as a person and what she went through.

This woman is tough.

A survivor.

No wonder she doesn't suffer fools.

"Konti lang ang mga kaibigan ko." Maria sniffed.

Damn!

Where is the tissue when you need one?

"Investment din kasi ang makipagkaibigan. Yayayain ka nilang lumabas para kumain o di kaya para mag-coffee. Makikipagkuwentuhan ka, makikinig sa mga nangyayari sa buhay nila, magsishare ng tungkol sa buhay mo. Wala akong panahon sa mga ganoon. Si Henry ang priority ko."

"I understand. You've done well, Maria. You should be proud of yourself."

"Proud naman ako. Minsan nga, hindi ko alam kung paano ko nagawa."

"I don't know either. But you've succeeded."

Her smile was bigger this time.

"Kaya nga kagabi, sinabi ko sa'yo na pag-iisipan ko ang sinabi mo. Una, hindi ko alam kung dahil sa pagod kaya mo nasabi ang mga bagay na iyon. Pangalawa, para na din akong single mother. Kung hindi okay sa gustong manligaw sa akin na si Henry ang lagi kong inuuna, ayokong maging issue. Habang maaga pa lang, sinesettle ko na dahil ayokong dumating ang panahon na papiliin ako between Henry and whoever. Madidisappoint lang sila."

"Does he want you to be happy?"

"Oo naman. Siya pa nga itong nagsasabi na lumabas ako at makipag-date. Pero tulad ng lagi kong pinapaalala sa kanya, kaya kong isantabi ang lovelife ko. Gusto kong makatapos siya ng pag-aaral. Ayokong danasin niya ang hirap na dinanas ko dati."

"Should I ask for his permission to make ligaw?"

Tumawa siya.

"Ang cute mo alam mo iyon?" She pinched my cheeks.

I took her hands and placed soft tender kisses on her knuckles.

"I'm serious about you, Maria. If that means I have to make ligaw to Henry too, I will."

"Bakit ang bait mo?"

"I told you before. If you get to know me, you'll like what you see." I smiled.

Maria let go of my hand and stood up.

I thought she was going to put the dishes on the sink but I was surprised when she placed her arms around my neck then kissed the top of my head.

I pulled her by the waist and rested my head on top of her stomach.

She was warm and smelled of lavender.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the soothing smell.

My body relaxed against her.

It felt so good to be held.

"Thank you, Kyle." She said when she loosened her hold on me.

"For what?"

"Sa napakasarap na breakfast na pinagsaluhan natin."

"Anytime."

She bent her head and quickly pecked my cheek.