You know Seth?
"Obviously, he came there in the hospital for me," I don't know what happened to him and why is he being so sarcastic now.
"Friends?" I just wanna ask. Maybe Seth went there for business.
"Of course, if you're thinking about business, maybe you forgot that I am not yet the president of our company. I am not yet working under our hospitals," He said as if making me realize how dumb my questions are.
"How did you two meet?" Di ko alam kung pano naging kaibigan ni Daron si Seth. He looks like a jolly person! Then, Daron's bestfriend is Gil! He's also loud and funny! And Daron...well, I never heard him crack a joke. Never mind, alam ko namang di yan magiging nakakatawa.
"He's a model but not in Mode Exquise," He coldly answered. What's wrong with him? I just nodded when I confirmed my hunch about Seth.
"I have't seen him but he's familiar," I told him and continued eating my Steak Chimichurri and Sesame Cucumber Salad.
"You're interested?" He raised his eyebrows.
I didn't answer because maybe he would arrive at different conclusions. I was just curious that's why I became inquisitive. Actually, I'm more curious on how he gained those kind of friends.
"Let's go. Balik na tayo. We still have to assist residents with patients," I wonder if what wrong did I do? Why is he suddenly acting weird? Wala naman akong ginagawa, ah!
"Hey, what's wrong?" I'm worried that I am the reason why is he suddenly bad trip.
He shook his head. I know something is off. I can sense it. He wasn't like this not until he saw me with Seth! Wait, what's wrong with that?
"You sure?" I tried to ask again maybe he'd not deny it.
"I won't talk to you 'pag di mo ako kinausap. Di na kita pipilitin. It seems like you're mad at me or I don't know. You treated the others well! Ako lang ang di mo masyadong pinapansin!" I told him how I felt. It's true naman kasi. He even smiled at our girl classmates!
"Hey, just kidding!" Threatened, huh? I smiled because finally nauto ko siya. Kaya ko naman gawin yun sa kanya. I'm not like Avril na pag mayplano siyang magtampo, one minute na nga lang di pa kaya. Pero wala kasi talaga akong balak na gawin yun sa kanya. I just want to see if he'll treat me the same already.
"Why were you acting like that to me?" I cannot find any answer to my question. What's wrong with talking to Seth? And my gosh! Seth is his friend! He became like that lang naman after niya kami makita ni Seth na nag-uusap.
"Sino ang unang nagpakilala?" He threw another question instead of answering my question. Wow! Nakakahiya naman kasi. We met because I was too careless and not mindful of my surroundings and kapag sinabi ko yun sa kanya, it's like I'm admitting that I'm careless! Fine, naging careless naman talaga ako.
"Siya. He also said I'm familiar and when he learned that I'm Zaila's sister, he introduced himself to me," I answered while looking straight to his eyes so that he'll know that I'm not telling lies.
"How did you meet?" He asked again. He's calmer this time.
"I bumped into his chest," I shyly answered. When I glanced at him, I saw that his brows furrowed.
"Uhhhh..I was not looking at the path I'm taking. I was finding for my purse inside my bag," I have no choice. I just have to say the truth and be like Avril. I just swallowed my pride. It won't hurt that much if you'll admit that you were careless.
I looked at him because I heard him sigh.
"Okay, sorry for my attitude a while ago," He went closer to me and hugged me. He placed my head on his chest and started planting soft and short kisses on my temple.
"I was just jealous," He's what?! Jealous? Why the hell would he be jealous with Seth?! I just met him and on the other hand, he's been going out with me!
I looked at him and gave him a curious look.
"Not now, " He said and pulled me.
"What do you mean?" I asked, stopping my heart from assuming...
"Nothing," See? I told you heart! Don't assume!
********
After I went to the gym for my usual exercises and routines, I was planning to do some experiment in baking. Yeah, I want to at least learn how to bake. I would spend some of my time during weekdays with learning how to cook, too.
"Ma'am binili ko na yung mga sinabi niyo," Manang said when she saw me going down the stairs. Kakatapos ko lang magshower.
Today is friday so it means we'll have a sleepover. After kong magbake, pupunta na ako sa condo ni Avril. I will bring some of the output so that I can let our cooks, Aria and Zaianne judge my work.
"Thank you, Manang," I told her and proceeded to the oven so that I can wipe it before using it.
"Tulungan ko na kayo maghanda dito, Ma'am," Manang offered. I said it's fine because I really need a guide since this will be my first time.
"Baka kasi matagalan pa kayo. Kila Ma'am Sav kayo matutulog ngayon, Ma'am?" I shook my head and smiled at her. I'm really happy that I have Manang with me. She knows most of my friends kahit di pa naman sila nakakapunta dito. She even said she's a fan of Sav and Xia. Now, she expressed she's a big fan of me, too.
"Kila Avril po, Manang," I told her when I'm done wiping the oven.
"Ma'am di niyo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko, sino yung kasama niyo sa photoshoot?" Kinukulit kasi ako ni Manang tungkol kay Daron because I don't answer her questions.
"Ang gwapo niya Ma'am! Bagay kayo! Nakita ko na siya dati sa TV, Ma'am," Natawa nalang ako sa mga pinagsasabi ni Manang.
This baking stuff, tinawag ko tong experiment because I really don't know if it goes out fine. In a large mixing bowl, I started placing the crushed grahams and chocolate biscuits. I added evaporated milk and condensed milk but I made sure na hindi siya masyadong matamis.
"Manang, kulang yata ng evap," I told her because the mixture is not yet sticky and di pa nalagyan ng evap yung crushed biscuits na nasa ilalim.
"Check ko lang, Ma'am," Then Manang went to the cabinets na nilagyan ng canned goods.
"Hala, Ma'am wala na . Condensed lang ito," Manang told me. Ano ba ang puwedeng ilagay? Like substitute nalang for the evaporated milk?
"Condensed nalang, Ma'am," Manang gave me a condensed milk. But, I think magiging matamis na siya.
"Wag na condensed, Manang. It will be too sweet na po," I was worried na talaga and I tried to look inside our ref. Baka sakaling may puwedeng i substitute. Then I saw fresh milk and chocolate soya drink. I think puwede natong soya? So, that's what I did.
Actually, naging okay naman siya. You can't even taste the soya. I rolled it and shaped it like a cookie. Then I garnished it with chocolate sprinkles.
"Do you think it's fine na Manang?" Manang nodded so I placed it inside the oven. When the oven heated, the food smells so good! I hope it turns out well.
Nung tapos na, I saw that the chocolate sprinkles melted and it looks so yummy! A while ago, it was a bit sticky but now, the texture is like sa cake! It looks like a small chocolate cake.
I tasted it and my smile widened because it takes really good! I invented something! Haha.
"Tikman mo, Manang! I think okay lang siya!" I rushed to Manang who's washing the dishes.
When she tasted it, she signed thumbs up. I'm so happy!
" Ilagay ko na po sa plastic container?" Manang inquired.
"No, Manang! Tapusin niyo nalang yan. Ako na po!" Manang laughed at my reaction and then she continued washing the dishes already.
After kong ilagay yung cookie na mukhang cake, nagbihis na ako para makapunta kina Avril. I don't have a name for it yet.
I brought the bag containing my dress for tomorrow. Daron invited me to their house because Zaye wants to see me. I'm a bit excited and nervous because I'll meet his family. Di na ako nakatanggi since wala naman akong ginagawa and Daron said na wala naman kasing babaeng kalaro si Zaye. Lalaki naman kasi ang kambal niya.
"Manang! I'll go na po. Thank you!" I shouted kasi natagalan na ako because of the baking. Like the usual, kahit nagmamadali ako palagi pa ding nakadisplay yung ngiti ni Kuya Nestor. I wonder kapag may balak magnakaw, nginingitian niya kaya? Haha.
"Ingat po kayo, Ma'am!" Kuya Nestor said while closing the gates.
"Thank you, Kuya!" I shouted back kahit di ko alam kung dinig niya ako.
True enough, ako nalang ang wala pa sa mga girls. When I arrived, una kong nakita ang mga nagtatanong nilang mukha.
"The early bird's late!" Xia shouted and gave me a hug. The others did the same.
"Anong ginawa mo? Di ka naman siguro natulog diba? Ang dami mong dala!" Cairhyll exclaimed. Nagreklamo siya pero siya lang din naman ang tumulong sa akin.
"I baked," Sabay na lumingon si Ari at Zai sa akin.
"For real?" Ari asked and tried to find the food.
"Dinala mo?" Zai asked. Confident naman akong ipatikim sa kanila yun but now naisip ko baka naging okay lang yun since it's the first time and wala din akong instructions really. Then, di ko pa alam kung ano ang output.
I nodded and handed them the brown paper bag. They immediately opened it.
"What's this? Cookies?" Ari asked.
"No, it's soft," Kinain na pala ni Zai. I'm waiting for her reaction. Then she did a thumbs up.
"Tikman mo Ari. Imbento lang yata to ni Iyah," Zai said and sinubuan niya si Ari.
"Hmmmmm...Anong nilagay mo?" Ari inquired. They asked me further questions like the procedure and tinikman na din nila Avril, Cairhyll, Chrixia and Sav yung dinala ko.
"You should name it!" Sav said while she was biting the cookie which tastes like cake. She's enjoying it.
"I can't believe nagbake si Iyah!" Xia said.
"Nandiyan na nga, dibah? Ayra Chrixia McCarthy! Unless, niloloko tayo ni Zariyah Ramirez! Ano sa tingin mo Kayla Avril Camarista? Hindi ba nagsisinungaling tong si Zariyah Ramirez?" Cairhyll countered
"Wag mo ako idamay, Rhyll," Av said. She's busy with her phone, probably reading blogs again.
"Don't mention mine, Cairhyll Shayne Evans," Zai warned. She doesn't like being called in full name. She prefers Zai lang daw. Buti nga sila they have second names! Ako lang ang wala!
"Whatever, Zaianne Erah Ferguson!" Cairhyll tried to piss Zai off. It's hard to piss Zai. No, di pala. It's hard to tell if she's annoyed because she maintains the same face. You'll know if she's in the mood if she tries to annoy someone like Cairhyll.
"Dibah, pinsan mo si Aria Dae Ferguson?" But Rhyll won't just stop.
"Hoy! Zaianne Erah Ferguson! Dito na nga lang ako," She transferred to Sav's side who's busy taking picture of the food.
"Savannah Istel Morretti! Pati ba naman food sinali mo sa photo shoot?! Maawa ka naman!" Si Sav na naman pinuntirya ni Cairhyll.
"Shut up, Cairhyll Shayne Evans!" Sav stated, a bit annoyed now because Rhyll's covering the camera in her phone.
"Ano? Magluluto tayo o order?" Avril asked. She's finally done with her blogs!
"Maaga pa naman. Luto nalang," Zai suggested. I agree with her. Kaya pa naman siguro if mamimili kami ng ingredients.
"Sino?" Ari asked.
"Ikaw nalang," Zai told Ari.
"No! Cairhyll will do it since she's so annoying! Para she'll go away na!" Sav shouted from the kitchen.
"Okay! Di ko bibigyan si Savannah Istel Morretti!" Di talaga titigil tong si Cairhyll.
"What?" Padabog na tanong ni Sav.
"Joke lang. Ito naman naniwala agad," Cairhyll defended herself.
Ari and Sav went outisde to buy the ingredients and other stuffs needed. Sav showed some interest in learning how to cook. She also has plans, like me. Bago ko nga lang nalaman that cooking is fun naman pala.
The whole night went well and we just talked about what happened during the week. Di naman talaga namin alam since di kami magkapareho ng courses. We just rely on what we hear with other people.
"What's the score between Daron and you? Is he courting you?"Halos maubo ako sa biglaang tanong ni Sav.
"What?" Sav laughed at my reaction.
"Are those dates still part of photo shoots? I see no cameras," She added. What? She saw us and she didn't even approach us! She can actually join us.
I don't know what to say since di naman nanliligaw si Daron sa akin. We've been dating but we never kissed! Umamin siya na nagselos siya but I should not assume! He said he'll prove that he likes me but he didn't say he'll court me.
"He changed, huh? No girls," Xia said with a smile.
"What? Wala..We're friends! Good night, girls!" Honestly, I tried my best para makatulog ng maaga so that they won't ask me with more questions.
****************************
#ForeverYours #ForeignGirlsSeries1 #ZaRon
Thanks for reading! :)
-Pinkish_3007