Chapter 5

Kasama ni Kuya ang mga kaibigan nya sa bakasyong yun.

Si Niam. He is taking up Engineering. Their family owns one of the leading Construction business in the country.

Si Matthew. He is studying Business Management. Their family owns a hotel chain and sikat na sikat in Asia.

Also, Jessica. Same sila ni Matthew na Business Management and she is also Matthew's girlfriend. May sinama din silang Brenna, friend daw ni Jessica who recently came back from the US and dito na daw magpapatuloy ng pag-aaral.

And finally, si Lucas. From a family of doctors. They own the leading hospital in the country. They have partnerships with different hospitals around the world.

Hindi din naman mahirap ang pamilya nila pero hindi masasabing ganun kayaman ng mga ito. Their family owns a vast stretch of land. Pinapalago ng father nya through modernized farming. They have partnerships with hotels and restaurants for their fresh produce.

His father might have been disappointed that her kuya pursued medicine pero sinuportahan pa rin nila. Their father hopes that one of them will eventually want to keep the family name in agriculture.

When she got to her room, napatili sya when she saw what was on her bed. Oh My God! This is her kuya's pasalubong? Nakita nya ang Kitchen Aide mixer box: pero dali-dali nyang binuksan at baka puro lang papel ang laman nuon; but inside is a red kitchen aide mixer. She loves this mixer and she loves the color too. She likes the old school vibe/ look. Pinag iipunan nya yun. When it comes to hobbies, Their parents expect them to work for it. Kaya hindi nya mahingi lang ng basta ang mga gusto nyang kitchen equipments.

She likes to cook and she loves to bake. She got it from her mom's love of cooking. And she always gets compliments sa mga nasubukan nya nang iluto. Now, she's trying to improve her skills with baking.

She took a selfie with the mixer and sent it to her Kuya, "Thank you. Buti it's not a prank. I love it." she captioned her picture message to Mark.

She was about to put down her phone when she heard the buzz. She opened her brother's reply and it was a group photo with a caption. "We heard you! We want to try the macarons"

She looked at the photo. It was taken at the gazebo ngayun-ngayon lang. She looked at Lucas and can't help but zoom the pic on his face. He had a wide grin again. Ang gwapo nya! And she got embarrassed all over again ng maalala ang nangyari kanina. She was so stupid.

"Like that you love it!" pahabol pang message ng kuya nya.

Dali-dali na syang pumasok ng banyo to take a shower. Malapit na silang maghapunan. She did not want to cause a delay. Hindi kasi nag uumpisang kumain sa amin until they are complete sa table.

She wore a blue shirt and a white shorts. Naka thong slippers lang sya palagi sa bahay. Nagpapatuyo sya ng buhok sa tapat ng electric fan ng may kumatok.

"Hey, Lex, kakain na daw", she heard from whoever was behind the door, Bumilis ang tibok ng puso nya. Does it sound like Lucas? Never pa ako nag ka crush before. Ganito kaya ang crush?

"Okay, bababa na ako." Parang ang hina ata ng boses nya. Narinig kaya nya? Tumikhim muna sya, trying to clear her throat. "Bababa na ako." Pag uulit nya. She took the small towel she usually uses to dry her hair and rubbed her hair para mabawasan man lang ang pagkabasa nito. Ayaw nyang mabasa ang shirt na suot nya so she tied it into a loose bun na hindi sinusuklay.

Nagkalat pa ang styrofoam from the kitchen aide packaging kaya binalik nya muna yun sa box. And tried to lift it. Shock! Ang bigat pala. So she started to slide it sa floor hanggang sa pinto. She opened the door and was surprised to find Lucas waiting for her.

Biglang namula ulit ang mukha nya. "Hindi ko alam na naghintay ka pala."

"It's okay. Are you trying to bring that down?"

"Hindi na. Papakuha ko na lang mamaya."

"You know it's okay, right? Ako na magbababa." At binuhat nga nito ang box at sinabayan nya na ito sa pababa ng hagdan.

Nasa hapag na ang lahat waiting for them. They were walking side by side and she could feel all eyes were on them.

"Tito, nandito na po pala yung mamanugangin nyo eh." biro ni Niam. Nagsimula na naman ang tuksuhan. She can feel her face starting to blush again.

"Kung mahihintay nya ba si Lexie eh. " I cannot! Pinatulan din ng daddy ang biro ng mga friends ni kuya. "Matagal ka pang maghihintay." sabi pa ng daddy nya looking at Lucas.

"I will wait, Tito." Nakangisi naman sagot ni Lucas na lalong nag pa lakas sa biruan.

Hindi nya alam saang lupalop sya magtatago at that time.

"Saan ko ilalapag?" Nabigla pa sya when she heard Lucas ask. He was looking at her, observing her flushed face so closely. Nakalimutan nya na atang hawak pa nito ang mabigat na mixer.

"Ay, sorry." Sinamahan nya ito sa kitchen at itinuro ang counter. "Thank you." Nakatungo nyang dugtong nang mailapag na nito ang kahon.

"You should be saying that to me and not to the tips of my shoes."

Humigit muna sya ng hininga at itinaas ang ulo. She found him looking intently at her. Halos di ata lumabas ang boses nya pero narinig nya na man ang "Thank you" coming out of her.

He tapped her nose with one of his fingers. "I should be asking for a kiss for that when you turn legal." He grinned and pinched her nose and joined the rest sa hapag.