Lunch Together

Athena's P.O.V.

Cristoff came back with a knife and other utensils on his hand. I stopped from copying his notes and placed my things on the side of the table to focus on how he would prepare our lunch.

"Mas masarap kainin 'to nang nakakamay, Helena... trust me. Pero kumuha pa rin ako ng kutsara at tinidor para sa'yo. Baka hindi mo pa kasi nararanasan ang kumain nang nakakamay eh," he smiled at me. I found him very sweet and caring, and I just couldn't help myself but depend on him.

"Alam mo bang kung ano-ano na ang iniisip ko rito sa kakainin natin? All I could barely see was something red and orange from the inside. Buksan mo na kaya?" I looked like being in a rush. Sa totoo lang ay gutom na talaga ako... kanina pa.

"Teka lang, masyado kang excited eh. Akala ko ba, hindi ka pa nagugutom? Ito na, bibiyakin ko pa kasi ito tapos hihiwain at paghahaluhin." He slowly opened the container and I just couldn't help but stare at him.

Other than our maids, the last time I experienced someone prepared for my food was when Mommy was still alive. Even at six years old, I kept on staying at our kitchen area as I always wanted to help Mommy cook for our food. Ang kakambal ko namang si Helena ay masyadong antukin kaya habang naghihintay lang ito sa dining table ay hindi maiwasang lagi itong nakakatulog.

When Mom died, Dad would only prepare the table for Helena... as if she was his only daughter. It was a good thing that I knew how to prepare for my own food and being with Ate Paula in the kitchen made me learn how to cook more. Now, aside from Mom and the maids, I had Cristoff.

"Let me help you," I offered. I was ready to steal the tupperware from him pero pinigilan niya lang ako.

"Hindi na, I can do this. Balot lang naman ito, Helena... kinulayan ko lang para maging pula!"

My eyes grew wide in horror on what I heard. "Balot? Oh my God... no way, Cristoff!" I yelled at him. Because of my scream, almost everyone in the canteen looked at us but I didn't care.

For Christ's sake, there's no way that I would eat a small chick! Isipin ko pa lang 'yong ulo, nasusuka na ako.

"Haha, I just loved your reaction. Joke lang, itlog na maalat lang talaga 'to!" Sa sinabi niyang 'yon ay bigla rin naman akong napalagay. But I wouldn't just sit here without doing anything to get even, kung kaya't tumayo ako para hampasin siya.

"Aray, ikaw talaga... ang hilig mong manghampas! Just relax, okay? I wouldn't let you eat something that I knew you wouldn't like." Natatawa siya.

I sat down. "I'll help you. I'll make sure na hindi nga talaga balot 'yan..."

"No, Helena... just sit there. You're my princess for today so let me be your slave." Nilabas niya sa baunan ang apat na itlog na kulay pula at tatlong kamatis. I must admit that I never tried eating that food combination as I wasn't good at eating vegetables, but I could give it a try.

"But I don't want you to be my slave, Cristoff. You're my rival, remember? Look, when Mommy was still alive... it might not be obvious but I always helped her cook and setup our dining table. I was only four by then," I smiled while telling him my story.

"But I don't want you to be my rival, Helena. I want you to be my-" natigilan siya habang nagbibiyak ng itlog na maalat. He looked at me and his mesmerizing eyes seemed to be telling me something he couldn't say personally.

"What?" My heart started to beat fast. I wanted him to finish his sentence to satisfy what I really wanted to hear from him.

"Never mind," he broke our eye contact and that made me feel kind of disappointed. "Hmm... would you mind if I asked you something, Helena? About sa mommy mo?" He was already done with the red eggs so he began slicing the tomatoes.

"About my mom? Well, she was a very beautiful woman and I always looked up to her. She was full-Spanish, had green eyes as well and when she talks, her accent was so gorgeous! You couldn't help yourself but listen to her words. I think, that was one of the main reasons why my father fell in love with her. She was a woman of dignity, but she died when I was only six. I guessed I'll tell you the other things some other time, Cristoff." Talking about my mother would always make me teary-eyed.

"I was already expecting that your mother was beautiful... because you are so beautiful too," he commented. Nang makita kong nahiwa na niya ang mga kamatis ay mabilis kong inagaw sa kanya ang lalagyan.

"I can do the mixing..." I smiled at him then started mixing the red eggs and tomatoes all together. I knew I was blushing so I had to change the topic, "You're right, I haven't yet tasted this. So kapag hindi ito masarap, hindi ko ito uubusin. But you know what? It's kindah ironic that I would be having lunch with my rival."

"Ikaw lang naman ang nagpupumilit na maging rival mo ako, Helena. I never treated you as one. Sobrang ganda naman ng kaaway ko 'pag nagkataon. Akin na 'yan, ako na ang tatapos."

"Okay, here..." I handed him the bowl, pero parang hindi ako mapalagay sa sinabi niya.

"I'll bet na masasarapan ka rito, baka mapa-extra rice ka pa!" He giggled. I guessed, this was the very first time that I found his giggle attractive. The previous times only made me feel so damn irritated.

He was still mixing the food when I suddenly remembered about his book. My curiosity was killing me inside because I wanted to know if he was really the owner of that book. If he was, then he was violating the school rules. He was still a minor and I felt like reading that book would only make him a pervert.

"It's done... so let's eat?" he asked. Nawala na naman tuloy sa isip ko ang tanungin siya tungkol sa librong 'yon.

I just nodded at him. "Okay, let me try if this is really delicious..." I was ready to get my share when Cristoff gently patted my hand.

"Hey, we have to pray first." Cristoff told me.

I must admit... I got ashamed on what I did and for that, I remembered my mom again. My mom always taught me to pray - pray when you woke up, pray when you were dealing with problems, pray to thank the Lord, pray when going outside, pray when eating your food and pray before you sleep. But living with Dad changed everything... living with hell made me forget that I used to thank the Lord for all of my blessings.

I just smiled and followed him as Cristoff closed his eyes, made the sign of the cross and prayed, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Blessed us, oh Lord, for these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen."

I was about to get my share of the viand again when I noticed that his eyes were still closed. His hands were still clasped together and he wasn't yet done praying. I then did the same thing while secretly opening my eyes and occasionally peeked at him.

"Lord, thank You po kasi nakasama ko si Helena ngayon para sabay kaming mag-lunch. Sabay naming makakain ngayon 'yong paborito kong ulam. Sana po, huwag na siyang magtaray ulit at pakisabi po sa mommy niya at sa kakambal niyang si Athena na bukod po kay Tito Miguel ay nandito lang po ako para palaging bantayan at alagaan si Helena. Thank You po, Lord. Amen."

Before Cristoff opened his eyes, I was done wiping my small tears.

Would the situation be much more beautiful and enthralling if he knew that I was really Athena? That I wanted him to call me by my real name when it was only the two of us?

"Kain na tayo? Pasensya ka na, Helena ha? Sanay kasi akong magdasal bago kumain eh, nabitin pa tuloy kita..." Cristoff made an effort to place the mixed eggs and tomatoes on my plate.

"Same here... but I just stopped myself from praying when my mom d-died, Cristoff. I couldn't remember why I stopped, maybe because until now, I couldn't understand why He took her away from us. And as if Mom was still not enough, He also took A-Athena." I responded with shaky voice.

"My father died too when I was only seven, Helena. He was a policeman and at that time, there was a hostage taking. He was shot in the heart and that declared him dead on arrival. Mama experienced nervous breakdown, I thought she would also die and leave us. But God is great, Helena. Trust me, there is a reason for everything. You may not know it now but eventually... you will." He held my hand to comfort me.

Yes, there could be a reason for everything but until now, I didn't know the reason why Daddy only loved Helena... considering we were twins! There would be no way that I had a father other than him. "Tama na nga ang drama, kumain na lang tayo..." pinilit kong ngumiti sa kanya kahit nahihirapan ako.

What Cristoff said somehow made me feel at ease. I was carrying this burden for so many years now and I must admit that he made me realize that holding on does more damage so I had to let go of everything that was tearing my soul apart. But how could I do that, when all I wanted was to live as Athena?

"Sigurado ka bang magka-kamay ka?" gulat na tanong ni Cristoff nang itabi ko ang kutsara at tinidor na kinuha niya para sa akin.

"What's the problem? You told me that this would be much more delicious if I would eat using my bare hands, right? So I'll try." This was my very first time to eat using my bare hands and I was glad that I was with him, because he made this moment extraordinary.

"And that would made me fall for you even more-" I heard Cristoff mumbled those sweet words but I pretended that I didn't hear him.

"W-What did you just say?" maang kong tanong sa kanya.

"Ah wala... sabi ko, sana masarapan ka dahil binaon ko talaga 'yan para sa'yo." Hindi ko alam pero pakiramdam ko ay bigla siyang nataranta.

"Okay," matamis ko siyang nginitian dahil narinig ko naman talaga 'yong sinabi niya. He was clearly falling for me and it was enough reason for me not to be jealous of anything. In fact, mukhang mas masarap pa 'yong narinig ko kaysa sa kakainin namin ngayon.

David's P.O.V.

It was a good thing that she didn't really hear what I said. I was only thinking of it, I didn't expect myself to voice it out all of a sudden.

When I saw her outside our classroom this morning, I couldn't help but stare at her. She was so beautiful and having second thoughts if she would go to the clinic or not made her even more gorgeous. If only she knew that I had a hard time sleeping because of what I saw yesterday... it still lingered on my mind and I just couldn't forget it away.

I wanted to kiss her, but I knew that I wasn't in the right position to do that. When I carried her bag, I felt like I was already courting her even though I wasn't yet telling her that I really wanted to do it. I didn't want to be her rival, I wanted to be her boyfriend.

Pero na-bad trip ako nang makita kong may white rose sa desk niya. Hindi ako ang nagbigay sa kanya niyon and I just wanted to throw it away after knowing that it was only from Brent - that stupid tisoy na akala mo ay kung sinong makatingin kay Helena.

I tried to calm myself pero kulang na lang ay sabihin ko sa kanilang lahat na magkasama kaming dalawa kahapon nang buong araw... bonus na lang ang nangyaring CPR. But then, I felt happy and thankful that Helena got straight to the point and busted Brent in front of everyone.

I didn't give up on asking her if she could join me for lunch. She was so hard-headed and I didn't know what to do anymore to persuade her. Vanessa came as a blessing in disguise and because of her, Helena suddenly gave me her bag and pulled me outside of the classroom.

I knew that it was only an act, but I was grateful enough na kung hindi dahil kay Vanessa, hindi ko ngayon makakasama si Helena. She even walked out, pero hindi ako magsasawang habulin siya... kahit paulit-ulit pa.

Having a lunch with her now changed a lot of things I thought about her. I didn't even expect that she would eat using her bare hands. She did it first time in history and that happened when she was with me. I realized na hindi naman maarte si Helena, mataray lang talaga.

"In fairness, masarap!" Helena's comment suddenly dragged me out of my reverie.

I removed some of her hair strands that covered her face and tucked them on her left ear so that she could eat better. Hindi pa naman ako kumakain kaya hindi ko nadumihan ang kanyang buhok.

"I'm glad you liked it. Sabi na nga ba, masasarapan ka eh. That's my favorite food!" I told her.

"Eh 'di favorite ko na rin ito from now on," she smiled at me and that made my heart leaped a second.

Hindi talaga ako nagsasawang tingnan siya. Mataray siya pero maamo ang kanyang mukha. I could stare at her all day long. In fact, just by looking at her already made my stomach become full.

She continued chewing her food until... "Cristoff, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?" tanong ko sabay subo ng pagkain.

"Sa'yo ba 'yong Sixty Shades of Grey na nasa bag mo?" Helena asked which made me choke my food. I coughed unstoppably until she gave me a glass of water. Mabilis ko namang ininom 'yon.

"Of course not!" mariing tanggi ko nang wala nang laman ang bibig ko. It had been three months and I just realized na hindi pa rin pala ako nagpapalit ng bag. Ni hindi ko man lang nga nalabhan iyon. What Helena asked was the same book that I snatched from Vanessa before.

"Eh bakit nasa bag mo?" Namimilog ang mga mata niya. Hindi ko alam kung gusto ba niya talagang malaman ang sagot o inaasar niya lang ako.

"It was Vanessa's book," I answered. I didn't even want to mention Vanessa's name because I was with Helena but I wanted to tell the latter the truth so that she wouldn't think of anything stupid about me.

"So, pareho niyong binabasa 'yon?" pangungulit pa rin niya.

"No! Ni hindi ko man lang nga nabuklat 'yon kahit isang page. I took that book away from her three months ago because I wanted her to focus on doing her assignments. It happened the same day that you entered our classroom as a transferee." Gamit ang kamay ko, sumubo na ulit ako ng pagkain.

"Ang bait mo talagang boyfriend, ano? You were so caring and you really wanted her to study hard. But unfortunately, she wasn't able to see your effort plus she wasted your love. And because she was reading that book, she actually did it... sa garden pa talaga ng school natin. Hmm, don't get me wrong ha... nakita ko na kasi 'yong book na 'yon sa bookstore." Nakikita ko pa siyang umiirap habang nagsasalita. "Tapos kanina lang, tatawagin ka niya na parang wala siyang ginawang kasalanan sa'yo? What for?"

Naalala ko na naman tuloy 'yong ginawa sa'kin ni Vanessa three months ago and I could say that I fully moved on. When I saw her a while ago, a part of me was saying that I should talk to her and give her a formal closure. But the bigger part was telling me that I should be with Helena instead.

"Oops, I'm sorry for being insensitive, Cristoff... but do you still like her?" she asked but this time, she was not looking at me.

"What if I told you, yes?" pagsisinungaling ko sa kanya. Gusto ko lang naman makita kung ano ang magiging reaksyon niya.

"Eh 'di gusto mo pa rin siya... end of story! So what do you expect me to say?" Ngayon, nagtataray na naman siya. She even stopped herself from eating.

"Joke lang 'yon, nagtataray ka naman agad! Haha, you know what? Lalo kang gumaganda kapag nagtataray ka..." I could feel that my smile would reach my ears.

She blushed but she rolled her eyes, "Ewan ko sa'yo. I'm done eating."

"Teka, hindi mo pa nga nauubos 'yong pagkain mo eh." I reminded her. May one-fourth pang natitira sa plato niya.

"I already lost my appetite," she said with a blank expression.

"Akala ko ba, favorite food mo na rin 'yong favorite ko. Bakit hindi mo ubusin 'yang laman ng plato mo."

"I don't know. Maybe because hindi naman talaga ako nasarapan."

"Nagseselos ka ba?" Natatawa kong tanong sa kanya.

She gave out a fake laugh. "Ako, magseselos? Nagpapatawa ka ba, Cristoff?"

Kinamay ko 'yong ibang pagkain sa plato niya then I tried to feed her using my hand, "Kung hindi ka talaga nagseselos, kainin mo 'to." I continued smiling at her.

"Seriously? Cristoff, kanina pa tayo pinagtitinginan dito tapos susubuan mo pa ako? Are you out of your mind?" she snapped at me.

"No... but I would be out of my mind kung mag-aaway na naman tayo dahil lang sa pagseselos mo nang walang dahilan. She was already my past and I'm currently here with my present, Helena. Can't you see? I'm with you and I don't really care kahit pagpiyestahan pa tayong dalawa rito. Now, eat this..." Kahit nangangalay na ang braso ko ay hindi ko pa rin 'yon binababa.

"I'll eat this but it doesn't mean anything," she remarked before her mouth accepted what I was feeding her. I think, she even bit my fingers and that was intentional. Pero tiniis ko 'yong sakit para lang sa kanya.

"Now, kung ayaw mong subuan ulit kita... finish your food. Sayang naman ang effort ko to prepare all these kung hindi mo naman uubusin," kunwaring pagtatampo ko.

"Okay, fine... you win! But I just want you to know na hindi ako nagseselos sa ex mo and I really don't care if you still have feelings for her! You're not my boyfriend and you're not even my type! You're my rival, Rivera! Remember that," she ended her statement with an odd smile on her lips.

"And what's that smile all about? You even called me Rivera, huh! So, you want me to kiss you?" I suspiciously looked at her.

"Nah, I think you heard it wrong... I said, you're my rival. That's it, you thought it was Rivera when it was clearly just the word rival. Tamang hinala ka eh, 'no? Sabagay, malapit nga naman ang Rivera sa rival so I wouldn't blame you," pagpupumilit niyang lumusot gayong narinig ko namang sinabi niya talaga ang apelyido ko.

"Okay, if you say so." I didn't want us to fight again so I gave up on teasing her.

We enjoyed our lunch together and everything went completely fine the rest of the day. I accompanied her at the clinic and it was a good thing that she was getting well.

Mrs. Gutierrez cancelled the afternoon class so Helena just continued copying my notes in Physics before we parted our ways. When I saw a garbage can on my way home, I opened my bag to get Vanessa's book and mindlessly threw it away.

Pag-uwi ko sa bahay ay pasipol-sipol pa akong pumunta sa kwarto ko para magpalit ng damit. I never expected that Helena and I would be eating our lunch together. The setting was just perfect and I felt like I couldn't be happier!

After that, I stayed at the living room to open our family computer. At gano'n na lang ang reaksyon ko sa nakita ko... na daig ko pa ang sinagot ni Helena kahit hindi pa naman ako nanliligaw rito.

"Yes!" I shouted as I even punched my arms in the air.

"Bakit, Kuya?" My younger sibling, Denise, asked. She was four years younger than me. Kasalukuyan itong naglalaro ng paper dolls sa sahig.

"Haha, wala!" I answered her but I couldn't erase my smile anymore. Para akong tangang ngingiti-ngiti while looking at the computer's screen.

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