Where the Heart Simmered

CHAPTER 18

Zayden unlocked the door with a smooth click and held it open for Luna. Pero bago niya tuluyang pinapasok ang dalaga, tinignan niya muna kung malinis sa loob o hindi. Well, pinalinis naman niya ito kay Zane pero hindi niya pinagalaw ang kusina.

Umaga sila umalis ng probinsiya at hapon na sila nakarating ng Makati.

“Pasok ka. Make yourself at home,” Zayden said, flashing a soft smile to Luna as soon as she stepped inside.

The moment Luna entered, she was welcomed in a kind of calm she hadn’t expected from a place in the middle of the city.

It was a condo, but it didn’t feel cold or sterile like most she’s seen.

Parang dito mo mararamdaman na nasa isang tahanan ka talaga.

The living room was spacious, bathed in warm light that poured in from the floor-to-ceiling windows with gray curtains that framed the skyline outside. May dark green velvet couch with a soft throw blanket folded over the armrest, and a low coffee table cluttered with recipe journals.

Zayden was a chef. Kaya namana hindi na siya nagtataka na naglakat ang mga recipe sa condo nito.

To the left was the kitchen, clearly the heart of the room. It was sleek and modern but used. Well, chef ang may-ari ng condo kaya naman malamang sa malamang kusina ang pinakanagagamit sa loob ng condo na ‘to.

The pot that was hanging glinted softly, a spice rack ran the length of the counter, and fresh herbs sat in little pots by the window. Everything smelled faintly of rosemary and vanilla. Parang hindi tuloy ito condo ng lalaki dahil sa amoy ng vanilla. But it was comforting.

“Sorry for the mess,” Zayden said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Napakurap naman si Luna. “Anong mess? Den… this is like a chef’s paradise.”

Natawa naman si Zayden. “The bedroom is down the hall. Towels are in the cabinet by the bathroom. You can take a nap if you want. May kailangan lang akong asikasuhin sa restaurant. Babalik rin naman agad ako.”

Tumango si Luna.

The place smelled like Zayden and looked like him.

It was comforting and warm.

Napatigil si Zayden sa may pinto bago umalis. “Lock the door if you nap. Call me if you need anything, ha?”

Ngumiti si Luna habang nakaupo na sa sofa.

Bumalik si Zayden, leaned down and kissed Luna on her forehead and her lips.

Napangiti na lamang si Luna. “Hurry back.”

Tumango si Zayden saka umalis na.

And as the door clicked shut behind him, Luna exhaled slowly into the hush of the condo. She hugged a cushion to her chest, gazing around the space she’d never seen before and yet felt utterly safe in.

It smelled like rosemary.

And maybe… something just like home.

A kind of home she had never felt before.

At hindi namalayan ni Luna na nakatulog siya sa sofa.

Nagising na lamamg si Luna nang may maamoy siyang mabango at masarap. She opened her eyes and found herself still on the couch, the softness of the velvet and the weight of the throw blanket making her feel like she was wrapped in a dream.

She inhaled.

Napakurap siya saka dahan-dahang umupo. The condor was darker now, the skyline beyond the window painted in soft shades of orange and dusky blue.

And in the kitchen, she saw Zayden.

He had just slipped off his shoes, carrying two brown paper bags with grease marks at the bottom. His hair was slightly messy, and he looked tired…pero nang makita siya nitong nakaupo na, ngumiti ito. Mukang kararating lang din nito.

“Hey,” he said in a low voice. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Hindi naman.” Luna rubbed her eyes. “You brought food?”

Tumango si Zayden. “Alam kong magugutom ka kapag nagising ka.” He was already moving to the kitchen counter. “So, I passed by that lugaw place. I assumed you didn’t know it because you’re not from Makati.”

Umiling si Luna.

Zayden smiled. “Got the one with chicken and egg. And extra chicken because you stole mine last time.”

Ngumiti na lamang si Luna saka nag-iwas ng tingin. Tumayo siya saka lumapit kay Zayden. Still in her socks, and slid onto the barstool beside him.

“Just sit. I’ll prepare everything.”

Syempre, naging masunurin si Luna.

Zayden set up everything in quiet rhythm, two steaming bowls, utensils, and a cold bottle of Yakult beside her.

“Kain na tayo.”

Ngumiti si Luna. The first spoonful made her close her eyes. Warm broth, soft rice, and the comfort of knowing she didn’t even have to ask.

“This is life.”

Natawa si Zayden at hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na halikan ang dalaga.

“Hmm… Den, I’m eating.” Luna pushed Zayden’s face.

Zayden chuckled.

Luna smiled faintly, then reached across the counter, stealing a piece of his chicken and putting it into her bowl.

Napailing na lamang si Zayden. “Really? I even bought extra for you.”

Nagkibit lang naman ng balikat si Luna.

Pero habang kumakain napaisip siya. Malapit lang dito sa Makati ang Quezon pero hindi na bale, mag-iingat na lamang siya sa tuwing lalabas siya ng condo ni Zayden.

Nang matapos silang kumain, si Luna ang naghugas ng mga pinagkainan nilang dalawa ni Zayden habang nakayakap naman ang binata sa kaniya mula sa likuran. Hinayaan na lamang niya ito at nang matapos, pumunta sila sa living room at doon naupo.

Zayden turned on the TV, but he muted it.

Humiga si Luna sa sofa at ginawang unan ang hita ni Zayden.

Zayden caressed Luna’s hair, and then he kissed her forehead.

“Den.”

“Hmm?”

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Luna. “Two weeks.”

Natigilan si Zayden. Alam niya kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Luna sa sinabi nito. Tumango na lamang siya dahil wala naman siyang alam na sasabihin.

“Zayden, thank you.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Zayden. “Don’t thank me. We’re both happy. Iyon ay kung masaya ka talaga.”

Bumangon si Luna. She straddled Zayden’s lap. “I’m happy.” She encircled her hands on Zayden’s neck.

Zayden looked into Luna’s eyes. “Can’t you just stay with me forever?”

“I wanted to—but we couldn’t.”

“Bakit? Do your parents need money for your business? I can fill it up, para hindi ka na magpakasal.”

Umiling si Luna. “It’s not about money, Den. I am an adopted child.”

Nagulat si Zayden sa nalaman.

“Kaya kahit gustuhin ko man na umalis, lumayo ay hindi ko magawa. I have to return the favor they have given me. They gave me shelter, clothes, and money, so I could be like this today. Kung wala sila, hindi ko rin ‘to mararating. So, I have to marry the man they want for me—”

Naputol ang sasabihin ni Luna nang kabigin ni Zayden ang batok niya at hinalikan siya sa labi.

“Don’t mention that man,” Zayden said between their kisses.

Luna closed her eyes and started to unbutton Zayden’s polo.

Tumayo si Zayden habang nakapalibot ang hita ni Luna sa kaniya. He brought Luna to his room and there, they made love.

Sa nalaman ni Zayden mula kay Luna, nasagot na ang mga tanong na bumagabag sa kaniya. Luna isn’t going to marry the man her parents like for her because of filial piety but because of debt gratitude.

And for that reason, mas lalong naging desidido si Zayden sa kaniyang desisyon. He need to do something for Luna.