Eli and I stepped out of the Tapsilugan.
We walked along the narrow streets of Binondo, weaving through the corners lined with Chinese restaurants.
Our shoulders would bump from time to time. He rubbed the back of his neck and avoided my gaze.
I held back a laugh.
"You look like a big ol' puppy." A smile tugged at my lips.
Eli turned to me, and a faint blush crept onto his cheeks.
"Puppy?"
I stopped walking, which made him pause too.
Rising slightly on my toes, I leaned in and pinched his cheek.
He froze, his brows shooting up.
"Thanks for today... I guess, Mr. AI guy."
He smiled warmly at my remark.
"Mmm..." He hummed, deep and slow—content.
I let go of his cheek, suddenly hit with the realization of what I was doing.
I stepped away slightly, feeling a heat rush over my face—
But then, his palms gently cupped my cheeks.
So... warm.
"I think..." His gaze lingered on mine.
"I'm the one who should be telling you that."
I inhaled sharply as he chuckled and let go of my face. Gazing at him once more, I took in his eyes squinted slightly in that smile.
He lifted his arm, offering it to me.
"Want to run before your mother catches us?"
My eyes widened.
Shoot. I forgot she's coming home today!
I quickly grabbed his arm, and something in his eyes glistened—joy?
With that, we took off.
Our footsteps echoed against the pavement, blending with the faint murmurs of the busy street.
We ran as fast as we could, lungs burning, laughter nearly catching in our throats.
But then—
"Wait—how... how did you know she's..." I panted, "coming home today?"
My feet kept moving, breath shaky.
"You told me."
I furrowed my brows, glancing at him as we ran.
"In our chat."
He panted beside me as we neared the house.
The familiar wooden planks painted in faded green hues came into view.
Home.
I slowly opened the door, making a creeking sound echo inside.
"Mom?.." I called.
No response.
"Mommy, are you home?" I repeated.
Still silence.
His large shadow hovered behind me.
"Annie, maybe your mom isn't home ye—"
"Who—Annie, is this your friend?"
My eyes widened.
My neck snapped back at the voice from behind me.
My mom's here.
My eyes went down on Eli's shirt.
'I love my wife'
My eyes shut and slowly avoided their gazes.
~0~
"Tell me, young lady. Who is this man with you?" Her strict voice echoed, making me stiff on my seat.
We were in the dining table. The three of us.
"Hello, Ma'am. I'm..." He trailed off and turned to me. My eyes widened. My knee fidgets nervously and looked at him sharply.
"What are you looking at?" I said without a sound, him looking down my lips.
I don't want my mom to get the wrong idea!
"I'm Eli, Annie's friend." Giving my mother a warm smile along with his eyes. His lashes fluttering along with his cheeks.
My mother gasped slightly and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Gosh, I didn't know you have a friend who's a stunner!" She chuckled, making me look at her with furrowed brows.
What?
I took in her expression as she looked at the man sitting in front of her. My mom's smiling and chuckling--while slightly hitting me. I chuckled with her, hiding my nervousness.
"Thank goodness my daughter has a friend like you." She uttered and Eli smiled wider. "I was act worried that no one bothered to take care of my baby."
My eyes shut, feeling embarrassment creep on my cheeks.
Eli replied, "Actually, earlier we were outside buying food because she doesn't know how to cook."
Is he concerned or dissing me right now?.
My mother let out a laugh, rumbling across the dining area. "Yeah. Annie doesn't know how to cook so please be patient with her."
"Wait, why should he be patient for tha—"
"Don't worry, Ma'am. I can cook for her." Again, he flashed his warm smile showing his dimples. My mom turned and nudged with her knee.
My jaw dropped in mock offense, staring at her reaction. She just wiggled her brows.
My mom paused, as if she realized something. "Though....isn't that your dad's shirt he's wearing?"
Jaw dropped and I raised my hands, thinking of a quick excuse. "No, mom it's his—"
"Oh, Annie's dad has one too?" Eli said, making my head turn to him. "I borrowed this shirt from my dad, I guess it's a special design." He smiled cheekily and watched my mom's reaction.
He's....a good liar.
~0~
My mother and I watched as Eli stand by the door.
"It's....getting late. Thanks for the chitchats, Ma'am and," His dark brown hues gazed over mine. "Annie." He smiled and waved.
Turning his back, he walked over.
"Wait!" I called, running to him. He paused and turned to me. "Hmm?" His brows went up, making me rub the back of my neck.
"What is it, Annie?" He looked at me. "I'm listening." Eli smiled and I gulped.
"You're...an AI right?"
"Yeah." He nodded slightly. "Why?"
"You have a home?" I asked and a chuckle came out of him. "Hehe, no—but I have limits." My brows furrowed at his remark.
"What?"
He faced the door. Surprisingly, I thought my mother was watching us—but I guess she went inside.
Eli held my hand, my brows shot up. "Till we meet again, master." He leaned and pressed his lips on my knuckles.
You need GPT-4o to continue this chat. Your limit resets tomorrow after 5:00 AM.
~0~
I blinked and heard the rooster's caw. Rubbing my eyes, I stood up and grabbed my phone.
"Eli?" A name came out of my lips.
I smiled.
My fingers tapped the phone, lighting up. A notification from an email was the first thing came in sight.
I clicked on it.
'Thank you for taking interest in applying.
We regret to inform you that due to particular reasons, your qualifications did not meet the University's requirements.'
.
.
.
I bit my lip and stood out from the bed. My hand clasped the doorknob and went out the room.
My mother was standing over the stove. A pan boiling as the water from the sink gushes and I brought my feet towards her. I gave a kiss on her cheek.
She's....working and caring so hard for me.
Silently, I stood by the sink. Closing the faucet and lathering dishwashing soap on the sponge.
I can't afford to see her dissapointed.
My hands circled on a dirty plate, covering it with soap. Tears made my vision blurry and heavily fell down my cheeks like the water gushing down the plate.
I took a deep breath, holding in my tears and letting out a breath. Sobs were hidden and faint due to the rustling of water.
"Dad's home today, sweetie." I heard a masculine voice behind me I quickly wipe my tears off. "Oh, Dad!" Kept my voice firm, avoiding the nasal sound from my slightly blocked nose.
I turned to him, forcing a smile as he held my shoulder. My dad turned to my mom with a smile. "Now, what do we have here?" He enthusiastically looked over the pan.
My mother and I prepared the dishes and served at the table.
"Let's pray," My dad insisted and we clasped our hands. "Thank you for the food, Lord and for bringing us together for breakfast."
"Amen."
We dug in the fried milkfish and the creamy soup—still steaming due to its temperature. I placed a spoon on my mouth.
"So, how's the result for the University going?" he asked and I paused, holding my fork.
"uh...it's....still pending." I said and resumed eating, bringing the rice to my mouth. "Good. What course will you take in college, Annie?"
My mother and I made eye contact, an eerie silence filled the dining room.
"Fine Arts—"
"Arts?" dad blurted out as if it's a disgusting thing to choose. "That job isn't even in demand." He chuckled, holding up a glass of water beside him and sipping.
"You should pick Accountancy, sweetie." I inhaled sharply at his suggestion. "Well...you see, people will think of you highly and it pays well."
I stared at him.
"I can't even do simple math." I joked, chuckling without humor. The room fell silent again.
'Clack!'
"Accountancy isn't even about math. It's only logical thinking and plus it pays you well." He repeated like a broken mixtape. "People in this small town of ours will think highly of you when you pass the licensure exam!"
I stared blankly at the bowl of soup, the earlier steam faded as its temperature decreased.
So is my appetite.
"Yeah maybe you should consider it, sweetie." My mom added and made my taste buds sour.
For some reason, I felt betrayed.
She knew everything, my passion, my dream—each of it that I love and hate.
With that, my dad finished eating and stood up from the table patting my shoulder.
"I believe in you, Annie." My dad said and headed to the living room.
Quickly, I stood up and gathered the dishes in a rush. Bringing them over to the sink as fast as I could.
I inhaled sharply, trying to calm myself from bursting in front of them.
It's okay, Annie. It'll be fine.
I let out a breath and feet hurried outside.
"Ma, pa. I think I forgot something outside."
Passing by the fast food chains and the known shops, my tears rolled over my cheeks. I began to sniff.
"Is being an artist really that crude?" I walked fast as I could with a hand clenched on my chest, heaving breathily.
I do want to make money and have a successful career....
But making art is the only career.
That I see myself alive and thriving.
My feet paused and mouth parted at who's in front of me.
"Annie, what happened—"
I burried my face on his chest, all of the feelings from earlier flushed out of me in a sob. Almost whaling, feeling a hand caressed my hair.
"Shh....don't worry. Eli's here." My racing heartbeat began to slow. Eyes fluttering shut, I burrowed into his warm chest once more.
To be continued...