Chapter 22: Chapter 22

David’s P.O.V.

We enjoyed teasing each other until time passed by. No one had ever surrendered, but Helena had always been easily angered. If she doesn’t throw a pillow, she would approach me, then spank me on my arms or shoulders without even saying a word.

It was almost dinner time when we heard an alarm which signaled us that her father already parked his car at their garage. With the high extent to how we argued and debated with each other over school stuff and other things, we did not even notice the opening and closing of their large gate, along with the sound of the moving car on their long driveway.

Wait, why do I have this sudden feeling of sadness when I realize that it’s already time for me to leave?

“Hi, Dad!” Helena kissed her father’s cheek while I only bowed my head as a sign of respect.

“How’s my girl? Hmm, you don’t seem to have a fever anymore. I must commend your personal nurse here for taking care of you.” He gently placed his arm on Helena’s right shoulder as he looked at me.

“Dad, I don’t need a personal nurse in the first place. I can take care of myself even though I’m sick,” she said as she glared at me.

“So, how are you, young man? Did my daughter show her bratty attitude while I’m not around?” Her father suddenly asked me. At least, he knew that his daughter was a brat.

Yes, sir. If only you knew what she did a while ago. I wanted to say, but I chose otherwise.

“No, sir. She behaved so much, and she drank her medicine on time,” I exaggerated the word ‘behaved,’ and I just wanted to laugh upon seeing how Helena gritted her teeth. It looked like she was ready to murder me right away. “Since you’re already here, sir, I think I better go.” I politely said.

“No, stay here. And what did I tell you this morning? Call me Uncle… right, David?” He smiled, and I just shyly nodded. “Anyway, I’ll just change my clothes, then I’ll ask the maids to set up the dining table. You have to join us for dinner, and I will not accept ‘no’ for an answer. Just a minute,” he said before he kissed Helena’s forehead and left the two of us here in the living room.

“I hated the idea that you would be joining us for dinner tonight, but since Daddy insisted that you should eat with us, I guessed I don’t have any other choice!” Helena glared at me right after her father went out of the living room. “You’re lucky that I didn’t tell him that I jumped into the pool because of you!”

“Wait! Why are you mad at me, Helena? I just want to remind you that it was you who pushed me in the first place. Why do I have to take all the blame here?” I genuinely smiled at her. She only rolled her eyes on me—and I must admit that it was her extraordinarily cute mannerism.

A few minutes went by, and the maids had already prepared the dining table. Then, we started to eat. I awkwardly noticed that they were not praying before eating, but I didn’t mind that anymore. If they were already used to that, then I should respect them. I just prayed in my mind. Maybe, rich people do not need to be thankful for their blessings? I wasn’t sure.

Helena’s father was at the head of the table while the two of us were facing each other. Helena was on his left side while I was on his right.

Woah, seriously? There were lots of food on the table! Are they able to consume all of these?

I almost let my eyeballs out of their sockets. I thought earlier that their maids were already done placing the food on the table, but it seemed like they were not finished yet.

Their long mahogany table was full of different viands, fruits, and desserts. Everything was mouth-watering, and it looked like the setup was more than a fiesta. There were chop suey, chicken adobo, kare-kare*, beef steak, fish fillet, shrimp stew, and crispy pata. I didn’t even know the term of other viands, and I couldn’t remember when was the last time I was able to eat those or if I were able to eat such.

I then noticed that Helena’s plate only had a half cup of rice and beef steak, that was why I exerted an effort to reach her plate and place some vegetables for her to eat.

“Cristoff, what are you doing? For Christ’s sake, I don’t eat vegetables!” She was indeed shocked by what I did. She was about to bring back the vegetables from where I got those, but I stopped her.

“You know what, Helena? You should eat plenty of vegetables because it’s undoubtedly good for your health. Look at you, you’re too skinny! Maybe, that was the reason why you can easily get a fever. Also, you definitely need enough strength for you to get well soon so that you can report back to school tomorrow,” I said because I wanted her to realize some sense.

“David is right, Helena. There’s nothing wrong with eating vegetables,” her father agreed as if he was in favor of what I did. For that, I held my head up high. From the way she was looking at me, I knew that she was pissed off again.

“But, Dad?” She tried to argue, but her father’s response left her with no other choice.

“Don’t waste your food, Helena.” Mr. Delgado brought closure to her daughter’s objection.

She closed her eyes as she ate the cauliflower and broccoli, chewed, and swallowed them. After that, she drank a lot of water—maybe because the taste of vegetables was still rooting on her tongue.

After a few moments, I had decided to go home. Her father would have asked their driver, Ricardo, to drive me home, but I rejected the offer and just gave my thanks. I already ate my dinner at their house. Having their driver to drive me home would be too much.

Helena accompanied me outside their gate before she said, “I’ll be the one to print our report, Cristoff. I think I will be able to go to school tomorrow.”

“Hmm, okay,” I agreed, “but if you still can’t make it, I’ll revisit you here again so that we can still submit it tomorrow. I’ll be the one to give it to Mrs. Cheng so that you can take your full rest, Helena. I’ll go ahead.” I blissfully smiled before I turned my back on her. It was as if we didn’t go through lots of bickering in the afternoon.

“Okay then. I hate to say this to you, but I think I should. Hmm… be careful on the road. Take care, Cristoff!” Helena seriously stated.

I was caught off guard because I wasn’t expecting that she would say those words. Then, I looked at her. I didn’t want to expect it, but her green eyes seemed to be telling me something more than what her mouth could say.

“Thanks for the concern, Helena. I promise, I’ll take good care of myself… for you,” then I winked at her while giving her a smile that could reach both of my ears. At the same time, I was trying to hide the feeling of butterflies in my stomach… prickling me in the process.

And she got cranky again. “What are you talking about, and who’s concerned with who? Duh! You’re so assuming! I think it would be better if I hadn’t said anything. You better go and leave now, or I might not control myself in kicking your ass!”

She turned around and was about to enter the small door attached to their gate when I came closer to her and whispered something in her left ear…

“By the way, I forgot to mention this earlier… nice pair of two-piece!”

I caught her shoulders had somewhat trembled on what I confessed. She was clearly blushing when she faced me, but before she could finally kick me out, I already ran away. I continued walking backwards while waving at her mischievously.

And now, I could no longer erase the smile she brought on my face when I realized something…

Damn it, she’s really pretty!

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Kare-kare* is a Philippine stew complemented with a thick savory peanut sauce. It is made from a variation base of stewed oxtail, pork hocks, calves’ feet, pig feet, beef stew meat, and occasionally offal or tripe.

Kare-kare can also be made with seafood (prawns, squid, and mussels). Vegetables, which include eggplant, Chinese cabbage, or other greens, daikon, green beans, okra, and asparagus beans are added—usually equaling or exceeding the amount of meat.

The stew is flavored with ground roasted peanuts or peanut butter, onions, and garlic. It is colored with annatto and can be thickened with toasted or plain ground rice.