Athena’s P.O.V.
“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? Pasensiya 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.