Familiar Melody

I take back what I said in the previous chapter.

Rain please never come back, I'm bedridden because of you. Sure, the rain provided a great pedestal for pushing the romantic plot of my life however that is not an excuse to make me feel under the weather, literally.

"I'm hungry..." I cried out. To put more pain in my already hurting mind, my parents are away meaning I'm alone. The thing is, I don't know how to cook. I literally burnt water once. How is that possible? I evaporated the damn water. I was attempting to boil eggs.

Despite my whole body forcing me to have a well deserved nap, I am too hungry not to take action. So against my well-being, I groggily went downstairs in order to check if there were canned foods in the pantry.

To my utter disappointment, there was nothing. Not a single can; not even sardines. I clasped my hands together praying desperately that there must be instant noodles.

"There's nothing!?" I coughed. Okay, do not shout, my throat did not like that very much.

I guess, there's no other choice but to go buy some food at the sari-sari store. I'm already feeling cold and hot at the same time, now I'm going to meet the waving sun of the outside world. Our school got suspended because of the weather. Now, it's back to the classic Antipolo heat. Oh have mercy on me, anyone!

Even during my unlucky streak, I had enough money to buy one canned food and bigas. Fear not, I'm actually good at navigating the rice cooker including washing the rice. That's my only role during meals—basic knowledge, I know.

I'm so happy that the Sari-sari store in our subdivision is a block away or I would've melted from the high temperature of both my body as well as the sun. Is this a good time to have a break down? I'm nearing crying-explosion-territory in my emotional bubble.

The coolness of the store's aircon was somehow a relief. Yes, I was shivering. At least I'm not getting fried alive. I'd rather freeze than be cooked.

I went over the canned goods shelf to analyze my options: sardinas, tuna, sausage, spam, beans...I'm skipping that one and aha! My favorite is here—corned beef. Though I am kind of craving something sour... can I make corned beef sour? Surely, that will taste disgusting.

"Pollo, napadaan ka!"

I nearly coughed out everything I had when I heard the familiar nickname. Oo nga pala, kapitbahay niya lang 'to. This is the only time I thank myself for wearing a hoodie regardless of the sun maxing out the temperature.

Ayaw kong malaman niya na may sakit ako baka kasi he will feel guilty that I got sick right after he suggested we should dance under the rain. I do not want him to think that way—my immune system is at fault here.

"Tita babes, nag re-stock na po ba kayo ng vanilla cornetto," My breath hitched. Don't tell me he's planning to buy out Aling Babe's supply again.

"Kaka-restock ko lang hay naku wag mong sabihin na bibilhin mo nanaman lahat!" Aling Babe laughed. "May nililigawan ka 'no, Pollo?"

I was facing the shelf so I could not see his facial expression. Did he mouth his response since Aling Babe is screeching right now.

"Naku binata ka na!" She shooed him away. "Sige bilhin mo na may 50% discount ka sa akin!"

"Thank you po Tita, kaya fave po kita."

"Nambola pa, doon ka na nga!"

I'm not sure why I was shaking, maybe from my fever or maybe because their conversation had the underlying tone that he was indeed courting someone. The chance of that certain someone being me is quite high. This time I'm not being delusional as he literally brought me tons of vanilla-flavoured cornetto last time.

I took a deep breath before taking the corned beef off the shelf and then booking it to the rice grain section.

"Mel?" I got caught red handed; I didn't even do anything wrong.

"Hi, Zy," Ang tamlay ko naman pakinggan! Damn, my fever is sabotaging me.

He furrowed his eyebrows. Was it obvious that I'm sick? Do I look pale? Oh gosh I don't want him to learn about me being sick.

Too late, he checked my temperature. "May lagnat ka..."

"Is it because of the rain yesterday," His eyes drooped down from the guilt. "I'm so sorry."

Oh my gosh, alert code: Zy's guilt is in play. I repeat brain code: Zy's guilt is happening right this instant!

"No!" I quickly denied his allegations (that were true). "It was because I did not sleep well and usually when that happens I get sick pretty easily. Gosh, my immune system is wacky like that."

My awkward laugh definitely did not let him buy the reason I just pulled out of nowhere. Zy suspiciously squinted his eyes at me, sighing while I tried not to have a panic attack in front of him.

"Have you at least drunk your medicine?"

I gulped down the words I was about to spew out. Let me rationalize my thoughts before I speak out nonsense that's going to be my downfall.

"I haven't actually..." I bit my lower lip out of guiltiness.

"I actually haven't eaten too..."

Zy was about to nag me buti tinuloy ko ang aking sasabihin, "Because I just woke up and no one was home that's why I'm here buying food."

"You're going to cook while you're sick?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I can do that, it's easy to fry corned beef and cook the rice," I can't confess that I'm the worst at cooking.

"Put the corned beef back on the shelf," He gently commanded, which I mindlessly followed. Gosh, even when I'm sick I act like a loyal dog following orders.

"Wait... why?" I said as I already put it back on the shelf. Parang tanga, Mell, ngayon pa talaga tinanong.

"I'm going to cook for you."

"We don't have any ingredients at my house though..." I reasoned.

"Kaya sa bahay na lang namin, lutuan kita ng sinigang."

I was craving for something sour. Also, hot steaming soup would be such a delight. However, what about his family? I just can't go inside his house while his family is probably chilling in the living room.

"No, it's okay. I don't want to disturb your family," My dry coughing isn't really helping me in this trying to convince Zy act.

"They're not home, may sports event si Temi and they instructed me to guard the house," I don't have any excuse now.

"Fine, it better be sinigang na baboy," Ang kapal ng mukha ko, nag suggest pa. You can't blame me though my parents cook sinigang na baboy for me whenever I'm sick so my standards are high and needed to be met.

That's why I like him in the first place—my high standard taste does not suit my bland character.

"You're in luck since I was already going to cook sinigang na baboy for lunch," Zy was evidently proud of himself for already prepping for lunch.

"Isn't cooking sinigang na baboy for lunch a tiny-bit weird?" I asked just so I could tease him.

"No, it isn't. I was going to reheat for dinner," Zy put his hands inside of his hoodie's pockets. Ngayon ko lang na-realize that we were wearing the exact same hoodie—black with a small cat graphic lining the sleeves.

He's a cat person!? That's a shocker. I thought he would be a dog person 'cause you know he has golden retriever vibes? Kaya dapat 'di ako nag-a-assume eh.

"Let's go?"

He intertwined his fingers with mine, a gesture to safely guide me to his house. Knowing Zy, he didn't want me to stumble around from my fever. He's too nice—not to say he's pa-fall but his actions are falling-head-over-heels worthy and it's not his fault that he has that kind of effect. Ugh, this man needs a debuff!

We were already at the front of the gate when he abruptly halted, "Sandale bago tayo pumunta sa bahay..."

"Allergic ka ba sa pusa?"

"No, I love cats!" Omg he has a cat or cats. It can be plural.

"Perfect," His voice dropped a few decimals lower. I swear he sounded so good when he said that. My fever almost disappeared from the sheer attractiveness.

When we entered his house I noticed the house was much bigger than my family's. We're in the same subdivision yet I could feel the financial differences we had from the furniture. I should've known that when I saw his motorcycle—he's rich. Unlike other rich people he's so humble, I could not predict he was a higher class than mine.

Their ceiling is decorated.

Is this the perfect time to say he's way out of my league? I truthfully knew that from the start entirely from his whole character. Duh, I said from the beginning that he's Tall, Dark, and handsome including being a popular athlete who's a STEM student from section 1 which meant he was academically smart.

He has it all!

And I have nothing to offer...

That's the reality and I'm wholly ignoring that mindset. I don't care if he's out of my league—I'm going to be in his league radar no matter what it takes. I'm closing my ears to the people yelling, "No that's a bad idea, your insecurities will get the best of you!" Shush, I don't need that negativity while I'm sick and deprived of affirmations.

"You can sit there on the dining table or you can go upstairs and have a nap in my room," He suggested.

"It's okay I'll wait here," Just the words "my room" triggered my fight or flight—I'm not allowing myself to be borderline insane today. I'm already sick, I do not need to add "in the head" to that.

I pulled one of the chairs and sat down. I was unconsciously swaying my legs, a habit of mine when my feet don't reach the floor. Ang taas kasi ng mga upuan nila parang pang bar counter. Anyways, Zy started preparing his ingredients to cook sinigang.

Again, my cooking knowledge is close to nonexistent so I don't even know what he's doing right now. That didn't stop me from watching him chop up the onions, amazed by the fact he's not tearing up from the onion's enzymes.

If that were me I would be crying not just from the onion but also because I probably accidentally sliced my finger in the process. That is why one of my future boyfriend checklists has "can cook" on the tippy top.

Surprise, surprise! He can cook. His attractive points get higher every time I see him. Medyo unfair na ganito siya ka-perfect—He needs a flaw. Well, I can be his flaw.

"Na bo-bored ka ba diyan?" Zy asked, broad back facing me as he's still focused on cutting up the ingredients.

"No," I weakly answered.

"You should take off your hoodie baka mas lumala sakit mo niyan," I took off my hoodie, the cool air grazed my skin in an instant.

"Should I play some music?"

"Sure, thank you."

"You're always welcome," Even though I couldn't see his expression I knew he was smiling. When he smiles there's an added bounce to his movement broadcasting his optimism to the world.

Zy reached out for his phone, quickly scrolling down until he finally chose a song. A familiar instrumental blessed my ears—I couldn't help but bite down on my lip.

"To be young and in love in New York city," He sang along while he turned on the stove.

"Did you know that this song is considered iconic in my favorite movie?" I randomly asked. I know he didn't play this song because he knew I loved "To All The Boys I've Loved Before," he's most likely a fan of Lauv, however there was an urge inside me that wanted to know if he knew.

"Ah, to all the boys I've loved before?" He hummed. "Would you be surprised if I said I watched that movie because I was curious why you liked it?"

Obvious naman ata ang sagot ko diyan, "Yes."

"To answer your previous question, I know it's like the Peter Kavinsky theme song or am I wrong?"

I laughed fighting not to cough at the same time, "You're right, how did you know?"

"I have a habit of checking edits when I finish a movie," He shyly admitted.

My unsightly cackle escaped me accompanied by a couple of painful coughs, "There's no way you do that."

"I so do," Zy chuckled, sliding a glass of water in my direction. Ininom ko kaagad ang tubig dahil ang kati na talaga ng lalamunan ko parang gusto ko ngang ipasok so I could personally scratch the itch. Although, imposible yun gawin.

I was focused on finishing up the glass, hearing a small thump in front of me made me jump. I carefully put down the glass and saw a tuxedo cat staring me down. Is this his cat? It's so adorable!

"Hello there~" I cautiously put my hand out. The cat glanced at it then nuzzled its face on my palm. The feeling of its soft fur on my skin was a remedy to my pounding head. Confirmed, cats are the best.

"What a good... um Zy what's your cat's gender?"

"She's a girl," He responded.

"What a good girl!" I caressed her face, making her purr. My heart clenched at the sight—she's so friendly. There's a part of me that wanted to squeeze this little cutie but that's just my cuteness aggression trying to take over my logical thinking kaya kunwari hindi ko inisip yun.

"What's her name?" My eyes shined in anticipation yet silence dimmed the room. The only sound I could hear was the boiling of water, the purr of the cat, the lingering lyrics of Lauv's song and my heartbeat quickening in nervousness.

Why isn't he answering?

It took a few seconds before he replied, "It's Melody."

"Melody? That's so adorable," I nuzzled my nose onto her face which I assumed she enjoyed as she kept purring. "Hi, Melody!"

I noticed Zy stiffened for some reason. Is he okay? Did he get a step wrong? I would still eat whatever he prepares even if he messed up the order.

"Zy, is the sinigang okay?" I was about to ask him if he was okay—I guess I'm really hungry.

"Yeah.. yeah, it's cooking well," He sounded awkward, scratching the nape of his neck even ruffling his hair. Namumula na din ang kanyang tenga na para bang nahihiya.

"I think he messed up the sinigang," I whispered to Melody. She meowed as if she was agreeing with me.

"I heard that," I could practically hear the pout in his voice. "I didn't mess up the sinigang, actually it's almost done."

Melody jumped off the table as soon as she heard me clap from pure happiness. Yes, I know I was overreacting but do not forget I'm sick and I have not eaten a single food since I woke up. Pagbigyan niyo naman ako, please.

"Melody..." I sluggishly called out, my body finally remembered that it's supposed to be sick so now everything I've felt earlier doubled maybe even tripled since my eyes feel hot which is the opposite of what my skin's feeling—freezing and prickling.

"Zy~" I laid my head down on the cold table, lazily tracing the lines of the wood. A bowl of steaming hot soup with rice appeared before me. There's also a warm cup of juice, assuming by the color it's calamansi-flavored.

"Kain ka muna," He placed his hands on my neck, feeling my temperature. "Wait here, okay? I'll get the termometer."

Tumango ako rason kung bakit ako sandaliang nahilo. I thought I wasn't that sick anymore after all I was feeling a bit light earlier—I was wrong. The only explanation I could think off in the middle of my pounding, screaming head is sobrang saya ko kanina mas naramdaman ko yung saya kaysa sa sakit.

Hindi ko alam kung... kung ano ulit? I forgot what I was about to say.

"Mel, ipit mo 'to."

Oh, Zy's already here! Kahit nag-ri-ring ang tenga ko napakagwapo talaga ng boses niya. Even with his brows furrowed his face is still striking. Honestly this worried look on him is to die for—literally I feel as if I'm dying. Amidst my rampaging thoughts that keep worshipping him, I did what he asked me to do.

The thermometer beeped loudly, he waited a couple of seconds before taking the thermometer from me, "Exactly 38 degrees, why did you even go outside?"

"I was hungry."

"You could've called someone," He heaved out a concerned sigh.

"You see, my head is already jumbled up," I pointed to my head.

"Do you think I can think straight?" I am literally gay. Haha, nakakatawa pala ako kung may sakit.

Zy faintly smiled, his eyes softening, "Nope."

"The way you said nope is funny," My giggle vibrated around my body, worsening the sting of my skin. Sa kabila ng nararamdaman ko, when his smile became more visible I felt my heart was also pounding along with my head.

"Really?"

"Mhm, you always pop the p," He only laughed before walking away to get something from the upper cabinets. Pinanood ko lang ulit ang kanyang mga galaw, he doesn't even need to tip-toe to reach the cabinets. I don't know if I'm jealous of his height or kicking my feet from our height difference.

Ang landi ko din pala pag may sakit.

"After mong kumain, drink this," Zy placed down the medicine beside my plate. "Can you eat on your own?"

"Yes..." My hands were shaking when I lifted the spoon. Nonetheless, I managed to raise it to my mouth without dropping anything, proving my point.

"See?" I proudly showed him the rice-filled spoon.

"Hindi mo pa nga nasusubo eh," He crossed his arms, a stupidly annoying smirk plastered on his stupidly attractive face. May sakit na nga yung tao inaasar pa!

I'm too ill to even think of a comeback to what he said. That's why in order to prove him wrong I ate it while glaring at him. As soon as the food made contact with my taste buds, it started dancing in joy. Regardless of this smirking bastard being an annoying guy at times as I mentioned earlier he's too perfect.

Even the way he cooks sinigang is perfect. Totoo nga ang sinasabi ng mga sinigang commercials—asim kilig to the max level on how much the sour taste is affecting my mood. From getting my immune system beaten up by this illness to my body regaining strength by each bite.

"This tastes so good," I took another mouthful. Ang sarap talaga, sorry to my parents pero mas magaling ata magluto ng sinigang si Zy. No, this isn't being biased, I'm being totally fair with my judgement.

"Kung masarap nga, eat the vegetables."

Ngumuso ko at pilitang tusukin ang pechay. I don't necessarily hate vegetables, actually I really like vegetables. I have this weird texture thing where I only avoid vegetables when they're in soup. I super hate that they get soggy.

"You don't like it?"

"Texture..." I swallowed with contempt.

He slowly nodded. "Okay then, put all your vegetables on my plate para di masayang."

Masaya kong nilipat ang lahat ng gulay sa plato niya. Salamat na lang sa mga mama ni Zy, she birthed such an understanding man. Gosh, I know this probably is a "bare minimum" gesture, repeat after me—wala akong pake!

It's rare for a real man to be a threat to my brain, somehow, he makes this occasional occurrence a norm to my system; It's usually fictional men from different genres that have the same vibe. Do I need to reiterate this again? Every time I remember he exists (which is every second at this point) my mind automatically goes to "he's like a fictional character" frenzy.

"Thank you so much, Zy," I did little claps before I drank the calamansi juice.

"No problem, b- Mel."

"Did you stutter?" I was amazed that he can actually stutter. I witnessed his multiple failed punchlines but I don't think I ever heard him change a word so fast. May sasabihin sana siya na nagsisimula sa letrang b.

"You're hearing things," This guy is trying to gaslight me!

"No, I am not. I may be sick but I can still hear clearly," My throat did not appreciate me heightening my tone so here I am a coughing mess. Nevertheless, that would not stop me from interrogating him. I wasn't going to poke any further though his suspicious actions are a major brow lifter.

He could've given any other excuse on the roster. Like seriously? You're hearing things? Oh,