“What? There’s a washing machine so--“
“But I want my clothes to be washed by hand, the dirt will be removed more if you’ll do it manually.” Just for me, using my hand is better.
“Sh*t!” I heard him cuss and held his nape.
“I don’t know how to wash clothes manually, to be honest.”
I blinked. “Uhm, I can teach you.”
“Okay, let’s go! Let’s start now so that we can finish it quickly.” We went out of his room and got soap in Manang Daley’s room first. We’re already in the bathroom, he first took his phone that was in his pocket and gave it to me.
I just put it on the side, and I sat on the small chair. I’m just on his side now.
“Add water first, just add a little...” He then followed what I told him.
“Add a little more,” I said and he added but only one drop... Is he really serious?
“A little more, Stephen... That’s enough. Then, put soap in the water... By the way! Wash the clothes first.”
“I thought it’ll only be your clothes? Why are there panties and a bra—“ I quickly took my undies and hid them behind me.
“You’re being shy now? Give me those. Don’t tell me you’re going to wash them, you’ll really make me mad.” He then took my undies and started again.
“Wait, you can’t get rid of the dirt when you wash like that.”
“It’s my first time doing laundry, hays! This is so hard, it’s hurting my hand... What the hell, Alyana! Look at my red palm, oh.” It’s really his first time washing clothes, what do I expect?
“That’s normal.”
“Normal? No way, it seems necessary to see a doctor—“ I covered my mouth because of what he was saying.
“Seriously, Stephen? It’s really normal for your palm to turn red when you do your laundry, it’s your first time doing it, so maybe you don’t know that...” He was silent as he looked back and forth between the clothes and me.
I suddenly held my chest in surprise, it’s because his phone suddenly started ringing.
“Alyana, can you answer the phone? Who’s calling?” he asked when I picked up his cell phone up.
Stella?
I showed it to him. “Stella is the name that’s shown here... Uhm, w-who is Stella? I-Is she your girl, too?” I asked nervously and bit my lip.
“Answer it so you’ll know.” Why is he smiling? Is he happy because Stella is calling him? Where did he meet that woman? I don’t know but I’m starting to get irritated.
“Tell her you’re my girlfriend so that she’ll stop calling,” he added before I finally answer the call.
[Hello, Stephen?] Her voice is undoubtedly beautiful... She sounds like an angel! I’m sure this woman is beautiful. Her voice is already beautiful, what more when I get to see her face, right? But why does her voice sound a bit old?
Oh my!! Stephen is also hitting on the old ones? Is he really like this, huh? I just don’t want to know the age of this woman anymore.
“Hello?”
[Who’s this? Why do you have his phone?] she asked in surprise.
‘Of course, it’s because we’re together, duh’ is what I want to say but I’ll just sound rude.
“Uhm...” I took a glance at Stephen and he nodded at me like he’s telling me to say what he said earlier.
“I’m his girlfriend. Stephen is doing laundry that’s why I’m the one who answered the call.”
[Girlfriend? As in Stephen’s lover? You two have a relationship?]
“Yeah...”
[Ohh, what’s your name, by the way?]
“Alyana,” I answered. This is not the question I’m expecting to receive. I thought she’ll act impudent or rude towards me.
[You have a nice name, ija. By the way, nice to meet you, Alyana, I’m Stephen’s mom...]
I almost drop my phone because of what the woman just stated.
“Po?”
[I’m his mommy.] I drifted my gaze to Stephen who’s now trying to suppress his laugh. Is he making fun of me?
He took the phone in my hand. “Mom, what’s the reason for your call?” Is that really his mom? Why did he even put Stella on his mom’s cell id, he could’ve just put Mom or Mommy Stella!

My heart is pounding fast now, I feel restless. Why did I even answer that call when I actually followed what Stephen said? Heck!

“Yeah, I’m alright. Oh, Alyana? Uhm, yes. She’s my girlfriend, as in girl friend, Mom. She’s just kidding earlier. What? Introduce her? Hmm... I’ll think about it. Ha ha ha! Me? Washing the clothes? Alyana’s also joking about that. I don’t even know how to do that. You never wanted and let me do chores since I was a kid, right? Okay, send my regards to them.”
I was just looking down here on the side. I was actually hurt after knowing the fact that what he means by girlfriend is actually a girl friend. It’s okay for me to be hurt, right?
“Are you okay?” I just nodded in response. Why will even get hurt when it’s the truth that there’s nothing between us, right?
Now I’m feeling puzzled. He likes me and I like him, too. Is that it? Does he not... does he not have a plan to make our relationship more deeper?
What I just don’t understand is that he told his mom that I’m just his friend ... but there are no friends who kiss. He likes me and we don’t have any romantic relationship. I thought that one day, the day will come when Stephen will ask me if I can be his girlfriend.
“Alyana? Hey, don’t you want to talk to me?”
“H-Huh?”
“You’ve been spacing out. What are you thinking?” he curiously asked with his knitted brows.
You, of course. Ever since the day you told me that you like me, you’ve already been in my mind. I don’t know if what you said is real.
“There, you’re spacing out again. Are you thinking of someone who’s a guy?!” So what if I’m thinking about a certain guy? Why does he care?
“Yeah,” I simply replied and scooped food. Seriously, I’ve been really spacing out since earlier because I didn’t even notice that Stephen had already cooked and then I was sitting here in front of the table while there was food in front of me.
“F**k! Who’s that guy?!”
“Are you jealous?” I asked indecisively. I just want to know because whenever my mind’s afloat to nowhere, he always asks what or who am I thinking of. And then he’ll ask if it’s a guy then the tone of his voice always sounds like he’s mad.
“Obviously!”
“Why would you be jealous of yourself?”
“What, myself? Ohh... so you’re thinking of me, I thought it’s someone else. Am I naked in your mind?” I was suddenly taken aback by his question. Heck, what kind of question is that? I never thought of you naked!
“No, i-idiot!” Just a little. It’s not like wholly naked... It’s just half-naked, duh.
“Just asking, Alyana, why do you even look mad.”
“It’s because your mouth is so indece—“ My words were halted when his phone suddenly rang.
“Stefanie...” I said, reading the name of the one calling. He then immediately covered it with his hand.
Did he think I didn’t see Stefanie calling? I am not blind, it’s too late for him to cover it because I’ve already seen it.
“Hello—“ I snatched his phone and put it to my ear.
[Sorry for what happened, Stephen. Can we meet? I miss you.]
I cleared my throat before speaking. “He has no time to meet with you.”
[Who’s this?]
“It’s me, his YAYA,” I firmly stated and I heard her chuckle.
[Oh, right! You are in the same house together. You know, my mom is looking for a yaya, maybe you want to apply. How much money do you need to accept my offer?]
“Sorry, but I don’t need your money. I mean, yes, I need money. But I don’t want it if it’s from you or your mommy. I’m sure you got your attitude from your mom... A flirt. I don’t want to catch that kind of virus.”
[How dare you call my mom like th—]
“K, bye." I said and ended the call. I then turned my gaze at Stephen sharply.
“Why do you have her number and why does she have your number?” I asked and gave his phone to him.
“She called me earlier, it looks like John gave my number to Stefanie.” I quickly finished my food and stood up from my seat.
I heard him call me but I just ignored him. I can feel him following me so I made my steps bigger and when I was finally in front of my room, I opened it fastly enough and closed it but I just suddenly heard him screech in pain.
“What happened, Stephen? You okay?” I couldn’t help but worry. Why did he even block his hand on the door?
“My hand got pinned and hurt when you closed the door!” I know, I’m seeing it right now.
“I-It’s your fault! Why would you even block your hand there!”
“It’s because you’re being crazy! What did I even do wrong, why do you look like you’re mad at me?”
“Nothing!” I rolled my eyes at him.
“Oh, look, your tone sounds angry.”
“I am not mad, okay?” I tried to calm my voice.
“Are you jealous of Stefanie again?” I chuckled because of that.
“Pfft... are you crazy? I’ll not be jealous anymore, duh!”
“There you go again, Alyana, I know you’re lying.” Why am I not good at lying? Hayst, this is frustrating!
“I’m sorry! I’ll just block her number.” I looked at him because of what he said.
“Really?” I tried to suppress my smile.
“Yes, later—“
“Later?! Why, are you even busy right now?!”
“Haha, yeah, right, I said I’ll do it now. Here.” He then showed me that he already blocked Stefanie’s number.
“Is it okay now? You’re not mad anymore?” I just nodded and averted my eyes, I bit my lip when he hugged me.
Here he goes again, making me feel velveted again. It’s the first time I’ve experienced liking a man like this but it’s just so bad that I ended up falling in love with a f**kboy? Are mom and dad proud of me?
I bet not. Maybe they think now that I’m going crazy because there are so many men in the world aside from Stephen but I can’t blame my heart for it’s really only beating for Stephen alone.
“Stephen! Alyana!” Our attention turned to where the voice came from.
“Nanny Daley?”
“Nanny, I missed you!” Stephen approached her and hugged her, I also came near but I didn’t hug her because we weren’t that close yet.
“Me, too, ijo, I missed you. Alyana, how are you? Has Stephen been nice to you while I’m away?”
“Yes po, Stephen is kind.” I said with a smile.
“Stephen is a really kind child but I just always wonder why is he not kind to every except if—“
“Nanny!” Stephen intruded so Nanny stopped talking.
“Have you two eaten?” Nanny Daley diverted the topic.
“Alright, Nanny Daley, can you cook for me? I missed your cooking.” Only you? Am I not involved?
Stephen helped Nanny with the bag she was carrying and I carried the other one Manang was holding.
“Ija, what happened to your hand?” she asked when she noticed my hand. We are now in the kitchen while Stephen looks like he is in Nanny's room.
“It’s a long story po, don't mind this. It will be healed soon.” I spoke and forced a smile. Please don’t ask any more questions, it’s hard to talk about it and I might end up crying.
“Alright then, I won’t force you to tell me about it.” Good thing Nanny understands.
“Let me help you, Nanny.”
“No need, it’s okay, ija.” I scratched my head, I really want to help.
“Please, Nanny?” I pleaded.
“Alright, if you insist.” I smiled because she finally agreed.
Nanny Daley cooked chicken adobo while I did pinakbet. Stephen liked it when I cooked this for him so I will cook it for him again. I shook my head because I said I would help Nanny but I’m doing something else now.
“What are you cooking? I thought you were going to help me?” Shoot, she noticed now. I hope she won’t get mad.
“Ah, sorry, Nanny.” It’s because I suddenly changed my mind.
“No, it’s okay. Where did you get those vegetables that you used?” she asked which made me feel edgy.
“At your refrigerator... I’m sorry po, only your refrigerator has vegetables and other ingredients for cooking it.”
“Don’t think about it, ija, it’s okay. You probably like eating vegetables.”
"Opo, Nanny. When I was a child, I really liked vegetables, especially when it was cooked by M-mama, she always cooked for me...” I couldn’t finish what I was going to say because my eyes were starting to get wet because of the tears that were forming.
“Do you miss your mom, young lady?”