SHOW ME HOW (Jan Quaro Zodiac)

FINAL CHAPTER (39)

TWO MONTHS LATER...

"Is it worth it, Quaro?"

Mula sa sinisilip na seafood pie sa loob ng oven ay napalingon si Quaro nang marinig ang tanong ni Phillian. His brother was leaning on the kitchen wall, arms crossed across his chest as he watched his every move.

"What is?"

"Settling down."

Tuwid siyang tumayo, inisara ang oven, at hinubad muna ang oven glove bago sumagot, "If you are marrying the woman you love, it's all worth it, Phil."

Ngumisi ito. "Pero bakit kailangan mong mangdamay? Nananahimik ako roon sa bahay ko nang bigla ka na lang tatawag para magpahatid ng kilu-kilong hipon at alimango."

"Kirsten's having these weird cravings since she entered the third month. Noong nakaraan ay gusto ng pakwan pero dapat ay puti raw ang laman—saan ako maghahagilap no'n? I refused to look for it and she wouldn't talk to me the whole day. Minsan naman ay gusto niyang kumain ng peanut butter pero dahil nalaman kong allergic siya sa mani ay hindi ko pinagbigyan. Do you know what she did? She threw all my clothes out of the balcony—could you believe that? Kung hindi ko siya pagbibigyan ngayon sa seafood pie na may kombinasyong gusto niya ay baka palayasin na ako no'n."

"Sa sarili mong pamamahay?"

"Well, technically, this house, the shop, and everything I own are hers, too. She's my wife now, and this house belongs to her—so yeah, she has all the right to throw me out."

"At hahayaan mo lang siyang gawin iyon?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "She hasn't been in her best mood lately, and that's because she's carrying my baby. Sa umaga ay magigising siya para dumuwal nang dumuwal, at sa maghapon ay hindi siya komportable dahil madalas siyang nahihilo. Imagine her sacrifice just to bear my child?"

Doon natawa si Phillian. "I actually spoke to Kirsten before she and her friend left; naikwento niyang ilang linggo ka nang nagpapasensya sa kaniya, and that she felt sorry but she couldn't help herself. Mainit daw ang ulo niya sa tuwing nakikita ka."

"Well, that's a relief, thanks," he mocked, making Phillian laugh all the more. "Nakausap ko si Mama tungkol sa mood swings ni Kirsten at sinabi niyang maaari raw na ako ang pinaglilihian. Is it even possible?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Phillian.

Nagpatuloy siya. "Ang sabi pa niya'y hintayin ko na lang daw na matapos ang first trimester at baka magbago rin ang mood ni Kirsten. You need to watch out –this might happen to you in the future."

"Nah, it's not gonna happen." Tuwid na tumayo si Phillian at humakbang patungo sa entry ng kitchen. "I'm leaving now. I still need to catch the ferry. Please say my goodbye to Kirsten."