The Aftermath of a One-Night Stand (Aragonza #2)

Chapter 17

Abalang kumakain ng ice cream cake sina Neri at Kelvin sa kusina. Si Moira naman ay nasa sala kasama si Joem. She knows what's going to happen now. Sisermonan na naman siya nito.

"When are you going to tell him?" tanong ni Joem. "Are you ever going to tell him?"

"Hindi ko alam," pag-amin niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano'ng magiging reaksyon ni Vince kapag sinabi niyang may anak na ito. For ten years, he was led to believe that he's still unattached.

"Kelv's been asking kung bakit madalas kang ginagabi. Hindi naman namin masabing dini-date ka ng boss mo, na daddy nya."

"We're not dating," tanggi niya. "And don't ever mention Vince to him."

"But he needs to know. Ang tagal ka nang kinukulit nyan."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. Kelvin made her life so difficult, but every hardship is worthwhile. Noong college siya, hirap siyang balansehin ang pag-aaral at pag-aalaga ng bata. Neri became the second mom to Kelvin.

She's the one who met Joem back in college. May production kasi noon ang org nila and Joem's been asked to come up with designs for it. She worked closely with Joem at sa saglit na panahon ay nagkapalagayan sila ng loob.

But she couldn't love anyone else just yet. She was still hung up on Vince at that time. So when the opportunity came, she introduced Joem to Neri instead. Schoolmate at kabahay niya ang pinsan noon. Nasa Canada ang parents nito. Neri's living alone at that time. Gusto kasi nitong magtapos ng college muna bago ito sumunod sa mga magulang na ilang taon na ring naninirahan sa Canada.

But Joem made Neri stay. And with their help, she raised Kelvin. Siya ang nangibang-bansa para magtrabaho, while Neri's taking online jobs. But her work's cut short because she was harassment-magnet.

She's never been with anyone, romantically speaking. The first three years, she's been busy balancing Kelvin and her studies. After that, nag-focus siya sa anak at naghanap ng trabaho. Then, Kelvin started going to school.

When she had the opportunity to date, nagagalit naman ito sa kanya. Palagi nitong inaayawan ang mga nanliligaw sa kanya, saying that he wants his dad instead. He's been asking and asking about him. Wala naman siyang masabi tungkol kay Vince.

She wants to think that she could be enough for Kelvin, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

"Oy kayo? Ayaw nyong kumain?" tawag ni Neri sa kanila.

Joem headed to the kitchen. Sumunod na rin siya. She took a plate and a fork, and sat next to Kelvin. Tumayo ito at ikinuha siya ng cake.

"Ma, bukas ulit ha. Yung may oreos ulit," pakiusap nito.

"You might get sick kung gabi-gabi kang mag-a-ice cream cake," she told him.

"I won't get sick, I promise. Umiinom naman ako ng vitamins e. Ask Tita Neri pa."

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Neri. Tumaas lang ang kilay nito saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"I know you take your vitamins, pero masama pa rin ang araw-araw, naka-ice cream cake. Sa birthday mo na lang, okay?"

Ngumuso ito. "Ang tagal pa no'n, mommy!"

"Don't worry, Kelv. Isasabay natin sa Pasko ang celebration para bongga," sabi ni Neri sa pamangkin. "Di ba gusto mo ng Toothless na cake? Pagagawa tayo, Toothless na ice cream cake!"

"Really, tita?"

"Really."

She gave her cousin a knowing look. "Nakapangako ka na ha. Sagot mo na yung cake."