One With You

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Women grieve, men replace.

That is a common myth in remarriage following divorce or separation, also maybe in widowhood. It's more likely to happen in men. And as I looked at my dad, I can't help but to question him.

Nangako siyang si Mommy Lucia lang ang babaeng mamahalin niya habang buhay. Pero bakit may iba na siya ngayon?

"Why?" Israel murmured. His arms are still on my waist. "Is there something wrong?"

Nilingon ko siya at mariing tinitigan. Nangako rin siya na ako lang ang magiging babae niya. Pero bakit may ibang babae siyang dinadala sa bahay? Sa mismong pa bahay namin.

Ganoon nga yata ang mga lalaki. Sobrang galing mangako pero sa iba naman tinutupad.

"N-Nothing." I looked away before he saw my tears. "I'm okay."

"Luna." Natigilan ako nang marinig ang tinig ni Daddy Lennox. Wala na sana akong balak magpakita pa pero naunahan niya ko. "Glad you came."

Lumingon ako at gano'n na lang ang pagkamangha ko kung gaano kasaya ang mga mata niya ngayon. Bagay na hindi ko nakita ilang taon na ang lumipas.

Pilit akong ngumiti. "Congratulations, dad."

"We finally meet," Ingrid uttered with her sweet smile. She has a small face but a cunning one. "Princess Luna Mendez-Lennert."

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses akong inimbitahan sa palasyo upang makita siya. Pero dahil ayaw ko at busy ako, never akong pumunta. Why would I waste my time to see her? Mas maganda, mas mabait at maalaga pa rin si Mommy Lucia.

"Ingrid, right? I'm not please to meet you." I gave her my most innocent smile. Dahilan para sawayin ako ni dad gamit ang tingin pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin. "I guess there's no need to greet you as the queen of your country because you already stepped down."

"Yes, just like your dad." Kumapit pa siya sa braso ng asawa. "So, I heard a lot of rumors about you."

"Does it bother you?"

Israel pinched my waist. "Enough, baby."

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nanatiling nakatitig kay Ingrid. "What?"

"Luna." Nangibabaw ang tinig ni King Luca, the reigning King of Moon Empire and my younger brother. "We already talked about this. She is dad's happiness right now. Respect it."

I'm not against dad's happiness. I just can't accept the fact na si Ingrid pa ang napili niya. Walang-wala siya sa yumao naming ina.

I slightly bowed. "Granted, Your Majesty."

"To answer your question, of course not," nakangiting usal ni Ingrid. "I just want to confirm something." Saka siya sumulyap kay Israel. "Is your husband your first boyfriend?"

Hindi na ito ang unang beses na naitanong 'yon pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako kumportable. Kaso kailangan kong maging kalmado sa harap niya upang hindi mapansin ang panginginig ng aking mga tuhod.

Sinulyapan ko si dad at ang kapatid ko, maging sila ay hindi nagustuhan ang tanong ni Ingrid ngunit hindi lamang sila nagsalita. Bagkus, sabay pa silang tumingin sa akin upang bigyan ako ng suporta.

"No," I replied coldly. "But the most important thing is he's my last." Saka ko yinakap ang braso ni Israel bilang panggagaya sa ginawa niya kay dad kanina.

Natigilan siya ngunit mabilis ding ngumiti. "Of course. We're all rooting for your long lasting happy marriage."

"You too. But don't ever think na malalamangan mo si Mommy Lucia. She's one of a kind." I smirked at her and walked my way out.