I'm A Motherfckng Woman [TRANSWOMAN X MAN]

12

Kiara Valentina Paladin

"Oh my gosh! This pancit is so good. Where did you order this, anak? This eggplant omelet is very tasty as well."

Panaka-naka ang tinging itinatapun ko sa direksyon ng mama ni Alejandro. I still can't get myself relax around her despite seeing her reaction over my food.

Sa kaniya siguro nakuha ni Alejandro ang ekspresyon niya sa mukha. Alejandro looks intimidating and suplado when he's not smiling.

"I didn't order that," Alejandro sighed.

I looked at him and found na he's also looking at me din pala. He gave me a small smile before he looked at his mom. "Kiara cooked that."

Namimilog ang mga mata ng mama ni Alejandro na tumingin sa akin. She eyed me from head to toe before she looked at the foods in front of her. "You can cook, ijo?" 

Natameme ako sa tanong ng mama ni Alejandro. Ijo huh. I guess, we can't change some things in a matter of seconds. Change takes time. I don't want to shove things down her throat. Acceptance and respect is not forced. It should come out naturally.

"Hala,  ijo daw." Ang biglang react ng chikiting ko na nagpataas ng aking kilay.

Masama ang kutob ko nang makita ang magkasalubong niyang mga kilay. The hands that were once holding her spoon and fork are not tucked in between his armpits.

"Come again, darling?" Ang gulat namang tanong ng mama ni Alejandro sa kaniya.

"Girl ang mommy ko, lola ganda, kahit may lawit siya. Mas girl pa nga siya sa totoong mama ko kahit maliit lang yong dede niya."

Kaagad akong napahawak sa dibdib ko nang marinig iyong sinabi niya. Hala siya! Is this kid praising me or insulting me? How could she throw shades so effortlessly?

A low chuckle made me snap my head towards Alejandro's seat. He was looking at Stela Marie with so much amusement in his eyes.

He dropped the smile when our eyes met and turned at the other side to look at his mother.

"Ma, I told you didn't I? She's a woman, although not the traditional woman you are used to see, she's still one. You're making her uncomfortable with your choice of words," ang pangaral niya sa kaniyang ina na nagpanganga sa akin.

I definitely look like a fish a fish right now with how fast I closed and open my mouth. Tita touched her chest, looking really offended by what Alejandro asked her.

Then she looked at me and stared at my face for awhile. "Are you?"

"Po?" I asked, confused.

"Are you offended by what I called you?"

I gave her a small smile. "It's fine, tita, you don't need to force yourself."

Umiling siya. "No. No. No. I'm asking you if you are offended. Answer me."

"I'm just a little uncomfortable po. That's all."

Tumango-tango siya as if she learned something new. "I'm sorry," she announced while looking at me with clear sincerity.

I smiled and nod my head. "It's fine po. Thank you."

"And you are a very good cook. I was worried my son has been eating garbage but it turns out may ibinabahay naman pala siyang marunong magluto."