Mr. Left (Mr. Series #2)

Chapter 46

"I will be fine," he said while tucking my hair behind my ear. "What do you think of me? Weak?" He narrowed his eyes at me and looked unimpressed by how much I trusted him, or maybe he was trying to talk about something else.

I rolled my eyes. Inaasar niya na naman ba ako? "Tsk. Nag-aalala lang naman ako sa 'yo." I beat his chest softly.

"Don't be, my wife. Nakalimutan mo na ba? Magaling ako sa shooting game. Di ko pa ba napatunayan sa 'yo?" Nakangisi niyang tanong habang tinataas-baba ang kilay. I knew it! Akala niya ba hindi ko nage-gets 'yong ipinapahiwatig niya. Kahapon pa 'to nang-aasar. Simula nang magkabati kami palagi niya na akong pinaglalaruan. Naiinis na ako!

"Ang yabang mo talaga," asik ko, bago ako tumayo. Sinundan ko na lang sila mom na nag-uusap habang papasok sa mansyon nila Jhon Rey. Napanganga naman ako sa ganda at lawak.

Grabe, ang laki para sa dalawang tao.

Dinala kami ng mom ni Jhon Rey sa kusina, at talaga namang namangha ako kung gaano kalinis at kaganda ng kusina nila.

"Woah, ang organize naman ng mga gamit mo rito. Nakakainggit," komento ni mom.

"Naku, you're just being humble, amiga. I know, mas maganda pa 'yong mga gamit mo sa 'kin."

The expressions on their faces betrayed their excitement. They were laughing as if they had become best friends. I can't help but remember Anne Marie. I know we will become like this someday.

It makes me happy to see that they are getting along. Parang okay na sa aking panoorin ko na lang sila.

"Honey, aren't you joining us?" tanong ng mom ni Jhon Rey. Nakangiti naman si Mom nang marinig niya iyon sa bibig ng mom ni Jhon Rey. She's happy, na katulad niya ay tumatawag din sa aking honey.

They invited me to come along. It's amusing because they both offer me an apron. I laughed when my mom made way for Jhon Rey's mom to put the apron on me. My smiles can't go off my face as they are teaching me some techniques and strategies they use when baking. Basically, baking hacks.

When I was listening to them, I could only gape in amazement. Their method is one that I simply cannot comprehend but that actually works. I began to feel like I was their trainee or student, and I wanted to learn something that I didn't know about baking.

Nagpaalam saglit si mom para mag-cr, kaya naman naiwan kaming nagde-decorate ng cupcakes ng mom ni Jhon Rey. We were silent for a while. Siguro'y masyado rin siyang busy sa kaniyang ginagawa, kaya tinuon ko na lang din ang pansin ko sa cupcakes, which was adding frosting to the top of my buttercream-flavored cupcakes.

"Sheen May, how's life with your husband?" tanong nito na ikinagulat ko. She never left her eyes on what she was doing.

"Okay naman po, m-mom."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "The two of you are not just acting like you both get along in front of us, right?"

I halted what I was doing and turned my attention to her. She's now looking at me.

"H-hindi naman po." I mean, kung 'yong dati siguro, pero ngayon, hindi na kami umaarte ni Jhon Rey na magkasundo dahil magkabati na talaga kami.

"In all honesty, that time when I showed up unexpectedly to see you, it was a request from your mother. She was worried about you, and so am I. Because your father prevented her from visiting your home, I went there instead. And I am aware that you lied to me on that day."

I gulped.
Hindi ko alam kung anong ipapaliwanag ko sa kaniya.

"He didn't come from jogging, right?" she asked more. "I know my child, Sheen May. That's why I am so worried about you too. Nakikipagkita pa rin ba siya sa ex niya?"

Umiling ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko, gayong sigurado na naman akong hindi na ako lolokohin pa ni Jhon Rey. Nangako na siya, at nakikita ko mismo sa mga mata kong totoo na ito ngayon. Hindi na siya nakikipagkita pa sa ex-girlfriend niya.

"You can be honest with me, Sheen May. Kung sinasaktan ka ng anak ko, hayaan mong tumulong ako para tratuhin ka niya nang maayos."

Nakikita ko ang sincerity sa kaniyang mga mata. Nakikita ko sa kaniya si mom.

"You know, ever since that time, I've had a wish to have a daughter, but God gave me him instead. Don't get me wrong, I love him as my son, but I still wanted to have at least a baby girl who I could take care of. And I can finally say that my wish has come true because he is here with you at this very moment. I am glad to have you as my daughter as well, but it makes me sad to think that he is causing you pain."

Huminga ako nang malalim bago ko hinawakan ang malalambot na kamay ng mom ni Jhon Rey. I tried to stop my tears, but my emotions are finding their way out. "We're fine, mom. I'm fine po. Hindi niyo po kailangang mag-alala. What you see now is real. Jhon Rey promised me that he would never be back with her. He's now with me, mom. You can have me as your daughter now."

Although she was smiling, a tear trickled from her eye. Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko, maging ang pisngi ko. "I never thought that you'd be this patient with him, Sheen May. Naniniwala akong mahal mo talaga ang anak ko, and I'm thankful because you love him that way."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko sabay niyakap ako. Doon ko nakita si mom na nakatingin sa amin habang nakatayo sa may pintuan na para bang kanina pa kami pinapanood at pinakikinggan. Nakangiti siya, napangiti rin ako. I never thought na makakatagpo ako ng isa pang ina na magmamahal sa akin.

We put the final touches on the cupcakes. I smiled as I felt so happy looking at those very cute designs we made. Jhon Rey's mom took some pictures of it.

Napagdesisyunan kong dalhan si Jhon Rey ng ilang piraso dahil alam kong gustong-gusto niya ang mga ito. My moms were busy talking, kaya naman lumabas na ako habang dala ang isang maliit na tray.

Hindi naman siguro sila malayo.

But when I came out, I saw Dad with Jhon Rey.