True Love (Opposites Attract MaColet Spin-Off)

12

Four years later, life seemed to have its own twisted way of putting things into perspective. MJ, who had always avoided the idea of fatherhood like a plague, found himself spiraling. Instead of going home after work, he headed straight to a small bar tucked away in the city—a place he frequented more than he'd like to admit. Tonight, however, he wasn't drinking alone. His cousin Nick had joined him, as he had been doing recently, knowing that MJ needed someone to keep him grounded, even in the midst of chaos.

MJ downed his glass and signaled the bartender for another.

"Grabe ka na uminom, MJ," Nick commented as he watched him gulp down another round. "Parang hindi ka na nauubusan ng problema, bro."

MJ snorted, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Problema? Si Aiah, pare. Siya ang problema."

Nick raised an eyebrow, confused. "Aiah? Bakit? Anong nangyari sa inyo?"

MJ leaned back in his seat, his gaze unfocused, as if lost in the weight of his thoughts. "She's just like my mother. Iniwan ako. Para saan? Para sa bata." His voice cracked at the last word.

"Anong bata?" Nick leaned closer, trying to understand the situation. "MJ, what do you mean?"

MJ slammed his glass down, his emotions spilling over as the alcohol loosened his tongue. "Apparently, nakalimutan daw niya mag-refill ng pills niya. Boom! Now she's pregnant."

Nick's eyes widened in disbelief. "Buntis si Aiah? Bro, anong nangyari?"

MJ's laughter was sharp, almost painful to hear. "She told me. Tapos nagalit ako. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ayoko ng anak, Nick. Ayoko. Alam niya 'yan. Pero eto kami. Para bang wala akong choice. She's having the baby."

Nick sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. He knew about MJ's trauma. Knew how their mother had abandoned them, and how that had affected MJ so deeply. But this? This was Aiah. The love of MJ's life. The woman he had chosen to be with, the woman who had stood by him through everything.

"MJ, uunahin mo ba talaga 'yang takot mo? Kung ayaw mo ng anak, sana ikaw 'yung nag-control. Condoms, vasectomy, ang dami namang paraan. Pero nandiyan na, eh. Aiah is pregnant. Hindi mo na mababalik yun."

MJ fell silent, staring into his glass as Nick's words cut through his drunken haze.

"Bro, pangarap ni Aiah magkaroon ng pamilya. Alam mo yun. You knew this from the start," Nick continued, his voice softening. "Tapos ngayon, nandiyan na yung bata. Anong plano mo? Mas pipiliin mo bang mag-isa kaysa makasama si Aiah at yung anak niyo?"

The mention of being alone struck MJ harder than anything. The thought of Aiah walking out of his life forever felt like a punch to the gut. But the fear of becoming a father—of repeating his mother's mistakes—was paralyzing him.

"Akala ko ba sigurado ka kay Aiah?" Nick pressed, gently but firmly. "Hindi mo ba naisip na iniwan mo siya nung nagalit ka? Iniwan mo na siya, MJ."

Tears welled up in MJ's eyes, and for the first time in days, he let himself feel the overwhelming guilt and fear he had buried deep inside. His grip on the glass loosened, and he covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking as he finally broke down.

Nick didn't say anything more. He simply sat beside MJ, letting him cry, knowing that this was the only way for his cousin to begin healing. Sometimes, tough love was the only way to break through the walls people built around their hearts.

---

**Meanwhile, at Aiah's Parents' Place**

At the same time, Maloi was sitting with Aiah at their place, watching her friend cry her heart out. Maloi had already texted Nick to give her a heads-up once he got MJ home, but for now, she focused on comforting Aiah. The room was filled with sobs, and Aiah could barely speak through the tears.

Maloi didn't say much, choosing instead to hug Aiah tightly. After a while, she whispered, "Tahan na, Aiah. Tandaan mo yung first dance niyo ni MJ as husband and wife? Di ba 'yung song sabi, 'but if the dreams don't happen right away, that's okay'? Ganyan din ito. Hindi naman agad-agad magbabago lahat. Patibayin lang kayo ni Lord."

Aiah sniffled, clinging to Maloi as if she were her lifeline. "Bakit ganito, Maloi? Bakit parang ang hirap maging masaya?"

Maloi rubbed Aiah's back, rocking her gently. "It's hard, Aiah. Pero tandaan mo, hindi kayo bibigyan ng problema na hindi niyo kayang lagpasan. Magiging okay din ang lahat. Nandiyan si MJ, hindi niya lang alam paano haharapin 'to ngayon. Pero magkakaayos din kayo."

Aiah didn't respond, but the sobbing slowly quieted. She closed her eyes, leaning into the comfort of her best friend.

---

**Later That Night**

Nick managed to guide a stumbling MJ into a taxi, ensuring he got home safely. It was a struggle, but eventually, MJ was lying in bed, passed out from the alcohol and exhaustion. Nick took a moment to compose himself before stepping out of the room. He pulled out his phone and dialed Aiah's number.

The phone rang a few times before a soft, unsure voice answered. "Hello?"

Nick took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. "Wag kang mag-alala, Aiah. Nakauwi na si MJ. Napatulog ko na siya, kaya matulog ka na rin."

Aiah let out a small sigh of relief, though her voice was still laced with exhaustion. "Thank you, Nick. I've been so worried."

Nick's tone softened. "Hindi maganda para sa magiging pamangkin ko na nagpupuyat ang nanay niya. Matulog ka na rin, Aiah. Alam kong pagod ka na rin."

There was a pause on the other end, then a quiet, "Okay. Salamat, Nick."

"Good night, Aiah," Nick said gently before hanging up. He leaned back against the wall, staring at the ceiling as he prayed that MJ would finally wake up and realize what he was about to lose.

---

Back at the house, Aiah wiped the last of her tears and looked at Maloi, who had stayed by her side the entire time. "Maloi, thank you. I'm very lucky to have you guys. Ang swerte mo kay Nick."

Maloi smiled softly, brushing off the compliment. "Ano ka ba, Aiah? No need to thank me. Kaibigan mo ako. Thank you's are for favors, pero hindi ito pabor. Ginagawa ko lang kung ano ang dapat na gawin ng kaibigan."

Aiah chuckled weakly. "You're right. I'm just... so tired."

Maloi hugged her again, a bit tighter this time. "Wag kang mag-alala, Aiah. Swerte ka rin kay MJ. Nabibigla lang siya sa lahat ng nangyayari. Basta matuto kang magtiwala at maniwala. Kaya niyo 'to."

Aiah smiled, her heart heavy but a little lighter with the reassurance from her friend. "Sana nga, Maloi. Sana."

The two friends stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's presence. In moments like these, words weren't necessary. They understood each other, even in silence.

---

**Nick's Drive Home**

As Nick drove home, the weight of the night lingered. His heart was heavy for his cousin, but he felt a glimmer of hope knowing that MJ had finally let some of his emotions out. Nick knew MJ was in a tough spot, but maybe now, with some time and space, he would come to realize just how much Aiah—and their future child—meant to him.

Nick couldn't help but smile, thinking about how lucky he was to have Maloi in his life. He glanced at his phone and, on a whim, decided to call his friends—Jan, MJ's best friend, and Guill.

Jan answered first. "Bro, anong balita?"

Nick chuckled. "Pare, si MJ lasing na naman. Pero feeling ko, he's starting to get it. Alam mo naman 'yun, mabagal, pero darating din."

Guill's voice chimed in. "Good. Dapat lang. Pero ikaw, Nick, kumusta ka? I heard you've been a pretty good boyfriend lately."

Nick grinned. "Masaya. Sobrang swerte ko kay Maloi. She's been nothing but supportive."

Jan laughed. "Idol kita, bro. Kaya sayo ako eh."

Nick's quiet chuckle echoed from somewhere in the background, too tired to fully join in but acknowledging the sentiment. The friends shared a brief moment of lighthearted banter before Nick hung up, his thoughts still with MJ and Aiah.