In the aftermath of the reporters' chaotic questioning, the group found themselves inside a conference room at the office. The air felt heavy with tension, as if the truth they had been hiding for years was finally on the verge of being exposed. MJ sat beside Aiah, holding her hand firmly, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes about their connection and unspoken agreement to finally reveal everything. Their friends—Maloi, Sheena, JR, Gian, Stacey, and Cole—were seated around them, watching in anticipation.
The door suddenly burst open, revealing two formidable couples: Dick and Malou Arceta, and Michael and Myrla Lim. Both pairs exuded authority, but underneath the tough exteriors were concerned parents who had just heard their children had been keeping something monumental from them.
The room fell into a heavy silence as the parents stood there, their expressions unreadable.
"Well," Myrla said, her voice cutting through the tension, "it looks like we've got a lot to discuss."
Dick Arceta, always the straightforward one, wasted no time. "Okay, let's start with, Aiah? Our queen, our baby girl? How?"
Myrla followed suit, eyeing her son sharply. "MJ, ikaw ang lalaki. What about you man up and explain to us?"
MJ's throat went dry. He glanced at Aiah, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent conversation, like they always had, understanding without words. Aiah gave him a small nod. They had agreed a long time ago that when the time came, they'd face everything together.
MJ took a deep breath, squeezing Aiah's hand as he began.
**Flashback:**
It was right after college graduation. MJ and Aiah, fresh graduates, had been caught in an undefined, floating space between friendship and something more for a while. They both knew it was time to talk about the future, but neither had been brave enough to bring it up—until now.
Aiah was 23, and MJ was 22. The two decided to meet at their favorite café. Aiah wore a simple white dress, while MJ looked sharp in a button-down shirt, but the tension between them was palpable.
"Well, graduate na tayo, Aiah," MJ started, his voice soft but firm. "I know na whatever has been going on between us is real. You said na, if I let you finish college and wait, you'll give me an answer. I'm not making you decide now, but naisip ko kasi... I'm sure of you. So what I'm trying to say is that hindi na ako mangliligaw, but if you love me too, will you marry me?"
Aiah's breath caught in her throat. She stared at MJ, her heart pounding. She didn't expect this—not so soon. But then again, deep down, she had always known MJ was the one. Without a moment's hesitation, she responded.
"Yes."
MJ blinked, clearly not expecting such a direct answer. "Yes?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Aiah laughed, a little nervously but with conviction. "Oo, yes. Bakit pa ako maghihintay, MJ? Yung iba nga ilang taon nang magjowa pero di pinapakasalan, eto ako kasal agad ino-offer... ba't ako tatanggi?"
MJ grinned, his relief and happiness evident. They sat there, staring at each other, the enormity of their decision settling in.
---
A few days later, the two, along with Stacey—who knew about their unspoken relationship all along—flew to Las Vegas. It was supposed to be a graduation trip, a gift from their parents, who had no idea what was truly about to happen.
Stacey, MJ's ex, was incredibly nonchalant about her friends' developing relationship. Despite their past, she was happy for them. She had always said that her thing with MJ was nothing serious—just a crush she outgrew. Now, she was rooting for Aiah and MJ.
The trio arrived in Las Vegas with excitement. They spent their days exploring the city, but the nights were reserved for more serious matters. One of those nights, inside a small, quaint chapel just off the Strip, MJ and Aiah got married. Stacey was their only witness.
After the ceremony, Stacey left the newlyweds to enjoy their first night as husband and wife. The two were giddy with excitement, laughter spilling into their hotel room. It was a night filled with tenderness and warmth—until something unexpected happened.
They were both slightly tipsy, high on adrenaline from the day's events. After an intimate moment, MJ suddenly paused, staring at the condom he was trying to remove.
"Uhm, love," MJ said cautiously, his brows furrowing. "I think there was an error."
Aiah, half-asleep, sat up and squinted at him. "Anong error sinasabi mo, Love?"
MJ held up the torn condom, a wet wipe in his other hand.
Aiah's eyes widened in shock, her drowsiness disappearing instantly. "MJ! Bakit mo ako niyugyog nang ganyan?!" she half-yelled, half-laughed, sitting up straight.
MJ chuckled nervously. "Well... looks like we might've just made something more than memories."
The two stared at each other in disbelief, Aiah's jaw dropping further by the second. She let out a nervous laugh, then collapsed back into the pillows. "Bahala na," she muttered. "What happens in Vegas... literally stays with you."
---
**Back to the Present:**
MJ finished recounting the events of their past. Aiah took a deep breath, her grip on his hand tightening. "So, ayun po," she continued, her voice softer now, but clear. "That's how we got Maxene."
The room was dead silent, save for the sound of breathing. Dick and Malou looked at their daughter, their faces unreadable. Meanwhile, Michael and Myrla stared at their son, waiting for more.
Aiah took a deep breath and went on, "Pagbalik namin after the two weeks in Vegas, two weeks later, I started feeling morning sickness. I took a pregnancy test, and positive. That's when I decided to quit modeling. I told MJ, and then Stacey. Natakot pa nga ako nun magsabi sa inyo, Ma, Pa," Aiah said, looking at her parents with teary eyes. "Kasi bigla lang ako nagpakasal."
She smiled through her tears. "MJ has been amazing. He followed us to the US para samahan ako throughout my pregnancy. I stayed with Maxene until she was two. When she turned one, we found an amazing yaya—Ate Melai. Since then, we've built a beautiful life together. Maxene's been the reason why we've missed the last four Christmases."
MJ squeezed her hand again. "Cristianna Maxene A. Lim. She was born on December 24th, 2024. She's four years old now."
As Aiah's voice trailed off, her parents, and MJ's, exchanged glances. Dick cleared his throat. "So kailan ba namin makikilala ang apo namin?"
Myrla's eyes softened. "Anong favorite niyang food, hija?"
"Ano bang favorite niyang toys?" Malou chimed in.
Then, as if in perfect harmony, Dick and Michael exchanged a look before asking alternately, "Gusto niya bang sariling Kidzoona?"
"How about her own animal farm?"
Aiah burst into laughter, the weight of the past suddenly lifted. "Pa! Tito! Grabe naman kayo!"
Amidst the family's heartwarming exchange, Maloi, Sheena, and JR couldn't help but interject.
Maloi raised her hand dramatically, "Wait lang! Hindi ba ako magiging anak ni Aiah at MJ?"
Sheena gasped, "Paano ba maging Maxene?"
And JR, with mock seriousness, added, "Rocking horse nga wala ako, animal farm pa kaya?"
Gian, Cole, and Stacey all shook their heads, chuckling at their friends' antics.
In that moment, despite the storm that had just passed and the revelations laid bare, laughter filled the room. MJ, Aiah, and their parents were finally at peace, united by the love they shared for their little Maxene. And as the group settled into the warmth of family and friendship, they knew—whatever came next, they'd face it together.
