Maybe This Time

7

Maxwell sat comfortably on MJ's lap in the office lounge, quietly munching on some cookies Stacey had brought. Everyone was gathered around, chatting and laughing, while Maxwell alternated between giggling and hiding his face shyly in MJ's chest.

"Grabe, Aiah!" Maloi said, pointing at the two of them. "Talagang 'di mo maitatanggi na para silang mag-ama. MJ Liit nga talaga!"

The nickname "MJ Liit" had been coined by Sheena earlier that week when everyone couldn't stop commenting on how much Maxwell looked like MJ. It was a playful jab at their striking similarities, from the way they both bit their lower lips when thinking to the way they carried themselves, even though Maxwell was just a toddler.

Aiah, sitting across from the group with her arms crossed, forced a smile. She'd been hearing this for days now, and no matter how many times she tried to brush it off, they wouldn't let it go.

"Alam niyo, di talaga possible 'yan theories niyo," she said, raising an eyebrow at her friends. "Wala naman nangyari sa amin ni MJ before. And besides, Maxwell is two years old. I left three years ago. Nagpakasal ako kay Jeremy three years ago. Impossible!"

"Eeehhh, Aiah," Stacey teased, wagging a finger in front of her. "Parang di ka rin sure eh! Di ba, nagkikita naman kayo dati? Baka lang, alam mo na..." She giggled, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Aiah rolled her eyes. "Sus! Noong huling magkita kami ni MJ, wala talagang nangyari. Friends lang kami! Huwag niyo nga akong pinag-iisipan ng kung ano-ano."

MJ, oblivious to the conversation, was busy pretending to steal Maxwell's cookie, making the little boy laugh. They looked like a mirror image of each other—both with their signature mischievous smirk, thick eyebrows, and that twinkle in their eyes when they were up to something. Maxwell had clearly taken a liking to MJ since they'd started spending more time together at the office, and everyone noticed the bond they were forming.

"Pero Aiah, look at them!" Sheena chimed in, gesturing dramatically towards the two. "Pati mannerisms nila pareho. Look at how Maxwell holds his hand on the side of his head when he's sitting—*ganyan na ganyan* din si MJ kapag nag-iisip!"

"Yung expression pa nila!" Maloi added. "Kapag nagsmile si Maxwell, para talagang MJ mini version!"

"Not to mention," Cole butted in, "pareho silang picky eaters. Maxwell doesn't like broccoli, and guess what? Si MJ rin! They both like sweet stuff, but pagdating sa veggies, pass agad. Pati chicken skin, favorite nila."

"Aba, teka lang," MJ said, suddenly looking up from Maxwell. "Hindi ako picky, okay? I just know what I like." He winked at Aiah, clearly not catching the undercurrent of what the conversation was really about. "Maxwell just has good taste, 'di ba, buddy?"

Maxwell nodded enthusiastically, though it was clear he didn't really understand what was going on. "Yes, Toto MJ!" Maxwell called out, flashing a bright smile.

Everyone burst out laughing when Maxwell called him Toto MJ. After Aiah had explained the significance of Papa J to their friends, she had gently encouraged Maxwell to call MJ something else.

"Ang cute ni MJ Liit talaga!" Sheena squealed, reaching over to pinch Maxwell's cheek. "Toto MJ, ang gwapo n'yo talaga mag-ama, 'di ba?"

Aiah groaned in mock frustration, rubbing her temples as if it could stop the onslaught of comments. "Guys, ang kulit niyo, ha? Toto MJ lang yan dahil wala siyang ibang tatawagin. Remember, Jeremy is his Papa J."

The group nodded, momentarily thoughtful as they considered Aiah's words. There was no doubt that Maxwell had called Jeremy "Papa J" when he was still alive, but even with that clarification, it didn't stop the teasing.