Mirror Mirror

Epilogue

One Year Later

Alex sat in the living room, exhausted and sleep-deprived, her eyes staring blankly ahead. She didn't even notice when Mikee and Avi arrived, quietly observing her from the doorway. 

Avi nudged Mikee with a grin. "Mana talaga si Martina sa akin. Ganitong-ganito ako noon sa paglilihi." 

Mikee chuckled. "Kawawa ka naman, Alex." 

"Mahal!" Martina's voice rang out from the kitchen, where she had gone after letting her parents in. 

Alex blinked, snapping out of her daze. Only then did she realize Mikee and Avi were standing there, watching her with amused expressions. "Nandito po pala kayo." 

"Pa, kaya pa ba?" Martin asked as he walked into the living room. 

"Parang hindi na," Martha teased, shaking her head. 

Before Alex could react, Martina walked into the living room and spoke again, her voice sweet yet determined. "Mahal, gusto ko ng paa ng manok. Tapos i-adobo mo." 

Alex exhaled and stood up. "Okay. Wait lang, bili lang ako." 

"Wait," Martina interrupted. 

Mikee and Avi exchanged knowing looks. Martin and Martha sighed in unison, already anticipating what was coming next. Both of them face-palmed. 

"Let me guess," Martin muttered. 

"Wait! Me! Me!" Martha said eagerly. "Dapat nakapedicure?" 

Martina shook her head. "Kaliwa. Kaliwa lang gusto kong paa ng manok." 

Alex stared at her, then sighed in defeat. "Baby naman..." 

"May angal ka?" Martina challenged, raising an eyebrow. 

"Wala po. Aalis na nga eh," Alex muttered, already heading for the door. 

Mikee patted Avi's shoulder. "Mas malala ata anak natin." 

Avi laughed.

As Alex was about to leave, Martina grabbed her wrist. 

"Wait lang," Martina said, tapping her chin as if deep in thought. "Gusto ko rin ng... fishball." 

"Okay, that's easy," Alex replied. 

"Pero dapat di kulubot pag naluto," Martina added seriously. 

"Baby, paano 'yon?" Alex whined. 

"Ikaw na bahala, mahal. Trust yourself," Martina said, giving her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. 

Mikee snorted. "Para kang sumabak sa final boss battle, Alex." 

Avi chuckled. "Kaya mo 'yan. Nagawa mong magpatakbo ng ospital, ito pa kaya?" 

Alex shook her head but smiled as she kissed Martina's forehead. "Okay, fishball na di kulubot pag naluto. May iba pa, baby?" 

Martina nodded eagerly. "Meron pa! Gusto ko ng mangga." 

"Oh, finally, something normal," Alex said in relief. 

"Pero yung maasim lang sa kanan, tapos yung matamis sa kaliwa," Martina added. 

Alex groaned. "Baby! Paano ko naman malalaman kung saang puno lumaki 'yung mangga na 'yon?" 

Martina pouted. "Di mo na ba ako mahal?"