Just friends

Come clean

Aya's perspective

Once and for all, I want to come clean.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" I asked her.

"Sure, what is it?" she said sweetly.

"How did you know that it was dad, that he's the one" I asked her, her eyes looked at me and she gave me a shy smile.

"Why are you asking me?" she asked me.

"I asked first."

"Your Dad and I, had a very different story. We knew each other for so long, since we were kids, just like how you and Andre are, then our parents had agreed to wed us"

"you and dad... you were fixed?" I asked. I never thought about this, not even in my wildest dreams.

"Yes. We don't have the most romantic story, but when I had you guys, I knew it was what God has planned for me." She said, while combing my hair.

"you and your brothers are the best gifts I had in my life." She added.

I embraced her. Even tighter than before, I now understand why our family was not like the other family my classmates had. My family, the most important thing in my life, is also the most fragile one.

I remembered growing up, Mom and Dad are the most loving parents, but as husband and wife they seemed to be so distant to each other. As I look back, they look more like friends than lovers.

They did not held hands, they did not embrace each other in front of us, they laugh together, but they were not as affectionate as other couples was.

"Do you love dad?" I asked her.

"Of course, your dad... he's a very good man. I just wish I could have loved him more than he loves me" She said, and I know that she does.

"what do you mean about that mom?" I asked again.

"Why are you asking this kind of questions?" she asked me.

"I was just curious."

"Your growing up too fast my love, whatever your thinking just take it one step at a time... there is no need to rush, you are still young." She said while patting my hand.

"Mom, I want to..." I said, but was cut off when my brothers went inside the room.

"Hello mom" Kuya Lee said and gave mom a hug.

"Hi my love" She said to Kuya Lee.

"Aya, how do you feel now?" He asked me.

"I'm feeling better" I said.

"That's great, we really miss you at home. We can't wait for you to be discharge here" He said excited.

"Allen, have you fixed Aya's discharge papers?" Kuya Lee asked him.

"Yep, everythings settled. We can go anytime you want." He looked at me worried.

"Is there something wrong?" Kuya Lee asked us.

"Nothing." I said.

Nothing's wrong – except me. I am lying to my family, and I'm lying to myself trying to hide how I feel. When I go back home, I won't be able to be with King as much as I wanted to, I know it sounds selfish but I could not imagine my life without him anymore.

My phone buzzed.

"Kuya, can you please pass my phone?" I said.

I opened my phone to see a message from an unknown number.