Note: I found some free time tonight so I'm posting this na now.
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"Mommy, Daddy, fight ba kayo?"
I look at Maine, who still refused to look at me. "Why do you ask, Baby?" I asked Rosie.
"Kasi Daddy, hindi mo help si Mommy put food sa plate-o niya. And Mommy has iyak sa eyes."
Since I came home for lunch and told Maine the news, we had alternated arguing or avoiding each other. It was just too good a project to pass up, but schedule would conflict with some of the family's plans. The discussion ended with Maine thinking she needed a break.
Now, I didn't know where we stood, all we knew was that Rosie needed to be fed.
"Baby, pray na before we eat." I reminded Rosie.
"Thank you, Papa Jesus for the food we niseerve -"
"Receive, baby." I corrected. She still had some trouble with words that began with an "R".
"Daddy, what means ng niseerve?"
"Finish praying first."
"Thank you, Papa Jesus for the food we EAT." Maine chuckled.
"Oh by the way, Lola in heaven, mag-su-su-sumbong po ako kasiiii si Daddy isn't nice to Mommy. Please talk to him. Amen." She made a sign of the cross then got up from the table. "Manang, please po call Lola Nanay." Once Manang got Nanay Mary Ann on the phone, "Lola Nanay. This is Nowsie. Mommy is mag-a-a-away kay Daddy and sad si Daddy. Okay, Lola. Okay. Okay... Will you bring sasalubong for Nowsie?"
"Rosie, dinner na." Maine called out.
"Bye, Lola Nanay. Scary face na si Mommy eh," she bid.
Our cellphones beeped as soon as her call ended. Kung ano man yan, pag-usapan. Sabi nga nila, para magtagal ang relasyon, ayusin, wag itapon.
Still dinner was awkward.
Once we got Rosie to bed, we turned in but barely said a word to each other. As soon as Maine was ready for bed, she went to her side and turned her back to me. "You should take the project. If it's as great as you think, then you shouldn't pass it up."
I hugged her from behind, because I knew if I didn't do it then, I would lose her forever. "Let me talk to them. I'll try to work out the schedule."
"You might lose it."
"Have faith in me, please."
The following days were filled with meetings to work out said schedule. Fortunately, they really wanted me in the movie, so they gave me some of the dates I asked - except for Maine's birthday. I called to tell her this. "Okay lahat ng other dates, but yung March 1-4 kasi big scene. Pero after that free ako ng 10 days, we can take a trip na tayo lang. Payag sila Ate Nikki kung one week dun si Rosie."
"Okay, Baby."
She agreed, but I was still worried when I got home. I saw her fixing the cupcakes on the kitchen counter. "Hi."
She handed me cupcake. "Sorry about our fight. I shouldn't have doubted you."
"Sorry din," I apologised, hugging her. "Sorry if parating parang hindi kita priority. Meng, I understand you naman pero sana when we fight, ayoko na marinig anything remote to breaking up or maghihiwalay. We'll work through everything basta magkasama. Masakit isipin na iiwan mo ko, Meng."
"Sorry, ang lakas ng flight response ko." She then kissed me. "Thank you for arranging your schedule."
That kiss quickly escalated. "Si Rosie?"
"Nap."
"Let's go na sa room. I want to remove your dre-"
"Daddy, what means ng niroove?"
"Hi, Lola Nanay! Yes po, bati na Mommy and Daddy. I cannot give phone eh - asa room sila, mag lock yung door. Kasiii mag-fix ni Daddy yung dress ni Mommy, ni-niroove yung spider. Sabi Daddy, stay ako with Manang because scary yung spider."
Text Message to Maine and Alden from Nanay: Kayong dalawa, balitaan niyo ako kung magkaka-apo na ulit ako ha!
"ROSIE MENDOZA FAULKERSON!"
