Wasted (A BCWMH Fanfic)

Wasted - Part 3

“Dad, where are you? Paalis kami in a while!” Nikki shouted as she helped Abby go down the main stairs.

Richard came out of his office to see off his children. “Ok, take care. Luke, take care of your sisters.”

“Yes Dad.” Luke smiled at their father.

“Joma will just drop you off. He needs to go back here to pick-up Manang Fe – nagkasakit yung pamangkin niya. She needs to go to their province.”

“Oh no, Manang Fe,” Nikki said in dismay. “But will her pamangkin be alright?”

“Hay nako Ricardo, pinag-alala mo pa yung mga anak mo,” Manang Fe approached them from the kitchen. “Ok lang naman pamangkin ko, kailangan lang nila ng tumulong sa pagbantay sa mga anak niya habang nagpapagaling siya.”

Nikki worriedly persisted. “Sure Manang? You’ll all be fine naman?”

“Kaya ‘yan, ok lang kami.” Manang Fe patted Nikki’s arm.

“Tulad nga ng sabi ni Tita Maya,” Abby piped up and raised her arms. “Kapit-bisig!”

The siblings and Manang Fe laughed and imitated Abby. “Kabit-bisig!”

“Talagang ang lakas ni Tita Maya no, kahit wala siya – buhay na buhay siya sa alaga niya.” Luke side hugged Abby. “Akalain mo yun, napasalita niya si baby. Miracle worker ah.”

“Of course Kuya,” Nikki lightly punched Luke’s arm. “Hindi lang naman kay Abby eh, sa ating lahat kaya.”

Manang Fe furtively observed Richard while his children sang the praises of woman who has captured his dormant heart. “Hay Ricardo, kung hindi ka sana nagpaka- ano nga ba tawag ni Sabel – torpedo? Torpe? Ayun torpe.” She thought as she shook her head.

The man in question merely stood quietly, with a bittersweet smile on his face. It warmed his heart that Maya crept into the hearts of his children as well. Upon ending her employment in the Lim household, Nikki suggested – no, decreed – that Maya be called Tita Maya since she was practically like family to them. And with that, Maya dela Rosa became Tita Maya to the Lim children while she occasionally visited them – and even long after those visits had since ended.

“’Yan tuloy, sobrang daldal naman na ni Abby.” Luke teased, bringing Richard out of his reverie.

“Hindi kaya Kuya!” Abby placed her hands on her waist. “I’m not talkative ah.”

“Abby, there’s nothing wrong with being talkative.” Richard interceded. “As long as you don’t say bad things about other people,” He bent down to hug Abby who had gone to his side. “Anyway, I’ll be late to my meeting if I don’t finish up soon at kayo baka matraffic na kayo. I’ll pick you guys up after my meeting for a late lunch.”

—

After an uneventful ride filled with sibling banter, Luke, Nikki and Abby finally arrived at their destination.

Abby excitedly pointed to the displays outside the venue and tugged her sister’s hand. “Ate, look o!”

“Oh-em-gee, Abby, that’s so cute! Kuya, can we-?” Nikki pleaded to their older brother.

“O sige, sige,” Luke scratched the back of his head. “Dun lang kayo ah, bibili lang ako ng tickets natin. ‘Wag kayong lalayo.”

As the sisters walked towards the display, a familiar woman crossed their path.

“OH-EM-GEE!” Nikki shrilly said out loud, covering her mouth in shock.

The woman suddenly stopped and faced them. “Nikki?”