Wasted (A BCWMH Fanfic)

Wasted - Part 6

“Tita, so yun,” Nikki concluded her story as she chopped the vegetables that Abby had washed. “Nothing serious naman, I’m just getting to know people. Studies first of course!” She handed Maya the chopping board.

“Tama naman yan, enjoy lang,” Maya stirred the pot as she tossed in the vegetables. “Bata ka pa Nikki.”

Maya, Nikki and Abby had been puttering about in the kitchen as they prepared kare-kare. They were able to form a system that allowed them to work efficiently. Maya and Nikki commandeered the stove and chopping board respectively while Abby washed the ingredients and blunt cooking utensils.

Abby placed a bowl of dripping vegetables on the table and carried on to wipe her hands. “Tita Maya, I’m done na.”

“Wow Baby, thank you ah,” Maya lightly touched Abby’s cheek. “Kami na ni Ate mo ang bahala dito kasi baka masugat o mapaso ka pa.”

“Ok Tita,” Abby acquiesced. “Can I go and take a bath now? Para fresh ako mamaya for lunch.”

“Sure Baby.”

And with that, Abby dashed off to her room.

Nikki trained her eyes around them to make sure no one was around. “So, Tita, going back to our topic… How about you? Have you ever thought of settling down?”

“Well,” Maya began pensively as she continued to focus on the kare-kare. “Ok lang naman, open ako sa idea pero, sa ngayon, trabaho at si Anton ang focus ko. Isa pa, medyo mahirap naman makahanap ng lalaki na tatanggap sa babae na may anak na.”

“Oh, I just it’s just like Dad’s situation no?” Nikki pointed out. “Except that he’s a widower with three kids. Then again, I don’t think that stopped women from flocking to him.”

Maya inwardly cringed as she recalled the different women who had expressed interest in Richard. “Naalala ko nga sabi ni Ms Liza na kailangan raw bantayan si Sir Chief eh. Marami kasi raw nagkakagusto.”

“I know right. Buti na lang he’s kinda dense.”  Nikki settled herself on the seat at the center island. “But you know what- Dad never dated. I mean, all those years that you weren’t here, he didn’t go out with anyone.”

“Talaga?” Maya affected a disinterested tone.

“Never talaga,” Nikki toyed with the oven mitt that Maya left on the table. “He buried himself in work. For a while we thought nga that he will be a monster again. Fortunately, hindi naman naging ganun.”

Maya just nodded in response and adjusted the flame on the stove.

“Work, family and the occasional friends lang talaga si Dad.” Nikki surreptitiously observed Maya’s expressions. “Walang love life; it seemed like he was waiting for something or, maybe, someone.”

Maya just nodded again as she took a metal spoon to taste the dish.

“Ikaw, Tita? Not to be prying or anything,” Nikki leaned forward on her fist. “Yyou don’t have to answer me if it’s too personal but- why aren’t you married yet?”

“Well, Niks,” Maya considered her answer. “Hindi lahat ng bagay naman nasosolusyunan ng pagpapakasal lamang.”

“What about Tito James?”

“Matalik na kaibigan ko lang si James; naging sandalan ko sa mga panahon na marami akong hinarap na pagsubok.”

“Aren’t you together? Or hindi ba naging kayo?” Nikki persisted.

Naku Nikki, yan rin mga tanong ng daddy mo kagabi, kung alam niyo lang… Maya thought to herself as she thought of how to answer Nikki. “Hindi talaga, parang si Simon- hanggang kaibigan lang kami nun.”