Perfect Mismatch

CHAPTER 32

ARA

"Ara, order ako ng dessert ha," Cienne said but I've already heard her ask the waiter.

"Oo na," I said.

My friends and I are in my office. We just finished practice. The Bullies always come here from the gym to eat without emptying their pockets.

"Himala, wala ata yung buntot mo," Mika said while twirling the pasta with her fork.

"Ano?" I asked.

"Si Thomas, diba buntot mo yun," Kim answered for Mika.

"Dami niyong alam," I commented. "Daddy duties siya today."

"Napapadalas lately ah," Cienne said.

"May trabaho na kasi si Arra," I just said.

"Keri lang sayo yan?" Carol asked.

"Na may trabaho na si Arra? Bakit naman hindi, para din naman sa baby yun." I said.

"Shunga!" Mika said with exasperated expression. "Ang ibig sabihin ni Carol, okay lang sayo na may kahati ka na diyan kay Thomas?"

"Oo naman. Anak niya yun noh, aangal pa ba ko," I said.

"Chrue! Di ka naman girlfriend diba?" Carol said as if accusing me of something.

I looked at the floor because I didn't know what to say to that. My friends looked at me disgustedly. Yeah, disgustedly, true friends. But that's just how they show their concern for me.

"Paki-explain nga ulit samin yang sitwasyon mo," Mika said but they already know what I will say.

"Sige na Ara, para marinig ng sarili mo kung anong pinagagawa mo," Carol said.

"Baka kung uulit-ulitin natin, matauhan ka," Mika said.

I looked at Cienne and Kim. At first, they were on Team Torres but since the recent events they are starting to have doubts on supporting me and Thomas.

"Anuna Ara?" Carol prodded.

I looked at my friends one by one and then took a very deep breath, "Mahal ko, okay?"

"Ganun?" Carol said. "Hindi nga kayo diba."

"Ako ang may gusto nun. Hindi naman kailangan ng label eh. Mahal ko at alam kong mahal din ako," I defeneded.

"Eh panu yung bata?" Cienne asked.

"Edi may bata," I said. "Anak ni Thomas. That wouldn't make me love him less. He's still Thomas. Wala namang problema sakin yung bata."

"So magpapaka-selfish ka? Idi-deprive mo yung bata ng buong pamilya?" Mika asked. Those questions were like lightning hitting my heart.

"Mahal ako ni Thomas," I defended.

"May sakit yung bata, Ara. Kailangan niya ang mga magulang niya," Carol said.

"Hindi ko naman pinagkakait si Thomas eh," I said and I am starting to feel the my tears in the corner of my eyes.

"Given na nga," Mika said. "Pero yung baby? Okay lang ba sa kaniya na may kahati siya sa tatay niya. In the first place, wala namang siyang kasalanan. Hindi din kasalanan ni Thomas at Arra. Ginawa naman nila yung bata nung sila pa."

"Ara, baka ang gustong sabihin ni Mika, mas makakabuti sa anak ni Thomas na buo ang kaniyang pamilya lalo na't may sakit nga, yung may nanay at tatay siya na magkasama. Alam mo na," Cienne explained.

That's when my tears dropped. I know in myself that Amirra deserves a complete family. I've always believed that children should grow up in a home with a mother and a father to guide them. I would want that for my children.