A New Dream

A New Life

"Gwapo naman ni Mr. Reid," One mom remarked.

The school had an awards ceremony that had just concluded. Coby had taken best in class in all his subjects, earning him top honors. James and Nadine were just on their way out when Nadine heard her name brought up in passing.

"Such a shame na nilandian siya ng nanay ni Coby, si Nadine. Ginagamit lang niya si Mr. Reid," Another said with a sigh.

"Oo nga. Sayang na doon lang siya pumunta, sa isang single mother na nagkaron ng anak kahit walang kasal."

They froze as Nadine listened to all their remarks. James pressed a hand over Coby's ear in an attempt to block him from hearing what they had to say.

"Naddie...just, ignore them. They're ignorant," James said as he held Coby's hand as the two began to walk out.

"Babablik ako," Nadine announced as she walked up to the two moms.

The two were evidently stunned at Nadine's appearance. "Hi," she began.

"Ms. Lustre, kamusta ka? Congrats sa anak mo," One said in a tone Nadine could tell was fake.

"Good except for the fact I keep hearing my name brought up by people who don't know me at all," Nadine replied as her lips curved into a smile.

"Oh..talaga?" The other woman asked.

"Don't act like hindi ninyo alam kung anong sinasabi ko. I heard everything you both were saying," Nadine said as she crossed her arms. "And it's sad that you both are supposed to set an example for your children. Yet here you two are, gossiping and putting me down just because I was a single mom and had a child with another man."

Both their eyes widened as Nadine continued on.

"Call me what you want. Continue to disregard what women like me go through because kayo yung perfect  babae diba? Kayo naghintay pagkatapos ng kasal kaya mas taas kayo sakin, diba? Edi kayo na, kayo na ang lahat. But you know what, at least one of the lessons I'll pass down to my child is not to judge others based on superficials and rather, look what's in their heart. But go ahead and keep thinking of me as inferior and malandi because you're both just that narrow minded. Go and continue perpetuating misogyny against women, just go. I may not be as "saint-like" as either of you, but I know I'm the better person in that I don't need to put others down to bring myself up," Nadine vented.

"Dami mong alam," One lady snarled.

"If your only response to that is a cliche, half-assed irrelevant statement, then I can tell there really isn't much in either of your brains anyways since chismis lang ang alam ninyo," Nadine retorted.

James was waiting for her a couple feet away as he watched with glee as she went off on the two judgmental women.

"Love, bubble tea, remember?" James called out as he waved his hand at her.

"We could argue some more, but my fiancee is calling me, so bye," Nadine said sarcastically as she turned around and went to catch up with James.

The two were seething at what had happened, which prompted Nadine to smirk.

As soon as she walked up to James, she grabbed his collar and pulled him for a kiss. Which James happily returned as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She suddenly began to bend backwards, the kiss not at all breaking.

Coby closed his eyes and looked the other direction, which elicited giggles out of both James and Nadine when they finally took a breath to get some air.

The two women, after watching the scene, went out the other direction in rage.

"Sorry, anak," Nadine apologized as she ran her hands through Coby's hair.