The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 37

"Sige na, Kief..."

"Pero, Ly, anong oras na o?" Kiefer scratched his nape. He just came from practice, and so did Alyssa, but she seems to be too excited tonight.

"Ni-text ko na si Manang Isang, aantayin daw niya tayo," Alyssa clung to her hubby's arms, "Please, Kief? Ang tagal ko nang hindi nakakakain ng isaw..."

"Grabe 'to," Kiefer sighed, "Di ka pa buntis nito ha..."

"Babe naman," she whined, "Sabihin mo lang kung ayaw mo akong samahan. Okay lang sa akin-"

"O sige na... Eto na," he complained, putting on a more decent shirt than the sleeveless house shirt he usually wears, "Kakakain lang natin ng dinner nito ha?"

"Ang. Dami. Niyo. Pong. Reklamo," she heaved a sigh, and tied her hair in a bun, "Gahd, ang sakit ng ulo ko. I think kelangan ko na magpagrado ulit ng eyeglasses ko."

Kiefer went behind her and tried to massage her head. It's Saturday evening, and Kiefer loves weekends with his wife. "Huwag na tayong lumabas," he whispered, "I-massage na lang kita."

She turned around to look at him, and wrapped her arms on his waist, "Babe naman, takam na takam na ako... Sobrang tinipid ko ang gutom ko habang nagpa-practice kami kanina..."

"Wow! Tipid pa ba 'yun?" Kiefer chuckled, and snatched his key from the dresser. "O siya, baka kung ano pa maisipan mo," he murmured.

"Yaaas!" Alyssa happily cried, and they went their way to Manang Isang's.

"'Neng!" Manang Isang gladly called out to her. She gave Manang Isang a hug, and said, "Manang, baka ubos na ang isaw manok..."

"Ipinagtabi kita, ano ba," Manang Isang confided, and she and Kiefer happily pointed their choices, and Manang Isang had them over the grill. "Bakit ngayon lang ulit kayo nadaan?" Manang Isang said. "Busy na po si Kiefer sa basketball, tapos ako po, as usual, sa pagmo-modeling," she giggled, and Manang Isang poked her by her side. "Ambisyosa ka talaga, Neng," Isang teased her, "Balik na pala si Sarah diyan ano?"

"Ay, opo," Alyssa smiled, afraid that Manang Isang will find out-

"May anak na pala si Sarah?" she asked, and Alyssa and Kiefer exchanged glances. Kiefer just nodded. "O-opo," Alyssa stammered, and Manang Isang looked at her, "O, ba't parang...?"

"Manang," Alyssa pleaded, "'Wag niyo muna po ikwento, pero opo."

"Naku, 'Neng, kalat na dito!" Manang Isang exclaimed, handing Kiefer his choices. "May nakakita kay Sarah, bitbit ang bata... So malamang si Kiefer ang ama. Kaya mo siguro niyaya magpakasal?" Manang Isang addressed Kiefer this time. Kiefer just nodded, and Alyssa butted in, "Pero di pa alam ni Kiefer nun na buntis si Sarah, Manang." She looked at him and smiled comfortingly, "Niyaya niyang magpakasal-"

"Akin po ang anak," Kiefer simply said, and smiled at Alyssa. It was not reassuring, but it was a brave one. Manang Isang looked at Kiefer, "Ah... Paano mo nalaman sa 'yo?"

"Manang Isang naman," Alyssa was shocked, and Manang Isang rolled her eyes. "Ineng, sa dami ng lalakeng dumaan kay Sarah-"

"Marami pong naging boyfriend si Sarah," Alyssa was adamant, "Pero... Pero..."

Kiefer could see Alyssa's agitation. He reached for her hand and looked at her, "Marami mang tao dumaan sa amin ni Sarah, pero alam kong sa akin yung bata." Alyssa nodded at Kiefer, and squeezed his hand.

"Kayo na ba?" Manang Isang asked. Alyssa and Kiefer exchanged looks, and Manang Isang held out her hand, "Teka... Paano yung bata...?"

"Ako pa rin po ang ama, pumayag naman po si Sarah sa set up namin," Kiefer replied, and Alyssa squeezed his hand more. "Babe?" he asked, worried.