❝ PROLOGUE
"Ma'am, may balak po ba kayong mag-asawa?" tanong sa akin ni Nely.
Nely is my neighbor. Or else, katulong siya ng may-ari ng katabing-bahay ko. Pwede na ring kasama ko sa bahay.
I smiled while playing with his little cute hands.
"Wala,"
"Ma'am?! Sa gandang niyong 'yan! Dios Ko! Hindi imposibleng walang umaaligid?!"
Natawa na lang ako sa reaksyon niya. I'm old for that, Nely. None of my business.
It's funny how our paths crossed. I feel so genuinely happy seeing him smiling. Hearing his chuckle and feeling his soft touch.
"How month is he again today?" tanong ko.
"Ah, anim na buwan na po, Ma'm. Bakit po?"
Umiling ako at saka bumulong.
"I don't want you to grow, my sweet little love."
I saw his little dimples. How cute. He looks like someone I knew.
"Oh, I so love you, my little man."
Ang saya na nararamdaman ko ngayon ay kakaiba. Sa mahabang panahon na pagiging manhid at walang ibang naramdaman kundi sakit ay binago ng mga ngiti niya.
"Ma'am, bakit po hindi na ulit kayo sumubok magmahal?"
I looked at Nely. She's looking for something to cook.
"There are some things better left behind. I don't have a love life, but I love my life. And I think that's enough. At eto ang bagong mamahalin ko." Looking at my son.
Tumayo ako at mulinh sinulyapan ang bata.
"Alright. I'll go now. I don't want to be late. I maybe late for tonight, but I'll try to be home at nine, huh? Take good care of my little man."
I kissed his forehead and his little hand. I'll surely miss this one in the office.
"23 years old, single and still a virgin. Who the hell can think you have a son?"
"You know what, Zarina, this doesn't make sense. You think I fucking care?"
"Damn, woman! Stop being so stupid waiting for him! He won't come back and make you horny again!"
Napataas ako ng kilay dahil doon. Eww. She really have a bad mouth.
"There's a difference between stupidity and martyrdom. And for your information, I don't feel horny even when we're together."
"But, oh, I'm not a martyr." I added.
"I will salute you if you'll be a martyr, but sorry, I'll be an exception."
"No one said you need to belong. Get out of my office."
Sumakit ang ulo ko sa babaeng 'yon. As if she's married. She doesn't know anything. All she wanna do is goof around and party.
"Nakangiti si Ma'am ngayon, ah!"
These smiles are not genuine.
"In love ata!"
But, yes, I'm in love.
I'm in love with someone who made me see the light again. The one who taught me that love is quite worth living and so is small - my son.
"Go back to work. So that you can go home as early as you want."
Naghiyawan pa sila lalo nang dahil sa sinabi ko. A little rest would do.
