The Groom's One True Bride

Chapter 19

They were both silent, each to their own thoughts.

Alyssa sighed.  They have been at it, playing cat and mouse.  Relatively a peaceful one, but still, always trying to find a way out, always trapped in their feelings.

That night that Kiefer stayed in Batangas, so many emotions were thrown in the air.  Small confessions, trying to test the waters, but it all built up a tidal wave of emotions.

She looked outside the car window.

She meant every single word she said.  She is tired.  She wants to be alone with Isaw.  She wants to break free from the emotional ties...

"Besh," Ella broke the silence, changing gears, "Hindi kaya pinapagulo mo lang ang sitwasyon ninyo?  I mean, ayan na, gusto na niyang bumalik.  Bakit ayaw mo?  Lalo na't gusto niyang bigyan ng family si Isaw?"

She sighed, and glanced at Ella.  "Pagod na ako, Besh.  Alam kong paulit-ulit na lang 'to.  At si Isaw lang naman ang habol niya.  Sa kanya na rin nanggaling dati na no-strings attached sa pagpapalaki namin kay Isaw.  Kahit sabihin natin na nagbago isip niya, babalik at babalik siya sa ugali niya…," her voice trailed off.

Ella took a side glance at her, "Bakit? Anong ugali niya na hindi mo mapatawad?"

She sighed, "Ella, aminin natin hindi talaga ako ang gusto ni Kiefer.  Napilitan lang siya.  Siguro, lumambot na lang din loob niya sa akin, dahil I was a convenience to him.  Hindi ako pumalag sa lahat ng mga nangyari."

"Bakit? Ano ba tipo niya?" Ella asked, leaning forward, eyes on the road.

She looked outside the passing cars.  "Mahilig si Kiefer sa magaganda.  Mapuputi.  Tisay.  Balang araw, kung pipilitin namin na magsama, hahanap-hanapin niya ang mga 'yun," she murmured, and she heard Ella sigh.

"Alam mo, Besh, tigilan mo 'yang pagka-negastar mo.  Ang lalake, mapapatingin talaga 'yan sa magagandang babae kahit sabihin nilang mahal ka nila.  At ang babae naman, makukuha niya ang lalake niya kahit may kapangitan," Ella exclaimed, and Alyssa chuckled.  "So ano ang point mo, Besh?" she asked, and Ella just rolled her eyes.

"In short, ang lalake, prone talaga na matukso 'yan.  Aminin man nila or hindi.  Pero kaya din nilang maging faithful, hindi dahil maganda ang asawa nila, kundi dahil may nakita silang kukumpleto sa existence nila," Ella pointed out, maneuvering the steering wheel.

"Awow!" Alyssa exclaimed, "So ano ito?  Puzzle?"

"Hindi.  Walang perpektong relationship.  Yun lang 'yun," Ella emphasized, shifting gears as they now enter the lane going to the hospital, "Baka this time, sa mga pinagdaanan ninyo, ikaw naman ang ilalaban niya."

Alyssa was silent, just as Ella parked the car.  "Besh," Alyssa murmured, "May girlfriend na siya."

"Ha? Paano?" Ella asked, her seatbelt forgotten in her hand.  "E halos magkandamayaw siya sa paghahanap ng maiuuwi sa Batangas para lang sumaya ka?"

Alyssa shook her head, "O di ba?  Sabi ko sa 'yo," she laughed bitterly, "Iiwanan na naman niya ang girlfriend niya para sa amin, para kay Isaw.  Pero hanggang kelan?  Deserve ko naman siguro na ako naman ang mamahalin ng buo, di ba?"

"Teka lang, wait," Ella said, still confused, "So... So... So paano mo nasabi may girlfriend siya?  Kase wala akong nakita na kasama niya, or may natunugan, or kahit sa kilos niya..."

Alyssa sighed, and removed her seatbelt, "Nung panahon na nadulas ako, yung naospital ako... Nakita ko siya sa kwarto ni Kiefer.  Sinabi naman na ni Kiefer na may girlfriend siya e... Pero iba rin yung makita mo siya ng harap-harapan..."

Ella reached out and gave her a hug by the side, "Sorry, Besh... Akala ko... Akala ko talaga nagbago siya... Kung makatawag siya, makabulabog siya, para siyang lutang na kaluluwa nung ayaw mong magsalita, at umuwi ng Batangas..."

"Baka iniwan na rin niya, hindi natin alam," Alyssa rubbed her arms, finding comfort, "Basta okay na rin ako kay Isaw.  Siya na lang.  Masaya na ako..."  Ella gave her one last hug, and they both alighted from the car.

"So kilala mo na ngayon mukha niya," Ella said, picking up her bag and locking her car doors, "Ano sasabihin natin sa mangkukulam?"

"Hindi ko alam," she smiled, "Basta "Hon" ang tawagan nila."

"Hon?" Ella stopped.

Alyssa turned around to see what's the matter, "Oo, bakit? At least hindi "babe", para siguro hindi siya malito."

"Sigurado kang "hon" ang tawagan nila, or Hon ang pangalan niya?"

It was Alyssa's turn to look confused, "Hi-hindi ko alam.  Hon ang palaging naririnig ko."

"Maputi, petite, mahinhin, malaki boobs?  May maliit na nunal malapit sa bibig?" Ella continued  to ask.

"Kilala mo rin siya?" Alyssa asked, surprised with the way Ella seems to know Kiefer's girlfriend.

"Anak ng tokwa," Ella mutter, palming her forehead, "E assistant niya yun e! Siya yung pinag-iiwanan ko ng mga pagkain na ipapadala sa 'yo 'pag hindi ko maabutan si Kiefer!  Honey Jane ang pangalan nun!"
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Kiefer is restless.  He kept on checking his cellphone during their practice.  And now, it's game time, he was the last to hide away his phone.  He asked Thirdy to hold it for him, and give him a signal if Alyssa texts him and reveals the gender of their child.

"Thirds, please don't mix them up, okay?" Kiefer reminded Thirdy for the nth time, earning him an eye roll.  "How hard could it be that if it's a girl, I raise my hands up with my palms open, and if it's a boy, it should be a clenched fist?"  Thirdy slipped his phone on his pocket, and added, "And what difference does it make if you know the gender later tonight?  I mean, she's been to the hospital earlier, and if she meant to share it with you, she should have texted it to you the moment she learned of it?"

"Shut up, okay?" Kiefer was getting annoyed, excited, all pumped up.  "I just want to know as soon as she confirms..."

They were now asked to go to the dugout.  "Okay, okay," Thirdy muttered, and checked his own phone, and Kiefer nodded, and jogged towards the dugout.

Thirdy has a point.  If she wanted to, she should have texted him earlier.  He let out a deep breath.  He wanted to believe that there is hope between them; he wanted to believe that she knows  how much today means to him, too.

He wasn't there for her today, but he made sure Ella was with her.  He is not sure if he should send Thirdy, but he felt better knowing that someone who has been her constant is with her during this time.  He already announced to her family that today is the gender reveal, and also to his... And right now, this is the first time he despised having to play basketball.

He donned his jersey, and together with his teammates, huddled for some last minute  coaching and pep talks...
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He wiped his face free of sweat just as he is being prepped for a post-game interview.  His team won, he is the player of the game, and he is somehow deflated that Thirdy didn't even raise his hands to clap, and the devil instead grinned like an idiot!  He must have read the text message and he just wants to piss the hell out of him!

He put on the headset and the interview started...

"Congratulations for being the player of the game, Kiefer.  You seem to be like a man with a purpose tonight, with all the saves that you did."

He tried to smile on the camera, "Yes, we wanted to win as much as we can, as our way of showing respect to the game, and to our coaches and the management team who believed in us all the way."

"We saw your team struggle on the first quarter, and even the next quarters weren't really picture perfect, but the perseverance was evident in everyone.  What motivated you to hold on despite the turnovers, and fight your way back?"

Kiefer wiped the sweat from his eyes.  I wanted this game to be over soon.  I want to know my child's gender.

"Coach Yeng has drilled in us to never even think that the game is over.  Every minute counts, and even on the dying second, he'd always tell us to keep the ball moving and convert it to points instead of wallowing in frustration."

"Nice job, great job from the Phenom, and congratulations to NLEX Road Warriors!  Would you like to thank anyone...?"

Kiefer could see Thirdy pointing somewhere, but he went on, "I'd like to thank God, first and foremost, for making tonight happen.  And my teammates, coaches, the management and staff of NLEX Road Warriors for the support, and of course, my family - Papa, Mama, Thirdy, Dani, Yaya Nors, sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa amin, kasama na si Bea na closet fan..."

And he couldn't help it.  "And si Alyssa."  His face softened, hoping he'll get to Batangas in no time.  The courtside reported ended her spiel, and he started to stand up and run to the dugout-

"Manong!"

Thirdy was shouting at him, wading his way on the sea of people.  He glared at him, "Nagmamadali ako, Thirds!  Derecho ako-"

Thirdy brought Alyssa forward. 

She is so beautiful in her simple black A-line dress,  her pregnancy very evident.  She is very much a mother, and that is his child she is carrying.

He made small steps, as if in a dream.  Slowly, his steps started to increase speed, until he was running towards her...

And he kissed her.  He grabbed her arms, and it felt natural to kiss her.  As if something has taken over him, like if in a different plane and time, they would be kissing. 

But this kiss... It's the first after so many months of heartbreaks and heartaches.  He still remembers her taste, her smell, how her tongue-

She moved back, blushing, her gaze averted, her hand on her belly.  He awkwardly removed his hand, and saw how Thirdy tried to avoid gaping at them.  "Akala ko... Akala ko umuwi ka ng Batangas," he murmured, excitement and happiness in his voice. 

He didn't know she watched his game.  He wanted to relish on the thought -

He loves her.  Without a doubt.

He would have wanted to show off to his wife how he loves basketball.  He wanted to show off to her how he worked hard for this.  He wanted to show off to her how she inspired him to take the game again.

It's not about Isaw now.  He knows he loves her.

Just as  he wants to move heaven and earth for her to smile back at him.  That smile that glows and lights her eyes... That smile reserved for him.

Just  as he wants to fight for the love that was broken.  He will continue to piece them together with his blood and tears.

"Inaantay ko text mo," he hurriedly said, as if in explanation, "and when I didn't hear from you, akala ko dahil umuwi ka ng Batangas."

Alyssa just nodded shyly, and he can't help himself, "Alyssa, salamat... Ang saya ko na andito ka."

She looks confused with the turn of events.  "Ha? Uh, kase di ba? Si Isaw... Yung gender niya...," she seems rattled, and this time, he grabbed her hand.  "Okay naman siya?  Ten fingers? Ten toes?" he asked, and she nodded, that sparkle back in her eyes.  He was mesmerized, he just stared at her.

"Kief?" she blurted out, self-conscious, "Healthy and normal si Isaw..."

He hugged her, this time, not afraid of his feelings for her. "Thank you, Lord," he whispered in her hair. 

They were locked in that embrace, despite the open stares and whispers of the people around them.  Thirdy cleared his throat, and murmured, "Guys, nakakahiya.  Can we do this somewhere private?"

Kiefer looked like he has awoken from a stupor.  He nodded, pulling back from the embrace.  "Ten minutes," he said, "Wait for me, okay? Thirds, yung ate mo, please..."

Thirdy moved to her side, that idiotic smile back on his face.  He turned around, his mind hurrying -

"Kiefer!" she called out to him, "She's a girl."

Kiefer kept running, but he was biting his clenched fist.

He was crying tears of joy.
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