MARAHUYO

M- 11

Romans 5:8
You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.

Special Note: I would like to wholeheartedly dedicate this chapter to one of the most iconic and loved writers of LA ff, our dearest Ate Hazel (@TransformedMuggle) You are and you will always be our inspiration. Rest in peace. Sing with the angels.

*

Unique was silently sitting right in front of them. His stare, even if he doesn't mean it, was terrifying and it tenses Aga. He has never been this tensed before.

Lea, on the other hand, was busy scrolling through her phone. She's obviously trying to fake the nervousness she's feeling about the idea Aga has in his mind at the moment.

Unique's aura has always been like this. Just like his mom, his silence and stares could get very intimidating at times. But today is different. Or they just think it's different because they are about to tell him something?

Unique cleared his throat as he shot the two a look, "Uh, ma, tito, are we just gonna stay like this forever?"

"Ha?" Lea asked and looked back. She put her phone down, "I-"

Aga moved a bit as he cleared his throat, too. An indication that he is about to speak up.

Lea felt a lump on her throat as she saw sweat on Aga's temple. She wanted to laugh because Aga is so tensed that he sweats like this. She wanted to wipe the sweat but Unique might get the wrong idea (which is not actually wrong because Lea really wipes Aga's sweat most of the time), so she stopped herself.

"Uh, Koi," Aga trailed, his hands clasped against each other, "You do know that your mama and I have been friends for a very long time, right?"

Unique nodded.

"And you also know that-- uhm..." Aga looked at Lea and whispered, "Help me out."

"What? No. This is your idea. We had a deal," she replied.

"I-- uhm," Aga continued, "And..."

Unique only stared, waiting for him to spill the beans.

"Gusto ko sanang ipaalam sa'yo... kung pwede ko bang ligawan ang mama mo?"

Lea had to gulp several times. She looked at Unique who was already eyeing her at the moment. She doesn't know if the twitching of his mouth is a smile or a smirk of disappointment.

"Koi, don't worry. Kasi I have clear and pure intentions naman. I promise, I won't hurt your mom. I will take care of her. Hindi ko sisirain 'yong tiwala na meron ka sa akin and 'yong tiwala rin na binibigay sa akin ng mama mo. I-- I don't know how to actually put everything into words pero, Unique, I love your mom. I really do. I have always loved her. I love her before but I love her so much more now and I could only promise you and her that I'd do everything I can and give everything I have for the both of you. I'd take care of her and you."

Unique rolled his tongue through his lips and nodded, "Hinihintay ko lang naman pong sabihin niyo sa akin 'yan."

Lea's eyes squinted.

"Basta, tito, I trust you more than I trusted mom's suitors before. Sa'yo lang po ako nag-tiwala nang ganito. I love it when I see mama smiles whenever she is with you. I love that she gets comfortable around you and that she feels safe and secured whenever you are with her. And I know naman, kahit hindi aminin sa akin ni mama, masaya siya 'pag magkasama kayo.

"Tito, sa lahat yata ng manliligaw ni mama, ikaw lang 'yong humarap sa akin na kinakabahan. Hindi naman po ako 'yong tatay niya. Anak niya lang naman ako. And I only think of her happiness. That's my only wish. And I think and hope you're giving her that."