Hopelessly Devoted (COMPLETED)

Chapter 14

Aubrey Maurelle

It's Sunday and right now, I'm staying in our house together with my mom. And by the afternoon, we're going to church, of course to give thanks for the abundance of blessings that we receive in our daily lives.

My mom is busy, cooking something delicious for our lunch. I wonder what it is and I can't wait to judge if what it tastes like!

"Mom, are you done cooking?" I hungrily asked.

"Not yet, sweety. Pero malapit na 'to." tugon sa'kin ni mommy. From the kitchen down into our living room, I can smell our viand's inviting aroma and it really do pleased my nose. It smells so good!

And after an endless years of craving and impatience of waiting...

"Sweety, come here. Luto na ang pananghalian natin!" malambing na pagtawag sa'kin ni mommy Amelia. It's her off from her work that's why she can accompany me the whole day... A sweet girl bonding to make by the two of us! Ini-ayos na ni mommy ang mesa. Inilagay ang mga place mat sa ibabaw ng mesa, inilapag ang dalawang babasaging puting plato, mga kubyertos, pitsel na may tubig, juice at mga baso.

Inihanda ni mom ang mga pagkain at maya-maya pa'y inilapag na rin niya sa mesa ang sinandok na kanin at ang mga ulam na iniluto niya na siyang pagsasaluhan naming dalawa...with a little spice of her care and a cup of love.

"Wow! It all look so yummy!" I exclaimed with great beam on my face.

"Talaga anak? Oh maupo ka na't kumain na tayo." natatawa pang sabi ni mommy sa'kin. Gaya ng sabi niya'y umupo na nga ako sa bandang kaliwa habang nasa kanan ko naman si mom. Matapos ang maikli naming panalangin ay sinimulan na naming kumain.

"Mom, ang sarap po! Thanks for preparing this for me." I cheerfully stated. I hold her hand while giving her my brightest smile.

"Anytime sweety! Of course, I'll do this for my beautiful, little princess." she sweetly uttered to me. Afterwards, she softly pinched my chin then plastered a youthful bliss on her face.

"Mom," suway ko. Hindi na 'ko bata para sa mga kiddie endearments niya para sa'kin. It's really awkward. What if someone would hear those weird things? I'm sure that they'll just burst into laughter.

"Oo nga pala... Ang bilis ng panahon. Dati ang liit mo pa noong inaalagaan kita, ngayon dalagang-dalaga na 'tong anak ko." pagda-drama pa nito habang marahang sinusuklay ang buhok ko gamit ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay.

"May crushes ka na ba, huh Aubrey? May mga nanliligaw na rin ba? I'm sure na maraming pumipila sa'yo para bigyan ka ng mga regalo." dagdag na biro ni mommy. Mom sounds like she's letting me to go out on a date with every guy. Duh, I don't want, too because I'm too young for that! Ambiance right now is quite bothersome.

"Actually mom, wala po akong crush. I've set priorities in my mind. Gusto ko po na makatapos muna ako sa pag-aaral, makahanap ng disenteng work at syempre po, 'yong mag-give back po ako sa lahat ng sakripisyo n'yo po ni dad para sa'kin." seryoso kong paliwanag kay mommy Amy. "And uhmm... wala pong nanliligaw sa'kin. May panahon naman po para diyan. Besides, I'm still young to think about those crazy love stuffs."

Patuloy pa rin kami sa pagkain habang nagku-kwentuhan.

"Napaka-swerte ko talaga sa anak ko!" Marahang hinawakan ni mommy ang kanang balikat ko at ilang saglit pa'y inaayos at hinahawi naman nito ang buhok ko at inilagay lahat sa aking likod.

"No mom... I'm even more lucky to have you and dad as my parents! And by that, thank you so much!" I boast into her. "I love you mom!"

"I love you, my little princess!" she sincerely said. Walang ano-ano'y niyakap ko si mommy Amelia. I meant every words that I tell towards her. I know simple ways to make my mom bursts into tears... but of course, in a good way. A tears of happiness, for more precise explanation. I'll make her proud for my future achievements, someday and whenever I say it, I really mean and even do it.

"Tao po!" sigaw na naririnig namin mula sa labas.

We're into our mother and daughter sweet moments when we suddenly heard a stranger that shouts and loudly knocks in our gate. Parang gusto na yatang sirain 'yon sa lakas ng mga pagkatok nito.

"Teka anak, tingnan ko lang kung sino 'yon." paalam ni mommy sa'kin.

Akmang tatayo na ito para tingnan kung sino man ang dumating.

"No mom, let me do this. Just eat there peacefully." I insisted. I wouldn't forget to wear my beautiful smile at her because I'll definitely miss this moment.

"Okay sweety, if you really insist."
Nagpatuloy si mommy sa magana niyang pagkain. Tumayo ako at naglakad palabas upang tingnan kung sino nga ba ang dumating.

I am not expecting anyone to passed by in our house. Is it dad? Nah, I don't think so. He had his own spare keys and he won't bother to knock noisily but instead, he'll definitely surprises us. Besides, dad's voice is more deeper than this voice we heard a while ago. I think it's coming from a teen. Who the hell it could be?

***

"Tao po, tao po!" Patuloy ang pagkatok at malakas na pag-kalampag nito sa aming gate.

"Coming!" I exclaimed. Biglang tumahimik ang buong paligid. Maybe that unknown person heard me. I continued wandering to reach our gate.

Nang makalapit sa gate ay tinanggal ko ang pagkaka-lock nito pagkatapos ay marahan ko itong binuksan. Pag-angat ko ng tingin ay...

"Hi Aubrey! Good afternoon!" Sweet greetings from an annoying man that I ever know.

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Delightful_Harmony