Lea's POV
"Good morning, baby!" Aga greets our daughter and kisses her head.
"Good morning, dad. Please drop the 'baby'."
"Good morning, sweetheart. Bacon, egg and fried rice are for breakfast today. Here's your milk." I put the milk beside her plate then kiss her head.
"Good morning, mom. Thank you. Let's eat na po." I sit beside her and we pray before eating.
"Kelan po pala ang balik nina manang?" I look at her. She's referring to manang Loida and Mandy. They are our helpers who just had a vacation to their families in the province.
"Why anak? Hindi mo ba gusto ang luto ko? Do you miss manang Loida's recipes? If it's that so, I can change the menu naman."
"No, mom. I love all the dishes you cook. I'm just asking because you're tired all day doing the chores. I mean, you are Lea Salonga; you are not suppose to do this. Don't think po that way. Actually, mom, I will miss this when manang Loida and ate Mandy are back." She just made me smile big.
"That's so sweet of you, anak, but I love doing this. I'm happy to serve you and your dad. Almost all my life I've been dancing and singing and acting for people while these... these are the only things I do for you. And don't you worry, you will not miss it. From now on, even when manang and mandy are back, I will be the one to cook for you everyday."
"Really, mom???" She excitedly asked.
"All for you." I caress her cheek.
She suddenly hugs me and kisses me multiple times. Hahaha. She's being childish again. She is like this whenever we're doing something on her favor. Aga and I just laugh at her action.
Months have passed and I can say that I and Claire are doing quite good. She started to be open to me like she is to her dad. I don't get jealous like before. I just love how focused she is everytime we're together. She really is trying to work things out between us naturally.
There are even times that I feel like she is more mature than I am. And I am thankful to Aga for raising her this way.
Gab's POV
"You what??!" Claire asks in disbelief. This is exactly what I expected.
"You heard it right. I already gave Daniel my yes."
"What were you thinking??? What if ninang and ninong will know about your relationship? What will you do?"
"Claire, I know what I'm doing. Calm down."
"You know what you're doing?! Really?! Then you probably know that you are being impatient! You told me that you could wait. ---"
"I tried. I tried to control my feelings and just wait for that right time. Pero ang hirap."
"Oh, yes, you tried! It's so obvious." Here is her sarcastic side again. I hate it.
"You don't understand because you have never been inlove. It's so complicated. He's with me yet it feels like he's so far. Yung everytime na may lalapit na iba sa kanya para makipag-mingle, kahit gustong-gusto ko siyang sabihan na 'wag' hindi ko magawa because I do not have the right to deprive him from anything because I am just a no one. Nasasaktan nako. I want to be happy this time, Claire." I try to control my tears but they just betray me.
"Believe it or not, I understand you, Gabby. I was right there on your side during the things you've been through. I, ninong Chard and ninang Dawn understand you more than anyone else. But why can't you understand that there are decisions you cannot make for yourself yet? Don't you think it's still too early to follow your heart before following your parents? Their rules won't harm you. They are actually trying to protect you."
"Why are you taking their side instead of mine? I am your bestfriend."
"Gabby, this is far from the Gabby that I know. This is not my bestfriend. My bestfriend always thinks of what could be good for her family before for her own."
"Can't I prioritize my feeling just for once?"
"Just for once? In case you forget, Gab, from the very moment you let Daniel court you... Feelings mo lang ang inisip mo. I thought, one summer with your parents would make you realize that you could be happy even without him, but surprisingly, it just brought out the worst in you. You became selfish!"
"Selfish na kung selfish, but I love Daniel! He is the only one who loved me with no conditions! Even my parents never loved me this way! Siya lang!"
"Ghad! I witnessed how your parents loved you from day one up to now! No one could ever love you more than they do!"
"That's what you thought! It's wrong! They always give me conditions before giving me their time, their love and it's the worst feeling! ---"
"Ako??? How about me, Gabby???"
"I-I thought you are the only one who understands me, but I was wrong. You're just like them." We are both crying and both shocked with what I just said. I do not mean it. I'm just too complicated today. I want to take those words back, but I can't.
"You know what, congratulations. I hope you would have the happiness you always wanted."
I just watch her walk away. It breaks my heart. She's been my one and only bestfriend for almost all my life. I don't want to lose her, but I cannot give up Daniel.
