One Shots: An ADNBookClub Writing Challenge

Flower

by: einsy

"Mom! Don't do it! Mom!"

"Bakit? Pinahirapan ka nya! One point nalang yun, anak! One point!"

"It's okay, Mom. May next time pa diba? You always say na there's a next time."

"Pero anak, bawas na yun sa consistency score mo."

"Mom!"

"Hey!"

"Anong hey?! Tama lang yan para sa isang katulad mo?"

"Misis!"

"Excuse me, Miss!"

"Well Miss, why did you have to scratch my car?"

"Tama ako! Kotse mo nga to! Serves you right for letting my girl lose!"

"Po?"

"Iisang point nalang sya away from that competition and she lost it dahil sa yo!"

"Ahh...wait...I remember now, yun ba yung word na 'hydrangea'?"

"Oo! Na-mispronounce mo kaya mali din ang pag-spell nya"

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't say the word correctly."

"And for that, you scratched my car?"

"Yes!"

"Ang babaw mo naman. And for your information, MISS, I did not give your daughter the word to spell. It was presented to me randomly by the computer at the podium."

Maine thought about what Richard said and quickly walked away, dragging her daughter with her.

"Sorry, sir! Sorry!" Celestine shouted as they walked away.

"Hey! Bayaran mo tong damage sa kotse ko!"

"Let's go!"

Richard rubbed his nape and looked at the damage on the door of his car. "Hey wait!" he said, chasing after the mother-daughter pair.

"Celestine Athena! Faster!" Maine said.

"But mom!"

"Mamaya na tayo mag-usap! Let's go na! Dalian mo!"

China (Chee-na) suddenly stopped walking. "Mom!" she said loudly.

"Ano?" Maine turned back. She was still holding on to China's wrist.

"Dun tayo sa kabila naka-park e..." China said, pointing toward the other end of the parking lot.

"...eh bakit hindi mo sinabi agad..." Maine said, turning back, still dragging China along.

Richard caught up with them and almost bumped into Maine. Actually, they were face to face, just inches apart from each other.

"Ay! Ang sausage ni Superman!" Maine exclaimed.

"Kingina!"

"Mom!"

"Hmm...I prefer Ironman but Superman is okay..." Richard replied.

"...Sorry na diba?" Maine said, looking up at Richard.

"Ganun nalang, sorry nalang? Eh nilagyan mo ng signature yung kotse ko..."

"...madadala naman sa rubbing compound yan e...di malalim..."

"Ahh...ganon? Eh kung ikaw ang i-rub ko?" Richard said grabbing Maine's waist and kissing her full-on on the lips. Maine let go of China's wrist and wrapped her arms around Richard.

"Uhm...guys?" China said awkwardly after a few moments.

Maine waved one free hand behind her, signalling China to keep quiet. Her other hand remained on Richard's back, making its way to his nape and head.

"...Mom..."

Maine continued to wave her hand.

"...T....Tito Richard...." China realised that she knew the quiz bee host. He was her mom's friend from before. He had visited their old house about 2 or 3 years ago.

Richard, whose eyes were closed as he passionately kissed Maine, opened his eyes and glared at China. He, too, realised who this woman and her daughter was. He met Maine many years ago and wanted to court her but she was still with another guy and she was pregnant, too. He visited her again a few years later but she said she wasn't sure about her feelings plus she had a little girl and wasn't sure if Richard was willing to carry on the relationship with her at that time.

"...okay fine...I'll be at the food court kung gusto nyo akong balikan...bye..." China said and walked off.