Amara

New Year's Eve

It has been a few days after naming i-announce na nagka-balikan na kami ni Sophia. The past few days had been great as Sophia and I met with our friends and announced that we were going to re-marry. Karamihan sa kanila apprehensive para kay Sophia but I can not blame them, I have hurt Sophia and they all knew about it, kaya hindi ko masisi kung bakit ang iba sa kanila ay hindi panatag na nagka-balikan na kami ni Sophia. As I have said earlier, you don't know my story so do they. I have changed and I know for a fact that there is nothing I could do but show Sophia and Marionne that I love them so much and that I am a changed woman. Whether they will believe me or not, I have nothing to prove to them as long as binigyan ako ni Sophia ng panibagong chance that's all that matters. Sophia and I are in our old house, preparing for the New year's eve festivities with our immediate family. Kami ang host this year and this year will be a special one because Marionne is proposing to her girlfriend Eileen. Eileen will be with us and her family to ring in the New Year. My daughter Marionne was a nervous mess as she helps us in the Kitchen, something Sophia and I noticed. 

"Hey, why are you such a nervous wreck?" Sophia asked Marionne. 

"Mommy, paano kung hindi pala payag si Eileen na mag-pakasal sakin? Paano if atakihin siya bigla sa puso?" She asked Sophia.

"Non-sense. Wag ka nang mag-alala, I think ready naman na si Eileen." Sophia smiled gently. 

"Ma! Si Mommy oh!" Marionne whined at me. 

"Yoyon, tama ang mommy mo. Adult na kayo pareho ni Eileen, I think Eileen is a strong woman, pero hinay-hinay ka lang, wag mo papakabahin, tatakutin o bibiglain si Eileen." I said chuckling at her.

Cute si Yoyon kapag naiinis na siya sa amin ng Mommy nya, Yoyon looked like me when I was a little younger, the only difference is she is wearing her hair long, her locks are flowing and straight, para itong emo rock chic na naka-tabing ang mahaba nyang bangs sa mga mata nya. She often flips her hair back which falls back into her eyes. If it would have been me, I'll have her hair up in a pompadour or a long quiff like mine which is held down by a pomade or clay and a few spritz of hairspray to lock my hair in place. Masyado akong balidoso pag-dating sa buhok ko at sa katawan. Something na hindi namana sa amin ng anak namin, she just goes about her day na isang beses lang nag-susuklay. Samantalang ako the whole day, I finger comb my hair or if I am not wearing any holding product, I would often put a drop of hair serum in just to refresh my hair especially after a long day at work. 

"Relax baby, nothing will ever go wrong tonight. Pagtiwalaan mo ang mommy mo. She's always right. Now keep chopping so we could relax na." I said to her.

"Okay ma." She said.

"Thank you my wonderful girls." Sophia said.

"You're most certainly welcome gorgeous." I said smiling at her.

See, Yoyon thinks she would be proposing to Eileen tonight, but according to Sophia, Eileen was also proposing later tonight. I am excited for Marionne and Eileen. In a short span of time, Eileen became part of our family as we became a part of hers. They welcomed Marionne warmly, now that our eldest is getting ready to make a life of her own, Sophia and I are planning to have a second child which I will carry, I am excited about these plans. Sophia smiled secretively at me as we kept teasing Yoyon, tandem kami sa pang-aasar sa Unica Hija naming si Yoyon. A picture of a happy family, something I should've enjoyed all these years but because of my carelessness I was not able to do so. This time, I promised myself to take care of Sophia and Yoyon.

Not everyone is given a second chance, kaya I am determined to make things right this time. Once we were done cooking, we got ready for the night. Mamaya lang ay darating na ang pamilya ni Sophia at Eileen. I am wearing a laid back outfit tonight, naka-khaki shorts at black v-neck shirt lang ako at white sneakers. Sophia is wearing a denim shorts, black tank top and sandals. While Marionne is twinning with me. This was always the case with our new year, naka-pambahay lang kami. Relaxed at hindi naka-bihis ng magara. I love days like these, dahil hindi ko man aminin it's hard to keep up with my appearance. I would rather wear shorts, but working at Howell Lifestyle Inc. I am most of the time in a pantsuit or a jacket and jeans.

Eileen and her family was already here, dala ang mga pagkain na kanilang inihanda. For a couple of years now, we have spent our new years this way, even when Glaiza was still around, laging ganito ang set up namin. For Marionne's sake, we gather at our house every new year's eve. This was how I came to be friends with Glaiza, why she spoke with me at ibinilin sa akin ang mag-ina ko. I am still thankful for her everyday, dahil sa pag-mamahal na ibinigay nya kay Sophia at Marionne. Marionne is lucky to have had her as her third mama, I remember her quietly observing Marionne and Sophia as they enjoy the night and at that moment I saw her eyes full of love for Sophia and Marionne. I was pulled out of my reverie by Sophia, when she said. 

"Hey, love? Okay ka lang?" She said worriedly.  

"Huh? Yes. Yes, I'm okay." I said to her. 

"Are you sure? You looked like you're spacing out. Sama mo naman ako." Tatawa-tawang sabi ni Sophia sa akin as she tiptoed and placed a quick chaste kiss on my lips. 

"I remembered Glaiza and how she fiercely loved you and Marionne. Hindi ko man lang siya napasalamatan for taking care of Yoyon." I said to Sophia. 

"She knew you appreciated her effort." Sophia said smiling before she pulls me to the backyard kung saan andun na ang pamilya ni Eileen together with Yoyon. 

Eileen's parents knew of Marionne's situation, I have met them countless times over the years Eileen and Marionne had been together. In fact I have seen Eileen's parents on a PTA Meeting I had when Yoyon was in Highschool. They smiled upon seeing Sophia and I, we said our pleasantries with them, nakipag-kwentohan na din kami ni Sophia sa parents ni Eileen habang si Eileen at Yoyon nasa isang tabi, may sariling mundo at nag-tatawanan. Habang kami, kumakain na at nag-iinuman. I was drinking whiskey together with Eileen's father while Sophia was drinking wine with Eileen's Mother. Si Yuan ay isang Chinese National na nag-emigrate sa Pilipinas dahil sa hirap ng buhay sa China, habang si Elaine naman ay isang Chinay, born and raised in Manila. Her family owns a department store in Binondo, they own Lucky Dragon 888 department store, Yuan established himself with a chinese grocery store and eatery in Binondo called Tiānkōng which means Sky.

The night was just about to unfold, kanina pa nagpapaputok ang mga kapitbahay. Pretty soon countdown to 12 a.m. na, I watched as Eileen pulled Marionnne to the center of our yard and said to Marionne.

"I want to welcome the new year with a new milestone, babe. I have been thinking of you and how my life is not complete with out you, so will you join me in the coming years and become my wife?" Eileen said as she knelt in front of Marionne and presented her with an engagement ring.

Marionne nodded her yes at niyakap ang fiancé nya. Sabay putok ng mga fireworks above their head. It was a beautiful sight to see. As they held each other and Eileen slips the ring on Yoyon's finger. Marionne in turn knelt in front of Eileen and said.

"Baby, I will spend all my life taking care of you, I will love you forever and always put you first. Be my wife Eileen." Eileen in turn nodded her yes and pulled Marionne up at niyakap ito.

Sobrang saya ng anak ko, pero dahil nga may sakit si Eileen, hindi nya pinakita ang excitement nya, she just smiled beautifully at Eileen. We approached them both and gave them each a hug. My baby is getting married soon!

A/N:

Eto na nga! Like mother like daughter ba? 🤣😂✌️ Pasensiya na po sa matagal na update! I hope your 2020 is doing great! Steady lang tayo!

10 more chapters to finish this short sequel. Salamat sa suporta ninyo. Happy weekend guys!

Spread light and love!

- Sky