It was awkward.
No matter how much we try to conceal it with all the wine and the kids trying their best to not make it into an uncomfortable silence. We all knew that it was. All of us were uncomfortable.
Brent was trying his best not to stare too much and their kids were acting like they didn't know anything about me or our past. "Ang tagal ng mga bata," Sydney said. Tumango ako at ngumiti, Cj was quiet and was looking at their big family portrait.
"Love," I whispered, catching Cj's attention, tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti. I placed my hand on top of his. "Okay ka lang?" he was quiet for a few seconds, saying nothing and staring into my eyes.
"Yes," he said. I gave him a soft smile and laid my head on his shoulder.
Sydney excused herself to check on the sinigang, apparently it was Archer's favorite.
Just like his father.
"Buti pumayag ka na tumira sila sa iisang bahay?" Brent asked.
"Ileia knows what she wants and hindi magpapapigil yun." Cj chuckled. "Kaya nag-away pa kami," I continued. My daughter is hard-headed, she was and she will always be one. Having an athlete for a father, Cj taught Ileia that is she wants something, she must put her mind into it and do her best to achieve it. Kaya pag may gusto si Ileia talagang ginagawan niya ng paraan.
Brent clicked his tongue and he nodded. Atalia gave the dog to her father and Brent placed it in his lap. "So... One child lang?" tumango kami ni Cj. "Why?"
My breath hitched and Cj tightened his grasp on my hand. "I prefer not to answer that. I'm sorry," I answered. Nanlaki ang mata ni Brent at halatang hindi niya alam ang gagawin o sasabihin.
"I−I'm sorry."
Cj gave him a smile. Wala naman kaming magagawa, sanay naman kami sa ganyang tanong. But we prefer not to talk about it. I am so tired of hearing questions and comments on why Ileia wasn't supposed to be an only child and why we need to have more.
"Hey, everybody okay?" Sydney asked, removing her apron.
Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Can I ask where the comfort room is?" she nodded and pointed to the hall. "Love, please text Ileia na, nakakahiya." Cj nodded and fished his phone out of his pocket to text Ileia.
"Okay lang, It's probably Archer's fault," Biro ni Sydney.
I thanked Sydney, she just smiled and let me close the door.
Okay ka lang?
We can ditch if you want? I smiled when I saw Cj's texts. Kinilig naman ako sa asawa ko bigla, sobrang thoughtful.
I proceeded to do my business quickly, re-applying my lipstick and fixing my hair. Giving myself a little peptalk.
"Ma?" Ileia was hugging Cj. I waved my hand and smiled at her. "I didn't know na nandito kayo." Inakabayan siya ni Archer.
"Surprise!" tumingin si Ileia kay Archer and he wiped her tears. "I know the whole thing with your mom was making you sad so I asked my mom if we could invite them."
After Ileia hugged me and said her apologies, which I also did. Sydney asked us if we wanted to eat and everyone said yes.
"He really looks like Brent," bulong sa akin ni Cj habang naglalakad kami papunta sa garden nila kung saan kami kakain ng dinner. "Creepy din na si Ileia kamukha mo."
"I wish we had one that looks like you."
"If you come to think of it, Brent didn't get you." Tumingin ako sakanya kasi walang sense yung sinasabi niya. "But his son who looks exactly like him got Ileia."
"I love you," bulong ko. Cj rolled his eyes and kissed my temples.
"I love you."
"I just wish that they wouldn't end like us." I stared at Ileia and Archer who was laughing with Brent and Sydney.
I just hope that my daughter won't get her heart broken by a Paraiso.
YOU ARE READING
Our Own Way
Fanfiction"My mom doesn't hate you, Arch. She hates that she's watching herself and tito Brent through us and she's scared that we'd end up the same way as they did." > In which Brent and Elin tried their best to make it work. But when the world doesn't want...
