The Life of the Gangster Queen

Chapter #30 - Family Bonding

Mark's POV

Lyka and Shane were at the garden with the kids while me and Robin went to their dining room to have a talk.

“Salamat sa regalo niyo kay Lance, dre. He looks really happy with his new toy and his new playmate.” Paninimula ni Robin.

“Wala yan. Pambawi narin namin kay Lance dahil sa dami ng pasko na di namin siya sinisipot.”

“Lagi niyo parin naman siya napapadalhan ng regalo pag pasko at birthday niya kayaokay na yon.”

And I changed our topic. “Well, the reason why I dragged you here is because I need your advice. Justine and I had the same mind. For this situation, I know that you can give me an advice that’s good for everyone.”

“Slow down Man. You’re getting me nervous. This sounds serious.” Pag-papakalma niya sakin. I just took a deep breath and sigh. “Good. Now tell me what keeps bothering you.”

“They already met, Robin. Gino and Shane.”

His eyes wined. “What?! How?! What happen?!” sunod-sunod na tanong nito.

“We bump right at him at the mall. Or it’s more like, Shane bump right at him at the mall. Nagkita sila kase tumakbo si Serenity at hinabol to ni Shane at ayon, nabunggo niya si Gino. Nagkita sila. But still, Shane doesn’t look like she remembered something about him.” I explained. “Paano na ang gagawin ko? Paano kung kunin sakin ni Gino si Shane? Paano kung ipaalala ni Gino kay Shane kung sino siya sa buhay niya? I don’t want that. Paano ako? Paano na kami ni Serenity?”

Robin calmed me down by patting my back. “Chill dude. Hindi mawawala si Shane sa inyo ni Serenity. One, Gino hurt Shane. Hinding hindi ka niya iiwan. Kung maalala man niya kung sino si Gino sa buhay niya. It doesn’t matter. Kase wala na sila. At hindi niya magagawang piliin si Gino ngayon dahil sa nagawa ni Gino sa kanya. Second, I’m sure hindi naman kayo magagambala ni Gino dahil sila parin ni Kei. So don’t worry to much”

“No… I still don’t want Shane to remember Gino. I know this is selfish of me to keep it from her but it’s for her own good dahil nasisiguro ko na kapag naalala niya ang sa kanila ni Gino ay masasaktan nanaman siya. Kasabay ng pagbalik ng ala-ala na iyon ang sakit na pwede niya pang maramdaman. At ang mas kinakatakot ko ay ang pagbalik niya sa dati. Natatakot ako na simulan nanaman niyang gawin ang ginagawa niyang libangan dati kapag nagagalit siya. I can’t see her in that way again.”

“I understand, Mark. What you said was right. This is selfishness but we’re just going to do this for her. Let’s just make sure na hindi na siya makakalapit kay Shane.” Then he went silent for a second. “I have an Idea.” Biglang bulalas nito pero kaunting napangiwi. “But I don’t think you’re gonna like it.”

And I just looked at him curiously kung ano ang naiisip niya.

Shane’s POV

“Ano naman kaya ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa para lumayo pa satin?” Bigla kong tanong kay Lyka.

“Hayaan mo na sila. It’s a man to man talk. Parang satin lang na mga girls” sagot ni Lyka kaya hindi ko nalang din pinansin ang dalawa at itinuon nalang ang pansin kina Lance at Serenity na naglalaro.

“Kamusta naman ang pagbubuntis mo kay Lance? Mahirap ba?” bigla kong tanong sa kanya.

Tumango tango naman siya. “Oo din. Masyado kasing stressfull dahil halos magsabay ang wedding namin at ang panganganak ko kay Lance kaya hindi lang ang kasal namin ang iniintindi ni Robin. Pati ako narin. Ng malaman niyang buntis ako ay mas pina-aga niya ang wedding para daw hindi ako masyado mahirapan sa paglakad sa altar. Kaya ayun.” Kwento niya. “How about you two? Maaga kayong Nakaranas na mag alaga ng bata.” Komento niya.

“Yeah… I admit that raising Serenity wasn’t as easy as I thought. But I’m happy everytime na inaalagaan ko siya. For someone like me who lost a memory. She gave me a piece that I feel like Even If I lost something, I’m still complete. The way She laugh, smile and the first time I ever heard her say Mommy, It was all wonderful. Kaya kahit Mahirap, naging masaya naman kami.”
“How about you and Mark? How are things going between you and Mark?” biglang tanong ni Lyka.

“We’re fine. We both are happy together with Serenity”

“Well, are you guys together na?”

“Ummm… I guess…. Yes? I still don’t know. He hasn’t ask me to be his girlfriend but we are officially dating. Last date namin, lumabas kami kasama si Serenity at binili na nga rin namin ng regalo si Lance.” Natawa naman siya ng konti. “May nasabi ba ako na nakakatawa?”

Tumigil naman siya sa pagtawa at humarap sakin. “That can’t be called as date kung lagi niyong kasama si Serenity. Well it is considered as a family date. But still, to officially date and to know each other better, dapat yung kayo lang. Mas may privacy pa kayong dalawa.” Pagpapaliwanag niya.

“ohhh… I see. Pero paano si Serenity?  We can’t just leave them at home. Busy si Kuya kase marami siyang projects ngayon. Sila mommy at daddy naman busy sa pag renovate ng bago naming bahay.”

“That’s not a problem. Sa amin mo muna iwan si Serenity. Para narin may kalaro ang anak namin. At hindi puro IPad niya ang nilalaro.”

Natawa naman ako. “Okay, sige. Sasabihin ko yan kay Mark.” Sambit ko at ngumiti sa kanya.

Sakto naman ang pag-balik ng dalawa. Tumabi si Robin kay Lyka at humawak sa baiwang nito. Si Mark naman ay tumabi narin sa akin at inakbayan ako.

Ng tumingin ako sa kanya ay parang may iba sa kanya. “Are you okay?” tanong ko.

“Yup. I’m great. Lalo na’t nandito ka ngayon sa tabi ko.” Sabi niya at kinindatan ako.

Napairap naman ako.  “Ano namang nakain mo at gumaganyan ka na ngayon?” Humarap ako kay Robin. “Anong tinuturo mo dito at naging ganito?”

Nagkibit balikat naman siya. “Wala akong kinalaman sa pagiging corny niyan. Baka may nakain na kakaiba” Natatawang sabi ni Robin.

At nag kwentuhan nalang kami ng nag-kwentuhan hanggat sa matapos ang buong maghapon. At the moment, I wish that time would stop and just stay that way. I have my Family, my Friends, My daughter is happy and I enjoy spending time with my old friends. Sa dami ng kwentuhan namin ay parang hindi pa sapat ang araw na to para natapos iyon. But time really pass by quickly when you are actually enjoying yourself but I know that there is still some other day kung kalian ulat kami pwede makapagsama-sama ng ganito. For now, I’ll just focus on my family. And recovering my memories and surely hope that nothing would change.