Destiny's Game

52

Sundays were spent with M's family. They'd go to mass together then have lunch at Papa and Mama's home where Mama cooked M's favorites like Korean beef stew, salpicao and paella. Sometimes, M would help in the cooking.

"...ikaw ba Ricoa..." Papa said while pointing his cane at J. They were in the living room after lunch. Papa on his favorite chair, while M and J sat side by side on the larger sofa.

"Pa naman. Ang puti-puti po ni Richard o" M said.

"Oo nga, Ricola, seryoso ka ba talaga dito kay Menggay?"

"Opo..."

"Pa, inaalagaan po ako ng mabuti ni J..." M said

"...sinusunod nyo pa ba yung mga kundisyones ko?"

"Ah opo..." M quickly and discreetly kicked J in the guise of adjusting the way she sat.

"Opo...opo..." J seconded.

"Mabuti kung ganun. Gusto ko na shempre magka-apo sa tuhod pero mas importanteng magpakasal muna kayo..."

"Kasal?" M's eyes widened.

"Dun naman ang punta nyo diba?"

"Ah eh..." J could only scratch his head.

"Ikaw Rogelio..." Papa looked at J again.

"Po"

"Richard, Pa...Richard..." M tried to correct Papa for the umpteenth time.

"Richmond...mahal mo ba itong si Nicomaine o niloloko mo lang?" Papa said. J could only shake his head and smirk. M rubbed and patted J's back and discreetly massaging his nape.

"Mahal ko po...mahal na mahal ko po yung apo nyo..."

"Mabuti na yung malinaw."

"Opo...opo..."

---

"Pa?" M said softly as she embraced her grandfather from behind.

"Ano?"

"Boyfriend ko na po si J"

"O"

"Pwede na po kaming mag-hug?"

"Hmm..."

"...pero yung hug natin, mas special pa rin..." M said as she transferred to hug Papa from the front. They had their own hug and cuddle which M received a lot of when she was growing up.