Her Perfect Imperfection

Chapter Thirty-Six

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Thirdy

“I DON'T think this is a good idea, Thirdy. Maybe it's too early to introduce Ford to your whole clan.” Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na matawa sa sa mga nasabi ni Jeni sa akin. Sumimangot siya saka binalingan ng tingin ang anak namin. “Will they reject him?”

Umiling ako.

The last talked I had with Mama was two days and she said, she's excited to see Ford. It was as if my child was her first grandchild. My parents have many grandchildren - three with Kuya Dawson, two with Kuya Clarence. My child is their sixth grandchild and another kid that will continue our line up to the next generations of lawyers and doctors.

“They will never do that,”

“They did with me and I am Ford's mother. I am the woman your mom despise.”

“That was before. Things change now, Jeni. You don't need to mingle with them.” Masuyo kong hinawakan ang kanyang mga kamay. “Kakain lang tayo kasabay nila tapos. . .”

“Tapos?”

“Tapos. . .” Hinampas niya ako sa braso. “Let's just get this done so we can go home.”

“Home?”

“Yeah home, Jeni. Our home in Isabela.” Hindi siya sumagot at tinago lang ang mukha sa akin. “Please stop doing that. I'm weak.” Pag-amin ko saka hinawakan ng mahigpit ang kanyang kamay. “Ford, come here. Let's go inside. Your mom will follow us if her spirit come back.”

Sumunod sa akin ang anak namin at iniwan namin si Jeni.

“Hey, you two! Hintayin niyo ako!” Ford and I heard Jeni shouting but we walked faster so she have to run after us. Jeni is acting cute and if that continues I'll end pulling her back to my penthouse and have no plan of letting her go out.

Nagpunta kami sa kami kasunod ng hiling ng mga magulang ko na makita si Ford. Mailang ulit ko pa kinumbinsi si Jeni na pumunta dito. Maraming kapalit ang nasabi ko para lang pumayag siya at isa sa mga iyon ang sasakyan ko na gamit ngayon. Iyon ang isa dahilan ng pagpayag niya at ikalawa ay dahil sa tulong nina Czarina at Nanay Remi.

“Thirdy, before you open that door let's have a deal first.”

“Again? What deal?”

“Na kapag may narinig ako na masamang salita na ipupukol nila sa anak ko. . . I mean natin, we will walk out.”

Pinaharap ko siya sa akin. “That will never happen, Jeni.”

“Just to be sure, Thirdy.” Malalim akong napahugot ng hininga. “They can shame me but not our son.”

I understand the trauma she had back then. Kagagawan ni Mama at Kuya Clarence. But it's all in the past and as I've said, I chose to move forward. To start a new with Jeni and our son.

“My grandparents have a huge house. Mama look! That's a cool chandelier. Like the ones we saw in a museum.”

“Son, this is a museum.” Naramdaman ko ang palo ni Jeni sa likod ko. “Because your grandparents are collectors of old things.” Pagtatama ko para hindi na mainis si Jeni sa akin. She hated when I filled Ford's mind with wrong informations.

“Will they like me, Papa?”

“Of course! Mama, my mom, she's excited to meet you.”

“How should I call her?”

“We will ask her later. For now, I want you to hold your Mama's hand.” Ginawa ni Ford ang inutos ko dahilan para magsalit ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa. “Relax, hm? Hindi ka naman kakainin sa loob.”