Kasalukuyan silang kumakain sa isang isang eat-all-you-can restaurant sa SM City North EDSA pagkatapos sunduin si Jackie sa skwelahan. Kaagad na pumayag si Aling Maridon kanina nang tumawag si Lorabelle na silang dalawa ni Steven ang susundo sa bata. Siyempre, hindi nawala ang panunukso ng kanyang ina tungkol sa kanila ng lalaki na baka raw magkaroon ng part two ang kanilang relasyon noon. Tinawanan niya lang iyon ngunit hindi rin naman niya naiwasan ang mapaisip.
What if - what if only – Steven would ask her to give their relationship a second chance especially that they already got Jackie? Hindi sa kung anu-ano pa man pero para kasing iyon ang pinahihiwatig ng lalaki sa mga kilos nito.
Yeah, that's what his actions are saying but what about his heart? Mahal ka pa rin ba niya? Kasi wala naman siyang sinasabi, hirit ng matinong bahagi ng kanyang utak. Pero siyempre, wala namang duda sa willingness nito na panindigan ang kanilang anak.
She suddenly frowned at the thought. Her alter-ego was right. Steven didn't talk about feelings, not even when they're making love. Can she even call it that way? Baka kasi para rito ay casual sex lang iyon.
"Lora, is there anything wrong? Bakit bigla kang sumimangot?" untag ni Steven sa kanya na siyang pumukaw sa tila naliligaw niyang diwa.
She blinked and glanced at him, then her eyes lowered down to Jackie who was sitting beside her. The little girl was also staring at her. The corners of her small mouth were covered with chocolate from the choco-coated marshmallow she was eating.
She smiled at the kid and then gently wiped Jackie's mouth to eliminate the stains of chocolate.
"Ah, wala. May nakita lang ako na medyo awkward kanina pero okay na. It's not really a big deal," she lied, giving him a smirk.
"Okay," tipid na sagot ng lalaki saka ito nagkibit-balikat.
She noticed Jackie staring at her, as if scrutinizing a tiny thing under a microscope and then her eyes flew to Steven, doing the same thing to him. With her forehead furrowed, she threw a questioning glance to the kid.
Her curiousity heightened when Jackie flashed an ear-to-ear smile after staring at them alternately.
"Mukhang happy ang baby ko, ah. What is it, 'nak? Come on. Share it to," halos pabulong na wika niya rito sabay ngiti. Para kasing umaandar na naman ang pagiging observant nito.
"Mom, tito Steven, you look so good together," anito na pinalipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa. Huminto ang paningin nito kay Steven. "I wish you'll become my dad, tito Steven," seryosong wika nito.
Bigla tuloy siyang nasamid sa sinabi ng anak kaya hindi siya magkandaugaga sa pagdampot ng basong may lamang tubig na nasa harap. She took a quick pull of the water and secretly dragged in a deep breath to calm herself. Kalokah naman 'tong anak niya wala man lang pasakalye kung magsalita. Prangka kung prangka!
She opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything, Steven already snapped her words.
"Really, baby? Don't worry, we'll get into that." Then he touched Jackie's hair and gently squeezed her left cheek. Tumingin ang lalaki sa kanya saka ginawaran siya ng mabilis na kindat.
Her cheeks heated and turned red. Tila naumid ang kanyang dila kaya hindi siya nakapag-react man lang.
"Totoo po?" labis ang kagalakang sagot naman ni Jackie. "Mom, is it true?" wika nito na sa kanya na nakatingin.
"H-ha? Ikaw talaga, anak. Kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi mo," she consciously responded with a fake smile.
She really didn't know what to say. Tila mas lalong nag-init ang magkabila niyang pisngi nang makita niya sa sulok ng mga mata na nakatingin si Steven sa kanya. Jusmiyo! 'Di niya talaga kinaya ang kaganapan sa mesang iyon.
"Pasensiya ka na, Steven, ha? Ganito talaga kakulit ang batang 'to. Sinasabi ang lahat ng nasa isip," nag-aalangang hingi niya ng paumanhin dito bagama't hindi makatingin ng diretso sa mga mata nito.
"Oh, no worries, Lora. Actually, nakakatuwa ang pagiging witty niya. It's a sign of being smart!" kalmanteng turan nito. He seemed so relax as if it was just a friendly conversation.
"Gano'n?" ang tanging nasabi niya.
But deep inside, she was utterly hoping for it. Bigla niya na lang kasing na-realize isang umaga nang gumising siya na mahal niya pa talaga si Steven. She could only hope that he also feels the same way too.
Sana nga talaga meron pa.
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PLEASE BE MINE...AGAIN (Completed/Editing)
Romance[WARNING: RATED SPG. THERE ARE SCENES THAT ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS AND READERS WHO HAVE SENSITIVE MINDS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.] Lorabelle loves Steven so much, but she had to sell at a loss and leave him just to follow her dreams. Ngunit kasaba...
