I still submit this chapter to Excess Baggage, but is not yet published, so you will read this chapter first here.
Hello po. Chapter 6 is
here. For those who have waited for my update, so sorry natagalan… even me I
almost forgot the plot of my story, I had to re-read chapters 1-5. Anyway, I
really vow to finish the story before my class start next week. So enjoy
reading. ^^
Chard? Is that you?
Alex!
Maya looked passed Richard and saw a tall, simple yet pretty
lady walking towards them.
Richard Lim! It’s really you!
Richard chuckled and opened his arm to engulf Alex in a hug.
Maya forced herself to look away. She suddenly feels like her chest has gone
out of air. She looked back at them when
she heard Richard called her name.
Maya, this is Alex.
Hi! I am Alex, Alexandra Tan. Alex smiled graciously at her and extended
her arm for a handshake.
Maya extended her arm as well. ‘Grabe, ang ganda na, ang
lambot pa ng kamay’. Maya thought.
Hi Alex! Maya here, Maya dela Rosa.
De la Rosa?? Alex asked and suddenly turned her head to
Richard.
Richard, as well, turned to Alex and lightly holds on to her
elbow. Maya answered Yes as her eyes
shifted to Richard’s hand on Alex that she missed the alarmed expression on his
face and Alex’s surprised face. In her
peripheral view, she saw Richard leaned to Alex and whispered something, and
before her chest ran out of air again, tiny arms suddenly wrapped on her waist
from behind.
Abby! Letting out
what seemed to be last volume of air on her chest, Maya turned her attention to
the little girl who tugged her to whisper something.
Oh my God, Abby! Ang laki mo na. Alex gushes excitedly as
she reached out to hug Abby.
Abby returned the hug, then stepped back to lean on Maya and
tentatively looked at Alex, seemingly figuring out who the lady is.
Alex sensed that Abby is trying to recognize her.
Baby! It’s me, Mommy! Remember?
Maya slowly lifted her head to look at Richard, who at that
time seemed to be lost on his own world looking at the mother and
daughter. If not for Abby who is still
leaning on her and holding on to her waist, she could have just run away. In that very moment, she just used Abby’s
physical contact to slightly lean back on Abby and hold on to her little shoulders
for support. She feels that her feet may
betray her any moment now and she may collapse.
Things are getting better in the last hour, they are enjoying going
around the zoo, the awkwardness with Richard around has even left her system,
then what’s next to this? Her happy and
giddy feelings came and left in a huff? Her mind went back to the present when
she felt Abby loosened her hold to her.
Abby stepped closer to Alex and gave her Mommy a kiss on the
cheek, then went back to Maya to whisper something. Maya welcomed the distraction and bent down
to Abby.
Uhmmm… Abby wants to go see the parrots… will it be okay if
I will bring her. Maya did her very best
to speak naturally and look straight to Richard to ask permission.
Richard momentarily stared at Maya, then nod his head. Go ahead, Thank you Maya.
With that Maya quickly turned her heel and tag Abby along
with her. Remembering Alex, she turned
back again.
Sorry Alex, is it okay? Or do you want to go with Abby? She
tentatively asked and at the same time praying that she will say no, because
the last thing she wants to happen now is to be left with Richard. She’s already thinking of a million reasons
to excuse herself when it happens, when Alex shook her head.
No, Maya. Go ahead.
Abby seemed so excited na to see the parrots. We’ll just bond another time, I also need to
talk to Richard.
With her answer, Maya’s
chest constricted again. She forced a
smile and walked away from them with Abby in tow. ‘why do I feel that it would
have been better if she said she wants to go bond with you’ Maya silently
muttered looking helplessly to Abby.
*******
What? Chard, you have waited for this time for so long! When are you going to tell her? Did it ever occur to you that she will know
you sooner or later, then what? It would just complicate things more. She seemed to be nice and a reasonable woman,
just tell her everything and believe me, she will understand.
Alex’s words has been ringing to Richard’s ear
repeatedly. He discreetly looked at Maya
thru the mirror. Her eyes are closed hugging Abby who has fallen asleep.
When Maya and Abby returned from the parrot cages, Alex has
left. Richard meet them halfway when he
saw Maya carrying Abby who seemed to got tired on the day’s activity. He carefully got his daughter from Maya.
Maya closed her eyes as soon as she has settled Abby beside
her at the backseat of the car. She can
feel Richard glancing at her through the
mirror, but she did her best not to open her eyes to stare back at him. She just doesn’t like what she’s feeling
right now. She feels annoyed on
something that she can’t figure out, all she wanted is to seek the comfort of
her room to think and breath. After few
turns and stops like eternity, she felt that the car engine stopped, next came
Richard’s soft voice.
Maya, we are here.
She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with a small
smile, he then went around the car to open her side of the car door. She carefully let Abby lean on the other side
and disentangled her little arms from her, then gave Abby a light kiss on the
forehead.
The scene did not escape Richard, who is waiting on the side
to assist Maya get off the car. The
scene warmed his heart and dreamily
smile, imagining to see this kind of scene more in the future. He automatically offered his hand to assist
her and felt so happy when her hand touched his. He carefully closed the door
and faced her.
Thank you so much for spending your time with Abby… with us.
Maya nod, smiled and turned her gaze to Abby.
Thank you din for letting Abby go with me, sana talaga
nag-enjoy sya. Uhmmm… I think you should
go ahead para makatulog na ng maayos si Abby.
She is just glancing at him while speaking.
Richard sighed a bit, then just nod.
Thanks again. Bye.
Bye, ingat sa pag-drive.
Richard walked back around the car and was about to go
inside the car, when he walked back again in front of Maya.
Maya looked at him puzzled, raised her eyebrows, silently
asking why he come back.
Richard looked at her, fidgeting with the car key in his
hand.
Maya… thank you again… and uhmmm…. I want to say something
but it might take hours. He chuckled nervously. But, please, don’t think too
much about it.
Maya is looking at him confused.
Richard laughed a bit. I know I am not making sense here.
But I just want you to know, that it’s not what you think… Uhmmm… I hope we can talk some other time? Like have some coffee… or dinner?
Maya still confused, just nod in daze and said okay.
Richard gladly exclaimed, Great!
*********
Girl, sa zoo ka ba talaga galing or sa amusement park?? Roller coaster ride ang peg ng araw mo… and
wait… it’s only what? Barely four hours
with him??? Pa-shy stage, sweet-sweet-an
stage, here-comes-the-ex-stage, then indirect date invitation??? Aba naman… you
already! Nakakaloka ka.
Maya could only laugh
on Emman’s reaction.
Ikaw talaga… kailangan talagang ganyan ang analysis mo?
Syempre naman. But seriously, girl, ingatan ang puso ha…
especially the mom is back, tagilid ang beauty
mo pag nagkataon.
Emman, alam ko naman yun… pero kasi ang pinagtataka ko, si
Abby parang aloof kay Alex… and diba ang sabi nyo naman noon, single si
Richard, kaya nga fave topic sya ng mga FAs.
Yap. Pero naman kasi hindi naman showbiz ang life ni Mr Lim…
hindi open book. So we really don’t know
who he is, diba?
Maya just nod in agreement.
O sya, time out na muna sa chikahan, it’s getting late na,
need na mag-rest in peace ng beauty ko.
Sige Emman, good night.
Maya let out a long sigh after Emman left. This would be a long night, she thought.
****************
Good morning Liza!
Liza jumped a little caught off guard when her boss’ door
opened. She just stared back at him in
disbelief, while her boss is just grinning at her. She quickly checked her wristwatch.
Sira ba relo sa mo?? It’s still early and you’re here
already!?
Well, I am the boss, I can do whatever I want.
Yah, right! Liza rolled her eyes, then was about to ask
something when his phone rang…
He motioned that he’ll be inside his office and answered his
phone…
Liza was left alone wondering what really happened on the
zoo trip with Maya… he avoided my calls since Saturday, he seemed in high
spirits today and take note, he’s way too early on a Monday morning, he is
usually late with hangover because of weekend with Abby… and that smile,
there’s really something going on… Lagot ka sa akin, Richard Lim.
Almost half an hour later and bothered by her thoughts, Liza
stormed to her boss’ office carrying a cup of coffee.
Liza sigh in disappointment, her boss is still on the phone
with Atty Molina, judging by Richard’s side of conversation…it won’t end
anytime soon, so she went back to her table again.
Other employees started to come, and LAS’ Monday work rolled
on, Liza momentarily forgot her curiosity, when her intercom rang and Richard
asked her to come inside the office. She
grabbed the document he asked for and stride inside. She saw him brows knitted, busily reading a
document, she just silently put down the document she’s holding on the table
and turned back. She was about to turn
the knob when he spoke.
What is it?
She turned around looking at Richard Lim who is grinning.
Richard knows Liza is dying to know what happened over the weekend.
Liza chuckled; eyebrow raised and settled herself
comfortably at the seat in front of his table.
Richard Lim, you know very well ‘what-is-it’?
Richard gave her a smirk and conveyed what happened.
What???? That’s ridiculous! Where did I-will-take-it-slow
go? And wait, Alex is back? Chard, this is getting complicated.
I know. I know. And I know that you will react that way,
that’s why I did not answer your calls, makiki-chismis ka lang and you will
just ruin my happy mood. He smirked.
Well, Mr Lim, why don’t you make things right so your
so-called happy mood will stay with you long? So what are your plans now?
I am not sure, but I think I need to clear about Alex with
Maya first? What do you think?
Chard, why don’t you start from the beginning once and for
all… i’ve known Maya for just a short period of time, but I guess she will
understand. Baka lalo maging complicated, then you will really lose your chance
with her.
Richard turned serious. Alex said almost the same thing, but
Liza I can’t risk what we have now. I
still want to build stronger foundation; I should find her mom first.
Oh, that reminds me, the investigator said; they are
trimming down the chances. Teresita dela
Rosa is a bit common name, they need to be sure first before they give us their
report.
Okay. For now, I think I will just clear about Alex first.
He sighed.
Why? You think Maya got jealous when she met Alex?
Richard grinned. I hope so, but more than that, of course
Alex being Abby’s mommy…
I understand. So, good luck Mr Lim. I’ll go back to work
now, and I am sure I can now concentrate on what I am doing.
Richard chuckled shaking his head.
…till next update. Sigurro 2-3 chapters na lang… J
