BCWMH 2019 😍😍😍 – 3

LDR

I am LUKE ANDREW LIM, 23 year old eldest son of Richard, Alexandra and Maya Lim. I graduated two years ago from PUS (Philippine University of Sciences). I am currently working at Lim Aviation Institute. Since I hope to improve my craft further so I can eventually help Dad run both LAS and LAI in the future and upon consultation w Dad, Mom and Joni, I have finally decided to leave home for awhile to enrol in a master’s program in an aviation school in the U.S.– MSc in Aircraft Engineering.

Dec. 6, 2019

Dad just arrived from Singapore last night and as usual we had a dinner feast to welcome him home. Happy as I was to see him back home, I can’t help but ponder on what my life will be like when I leave for the US next month. Kakayanin ko ba to be away from home for one year and a half?

Here am I at the veranda with Dad. We just finished talking about how things are at LAI.

Luke: And Dad, I think I know who can be a possible replacement for me when I take a leave.

Richard: Sino?

Mommy enters the veranda with a tray of cups of coffee and cake slices.

Maya: Ops. Tama na muna yan. Let’s have coffee.

Richard: You’re the boss, sweetheart. Where’s Nikki?

Maya: (Shares a knowing look with Richard.) She offered to put the twins to sleep. Mag storytelling daw sila ni Abby.

Richard: Oh okay. Son, let’s just talk about your temporary replacement on Monday. Tell him to see me on Monday.

Maya: (Notices Luke’s dazed look) Anak, Luke?

Richard: Son?

Luke: Yes, Dad?

Richard: You’re unusually quiet. Kagabi ko pa na notice. Is something wrong?

Luke: Wala naman po.

Maya: Tungkol ba ito sa pagpunta mo ng Amerika, anak?

I nod.

Richard: Son, this will be good for you. This is a very good preparation for the future.

Luke: Sana po kayanin ko. Nasanay po akong kasama ko kayo all my life. Nanjan lang kayo lahat parati to give me advice.

Richard: Even if you’ll be away from us, son, please know that we’re always just a phone call away. There’s FaceTime, Viber and Skype.

Maya: Wag kang mag-alala anak.

Luke: Opo. Thank you, ‘My. Iniisip ko din po si Joni. Pano kung mainip siya at di na niya ko mahintay?

Maya: Okay lang yan. Marami rin akong kakilala na nag work ang LDR sa kanila. Kaya wag ka masyado mag-alala.

Richard: Wait. What do you mean by LDR.

Mom giggles and I soon follow.

Maya: Naku sweetheart. Yan ka na naman. Hindi ka talaga in.

Richard: (Frowns)

Luke: Dad, LDR stands for long distance relationships.

Richard: (Looks at Maya) Sige na. Say it. I’m not cool at all.

Maya: Sweetheart naman eh. Ikaw kaya ang coolest husband.

Richard: Bola!

Maya: Coolest pero hindi in. 😂😂😂

Richard: Etong mommy mo talaga Luke o.

I smile. I always enjoy light moments like this with mom and dad. I’ll surely miss this.

Maya: Anak, naniniwala ako sa pagmamahalan niyo ni Joni. Maniwala ka sa pagmamahalan niyo. At kahit magkalayo kayo, wag niyong kakalimutan na magbigay oras para sa isa’t- isa. Tingnan mo kami ni Kute. Nasa malayo siya pero updated kami parati sa isa’t-isa.

Richard: Your mom is right. Make time and have faith. If you and Joni are truly meant to be, time and distance can’t ever separate you.

Maya: Mahirap mawalay sa pamilya, pero minsan kailangan natin yun para mas mapabuti ang hinaharap.

Richard: Sometimes our dreams entail sacrifices.

Maya: Nakaya kong mawalay kila nanay dati. Maging ang daddy mo, nakaya din niya mawalay sa mga taong mahal niya.

Luke: Really Dad? Kelan po yan?

Richard: When I started working for Papa at Lim’s Rubber and Steel, I knew I wanted the company to soar great heights, and I also knew that I can only do that if I equip myself w proper training and skills. Ganito din yun. I had to leave Mama and Papa and Manang Fe to take further studies in the US. l had to be away from family and from your mom for 2 years.

Luke: Kayo na po ni Mom nun? Ay. Sorry, ‘My.

Maya: Ano ka ba, Luke. Okay lang yan. Gusto ko rin makarinig ng kwento tungkol sa mommy niyo. Parte siya ng buhay niyo. Ayokong nagso-sorry kayo everytime name-mention si Alex.

Richard: (Smiles at Maya.) Yes. She was already my girlfriend for about a year then.

Luke: How did you and mom survive the two years?

Richard: We wrote letters. I called her once a month.

Luke: Once a month?

Richard: Communication at that time wasn’t cheap, son… Thing is, we survived. After I got my masters, I flew back home and she was right there waiting for me.

Luke: Sana ganyan din kami ni Joni.

Richard: Make sure to give each other time. Communication is so much easier and cheaper now, unlike before. Kami ng mom mo nun, we had to do with writing letters. You and Joni can talk w each other constantly.

Luke: Hindi lang naman po si Joni ang mami-miss ko. Siyempre kayo din pong lahat. I’m also afraid that I might be a stranger to Sky, Sunshine and Matty kasi I’ll be away for more or less 18 months.

Maya: Ganun din tayo, anak. Mag-uusap tayo parati. Besides, pag nagpunta dad mo sa US (for a series of seminars) sa May next year, the whole family will join him din. We can all be together. Tapos uuwi ka naman sa Christmas next year, diba?

Richard: Before you know it those 18 months in the US will have passed by like a breeze. Don’t worry, son. Everything will be just fine, as long as you and the people you love continue to make time for each other. Distance lang yan.

Luke: Thank you, Dad. Thank you, ‘My. I needed to hear this.

Richard: So you’re okay now?

Luke: Yes, Dad. May I be excused? I want to give Joni a call.

Maya: Ok, Luke.

Luke: I’ll leave you two to your coffee date. Alam ko naman po pareho niyong na-miss ang isa’t-isa. Alam mo, Dad, feeling ko si Mommy di kayang mawala ka for a year and a half. 10 days is the longest time you’ve been away from each other and you should have seen her…

Maya: Luke!

Richard: Really sweetheart?

Luke: No worries, Dad, ‘My. Wala naman pong reason for the both of you to be away from each other for that long. Mommy won’t allow it, and I’m sure Daddy won’t allow it either.

Richard: 😂😂😂 I guess you’re right.

Luke: Tama kayo our dreams entail sacrifices. I’ll sacrifice now para later on ma-ensure yung stable future namin ni Joni and magiging family namin.

Maya: Pero that family with Joni won’t be happening soon ha. Di pa ready Daddy mo magka apo. 😂😂😂

Richard: Sweetheart!

Luke: 😂😂😂 Ok good night na po talaga. Bye.

Richard: Good night, son.

Maya: Good night, Luke.

*****

As I leave the veranda, I can’t help but stare at Mom and Dad and tell myself— That’s exactly what I want for my future— a happy, caring, and very loving relationship with my wife and kids. As Nikki puts it, #RelationshipGoals talaga sina Mom and Dad.

My promise to myself: I won’t waste this opportunity that Dad is giving me to better my craft. I’ll give my best in my studies in the US so I can come home a better engineer (who’ll help Dad run our two companies), and a better man ready to take on the challenges life will give. I’m certain Joni will understand.

Bring it on, life!!!

BCWMH 2019 😍😍😍 – 2

I’M HOME!

(Author’s Note: I am overwhelmed by all your comments here and on Twitter. Thank you for your very kind words about BCWMH 2019. Keep those comments coming. They warm my heart and inspire me to write more. ☺️)

I am RICHARD LIM. 52 y/o. Husband of Maya Dela Rosa Lim. Dad of Luke, Nikki, Abby, Sky, Sunshine and Matty. Son of Roberto and Esmeralda Lim. CEO and Chief Engineer of the almost 25-yr old Lim Aviation Services and President of the steadily growing 3 yr-old Lim Aviation Institute.

Dec. 5, 2019 (Thursday)

*Imagine SC pondering, reminiscing, while on board a plane flying back to Manila

Two years and a half had come and gone for my most beloved family. As much as I continue to marvel at the joy and happiness everyday life brings, I am also thankful for the countless milestones, changes and blessings, as well as challenges, that we have embraced and continue to embrace as a family.

(Imagine snapshots of all these moments in chronological order: Richard and Maya announce their pregnancy, Luke’s graduation and his 1st day at work, Abby receives a pet cat for her birthday, 4 in 1 celeb: RM’s 4th wedding anniv, baby shower, name and gender reveal, birth of Matthew Richard with Maya resigning to embrace being a full time mom, Nikki’s 18th bday and her “yes” to Nicolo, Matty’s 1st bday, Maya learns some new skills: baking cakes, designing bento meals and driving, the twins’ 1st day in school, twins bday celeb in San Nicolas at the lot Richard and Maya purchased to build a small vacation house, Richard juggling work at LAS and LAI, and giving talks and workshops for the Asian Aviation Society).

At 52, I have experienced it all. Love and Loss. Happiness and Pain. Success and Failure. Both in love and at work. What is my greatest achievement? To have earned the love, trust and respect of my beloved wife and kids, of course. My numerous successes at work are nothing if I don’’t have a complete, happy and fulfilled family life. My family means the world to me. They are my pride and joy. I thank God for the love of family. If one were to ask me what moves me to be better and to do better, the answer would have to be MY BELOVED FAMILY. Here am I now busy juggling family, work, biking, and golf. Biking and golf, huh? Yes, you read it right. It all started the day I turned 51. I thought it was best to have some form of exercise. Nikki says it’s kinda cool that her dad has become sporty. I play golf twice a week with Ryan and some of my colleagues in the aviation industry, while Maya and I go biking on Saturday mornings. We also go on leisurely walks after dinner at least thrice a week, sometimes w the kids, sometimes just the 2 of us; the other nights we reserve for our coffee dates, of course. But I am not into biking and golf these days because it’s cool. The reason is far from that. I’ve finally embraced my reality. Maya is right. In a few years, pwede na kaming magka-apo kay Luke. After all, my firstborn is already 23.

Reality bites! I am not getting any younger. I have heard of colleagues who are not in the best of health these days because of stress, too much work and lack of exercise. I realize I want to live a long, healthy life and be able to keep up with the energy of my young wife and my elder kids and to still be able to play and go to the park with my toddler kids and see them grow up, reach their full potential, and have families of their own. To be able to do all these, I know that I have to eat healthy and to keep a more active lifestyle.

Everyone says I look younger now and that’s all thanks to biking, playing golf, eating healthy, and Maya, if you know what I mean. 😉😉 My Maya supports me 100%. She prepares healthier meals for me and the family. She’s even learning new dishes for me. Even now that she’s into baking, she makes sure to bake delicious sugar-free cakes for the family. She and the kids even attend the golf tournaments that I participate in. She’s the best wife ever!

My reminiscing stops abruptly as the airplane lands.

I’m back in Manila and I’m finally going home to my beloved wife and family. I was in Singapore for almost 10 days as a keynote speaker for the Philippines in the Asian Aviation Society Summit (the sole aviation arm in Asia of various aircraft and MRO service companies all over Asia, boasting of almost 120 members) and to administer workshops for aspiring aviation engineers. (Since Christmas is fast approaching, I also used some of my free time to shop for gifts for the family.)

Imagine my surprise while waiting at the the arrival area of the airport when I saw our car being driven by Maya. Upon seeing me, Maya gets off the car with a bouquet of flowers. My dear Maya has come to fetch me. I can’t believe she braved the holiday traffic and drove our car all the way to the airport to surprise me! Her first time ever to fetch me driving our car. I’m floored! Isn’t she the sweetest?

Maya: (Runs, hugs and kisses Richard) Surprise, sweetheart!

Richard: Wow! This is a first, sweetheart. Did we just create another new memory? Ikaw na ang nagda-drive para sunduin ako ngayon?

Maya: Na miss kaya kita ng sobra sobra, sweetheart. Ang tagal mo kaya nawala. Kaya naisip ko ako mismo susundo sa yo.

Richard: Matagal? But I was away for only 10 days. Plus didn’t I tell you you can fly to Singapore and join me kahit sa last 3 days lang cos my schedule is no longer as hectic, so we can actually squeeze in some shopping and some you and me time.

Maya: Kasi po sweetheart, ang dami ko rin ginagawa para sa bahay, sa school ng mga bata…

Richard: Ikaw kasi. Masyado kang hands on.

Maya: Sweetheart, alam mo namang enjoy ako sa ginagawa ko. Kaya ok na ha…

Richard nods.

Maya: Na miss pa rin kita! Nang sobra sobra. (Hugs him) Hmmm, ang bango mo talaga!

Richard: I missed you, too, sweetheart. (Leans in to her for a kiss.) I love this surprise!

Maya hands him a bouquet.

Richard: O, kanino naman galing yan? New suitor? When will they ever stop, Mrs. Lim? We’ve already been married 6 years.

Maya: Sweetheart naman, eh. Sa min ng mga bata galing yan.

Richard: (Laughs) I know. I know. (Puts the luggages in the compartment.) Get in the passenger seat, sweetheart. Let me drive.

Maya: No! Passenger kita ngayon. Ako ang magda-drive pabalik sa bahay.

Richard: But I’m excited to see the kids. If I allow you to drive, baka bukas pa tayo makarating.

Maya: (Pouts) Iniinsulto mo ba ko, sweetheart?

Richard: (Mischievous smile) Of course not! I was just stating a fact! Hahaha!

Maya: (Laughs) For your information, Mr. Lim, I’ve been practicing and mas magaling na ko mag drive ngayon.

Richard: Well then, prove it. Tara na! I’m hungry.

Maya: Nagbaon ako siyempre, sweetheart. May kape at sandwich diyan. Baka ma-traffic, eh.

Richard: Great!

Of course, Maya being Maya, she came prepared for battle. You know how bad traffic is during the holidays, right? She knew it’ll take us a while to get home, so she made sure we won’t get famished. Hence, a thermos of coffee, a couple of sandwiches and some sugar free cookies.

When we got home, the kids were only too happy to see me and to report to me just how lonely their mom was while I was away, and insisted that the next time I go out of the country for a week or more, I should take their mom with me.

“But weren’t we on Skype together every single night, sweetheart?” I ask my dear wife.

“Iba pa rin talaga yung magkasama tayo, sweetheart. Na-miss talaga kita ng sobra.”

Well, what else can I do, but give my dear sweet Maya, a tight hug and multiple kisses on the lips while our kids watch us and enjoy our display of affection. Dinner that night was extra special. Maya cooked my favorite kare-kare and the kids regaled me with stories of their adventures and misadventures while I was away. I did notice that Luke and Nikki both had that faraway look, though. Could Luke be having second thoughts about leaving for the U.S.? What about Nikki? Could it be about Nicolo or school?

*****

Dec 11, 2019 (Wednesday)

This morning, Maya and I went to watch the Christmas program of our twins, Sky and Sunshine, and join their class Christmas party. For a while there, I thought our grumpy little chief wouldn’t perform. But Maya just had to scratch and tickle his tummy a bit and give him multiple kisses, and in a matter of seconds, he’s in a good mood already: laughing and giving his mom a big hug and a wet kiss! I just love my wife! She’s an amazing mom! Seeing our twins sing and dance together was such a joy to watch! I’m a very proud daddy! Can’t wait to gather everyone to watch the video I took of the twins’ performance.

Oops, for a while there I know Maya got jealous. The reason? Elise (imagine Agot Isidro as Elise). Remember her? My prom queen? My first girlfriend? Coincidentally, she was there to watch the program, too…

After the program, Maya and I join the twins in their classroom for the class Christmas party. While we were busy helping the twins with their food, I receive a tap on my shoulder. I turn around.

Elise: Richard? (smiles) It’s you!

Richard: (smiles) Elise? What a pleasant surprise!

We make beso. And Maya’s doe shaped eyes get real big. She clears her throat, “Sweetheart?”

Richard: Yes, sweetheart?

Maya: Hindi mo ba ako ipapakilala?

Richard: Of course! Elise, meet my wife Maya, and our twins, Sky and Sunshine. Maya, this is Elise, a high school classmate.

Elise: Hi! (Gives Maya a buzz)

Maya: Elise? (Gives Richard that knowing look)

Richard smiles and nods at her. She smiles back.

Elise: Great to meet you, Maya. And over there is my daughter, Lizbeth and her little boy, my grandson, Jacob Philippe.

Richard: Really? You already have a grandson?

Maya: Pasensya ka na sa asawa ko, Elise. Allergic sa word na apo. Ahahaha… Daughter mo pala si Lizbeth? I met her during the first week of classes and has seen her several times, sa mga PTC dito. Sweetheart, friend ng kambal si Jacob. He’s a new student this year.

Richard: Small world.

Elise: Haha. Richard, how old is your eldest na ba at ayaw mo pa magka apo?

Maya: Luke is 23.

Elise: Same age as my Lizbeth. She had Jacob when she was only 18. Long story. Oops, look at the time. I’d really love to stay and catch up, but I’m supposed to meet my husband, Philip, for lunch.

Maya: Ay sayang naman. Maybe we can invite you sometime to have dinner sa bahay. You can bring Lizbeth and Jacob with you. And of course, your husband, too.

Elise: I’d love that. Nice meeting you, Maya. Bye, Richard.

Inside the car

Maya: So, that’s Elise. Ang ganda pala niya. Mukha pa ring prom queen, Mr. Prom King.

Richard: Don’t tell me nagseselos ka?

Maya: Slight. May beso pa kasing nalalaman.

Richard: Wow, kilig naman ako. Nagselos ang misis ko.

Maya: Umayos ka, Ricky ha… Sweetheart, ano nangyari? Bakit kayo nagkahiwalay?

Richard: It was young love lang.

Maya: Gano kayo nagtagal?

Richard: (Shrugs and pouts) 2, 3 months. I can’t really remember. Once we were off to college, we drifted apart na. And that was it.

Maya: In fairness ha! Ang galing ng taste mo, sweetheart. Ang ganda naming lahat. So may Elise, then si Alex, at ako? Sino pa, sweetheart?

Richard: Well, there were Shiella, Nikita, Patty, Regine, Cristy, Suzette, Angeli…

Maya: Talaga?

Richard: Sshh… I’m not done yet. Lorna, Jo, Mec, Brenda… I guess that’s it.

Maya: Ang dami naman! Kelan ko makikilala yang mga yan?

Richard: Hahaha! Joke lang, sweetheart. Yung kay Elise that was just young love. Then there was Alex. And now, there’s you! I will love only you and our 6 kids for the rest of my life!

Maya: Awww! Good answer! I love you, too, sweetheart! Always!!! Pa kiss nga!

Sunshine: I love you, Mommy and Daddy! (Hugs & kisses them)

Sky: Love you!!!😘😘😘 and (pouts his lips) I want hug and kish, too!

—Although Maya says she didn’t really get jealous, I know she did. A little bit. She loves me way too much. She got jealous the way I still get jealous of Capt. James Ventura sometimes. Nothing to be jealous of, my dear wife. I can’t imagine a life without you, sweetheart. No one can ever compare.

By next week, extended family will be visiting to celebrate Christmas with us. We’re all excited to see everyone. Ah, life is good! Thank you, Lord, for this second chance at happiness.

I’m also excited to have Jules and her family celebrate Christmas with us. Abby is beyond ecstatic! She’s just so happy to celebrate Christmas with Lianne, her newfound cousin and best friend. Wasn’t it just 4 months ago when Maya and I were called to the office because these two girls were fighting? But let that be a story for another day… 😊

 

Daddy Chief: Tiger Mode On

Written: DECEMBER 15, 2013

A/N: The December 16 teaser is up. It has been two weeks since the month after and life inside the Lim mansion is not at all the fairytale we imagined it would be. And we’re not about to complain.

~*~

The December 16 teaser is up. It has been two weeks since the month after and life inside the Lim mansion is not at all the fairytale we imagined it would be. And we’re not about to complain.

Life happened. Richard and Maya, both excited at the prospect of having a baby, have yet to be blessed with one. Luke is not doing so well in school and is mighty scared to tell his Dad. He asks his Tita Mommy to help him talk to his Dad about it, but for some reason, his Tita Mommy decides to keep his low grades a secret from his Dad, as well. (Correct me if I’m wrong, but in one of the flashback scenes, I do remember Luke clearly asking Maya to help him talk to his Dad about his low grades. He never meant to keep his low grades a secret from him. Should we fault Maya for this then?) Nikki is so caught up with thoughts about Nicolo and keeps using every social media available just so she could keep in touch with him, and in so doing, has somehow gotten involved in an online courtship with Nicolo. Worst of all, Abby has just learned to lie! She secretly opens a Facebook account, spends every moment using her iPad in the guise of playing games, and then forgoes schoolwork in favor of FB! Ooooh, here come TROUBLES…

Daddy Chief finds out that Abby has opened a Facebook account and questions her about it! (Abby is obviously aware she’s not allowed to open an FB account, but she still opens one, anyway! Feigning sleep while Doris sleeps with her in her bedroom one night, Abby secretly opens an FB account. What has gotten into her? Why does she seem to be in such a hurry to grow her own network of friends and gain admirers? Could it be because she’s not getting as much attention at home as she used to given that her parents and siblings are too caught up with their own concerns at the moment? I wonder how Abby will be once little brothers and little sisters come her way.) One after another, secrets are revealed and Daddy Chief is suddenly on EXTREME TIGER MODE! And we are all too suddenly scared for Abigail Ruth, Nikki Grace and Luke Andrew Lim (!), and for Mrs. Lim, too! Seemingly at a loss for words after talking with all three of his kids, Richard stands up, storms out of his office, and announces to one and all, “From now on, no more gadgets, no PSP, no TV!!! And I’ll have our internet connection cut off!” Maya’s appeals against cutting off their internet connection fall on deaf ears.

Internet connection and social media

Funny how Nikki’s major concern at the moment is not even about her Dad getting angry at her because of what she did. She does not even think of ways on how she can apologize to him. She puts the blame on Abby. Nikki comes off as shallow and trivial when we hear her rant, “I don’t believe this! No internet, no gadgets! No FB, no Twitter, no Instagram! It’s true, Kuya! This is gonna be like the worst Christmas ever! … This is heartbreaking!” Doesn’t Nikki somehow remind us of some teenagers we come in contact with every single day? Those whose life depend on wifi connections and social media? Sad but true. Without either, some kids, teenagers(and even adults like us!) no longer know how to have fun and enjoy life.

Glad to know that BCWMH is tackling this issue now. The internet, in its aims to keep us connected with the people we love, to make research work easy, and to keep us entertained at all times, has its downside, too! It has become a venue for some people to VENT their anger, to RANT on and on about mundane concerns other people don’t really need to know about, to LIE (even about one’s age just so they can join various no longer seems to be a big deal for some) and to HURT and MAKE FUN of other people.

Cutting off the internet connection inside the Lim mansion seems to bring a strong message to those addicted to the internet. Using the internet entails certain responsibilities. Our life and our happiness should never be dependent on it. Even without it, we can be happy and live meaningful, extraordinary lives…

Parenting 101

Inside their bedroom, we see the Tiger immensely hurting, as well. Maya, his beloved wife, kept Luke’s and Nikki’s concerns a secret from him. He even tells her that had she known about Abby’s FB, he is certain Maya would have kept it a secret from him, too! He has every right to get angry and hurt. We feel his pain when he tells her, “Look, Maya. When it comes to our children, we need to have a firm hand. I know you think my methods are harsh, pero I won’t do anything to harm our relationship. At least not anymore. I’ve learned my lesson with Luke, diba? All I’m asking is, pagdating sa mga bata, united tayo. Hindi yung isa kakampi, isa kalaban. We’re supposed to be partners, right?”

(Whoever said that Richard Yap doesn’t deserve an acting award is insane! Last December 12 and 13′s BCWMH episodes alone proved that he’s an amazing actor, one to reckon with in the years to come! He played the different emotions required of him effectively. He was an angry and scary dad one moment and then a hurting husband the next. He was both a daddy and a husband in every sense of the word. Yikes! Didn’t we all get scared of him when he started calling the kids and questioning them one by one? Didn’t we all feel his pain when he realized that Maya kept things concerning their children from him? I am quite sure you’ll agree with me then when I say that Richard Yap’s scenes with his TV kids and Jodi Sta. Maria inside his office were ensemble acting at its finest, too!)

Although Maya is right in reminding Richard to talk with the kids and explain why he has to cut off the internet connection and why he has to take away their gadgets from them and not just to storm out on them, Richard also does have a point and I AM WITH HIM ON THIS A HUNDRED PERCENT. He and Maya are a team! They should make decisions together especially when it comes to the kids. They should never show Luke, Nikki, Abby and their future kids, that they have varying thoughts and methods when it comes to disciplining them, as they would only confuse the kids even more. Maya should not have kept Luke’s and Nikki’s concerns from him. As much as we all felt Abby’s’ fear of Richard, Maya should not have shielded Abby from him, making her feel that her mistake is not a big deal to Tita Mommy at all, even if it is such a big deal to Daddy! Abby committed a big mistake (she lied, after all!!!) and she has to face the consequences.

December 16 Teaser

It seems that Richard and Maya still have various issues to address before the writers grant our wish for them to have a baby. Differences in parenting style is a major concern for one. In the teaser we find Maya hoping to find the easy way out by asking Richard to bring back the internet connection so the kids will stop arguing and blaming each other for the lack of it. Christmas is coming soon and she doesn’t want to see them arguing. Richard is clearly irritated. Maya doesn’t seem to understand why he had it cut off in the first place. If they don’t talk about this now, more and more problems could crop up in the future.

Here’s a possible kiss and make-up scenario I hope to see soon. (I don’t know if you’ll agree with me, but I still feel that it is Maya who is the one at fault in the misunderstanding that will happen between them his week.) Richard is all alone at the porch, that place in the mansion where he and Maya have shared countless memorable moments together over cups of coffee. He is in deep thought as he gazes at the night sky. Maya sees his lonely form from their dining area, as she herself longs for him. Totally keen on making peace with her Ricky, Maya prepares coffee for him and joins him at the porch. She stealthily approaches him, hugs him from behind, says sorry, and asks that they talk to reach a better understanding of each other…

Ahh! I’m pretty sure I am not the only one missing the Lim porch, the all too silent witness to Richard and Maya’s sweet moments together for the longest time.

Happy Christmas and New Year

I am excited to see how the writers would resolve this issue between Richard and Maya, and among Richard, Maya and the kids. Christmas and New Year are just around the corner, and it will be their very first as a family to celebrate Christmas and New Year together. We can only wish that they find a resolution to their issues soon, and celebrate the happiest Christmas and New Year together! It would also be such a bonus for all of us if we could also hear that Maya is finally heavy with child come Christmas Day, too.

I can’t wait to see what the show’s wonderful Creative Team has in store for us this week and the weeks to come! We truly have so much more to look forward to when it comes to this show we have all fallen in love with and can no longer live without.

BCWMH, you are truly the show to watch forever!

~*~

 

Baby Talk

Written: DECEMBER 3, 2013

A/N: Thank you for all your generous praises for ONE MONTH AFTER. And thank you,Mr. Richard Yap, for retweeting my tweet about ONE MONTH AFTER. So thrilled to get that retweet from you on Twitter yesterday! 

Now that we all know Maya is not pregnant, I guess we are all somehow wishing that she and Richard talk about it. Here goes what I think their conversation would be if and when they talk about their current predicament after dinner with the family

~*~

Inside Richard  & Maya’s bedroom

Richard: Are you okay, Maya?

Maya: (stands up and gives Richard a tight hug) Mahal ko?

Richard: Hmmm?

Maya: I love you!

Richard: (Tightens their hug even more as he feels the tears that fall down from Maya’s eyes) Me, too, Maya. I love you very much.

Maya: (She breaks their embrace, looks away from Richard as she wipes away her tears.)

Richard: (Directs her to the bed so they can both sit…) Look at me, Maya. It’s okay. Maybe, it’s not yet time.

Maya: Pero alam ko nag-expect ka. Pati ang mga bata. Kahit sina Manang Fe… Akala ko kasi talaga, eh.

Richard: Like you, I thought so, too. The signs and symptoms were there kasi.

Maya: False alarm, mahal ko. Akala ko talaga kanina uuwi ako na may good news para sa inyong lahat.

Richard: Meron naman, diba? You qualified for the regional and international training. That’s reason enough to celebrate.

Maya: (Still in tears) Hindi naman kasi yun ang good news na gusto ko i-share sa inyo, eh.

Richard: (Rests his hand on her shoulder) I know.

Maya: Tsaka nagsabi na ko kay Ms. Calandra kanina na pass muna ko sa training. Ayoko naman kasing ma-stress yung baby natin dahil dun sa training. Akala ko kasi talaga magkaka-baby na tayo.

Richard: Maya, it’s okay. Don’t stress yourself thinking about this. We’ve only been married for a month or so. Hindi pa talaga siguro time. Sooner or later it will happen, Maya.

Maya: I love you, mahal ko. Gustong-gusto talaga kita i-surprise kanina. Kitang-kita ko naman na ilang araw ka nang excited, eh. At parang gusto mo na talaga itanong sa kin.

Richard: Like you, na-excite din ako… We both assumed, Maya…Okay ka na?

Maya: Medyo okay na. Pero siyempre nalulungkot pa din ako.

Richard: We can always try again.

Maya: Sabi ko nga, try and try until we succeed.

Richard: You want us to start trying now?

Maya: Naku, mahal ko. Hihihi! Gusto ko din sana kaya lang…

Richard: Abby is not knocking on that door tonight for sure.

Maya: Alam ko…

Richard: And Nikki already told you kanina that there will be no girl talk tonight or tomorrow night.

Maya: Alam ko din naman yun.

Richard: O, so pwede tayong mag-try tonight?

Maya: Hihihi. Gusto ko din nga pero di pwede, eh.

Richard: Huh?

Maya: Eh, mahal ko, dumating na kasi period ko.

Richard: Oh… Well, kiss and hug na lang muna.

Maya: Gusto ko yan, mahal ko.

Richard: Kiss and hug all we can!

Maya: Hihihi! Go!

One Month After

A Retweet to Remember

 

 

 

A Favorite That’s My Favorite

 

Written: DECEMBER 3, 2013

ONE MONTH AFTER

By iamgarie

The moment the December 2 teaser appeared on Youtube the other day, I could not help but wonder what the hullabaloo was all about. What could get everyone in the Lim household all agog and excited at the same time? Like most of you, I too wondered if Maya could indeed be pregnant. It was a possibility given that the writers of this show always want to surprise us with the unexpected. (As much as we all expected that a baby would soon be on the way, we did not expect that Maya would be heavy with child this early.) I realized that for that thought to materialize somehow, the writers would have to at least fast forward the time line a bit (a thought that I somehow anticipated) perhaps at least 2-3 weeks after the honeymoon at the most.

ONE MONTH AFTER… Many of us were probably quite shocked to see those three words flash before our TV screens today. Not a typical move by BCWMH, right? For those of us who have been avid followers of the show for a long time now, we have all gotten so used to how the writers can lengthen a day in BCWMH into almost a week, and a week into two or three weeks. This is an absolute first for BCWMH, and I cannot help but once again marvel at this great show! I felt it was another mark of genius, to begin the next chapter of Richard and Maya’s lives kinda like ‘in medias res’ or in the middle of things.

As today somehow marked the beginning of a brand new adventure for our well-loved couple, it was fitting to begin the episode a month after Maya’s first day in the mansion as Mrs. Lim. Lucky for us, some questions we might have raised during her first day in the mansion finally found the answers today.

We wondered if their term of endearment ‘mahal ko’ would somehow stick or will it eventually evolve to ‘mahal’?

We wondered if that ‘miniscule’ matrimonial bed (haha!) would be tossed aside for something definitely better and more fitting for Richard and Maya.

We wondered about Maya’s work and how her erratic schedule would eventually pose a problem for her and Richard.

Together with Doris, Sabel and Joma, we all wondered, too, as to how Maya should be properly addressed by the household help whom she loves like family, now that she is the queen of the mansion.

We wondered when Maya would finally get pregnant. (Even possible names for their babies kept popping up in various social media last week!)

We wondered how Nikki would cope with the knowledge that Nicolo likes her and that he knows she likes him, too.

We wondered about Luke and Nicolo, too. We know Luke has forgiven Nicolo, but one cannot stop but wonder if they will remain the kind of friends they’ve always been to each other.

Then comes the month after and we find our lovely couple laying side by side each other on a matrimonial bed that’s most definitely bigger and better! (Isn’t that Richard’s old bed? If it is, they should not have bothered to change it at all!) Richard and Maya are all sweet and mushy, and we can’t help but smile and wonder how their first month had been.

Then we suddenly get some answers as several flashback scenes of the past month come one after the other and our curiosity is somehow satisfied. We felt Maya’s excitement as she bought his and hers bathroom items for her and Richard , dressed up their bed with feminine colors and even placed heart-shaped pillows on it as an added touch, and then we saw her giddily await for Richard to come home late one particular night a week ago to surprise him with her new pajamas as well as new ones for him (the dread that registered on his face at the thought that Maya might have bought a ‘girly’ pair of pajamas for him was a sight to behold! Glad to see that Maya knows her husband all too well and bought for him a manly pair of pajamas, allaying his worst fears! ‘Would love to see him wear those pajamas soon!)Through all those scenes, we all witnessed Richard’s heartfelt gratitude, happiness, excitement and immense love for the woman he now lovingly calls ‘mahal ko’ , and embraces and kisses with so much gusto every chance he gets. Our favorite couple is brimming with so much love and affection for each other and we can’t help but smile and wish and hope that they stay that way forever…

Maya is now Mrs. Chief to Doris and Sabel (and Joma, perhaps?) so apt and so sentimentally fitting for her, the woman who initially called Richard ‘Ser Chief’.

The best is yet to come as Maya’s impending news of a new addition to their family seems to be welcome news for everyone. And just when we thought her work might eventually pose a problem for her and Richard, we find Maya give up a chance to train for regional and international flights even if she isn’t even 100% sure she’s pregnant yet. Maya is as she has always been. Her love for family knows no bounds. It will always be family first for Maya. Everything else will take a backseat for the love of family… Didn’t you feel so much love from Tita Mommy as she handed the sandwiches she herself prepared for Luke, Nikki, Abby and Richard? Didn’t you just enjoy the personal notes she attached to each of their sandwiches, too? What a heartwarming moment, indeed! And don’t you just love Richard for giving in to whatever his beloved Maya wants? Though he knows for sure she’s pregnant, he doesn’t want to ruin her surprise for everyone! He knows that his sentimental wife is about to make an unforgettable announcement to him and the family tonight, and he’s more than willing to wait for Maya to make that big reveal! Wonderful, amazing husband, indeed!

And because it is already more than a month since their wedding , I cannot help but wonder how things have progressed FOR

…Eds and Simon (Has Simon started pursuing Eds yet? Will they soon be an item, too? ),

…Nanay Teresita and Mang Arturo (Has Mang Arturo mustered enough courage to win back Nanay Teresita who is obviously not quite over him yet?)

… Sabel (Has she finished cooking school with flying colors?)

… Doris (Has she started attending make-up school yet?)

… Luke (Is he somehow keeping something from his family? Has he noticed a girl to like?)

… Nikki and Nicolo (How has their seeming penchant for each other affected the people around them? They seem to enjoy using various social networking sites to keep in touch, too.)

…Nikki’s play (Last Thursday’s episode told us they were left with only 2 rehearsal dates, then it’s finally showtime! Will we still see that play unfold before our eyes? We’ve seen them rehearsing for so long. We deserve to at least see snippets of that play, right? Will we see more of Amiel, too?)

… Abby (Her seeming concern at the moment is if she will still remain as everyone’s baby even if a new baby comes along! Trust Maya to shoo away her worst fears and remind her just how much Tita Mommy loves her and will love her even if a new baby comes along!)

… Richard and Maya (We’ve only seen a fraction of how their married life have been so far. I’m sure we’re all more than ready for more flashback scenes and more sweet moments for our most loved couple moving forward…)

Just like me, I am sure you guys are teeming with questions and suggestions, too! Suggest and ask away. I’m sure the show’s brilliant Creative Team will soon give us answers to all our questions and maybe even consider some of our suggestions, too…

Christmas and New Year are soon coming, and I would still love to see the writers highlight these two occasions as truly funny, memorable, happy, love-filled events for our favorite family to contrast last year’s lonely Christmas for Richard and Maya as they were both caught up in a big misunderstanding then. I would sure love to see the Lim mansion abuzz with life, love and laughter as they welcome the holidays with extended family, too– Don Roberto, Donya Esmeralda, Nanay Teresita, Kute, Cho, Charlie and Rafi…

I still have so many scenarios in my head, but I guess, this will do for now. Like all of you, I cannot imagine bidding the show goodbye yet, as some are saying it would end early next year… Uhh! What would become of us then?

Dear ABS-CBN, can we not totally end the show just yet? We can always close a chapter of BCWMH with the birth of Richard & Maya’s baby or babies (!) early next year, give the cast and crew a well-deserved 1 or 2 month break and after their much deserved hiatus, come back (as some of my friends inhttp://www.bcwmh.freeforums.net have been clamoring for it) as a weekly heartwarming family show, in the process giving not just Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria, but all the other cast members with so much talent like them, a chance to work on various movie projects, as well!

BCWMH, thank you for all the love and good vibes! You are truly a show to watch forever! So please do stay with us forever…

After Their First Night

Written: NOVEMBER 27, 2013

A/N: Inspired by the November 27 episode and the November 28 teaser, here goes nothing. This is perhaps the shortest piece I have ever written. I hope you’ll like it anyway.

~*~

 

ROUND 2

Richard and Maya are back in their hotel room. Exhausted from their Tokyo adventure, they both plopped themselves down on the bed.

As they lay side by side each other on that king size bed, the sole witness to their unbridled passion the night before, Richard and Maya could not help but smile and gaze at each other tenderly. They both knew what they wanted right at that moment. No words were needed. With a look of love reflected in his eyes, Richard smiles, holds Maya close, and ever so slowly, leans into her lips for a mind blowing kiss, that leaves both him and his beloved wife breathless. Then, Richard turns off the lights and the inevitable round 2 happens, with him scoring another homerun! *wink *wink

ROUND 3

They wake up in each other’s arms late the following morning. Maya gazes lovingly at her husband. Giddy with excitement and as if in a trance, Maya is still unable to believe that her prince charming, her Mahal na Hari, was right beside her, holding her close even while in deep slumber. She is still reeling from the excitement of their two nights of wild abandon. All she could do that morning was lean close to him, poke his dimple and his nose, give his eyes and cheeks butterfly kisses, and finally kiss him full on the lips. She needed to reassure herself that what happened the previous night and the night before that, was not at all a dream. Richard’s chinito eyes suddenly pop open, and all he could do was marvel at what his dear Maya was doing to his sanity. Lost for words, Richard responds to Maya’s kisses with equal longing and passion, as he continuously caresses her shoulder with his thumb. Before long, round 3 happens…

Happy and sated after their lovemaking, Richard and Maya fall asleep in each other’s arms again, only to be awakened early in the evening by the endless beeping and ringing of both their cellphones. They suddenly sit up, notice the darkness outside their window, and check both their cell phones. Rafi, Manang, Luke, Nikki and Abby have been alternately texting and calling them for the past hour, worried sick as to why they’re not back in Manila yet. All Richard and Maya could do was laugh non-stop as it suddenly dawned on them that they have totally missed their supposed flight back to Manila that afternoon.

Richard calls home. Frantic Rafi shouts at him, “Chard, what happened? Where are you guys? Is everything okay?” All Richard could do was smile as he listened to his bestfriend gab endlessly over the phone. “Rafi, nothing to worry about. We just missed our flight. That’s all.” Richard then turns the speaker on so Maya can hear Rafi, too. “You did? And you didn’t even bother to text any of us?!? Isn’t that inconsiderate of you since we’ve all been trying to locate you the past hour or so. Oh wait… What’s that?  Is that Maya giggling, Chard? Why is she giggling? Whoa! And are you smiling?!? Oops… I think I know why. Did I just disturb you two? Did you and Maya just wake up? I know you’re smiling, Chard. Okay, let me put this down now… Just text me later once you’ve rebooked your flight… And hug Maya for me, okay?”

After the call with Rafi ended, Richard and Maya laugh and smile, cuddle up to each other and then kiss and hug each other some more. They spend one more hour in bed, before they finally got up, ordered room service, took a quick shower and called up Liza to have their flight back to Manila rebooked for the next day.

Richard had been right all along. Nothing ever goes to plan whenever he and Maya are together. And he’s not about to complain. He gazes lovingly at his wife, says a silent prayer of gratitude to the One up above for giving him the one woman who can ever complete him– his chief, his boss, his sun and his love– his dear sweet Maya.

 

Why Maya Is The One – Part 2

Written: NOVEMBER 13, 2013

A/N: Come November 15, 2013, our favorite TV characters, Maya dela Rosa and Richard Lim, finally wed each other in a groundbreaking, monumental TV moment dubbed as The Fairytale Wedding of the Year.

For sentimental reasons, I felt the need to write a sequel to Why Maya Is The One (an introspection by Sir Chief), the first ever piece I submitted here in Excess Baggage back in April.

So much has happened between Richard and Maya since then.  Now, almost 7 months later, here isWhy Maya is the One – part 2.

Let me warn you now.  This is going to be a really long read.  But I hope you’ll read it anyway and  enjoy it.    I would love to read about your thoughts and comments, too!

Thank you and God bless.

And of course, best wishes to our happy couple, Maya and Richard!

~*~

After years of mourning, here I am. No longer grieving and lost. No longer hopeless and in pain. No longer unhappy and miserable. No longer dreading the future and what tomorrow brings. No longer cranky and irritable. No longer sad and angry. No longer devoid of silly smiles and happy thoughts. No longer afraid to embrace life and its uncertainties. No longer afraid to trust and to have faith in people. No longer afraid to love and live again. I have truly become the total opposite of what I once was. I no longer yearn for Alex, yet I shall always remember her with love and gratitude for the life we shared together and for our three wonderful children. Yes, I have finally come to accept that Alex is gone.

Isn’t it amazing how one’s life can change when he finally meets the purpose for his existence? Yes, I have finally found the one, my reason for being. Everything changed when I met her. She is now the air I breathe. She is the reason for my many smiles and laughter. The reason for my happy thoughts and endless dreams. The reason why I want to wake up every morning and to do better, to be better. The reason why I have become a better father. The reason why my children and I have become closer than ever. The reason why thoughts of the future and the idea of forever excite me. The reason why I am extremely happy, hopeful and complete. The reason why I have learned to love and live again. Yes, after many years of mourning, I am finally alive because I have her, my dear Maya, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I am Richard Lim. Devoted Fiance. Loving Father. Caring Son. Loyal Friend. Supportive Boss. CEO and Chief Engineer of Lim Aviation Services. Business is more than good. But life is even better. I have the unconditional love and support of my family– my kids-Luke, Nikki and Abby, and Mama and Papa. And the love and faith of my beloved Maya dela Rosa, the woman I am to marry tomorrow. My Mrs. Lim. God is truly gracious!

It has only been a little over a year since I met Maya, yet in the short time that we have gotten to know each other, we have indeed come a long way. Had my once trusted friend, Fred, told me the first time Maya and I met that we were bound to end up together, I would have cast him the most incredulous look I could muster and I would have told him in no uncertain terms that he is crazy to ever think that because that will never ever happen! (Come to think of it, it was Fred who did insinuate early on that Maya could be someone special for me, but I kept brushing him off then.) Fred reached out to me just recently, and we have finally made amends. I have invited him to our wedding, as well.

Yes, bestfriend Rafi, I am smiling, and it’s all because of my beautiful wife to be, the love of my life! Thoughts of her may never escape me for as long as I live. Isn’t it amazing that every little thing that catches my attention now reminds me of her? And how is it that everything somehow leads me to her? Maya is truly the One!

And now that she and I are about to exchange vows and embark on that journey to our happy ever after, I cannot help but reminisce how I finally had the courage to woo her– my funny, lovely, crazy, sweet, silly, witty, caring, thoughtful, charming, adorable and beautiful Maya! Come to think of it, I will never stop remembering nor will I ever gettired of telling our story.

~*~

Chapter 1 .

Richard to Manang Fe: MAYA AND I, WE’RE DATING.

“THE WORLD IS FULL OF SURPRISES. YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE AGAIN… I SAID ‘I LOVE YOU.’ SHE SAID ‘I LOVE YOU’ BACK…”

There. I finally said it! It may seem like it just came out, but I truly meant it! I meant every word. I love Maya! It took me almost forever to finally realize I was in love with her. And when I finally did, I was a goner! Rafi has been right all along. I have been in love with her for the longest time! I just kept denying myself of that reality, perhaps thinking that it’s not the right time to fall in love just yet. I know I shouldn’t even bother her at this point in her life. She’s still young… She should be living her dream. Dapat masaya lang siya. She deserves the very best, not someone with an excess baggage like me. But I love Maya so much. The mere thought of her falling for someone else, the likes of James Ventura or Simon, breaks my heart…

‘I love you.’ I never expected to hear Maya say those three words right back at me. Did she really mean what she said? Does she really love me, too? And did she really mean it when she said that she does not see me as a man with a lot of excess baggage? That I’m the unexpected bonus in her life? Am I really one of her fairy tales come true? If I am, does this mean she feels the same way that I do? Does she see me as the man in her life? Now that that realization has finally dawned on me, I am not giving her up. BECAUSE I LOVE HER!

Knowing Maya, I am certain she has a lot going on in that pretty head of hers– her worries, the kids, her dreams. But I know we can manage. We will! Hindi ko siya mamadaliin. I will wait for her no matter how long it takes.

“LOVING MAYA DID NOT COME INSTANTLY. I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER GRADUALLY. NAKILALA KO MUNA SIYA. KUNG SINO SIYA. KUNG ANO SIYA… KAYA KO SIYA MINAHAL.”

When Nanay Teresita, Mamang, and Cho arrived for Maya’s graduation, I knew it was only right to let Nanay Teresita know that Maya and I are dating, so I told her. As I expected, Nanay had a lot of questions, fears and concerns about my relationship with her daughter. Nanay feared for Maya’s dreams no longer becoming a reality. I reassured her that I will never, ever come in the way of her dreams. After all, I witnessed firsthand how hard she worked to attain all of them. Nanay feared that our differences in social status might become a problem between me and Maya. She also asked if I was ready to introduce her to everyone, even to my kids. I answered all her worst fears as honestly as possible. I am so proud of Maya! I will never ever be embarrassed to introduce her to everyone as the woman I truly love! I have learned to love and embrace everything about her. I love her! And once she is ready to let everyone know about us, I would love to introduce her especially to my kids.

“LOOK ALEX, I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. I MET SOMEONE. AND THINGS HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL. I KNOW NOTHING CAN REPLACE WHAT WE HAD BECAUSE YOU GAVE ME THREE WONDERFUL CHILDREN… BUT I KNOW YOU’D WANT ME TO HAVE A LIFE. AND I CAN SEE THAT HAPPENING WITH HER, ALEX. I CAN SEE IT WITH MAYA. SHE MADE ME SMILE AGAIN. SHE MADE EVERYONE SMILE. KAHIT NA SI MANANG FE. I GUESS IT’S HER WAY. SHE ALWAYS FINDS A REASON TO BE HAPPY. NAKAKAHAWA… HINDI KO PA NASASABI SA MGA BATA. BUT DON’T WORRY. I’LL GIVE THEM TIME. HINDI KO SILA BIBIGLAIN. I HAVE TO GO, ALEX. GOODBYE.”

I never thought there would ever come a day that I would go see Alex to finally bid her goodbye, and tell her I’m in love with someone other than her– with my dear Maya. But I did. In front of Alex, I could not even hide the smile that crept up my face as thoughts of Maya and our future together invaded my mind and my heart. I am finally alive… and in love. All thanks to Maya.

“I’M SO PROUD OF YOU, MAYA. YOU’RE FINALLY READY TO FLY.”

I really am. She singlehandedly made her dreams come true. How many people can do the things she did? Her circumstances in life never stopped her from pursuing her dreams and making them a reality. Maya is truly an admirable woman. And yes, I am so proud of her, and what she has accomplished.

I never thought I would ever allow myself to miss Maya’s graduation. It’s an important day for her. The day when one of her fairytales becomes real. But then I still missed her graduation, anyway. I didn’t want to, but I knew I had to, so that I could give her the best gift I could ever think of. To deliver her sister Kute on stage to pin her wings. Nikki called me a hero for saving the day and for riding the MRT, a first for me! When I finally reached the graduation venue minutes after the ceremony ended, Maya managed to surprise me with the three words I have longed to hear from her again. ‘I love you,’ she said, as we hugged each other tight. I was caught off guard. Too stunned by her words, I was rendered speechless by the surreality of the moment. Did she really mean it this time? Truth be told, I was simply too scared to ask.

*******

At the most romantic place in San Nicolas

Maya: Nung sinabi mo na mahal mo ko, gusto ko rin agad ibalik sa yo yun. Gusto ko ipagsigawan sa buong mundo na mahal din kita. Kaya lang, Ser Chief, hindi naman simple yung sitwasyon natin, eh.
Richard: Kaya nga kita binigyan ng time.
Maya: Hindi naman time yung kelangan ko, Ser Chief… IKAW! Kelangan ko na sabihin mo sa kin na everything will be okay. O di kaya, we’ll deal with it later. O yung kung ano yung sinasabi mo palagi pagninenerbyos ako.
Richard: Bakit ka ninenerbyos?
Maya: Ngayon lang ako nagmahal, eh…
–
Richard: Just say it, Maya!
Maya: Mahal kita.
Richard: I can’t hear you.
Maya: MAHAL KITA!
Richard: So, TAYO NA?
Maya: Eh di pa nga tayo tapos mag-usap, eh. Yayayain mo na ko umalis.
Richard: Maya, ibig kong sabihin. TAYO NA. TAYONG DALAWA. YOU AND ME. TAYO? TAYO NA, DIBA? TAYO NA, DIBA? Wala ng bawian yan.
–
Maya: Pero sandali lang, Ser Chief ha… Pero nung briefing namin wala naman sinabi na may VIP na sasakay. Eh diba VIP ka sa Time Airways?
Richard: I have my ways. Besides, Maya, I’m just a regular guy who wants to accompany his GIRLFRIEND on her first day of work.
*******

Chapter 2.

Richard to his 3 kids: YOU KNOW I’M DATING, RIGHT? SHE’S ALREADY MY GIRLFRIEND… YES. MAYA IS MY GIRLFRIEND… YES. I LOVE HER…

“BUT YOU’RE NOT HAPPY. YOU SAID AYAW MONG MA-BURDEN AKO DUN SA DETAILS AND CONCERNS REGARDING OUR RELATIONSHIP. BUT I DON’T WANT YOU TO SACRIFICE HOW YOU FEEL JUST SO YOU CAN ACCOMMODATE ME ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TO DO MY PART, TOO.”

Just like all new relationships, Maya and I went through some adjustments in the beginning. Yes, we had various issues to address, too. Can you believe she wanted to call me Babe? And when I didn’t agree, she then called me Chieko (short for Sir Chief ko). Even if that term of endearment doesn’t exactly suit me, I allowed her to call me Chieko just to make her happy. At some point she also wanted to call me Buko (short for Buhay ko.) Then what is this thing with weeksaries, anyway? I know anniversaries are celebrated. But a weeksary? What’s that? It’s not even a word one can find in the dictionary. I will never forget the look on Maya’s face when she realized I forgot it was our weeksary. Ha! She was way too happy to hand me her gift, while I had no gift for her at all.

I am glad that Maya and I had since talked about our issues and we’re okay now. Communication is key. I’ve learned my lesson, too. And because I did, I was the first to greet her on our first monthsary (another word one won’t find in the dictionary!) I shall never forget the happiness that radiated from her face then. For Maya, even the simplest of things count and have meaning. She’s very sentimental. And I have learned to love that about her, too!

“PRECISELY, IT’S OUR FAMILY KAYA KASAMA KA… MAYA, YOU’RE A PART OF MY LIFE NOW. YOU’RE A PART OF EVERY DECISION I MAKE. WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER, REMEMBER? WHAT’S MAKING YOU ANXIOUS? WHATEVER THEY THINK OF YOU WON’T CHANGE HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU… I’M JUST GLAD WE DIDN’T GIVE UP. IT WAS WORTH ALL THE EFFORT.”

Who would’ve thought that my daughter, Nikki, who has been very close to Maya for quite some time now would be vehemently against her as my girlfriend? That Luke would feel annoyed because Maya and I kept our relationship a secret from him and his siblings? That Mama would make things hard for Maya just because she finds her lacking? That Papa would be against me marrying her and having children with her, thinking she’s just after my money?

Maya is an amazing woman to have withstood everything she experienced with my family. I find myself even more in awe of her. She simply did not give up on them. And more importantly, she did not give up on us. She literally and figuratively held my hand as we patiently waited for my kids and my parents’ love and acceptance. And when I was in the brink of giving up on my very stubborn Papa because he simply wouldn’t budge, Maya stood her ground and insisted I make amends with him. All is well now. My kids love Maya like she’s their very own mom, and Mama and Papa love her as if she is their very own daughter. They are all excited not just about the wedding, but what lies ahead!  During dinner tonight, Nikki talked about how she’s looking forward to all the girl talks she and Maya will have, while Abby got all excited at the prospect of storytelling with Maya every night.  Papa can only smile, shake his head, and say, “Mukhang madaming kaagaw ang Daddy niyo kay Maya, ah.”

***
Opening Remarks for the Hangar Launch

We could have been here 5 years ago. That was Lim Aviation’s original plan. But a project such as this is never easy. This requires a lot of work, preparation and study… because change is never easy… It took sometime before we got everything right. And even then, something always came up. Another problem… another hurdle… The timing was never right. Until we realized: There’s no such thing as perfect timing! One could never foresee, let alone prepare for everything. More than the research and the number, what we needed was A LEAP OF FAITH. Faith that change can be good. Faith that this project is worth it. Faith that whatever happens, we can and we’ll get through it. Ultimately, it is our faith in each other that will ensure the success of this endeavor.
So tonight, we are celebrating not just the launch of this new hangar, but the courage it took to believe in something worthwhile… To fight for it and to work for it!
With that, I would like to thank everyone who took that leap of faith with me: our staff, our engineers, everyone, including our families!
Physics makes our planes fly, but it is the people we love who makes our planes soar.
Thank you.
***

“PHYSICS MAKES OUR PLANES FLY, BUT IT IS THE PEOPLE WE LOVE WHO MAKES OUR PLANES SOAR.”

The night I had Maya as my date at the hangar launch was truly an evening to remember. She was the most beautiful woman in the launch that night. She took my breath away with her beautiful purple dress! My princess looked absolutely stunning! I proudly paraded and introduced her to everyone as my girlfriend. I could not help but hold her hand and stare into her beautiful doe-shaped eyes all night. And yes, she was wonderful that night. She charmed everyone with her beauty, wit and humor. She was simply amazing and everyone was in awe of her. I once again realized how blessed I am to have her in my life. I am truly the luckiest man alive, the happiest man in love!

“IT’S BEEN AWHILE SINCE WE WERE THIS HAPPY… NA-MISS KITA SA BAHAY. I CAN SEE YOU LIVING THERE WITH US KASAMA ANG MGA BATA.”

It’s true. When Maya lef the house, I felt lost and incomplete. In the eyes of many, she may just be the nanny of my youngest daughter, Abby. But to me, she has become more than that even before we started dating and before I finally admitted to myself that I love her. She has literally become my friend and my confidante, my SANCTUARY– the one person I would untiringly seek out to talk to, to share a quiet moment with, or even share a cup of coffee with after I come home from a very busy day at work. She’s always had a way of making me smile, of making me see things in a positive light, of calming my nerves and relieving me off my stress. Come to think of it, she has even become my partner not just in bringing up Abby, but Luke and Nikki, as well. Every nook and cranny of my house reminds me of her. I really felt so lost, so empty and incomplete the day she finally left us to live in Emman’s condo. As much I said that my only concern was how Abby would accept and adjust to the situation then, I could not admit even to myself how lost, empty and incomplete I felt after she left.

Maya is the sweetest! On our first monthsary, she decided to forego our movie date in exchange for an evening with Nikki who was then too lonely and bored while nursing her swollen foot. The non-appearance of Nikki’s friends for the slumber party that she busily prepared for all day, led Maya to spend an evening at the mansion just so to help Nikki feel better. Together with Emman, Nikki had a blast bonding with Maya as they talked about, among all things, crushes! Was Nicolo right in assuming that Maya talked about me as her crush? And later that night, I even got to surprise Maya with an evening to remember as I asked her on a date in the garden and handed her my monthsary gift. Over popcorn and wine, together we watched DVD, and accidentally fell asleep in each other’s arms while we were seated on the bench by the garden. It was the best date ever.

When it rained during breakfast the next day, I cannot believe I did what I did. I allowed everyone to spend the morning playing in the rain. Maya asked ever so nicely, and yes, I did not have the heart to say no! That moment was priceless. The noisy chatter and laughter of everyone made even the house happy!

“MANANG, THAT’S THE WOMAN I WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH.”

After my birthday party, seeing Maya sleeping with my three kids at the backseat of my car while waiting for me was pure bliss. The moment was perfect, because I had everything I needed, and everything I ever wanted inside that car. My four beautiful treasures. The loves of my life.

I am never letting Maya go. I am finally ready to take the next step. I hope she’s ready to take that leap of faith, as well.

“MAYA, THANK YOU FOR THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER… JUST BECAUSE I DON’T SAY IT FIRST, IT DOESN’T MEAN NA HINDI KITA MAHAL. I DO LOVE YOU. MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW.”

The time and effort she put in preparing for my birthday is a testament of her love for me. We may not have been in good terms while she prepared for my birthday party as that was the time when my father had yet to budge, but she gave me a birthday celebration worth remembering, the best I’ve ever had. And I also did not mind making a fool of myself in front of all my guests just to prove to Maya that I seriously wanted us to get past our arguments regarding my Papa. I wore the cowboy costume she prepared for me. I joined all the parlor games she prepared for the party. And I even surprised her and everyone with a song from me and my Papa. (Yes, Papa and I were able to settle our issues that day.) I was glad to have made Maya smile. And of course, I did thank her for my best birthday ever.

“PA, I DON’T THINK THIS CAN WAIT. I’M PROPOSING TO MAYA.”

Why? She is clearly the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. No one else can ever come to take her place. She is the one!

***
Ms. Abueg, the ringmaker: Mr. Lim, is it different this time?
Richard: Ang alin?
Ms. Abueg: Yung pagpapakasal mo?
Richard: Yes. Iba siyempre yung first time. You have no experience, and you don’t know what to expect, you just plunge in. Pero you know the feeling? Yung kaba? Yung excitement? It’s still there. I guess it’s because it’s another woman I’m going to marry, and this will be a whole different experience. I guess the only difference is that I’m more confident now that I can face everything that comes afterwards.
Ms. Abueg: She’s a lucky girl then.
Richard: Well, I hope she sees it that way.
Ms. Abueg: She will.
***

“ALAM KONG ALAM MO NA. HINDI MO LANG ALAM KUNG KELAN. WELL, TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT…”

The proposal could very well have been dubbed as a comedy of errors. Maya thought I was cheating on her as she caught me with Ms. Abueg at Moon’s Brews Cafe. And because she was fuming mad, she prepared the worst ever coffee I had ever drunk when I visited her that night. The only way Emman (thanks to what he learned from Mamang and Nanay) could pacify her was to let her in on a secret: that I’m proposing soon and the woman I actually met with is the ringmaker! Before long, my giddy, loving Maya is back. Little did I realize that when I asked her on a date the next day, she thought I would be proposing. During our dinner date, my funny, silly Maya made a thorough search of the ring in every food and beverage that was delivered on our table. And when I finally brought her home, and I went down on my knees to tie my shoelace, I was too shocked to hear her say ‘Yes! Yes, Sir Chief!’ As I was oblivious to what was happening, I did not realize then what the yes meant. The next day, all thanks to Mama, I finally found out that Maya already knows I’m proposing! Whew! What a rollercoaster ride indeed! She knows and I know she knows.

And I am just glad I was still able to pull out a gallant surprise for her. At the cruise where we were supposed to have had our first date, I proposed to Maya, and yes, I was ecstatic to hear her say yes! That one moment, one of our most precious moments, will forever be etched in my heart. She was even wearing the same little black dress she wore during Luke’s prom. Wow! And I simply had to savor the moment then. I called the waiter and said, “Pwede magpa-take kami ng picture ng fiance ko?” I simply had to hear myself say it. Fiance. How I love the sound of it.

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES.

My family and Maya’s family were all filled with immense joy the night we had thepamamanhikan in San Nicolas. It was a night full of so much fun and laughter. It felt like the whole of San Nicolas came to celebrate my engagement to Maya. It felt like nothing could dampen everyone’s mood. My drunken state and Papa’s drunken state were a delight for everyone to witness.

Then the unexpected happened. Mamang no longer woke up from her sleep the next morning. Her sudden demise shocked everyone. And my dear Maya who loved Mamang dearly was suddenly in deep pain and agony. And all I could do was stay beside her and hold her close as I helped her overcome Mamang’s loss. Having experienced loss myself, I could not help but worry about Maya. I hoped and prayed she would recover soon. I vowed that I would be by her side at all times to lessen her pain. Thankfully, she’s all better now. Her positive vibe helped her deal with Mamang’s loss, I guess.

Chapter 3:

Richard to Maya: MAYA, WE’RE ALLREADY ENGAGED AND WE’RE GETTING MARRIED.

“I WAS HOPING THAT WE’LL DO THIS. TAYONG DALAWA… YOU’RE ALREADY A MOTHER TO MY CHILDREN. YOU BELONG HERE, MAYA. I WANT YOU TO MAKE THIS YOUR HOME, TOO.”

The truth is, Maya became Luke, Nikki and Abby’s Mama a long time ago… Even before I realized how much she means to me, long before I even pursued her. She has gone beyond the call of duty, and gave my kids a taste of what they lost and have always longed for when Alex left– attention, love, patience, understanding and care. She made an effort to make me realize what my kids needed and craved for. True! Had it not been for her, I may have forever lost my kids, too! She’s already an amazing Mama to Luke, Nikki and Abby! And now that we’re getting married, I’m all too excited to have more children with her. I also want to get the house fixed and redecorated to her liking.  It will be her home as much as it is mine.

“MANANG, HINDI KO PO KAKAYANIN PAG MAY NANGYARI KAY MAYA.”

Then in the midst of all our wedding preparations, Maya got sick. The dreaded dengue virus hit her and I was in shock. I was scared out of my wits! I may have seemed all calm and composed in front of my family and friends during the whole ordeal. But deep inside, I was trembling in fear, too scared to lose the reason for my being. All I hoped and pray for was that she recover soon. And I am truly grateful that after my many days of misery, Maya finally recovered. Thank you, Lord.

“PLEASE DON’T GET MAD AT ME. AND WAG KA NA RIN MABIGLA. I FOUND YOUR FATHER… I’M SORRY. I DIDN’T MEAN TO DO IT. AHM, NAISIP KO LANG NAMAN NA HANAPIN ANG FATHER MO AFTER MAMANG DIED BECAUSE YOU WERE SO SAD THEN…”

One thing is certain. Maya has never stopped loving her father in spite of his absence in her life. Her face always lit up whenever she shared stories about her father to me.  She loved retelling the story over and over again of how her Nanay and Tatay fell in love, how they professed their love in the most romantic place in San Nicolas, and how she took it upon herself to celebrate her Nanay and Tatay’s anniversary as she went on a date with Nanay every single year. When we took Abby to the zoo last year, I remember how her eyes lit up and how excited she was to go with us, as she was reminded of her father’s promise to take her to the zoo as a little girl.  When we went to Baguio last year, I can remember how excited she was as the place reminded her of her Tatay and her Nanay again, as that was where her Tatay bought the blanket that her Nanay uses up to this day.  As her graduation was nearing, we once again talked about her Tatay, and how it was his dream for Maya to become a flight attendant someday.  Maya never kept it a secret  from me that she longed for her Tatay and wished to see him again someday.  She even secretly hoped to accidentall bump into during one of her flights.

When Maya and I were preparing for the wedding, I thought that bringing him back would be perfect for her, so I hired someone to search for him.  Maya and her Tatay have finally met and talked after 15 years without contact, and she has since forgiven him. Knowing Maya, I’m sure she would be so much happier if her Tatay could come to her wedding.  But Maya, the selfless woman that she is, doesn’t want to see either Nanay or Kute hurt by his presence.  It will always be her loved ones’ happiness first before hers.  I wonder if Nanay and Kute have since changed their minds after they have each had a chance to talk with Tatay Arturo.  It would be one beautiful surprise for Maya if Tatay Arturo could grace our wedding with his presence…

HEARING HER CALL ME RICKY IS MUSIC TO MY EARS.

I have been Ser Chief for so long. And as much as I loved hearing her call me that, I loved it even more when she started calling me by my nickname. It felt so right.

***
Richard: What’s going on, Maya?
Maya: Mahal na mahal kasi kita, eh. Kaya siguro natakot ako.
Richard: Na ano?
Maya: Na mawala ka.
Richard: (smiles) San naman ako pupunta?
Maya: Eh, kasi diba, ang dami-daming nangyayari ngayon tapos nung isang araw naisip ko na baka na baka ano… Baka tulad ni Tatay bigla mo din akong iwan. Kasi ang saya-saya ko na nga, eh. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko pag nangyari yun, pag bigla kang nawala.
Richard: You really think I would do that?
Maya: Oh. hindi. Oo. Naisip ko. Alam kong mali.
Richard: Yes. Mali.
–
Richard: Section 3B, item 1. What are your views on intimacy? (Reads Maya’s answer) ‘Ang intimacy ay parang rosaryo, puno ng misteryo.’ Ano ‘to? Slumbook?
Maya: Hindi!
Richard: Intimacy is basically being emotionally and physically connected to one another… And sa mag-asawa, we have to make love…
***

WEDDING THEMES: AVIATION, FAIRYTALE, KAPIT-BISIG!

Knowing that everyone is excited to help out in the wedding, my selfless bride to be happily involved not just me, but also the kids, Mama, Rafi, and Nanay in planning all the wedding details. Definitely, kapit-bisig at its finest. The Aviation theme is perfect for the wedding ceremony and invitations as they tell who we are– I am an aviation engineer while Maya is a flight attendant. The Fairytale theme for the wedding reception is perfect as it tells the extraordinary story of how the ‘magandang prinsesang matipid (?) magsalita’ ended up in the kingdom of the ‘masungit na mahal na hari’ and fell in love not just with him, but with his children– the 2 beautiful princesses and the handsome prince–, too. It will surely be a wedding to remember for everyone.

“I, MAYA DELA ROSA, TAKE YOU, RICHARD LIM, AS MY WEDDED HUSBAND. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD. FOR BETTER OR WORSE. FOR RICHER OR POORER. IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH. TIL DEATH DO US PART… HAH!”

Seeing Maya covered by a veil, holding a bouquet, and hearing her giddily recite her vows inside Corinne’s office almost six weeks ago was truly a sight to behold. Listening to her practice reciting the vows that would bind us forever felt so surreal. She is, after all, a dream come true. And up until this moment, a day before our wedding, I still cannot believe that she’s marrying me. Best of all, tonight is the last night I will be sleeping alone. From tomorrow onwards, my lovely wife and I will sleep and wake up in each other’s arms. How blessed can one man be in one lifetime?

FATE, DESTINY, SERENDIPITY

I believe that Maya and I are truly a fortunate stroke of serendipity! I still cannot help but wonder, though. Destiny found various ways to have Maya and me meet, but what if we never did? How would my life have turned out if Maya and I didn’t bump into each other at the San Nicolas Airport, if my car hadn’t almost crashed into her at Jones Bridge, or if Abby hadn’t dared explore the airport, got into an almost accident, and Maya had not come to her rescue only to be scolded, shouted at, and accused of being a kidnapper by me? Would my life have turned out differently had Maya not come along? What would’ve become of me if our paths never crossed? Without Maya coming into my life, anybody looking for me now would probably find me inside my office or at the hangar– working as if there was no tomorrow– and perhaps, still sulking, cranky, irritable, lonely, depressed, hopeless and as Maya had once put it, on Tiger mode! (But who can fight destiny? Fate has given us various opportunities to cross each other’s paths. We were truly destined to meet and fall in love.)

***

At Alex’s mausoleum

Richard to Alex: (Holding Maya’s hand) She’s the one I was telling you about.  The one who made me fall in love again…

***

Thank you, dear Lord, for allowing Maya to come into my life. She is now the deepest desire of my heart. The love of my life. My heaven on earth. The rarest of all my finds. My life. My happiness. My strength. My stress tab. My lousy cook. My silly attorney. My beautiful coffeemaker. My North Star. My soulmate. My bestfriend. My destiny. My greatest love. My sanctuary. The voice in my head. My soon to be wife. Mother of my children. My beloved Mrs. Lim. The woman I’ll be spending my whole life with. Undeniably, the best thing that ever happened to me.

Life is indeed full of surprises. I never thought I would fall in love again.  Then Maya and I met and love happened. In Maya, I finally found all the answers. Why Alex had gone too soon. Why I experienced a pain and brokenness like no other. Why Abby lost her voice. Why Nikki’s fears and insecurities kept her away from me despite her earnest wish and numerous attempts to keep all of us close together. Why Luke and I fought and argued countless times in the past. All that had to happen because Maya was destined to come into our lives and like magic, make everything all right.

My questions have been answered and my heart is full of gratitude. Yes, everything led me to her. I am exactly where I want to be– with Maya, the only woman who will forever hold my heart and the only woman who can ever complete me.

Yes, Maya is indeed the One!

–

Maya, our fairytale becomes real starting tomorrow as our journey to our happy ever after begins. And just in case hindi ka pa rin makapaniwala that we’re already married after we exchange I do’s, you can always pinch me all you want, Attorney! Until you finally believe that we are indeed Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lim. Hahaha!

Japan, here we come!!! Are you ready for the snow, Mrs. Maya Dela Rosa Lim? I know I am. *wink *wink

No more worries, Mrs. Lim! Kalma lang.  I’ll show you na hindi ka lugi sa kin! I’ll be the best husband in town! (I can’t believe I said those. I’m starting to sound like you, Maya!)

Maya, I LOVE YOU, okay? Never, ever forget that. I am going to make you a very happy woman. I promise you that!

***

Abby: Then what happens after that, Daddy? Kasi lahat ng fairytales nang narinig kong story ganyan yung ending.

Richard: Iba-iba, baby.

Abby: Eh yung Mahal na Hari at yung Mahal na Prinsesa?

Richard: Well, yung Mahal na Prinsesa naging Mommy na siya nung prince and the little princesses.

Abby: Kasi Queen na siya?

Richard: Yes, baby.

Nikki smiles as she listens intently to the exchange between her Dad and Abby.

Abby: Yehey!

Richard: And yung King sobrang happy kasi magkaka-baby na sila ng Queen.  Baby boy!

Abby: Ibig sabihin Daddy magkakaroon na ko ng baby brother?  I mean, yung prinsesita magkakaron na ng baby brother?

Richard: Not right away, baby. But who knows, right?

Abby: Yehey!

Luke joins Richard, Nikki and Abby in bed not soon after.

***

This is no longer a fairytale, Maya. This is real.  WE MADE IT REAL…

~*~

 

Before They Marry

Written: OCTOBER 28, 2013

A/N:  Good day, everyone!  With the #BCWMHfairytaleweddingoftheyear coming up soon, a possible pre-wedding scenario popped up in my head again.  Allow me to share that scenario with you now.  I have high hopes that you’ll enjoy this one, as I definitely enjoyed writing it.

I can truly imagine our dear Maya Dela Rosa visiting Alex’s grave before she and Richard exchange I do’s. Can you?  Would you like her to?

Happy reading!

To my friends at http://www.bcwmh.freeforums.net, I especially dedicate this to you. Advanced Happy 7th month to all the members of our forum!  🙂

To Mr. Richard Yap, Ms. Jodi Sta. Maria, the entire cast, crew, and the very brilliant Creative Team of BCWMH, thank you for giving us an intelligently crafted, heartwarming show we hope to watch forever. BCWMH is truly a show that we will definitely remember for a long, long time. 

Kapit-bisig forever!

You may also want to get re-acquainted with Alex by reading Maya Is Heaven-Sent.

~*~

Part 1

It’s Friday night, November 8, 2013, exactly a week away from their wedding. Richard and Maya have just spent an enjoyable evening with the kids: dinner out and a movie to cap off the night.

Richard cannot help but gaze and smile at his soon to be wife. The dinner and movie date with the kids were Maya’s idea, as she didn’t want to make Luke, Nikki and Abby feel alienated just because she and Richard have been spending less time with them, busy as they are with all the last minute wedding preparations and responsibilities at work. Richard can’t help but marvel and smile at Maya, grateful for all the love and attention she has always given him and their kids. He is one lucky man, indeed.

Maya is smiling, too! She is happy about how the evening has turned out for them. She truly loves Luke, Nikki and Abby like her own. She cannot help but imagine how exciting life will be once she and Richard are finally married. There was just one thing Maya needed to do before the wedding. It has been on her mind for many days now.Alex. She wants to visit and talk to Alex.

The short drive back to the condo was filled with the kids’ happy chatter about the movie they just saw. Luke, Nikki and Abby hardly even noticed that their car has stopped and they were right in front of Emman’s condo.

Richard: Here we are!

Maya: (Lovingly smiles at Richard as she unbuckles her seat belt) Salamat sa paghatid. (Then directs her attention to the kids) Sana nag enjoy kayo.

Nikki: Dad, Ate Maya. Thank you for a fun evening!

Luke: Yes, Daddy, Ate Maya. Alam po namin you are very busy because of the wedding pero you still made time for us.

Abby: I love you, Daddy and Ate Maya! Thank you po.

Richard and Maya: We love you, baby!

Nikki: Oh my gee! By Friday next week, you guys will be married na! I’m SOOO happy for both of you! And Ate Maya, we don’t have to take you back here every time we go out! Starting next week, we’ll all be going home together! We will all be living in the same house! Aww!  Isn’t that great? Oh my gee! I’m so excited na! Minsan, can we like have a sleepover sa room niyo ni Daddy? Parang camping lang! That will be oh so fun!!!

All Richard could do was roll his eyes as Maya nods and smiles at Nikki.

Abby: Yes, Ate Nikki! You’re right! We’ll have so much fun once Daddy and Ate Maya are married na. Ate Maya?

Maya: Yes, baby?

Abby: What do you want us to call you after you and Daddy get married po?

Maya: Ha, baby?

Abby: Mommy po ba or Mama? I wanted to ask you that before pa when I found out girlfriend na po kayo ni Daddy.

Maya: Ha, ah eh…

Nikki: Yes, Ate Maya. Parang ang akward naman kasi if we’ll keep calling you Ate Maya, diba? Eh you’ll be married na to Dad! So, technically, you’ll be our mom na rin, diba?

Maya: Ah eh, kayo ang bahala. Pero alam niyo naman na kahit magpapakasal kami ng Daddy niyo, hinding-hindi nangangahulugan na papalitan ko ang Mommy ninyo. Kailanman, walang makakapalit sa Mommy ninyo.

Luke: Alam naman namin yun, Ate Maya. Wala naman makakapapalit kay Mom. Pero we can call you Mama and also love you just the same.

Nikki: Even before you and Dad fell in love, we love you na, diba? Kasi you so super love us, too. Diba, I said na nga countless times before, you’re family! So, is it okay if we stop calling you Ate Maya?

Richard: (Upon noticing Maya in tears…) Maya, you’re crying again.

Maya: Hindi, ah.

Luke: Don’t deny it na, Ate Maya. Kita namin lahat.

Maya: Eh kasi kayo, eh. Alam niyo namang mahal na mahal ko kayo, diba?

Nikki: Aww, Ate Maya!

Richard: So, Attorney, what do you want them to call you?

Maya: Pwede sigurong Mama kung okay lang talaga sa inyo.

Luke and Nikki: Of course!

Abby: I love you, Mama!

Nikki: Si baby talaga, o. Kelangan siya parati mauna!

Luke: Good night, Mama!

Nikki: Kuuuuya! You’re so G-R-R-R talaga! Inunahan mo ko!

Luke: Ang baaaagal mo kasi!

Nikki: I love you, Mama-kins! Good night!

Everyone alights from the car to give their teary-eyed Mama kisses and hugs. Then Richard instructs the kids to stay in the car, while he takes Maya inside the condo.

Part 2

When the elevator door opens, Maya smiles lovingly at Richard and laces her fingers with his as they walk towards Emman’s unit.  Outside Emman’s door, Richard is suddenly in a laughing fit.

Maya: O, ano yan?

Richard: (Still laughing) Is Emman home?

Maya: Wala pa siguro yun. Lumabas siya kasama ng mga kaklase niya, eh. Bakit mo natanong at bakit kung makatawa ka naman eh wagas?

Richard: Just curious. Kasi every time I attempt to kiss you at your doorstep, he pops up! You still remember how I tried to kiss you when I brought you home after our first date?  He suddenly opened the door, diba? Tapos there was this one time I wanted to kiss you, then bang! He suddenly fell from the stairs and got himself hurt! (They both laugh uncontrollably. And then he suddenly stops and smiles mischievously.) Let me test my theory now. (He leans closer to Maya and whispers) I love you, Mama!

Maya: Ha? Ikaw rin?

Richard: Haha! Kakainggit ang kids, eh. I love you, Mama! Dream of me tonight, okay?

Then Richard flashes his lopsided grin at Maya, cups her face with both his hands, and gives her one sweet kiss leaving her craving for more.

Maya: Sige try ko yun.

Richard: Try ang alin? I-kiss din ako?

Maya: Haha! Sira!

Richard: You don’t even have to ask, Maya!  Basta you feel the urge to kiss me or to do whatever it is that you want to do, then gawin mo lang sa kin. I won’t mind. After all, we’re already engaged. And we’re about to get married. You don’t have to be so shy!  Diba we’ve had all that talk about intimacy na and making love?  One week na lang and I’m excited about unraveling the mystery to you. So, anong gusto mong i-try? I’m game!

Maya: Hoy, Mr. Lim! Masyado kang assuming! Ang gusto ko lang naman sabihin eh ita-try ko to dream of you, and–

Richard: Linawin mo kasi, Mrs. Lim!

Maya: And I love you, too!

Richard: Yun lang?

Maya: Yes. Ano pa ba dapat?

Richard: (Looks at Maya with a mischievous glint in his eyes) Hahaha! Lagot ka sa kin next week! Whether you like it or not, magha-honeymoon talaga tayo!

Maya: Hehe. Ikaw talaga, o!  Okay na nga sa ‘kin, diba? Nag-agree na nga ako 2-3 kids nga, diba?  (Blushes) Tama na! Change topic na!

Richard: There are only the two of us now, talking. It’s an intimate moment for us. Maya, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed whenever we talk about being intimate. Are you sure ayaw mo nang pag-usapan?

Maya: Hindi na nga. Okay na yung napag-usapan natin nung seminar… Ahhhm, Ricky… Pwede kayang… Ah… May gusto sana ako puntahan after natin magsimba sa Linggo.

Richard: Sure. Where do you want to go?

Maya: Kay Alex sana.

Richard: Okay.

Maya: One week na lang, ikakasal na tayo. And talagang gusto ko sana siya madalaw and makausap bago tayo ikasal.

Richard: (Smiles at her) Girl talk?

Maya: (Nods and smiles)

Richard: Okay. We’ll go visit Alex after we hear mass on Sunday.

Maya: Salamat, Ricky. (Hugs and gives Richard a lingering kiss on the lips)

Richard: (Smiles) Great move, Mrs. Lim! Now you’re learning!  I love your spontaneity! That’s intimacy at its finest.

Maya: Naku, Mr. Lim! Gusto ko lang din i-test yung theory mo about Emman.

Richard: Yun lang yun? Si Mrs. Lim talaga, o, puro palusot! For a theory to become a theory diba kelangan ma-test and ma-prove countless times? Try ko nga ulit!

Maya: Hep! Sumosobra ka na, Mr. Richard Lim! Tama na yan! Bumaba ka na nga. Siguradong naiinip na ang mga bata…

Richard: Okay.  I’ll miss you, Mama. Sweet dreams! (Then hugs Maya) Hmmm!!! Ang bango talaga ng misis ko!

Maya: Ikaw din kaya! Kaya nga ikaw si Daddy Bango ko, diba?

Richard: Kaya ba wala kang tigil sa pag-amoy mo sa kin dati?

Maya: (Pouts) Oo na! Bistado mo na ko! Alam mo palang panakaw kitang inaamoy, eh bakit di mo ko pinapagalitan?

Richard: (Shrugs his shoulders and purses his lips) Ewan ko nga ba… Hahaha! I love you, my Mrs. Lim!

Maya: I love you, too, my Mr. Lim! Sige na. Bumaba ka na!

Maya watches him as he walks toward the elevator. Richard stops by the elevator door, glances at Maya and smiles. When the elevator door opens, Emman suddenly steps out, and Richard and Maya, although far apart from each other, are suddenly in a laughing fit.  Richard smiles at Maya and says out loud, “Muntik na naman! Hahaha!” Emman acknowledges Richard’s presence with a nod, and shakes his head as he walks towards his unit, as Richard and Maya continue to laugh uncontrollably.

Part 3

Sunday morning after breakfast, Richard, together with the kids, drives to Emman’s condo to pick up Maya, so they can all attend mass together. While in the car, Richard noticed Luke and Nikki nudge each other several times, seemingly wanting to ask him for something.

Richard: Luke, Nikki, what is it?

Luke: Dad, can we go somewhere after the mass?

Richard: I promised to take Maya to Alex after we hear mass. Maybe after that we can go wherever it is you want to go to.

Nikki: Really, Dad? Ate Ma–oops! Mama really wants to see Mom? That’s sweet of her. Guess what, Dad?

Dad: What?

Luke: Actually Dad, dun po din namin sana gusto pumunta.

Nikki: It’s been awhile since we visited Mom, and since you and Mama are getting married na, we really want to see Mom sana. Can we pass by a flower shop before we go to the condo?

Richard: Sure!

Abby: Daddy, do you think Mom is sad because you’re getting married na po?

Nikki: No, baby! Of course not! I’m sure Mommy is happy that Dad fell in love again and that he will get married na.

Luke: And I’m sure she’s also happy for us, too. Kasi she can see how much A– Mama loves us.

Nikki: And you know what, baby? I think it was Mommy who sent Mama our way. She knows kasi how lonely we all were after she left. And she wants us to be happy again, kaya she made sure that Mama’s path crosses with ours. Diba, Dad?

Richard: (Overwhelmed with emotion, clears his throat) Your Ate Nikki is right, baby! Your Mommy is a thoughful, loving and caring woman. She knows how sad we have all been for a long time, kaya she sent Maya our way. You love Mommy, right?

Abby: Yes, Daddy, pero I also love Mama, too. Okay lang po ba yun?

Richard: Yes, baby. It’s okay to love both Mommy and Mama. I’m sure Mommy is happy because you and Kuya and Ate are happy. Your Mama makes all of us happy, and I’m sure Mommy is happy about that.

Luke: And para di tayo malungkot, baby, Mommy made sure si Mama talaga yung mapupunta sa atin– funny, sobrang makulit, very loving and thoughful pa at sobrang patient and understanding kahit na sobrang mean namin nina Daddy sa kanya dati.

Abby: Hihi! You’re funny, Kuya! Pero you’re right. And you forgot something pa, Kuya! Mama’s a very good storyteller also. Diba po, Daddy?

Richard: (Smiles) Yes, baby.

Nikki: You know what, Daddy-kins? I never thought I’d ever welcome any woman to our family for you! But Mama is really God’s special gift to us. And I super love her na, Dad! Really, really! And I must admit, you’re really so bagay kaya!

Richard: (Smiles) Thank you, Niks, Luke, Abby! This really means so much to me!  I just want you to know how grateful I am to the three of you for allowing me this chance to be happy again. Like you, Niks, I never thought that this would happen. And thank you, kids, for the initiative to start calling her Mama.

Abby: Wait! What about you, Daddy-kins?

Richard: What about, baby?

Abby: What will you call Mama po after you get married?

Richard: Maya pa din. Or Attorney. Haha! She loves to argue kasi!

Nikki: Dad! That’s not sweet kaya! Think of something sweet, Daddy-kins!

Luke: Sweet pala ha. Parang Mallows siguro, Dad! Marshie na lang itawag mo kay Mama. Short for marshmallows.  Diba, Niks?

Nikki: Kuuuuya!  You’re so G-R-R-R talaga!   Daddy, o!

Richard: That’s enough, Luke! Don’t worry, I’m not going to call Maya ‘Marshie’.(Then he smiles at Nikki) I don’t want to be a copycat kaya.

Nikki: Daddy!

Richard: Haha! Just kidding, Niks! Okay, fine! I’ll think of something. Or I can always ask Maya what she wants me to call her. What if I call her Maya-kins? It sounds cute! Bagay kay Maya! Iyakin kasi. Haha!

Abby: I know! I know!

Luke: Ano yun, baby?

Abby: I think Daddy should call Mama ‘mahal’. Kasi dun sa bedtime story ni Mama for me, si Daddy yung Mahal na Hari and si Mama yung Mahal na Prinsesa.

Nikki: Oh my gee! That’s so cute! Mahal sounds bagay for you and Mama! Pero baby, what’s that story about ba?

Abby: Tungkol po sa Mahal na Prinsesa na napadpad sa kaharian ng masungit na Mahal na Hari!

Luke: Hahaha! Ikaw na ikaw nga po yun, Daddy!

Richard: (Pouts) Luke!

Luke: Just kidding, Dad!

Abby: Can I tell you the story tonight na lang, Ate? It’s so long kasi, eh.

Nikki: Okay, baby!

Luke: Sali ako ha.

Abby: Sure po, Kuya!

Part 4

Maya, together with Richard and the kids, enters Alex’s mausoleum with a bouquet of white roses that she bought the night before. As she places the bouquet of white roses on top of Alex’s grave, she hears Luke, Nikki and Abby all raring to share their own stories, as they each place a single stemmed red rose on their Mom’s grave. Richard places a basket of multi-colored flowers on Alex’s grave, too.

Luke was the first to speak.

Luke: Hi, Mom! Kamusta na po? We’re all okay and happy, Mom. Sana kayo din po. Mommy, I was in Singapore two weeks ago to check out the Engineering program of Singapore Aviation University . The campus is amazing and mukhang ang galing po ng Engineering program nila. Sabi po ni Daddy, I can study there if I want to.

Nikki: Kuya, me naman! Hi, Mom! You know, we’re almost done with rehearsals for our Noli Me Tangere play for Westeatro. And we’re ready na. I directed the play, Mom! I can’t wait for Dad and everyone to watch the play I directed. Sana lang Tita Rafi can watch also like last year. I’ll ask her later siguro. I already invited Lolo and Lola to watch the play and they’ll watch daw po.

Luke: Mom, si Nikki may crush na and marunong na pong mang-busted. Haha!

Nikki: Kuya, you’re so G-R-R-R talaga!

Luke: Eh, totoo naman diba?

Abby: Kuya, Ate, you’re both funny! Hi po, Mommy. I go to the same school as Ate na, and like when Ate was in Grade 1, I’m a star scout din po. And I have the best Ate and Kuya in the world because they always help me po with my school work! I love you, Mommy!

Nikki: Aww! Baby!

Luke: Ang sweet naman ni baby!

Richard: (Reaches for Maya’s hand) Hi, Alex! This is Maya.

Maya: Hello, Alex. Ah…

Luke: Mom, meet Mama. Daddy says he told you about her na. She’s…

Nikki: … the woman Daddy is marrying, Mom! Isn’t Daddy amazing? We’re so lucky cos he falls for the right people. Like with you, before. Tapos now naman kay Mama!

Abby: Ate Nikki is right, Mommy. And I believe what she, Kuya and Daddy said kanina.

Maya: Na ano, baby?

Abby: Na happy po si Mommy kasi dumating ka po sa min and made us all smile again. Tapos you all love us so much pa and you made me talk again pa po. Mommy loves us and wants us to stop feeling lonely, kaya po she made sure you will come into our lives.

Maya: (Hugs Abby) Ah, baby! Ang sweet niyo talaga!

Luke and Nikki: Just like you, Mama!

Abby: Group hug!

Richard can only smile and thank the heavens for this beautiful, unexpected surprise, as he joins the four people who matter to him the most in a group hug.

Part 5

Richard: Ah, kids. Say goodbye to Mommy na muna. We will visit her again soon. Let’s just wait for your Mama in the car. Mag ge-girl talk daw muna sila ni Mommy niyo.

The kids all bid their Mom goodbye and head to the car, leaving Richard and Maya in the mausoleum.

Richard: Will you be okay here by yourself?

Maya: Oo naman.

Richard: (Kneels and touches Alex’s grave) Alex, I will leave you and Maya to talk muna ha. We will visit you again soon. (Stands up and turns to Maya) Take your time. (Kisses Maya on the forehead) The kids and I will wait for you in the car.

Left all alone, Maya then smiles at the grave of the woman who once held Richard’s heart.

Hello, Alex! Sa totoo lang, hindi ko talaga alam kung anong sasabihin ko sa yo. Gusto ko lang talaga magpunta dito at alayan ka ng bulaklak… Ahm… Sadyang mapagbiro ang tadhana, ‘no? Nagkatagpo kayo ni Ricky, sobrang nagmahalan, nabiyayaan ng tatlong napakamapagmahal at mababait na anak tapos bigla na lang nangyari ang mga nangyari. Para lang nung sa Mamang ko. At walang may kagustuhan nun. Pero ganun naman talaga ang buhay, diba? Walang kasiguruhan.

Nang una kong makilala si Ricky at ang mga bata at nung nalaman ang kwento nila, sobra akong nalungkot para sa kanila. Limang taon ka nang wala nang makilala ko sila pero damang-dama ko pa rin ang kalungkutan nila at ang sobra-sobrang pagmamahal nila sa yo. Alam kong hindi na kasama sa trabaho ko yun dati, pero talagang ginawa kong misyon siguro ang pasayahin sila at intindihin ko ang pinagdadaanan nila kahit na nung umpisa puro inis at galit ang naramdaman nila para sa kin, maliban na lang kay Abby. Hindi ko namalayan, sobrang napamahal na sila sa akin at naging mahalagang parte na sila ng buhay ko. Lalo na si Ricky kahit na nung una, para lang kaming aso’t-pusa. Haha!

Alex, sana okay lang sa yo na mahalin namin ni Ricky ang isa’t-isa. At sana okay din na mahalin ko ang mga anak ninyo. Sa totoo lang, mahal na mahal na mahal ko si Ricky, at damang-dama ko rin ang lubos na pagmamahal niya sa akin. Ibang klase siyang magmahal, ano? Hihi! Marami-rami na rin kaming pagsubok na napagdaanan at buti na lang ni minsan hindi namin naisipang bumitaw sa isa’t-isa. Araw-araw, mas lalo pang tumitindi ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya.

Pero alam mo, may mga takot pa rin ako. Hindi naman siguro mawawala yun lalo na sa mga taong nagmamahal. Pero sabi na rin nga ni Ricky, ano daw, one could never foresee, let alone prepare for everything. Kelangan lang talaga ay leap of faith daw. Faith na kahit ano pa man ang mangyari, kakayanin namin ang lahat. Tama naman siya, diba? Mahirap man, pero kailangan siguro matuto tayong manalig at magtiwala. Keep the faith, ika nga. Kasi hindi naman talaga natin alam kung anong mangyayari bukas. Walang nakakaalam. Basta kapit-bisig na lang siguro. Si Ricky alam nang makikapit-bisig at marunong ng mag-joke at dahil sa joke niya kilig na kilig ako! Nakadikit na daw ako sa kanya. Ayieee! At kailanman, hinding-hindi daw siya bibitaw.

Ilang araw na lang, ikakasal na kami ni Ricky. Siguro nandito ako ngayon para na rin hingin ang blessing mo. Pangako ko sa yo, mamahalin ko si Ricky at ang mga anak ninyo… ah, mga anak na natin pala, nang lubos lubos. Salamat sa oras mo, Alex, ha. Sa uulitin. Wag kang mag-alala mas kukulitin ko si Ricky na mas dalasan ang pagbisita namin dito at promise parati akong magbabaon ng kwento para sa yo tuwing bibisita kami dito. Friends na tayo ha. Bye, Alex. Babalik kami ulit soon.

Part 6

Maya walks out of the mausoleum with a happy heart and a lighter disposition. She heads to their car and Richard opens the door for her. Inside the car, she smiles at everyone as she buckles her seatbelt.

Maya: (Looks at Richard) Okay na. Nakapag- girl talk na kami ni Alex. Balik tayo ulit dito ha.

Abby: Mama, what did you and Mommy talk about po?

Maya: Sobrang dami, baby. Kwentuhan kita mamaya.

Richard: Ako din, kekwentuhan mo?

Maya: Girl talk yun, Ricky. Girl ka ba?

Richard: Hahaha! (Then stops, looks at Maya and smiles)  You’re silly, Maya!

Maya, Luke, Abby and Nikki laugh, and Richard joins in the laughter, as well.

Nikki: You’re so funny, Mama! Aren’t we lucky? Mama’s here to stay with us forever.

Richard: You got that right, Niks! We are all truly lucky to have one another. But I’m starving! Who wants lunch?

Luke, Nikki and Abby: (In unison) Me!

Richard: Then lunch it is! (Smiles at Maya) MAHAL, what do you want to eat?

Maya: (Blushes!)

Nikki: O, see, Dad! Mama’s blushing na!

Maya: Kayo talaga! Hindi naman. (Looks at Richard) Nabigla lang ako sa itinawag mo sa akin kasi.

The kids giggle.

Richard: Bakit, ayaw mo?

Maya: Siyempre gusto ko yun, MAHAL!

Richard: (Smiles and turns red. Totally stunned!)

Luke: Yun, o! Si Daddy, o, marunong din pala mag-blush!

Abby: Hihihi! You’re all so funny, Daddy, Mama, Kuya and Ate! Daddy, Mama? Pwede po mag-wish?

Richard: Sure! / Maya: Oo naman, baby!

Abby: When Ate and Kuya had the slumber party in the house po, sobrang saya po natin lahat kasama sina Kuya Emman, Kuya Nicolo and Kuya Louie. I realized po, it’s fun pala to have a big family.

Richard: (Smiles) And?

Abby: Kaya po, can I have 2 more sisters and 2 more brothers po after you get married?

Maya rolls her eyes in disbelief as Richard, Luke and Nikki all laugh heartily!

Abby: Pwede naman po yun, diba?

Richard: Of course, baby! Pero if you do change your mind later and wish for a much bigger family pa, just tell Daddy at once, okay? Kayang-kaya ni Daddy and Mama yan. Your wish is our command, baby!

Maya: Ricky!!!

Richard: O, bakit na naman, Mahal? Ayaw mo?

Maya: (Purses her lips, then smiles at Abby and then at Richard;  Maya looks giddy yet scared at the same time) Siyempre gusto, Mahal! Anything to make baby happy!

Richard, Maya, and the kids’ laughter once again echo in the confines of the car, the all too silent witness to Richard and Maya’s amazing love journey.

Part 7

Up in heaven, a lovely vision in white is smiling at Maya.  Alexandra S. Lim is indeed full of love and gratitude for Maya, the woman who brought back the love and laughter in the hearts of her dear ones, Richard, Luke, Nikki, and Abby.

Alex has never questioned God’s will. When her life ended, all she ever wished for was that Richard and the kids could overcome the pain of losing her and learn to love and live again. Her wish came true the day Maya came and became Abby’s other mom and Luke and Nikki’s friend.  Alex knew then that it was only a matter of time before Richard and Maya would fall in love. And they did, much to Alex’s delight. And now that Richard and Maya are about to exchange I do’s, Alex is filled with immense joy!

In five days, on November 15, 2013 to be exact, Richard will marry Maya, and all Alex could wish and hope for is that Richard and Maya not only be blessed with more children, but with happiness, peace & contentment, long life, a great deal of faith, exciting dreams, and lots of love and laughter and happy thoughts to last them a lifetime.

Dor-Bel: Chika Mode On

Written: AUGUST 21, 2013

(A/N):  This piece is inspired by the short conversation of Doris and Sabel during Sir Chief’s birthday celebration in the orphanage, that scene where they both noticed that Maya and SC seem to be having an LQ.

I’ve missed writing about Doris and Sabel, so here goes…

Happy reading!

~*~

Tapos na ang selebrasyon ng kaarawan ni Sir Chief sa ampunan at matiwasay na silang lahat na nakauwi sa mansyon. Mahimbing nang natutulog ang lahat maliban kay Doris at Sabel na walang tigil ang chikahan sa kwarto ni Sabel. Di nila mapigilang pagkwentuhan at pag-chismisan si Maya at ang kanyang Sir Chief…

Doris: O diba BFF tama tayo? May LQ yung dalawa… Ngayon okay na sila.

Sabel: Oo nga BFF. Isang kanta lang pala ang katapat ni Maya, eh! Kung makakanta naman itong si Sir Richard kanina talagang todo bigay. At kung makangiti ‘day! Haay naku! At aminin mo, ang landi ni Sir Richard nung kumakanta, ha! At OA kung magpa cute ha! Haay! Nakaka in love talaga!

Doris: At buong kanta wala siyang tiningnan kundi si Maya lang ha, Sabel! Nakakakilig!

Sabel: Kaya naman itong si Maya wagas din ang saya! Kulang na lang eh himatayin siya sa sobrang kakiligan dahil sa gwapo nating amo!

Doris: Oo naman! Kung tayo ngang lahat na nanonood lang eh kinilig, si Maya pa kaya, eh patay na patay kay Sir Richard yun, ano? At ‘day! Ibang klase si Sir Richard! Sobrang magpakilig!

Sabel: Oo nga. Tama ka diyan BFF. Pero ito namang si Sir Richard, mukhang humaling na humaling sa Maya natin! At ‘day, di lang basta nang-harana. Tinitigan pa si Maya! Hinawakan pa ang kamay… Hinalikan ang kamay at pisngi! Niyakap nang ubod ng higpit ang Maya sa kanyang mga bisig! Haay!

Doris: (smiles) Tama ka diyan ‘day! At tsaka aminin mo, si Sir Richard, OA kung makasuyo ha. Lahat yatang palaro kanina sinalihan na niya mapansin lang ni Maya! Hahaha! Grabe! Ang laki na talaga ng mga pagbabago kay Sir! Di na siya tulad ng dati na matindi ang galit sa mundo.

Sabel: Oo nga. Matagal-tagal na rin nung huli siyang nag Tiger mode! Mukhang ibang klaseng LIGAYA ang nabibigay sa kanya ni Maya. Ayiiie! Haaay, ang saya-saya siguro ni Sir Richard at ni Maya tuwing nagki-kiss at nagkakayakapan sila, at alam mo na…

Doris: Naku, ikaw talaga ‘day, umiral na naman yang pagkamanyakis mo.

Sabel: Grabe ka ha. Hindi naman!

Doris: Akalain mo ‘day, dati nangangarap lang ‘tong si Maya. Ngayon natupad na ang pangarap niya. Ang mahalin ng sobra sobra ng taong pinakamamahal niya! Haaay!

Sabel: Tama ka naman diyan!

Doris: Kaya ako Sabel naniniwala ako, eh. Balang araw magtatagpo ulit kami ng landas ni Boris. At pag dumating ang panahon na yun, siya naman ang susuyo sa kin ng bonggang-bongga!

Sabel: Oo na. At dahil may Boris ka na, ipaubaya mo na sa kin si Elmer ha. Mas bagay naman kami ni Elmer kesa dun sa Clarisa May na yun, diba? At puro pasakit lang naman ang dala nung babaeng yun kay Elmer, eh. Eh pag ako ang sinuyo niya, paliligayahin ko siya ng bonggang-bongga! (evil laugh!) Hahahaha!

Doris: Mag- hunos dili ka nga diyan, Sabel! Kalma lang! Sa ‘yong sa yo na yang si Elmer! BFF, ang saya ‘no? Isipin mo, ako may Boris. Tapos ikaw may Elmer. At si Joma, WALA!

Dor-Bel: Hahahaha!

Sabel: Eh kasi naman ‘day, torpe din naman yang si Joma. Ubod nang lakas lang mang-asar pero hari ng katorpehan! Hahaha! Tingnan mo, wala lang ginawa yun kanina kundi sulyap-sulyapan si Miss Liza! Hahaha! Pagnagkataon, tayo magkaka lovelife na, siya WALEY pa rin!

Doris: Tama ka diyan! At pag nangyari na yun, mamatay siya sa inggit! Hahaha!

Sabel: Pero ‘day, maiba naman tayo. Ano sa palagay mo ang pinag-awayan ni Sir Richard at ni Maya?

Doris: Malay ko! Bakit ba pati yun gusto mo pang ungkatin? Hindi ba pwedeng maging masaya na lang tayo na okay na sila?

Sabel: Eh kasi naman, nagtataka lang naman talaga ako. Kasi diba alam naman natin kung gano nila kamahal ang isa’t -isa at sobra silang magkasundo sa lahat ng bagay. O, e ano pa ba mapag-aawayan nila ‘day?

Doris: Ako man nahihiwagaan ako diyan. Pero napansin mo ba ‘day? Pati si Don Roberto at si Donya Esmeralda parang nanggaling din sa away, eh. At kanina din lang nagkaayos. May kinalaman kaya yung mag-asawa sa naging away ni Maya at ni Sir Richard?

Sabel: Ay!!! Hindi kaya yung away nila ay dahil sa pag- ayaw ni Don Roberto kay Maya?

Doris: Pwede! Kasi alam mo Sabel nung araw na bago umalis yung mag-asawa dito, narinig kong nagtatalo sila nung nasa guest room! Natakot nga ako nun, eh. Kaya umakyat na lang muna ko at nagsabi kay Manang Fe na tsaka na lang ako maglinis dun. Hindi kaya si Maya ang pinagtatalunan nila?

Sabel: Malamang. Kasi diba okay na okay na kay Donya Esmeralda si Maya at kay Don Roberto na lang sila may problema? Baka pilit kinukumbinse ni Donya Esmeralda si Don Roberto na tanggapin na si Maya!

Doris: At dahil ayaw niya, naisipan siguro ni Donya na umalis na lang sila dito! Si Sir Richard naman di pinigilan sila kasi siguro malaki pa din ang tampo sa Papa niya!

Sabel: At! Nang malaman ni Maya na di man lang pinigilan ni Sir Richard na umalis ang Mama at Papa niya, yun na. Nagkatampuhan na yung dalawa! Alam mo naman yang si Maya, diba? Ayaw na ayaw niyang may nag-aaway nang dahil sa kanya!

Doris: Tumpak ka diyan, ‘day! Kaya pala itong si Sir Richard eh ilang araw na ding parang malungkot. Miss na miss na niya ang sweetheart niya!

Sabel: At naging magkakampi si Maya at si Donya Esmeralda laban sa mag-ama!

Doris: At no choice na ang mag-ama kanina kasi halata namang apektadong-apektado na sila sa di pag pansin sa kanila nung dalawa kaya napilitan na ring magkausap at magkaayos!

Sabel: Kaya pala yung matanda sinabayan na rin ang anak sa pagpapa-cute at panghaharana! Hahaha!

Doris: AT… dahil okay na silang lahat ngayon, isa lang ang ibig sabihin niyan, Sabel! Bukas babalik na ang mag-asawa dito sa mansyon AT…!

Sabel: At ano?

Doris: AT sa lalong madaling panahon AY…

Sabel: Ano, Doris? Ano? Sabihin mo na kasi!

Doris: AY babalik nang muli si Maya dito para dito na tumira…

Sabel: Ha? Bakit naman?

Doris: Ano ka ba Sabel? Di mo pa rin ba makuha? Sa nangyaring tampuhan kay Maya at kay Sir Richard, palagay ko may malapit nang maganap…

Sabel: Doris ha… Malapit na kong mainis sa yo. Sabihin mo na kasi kung anong iniisip mo…

Doris: Palagay ko di na pakakawalan pa ni Sir Richard si Maya! Kaya baka di matapos ang buwan na ito, eh mag-propose na ng kasal si Sir Richard kay Maya. Haay!

Sabel: (ngumiti at kinilig) Ows, talaga? Pwede nga! At pag nangyari yun, hay sobrang sasaya na naman itong bahay! Aminin mo, nung umalis si Maya kahit okay na ang lahat, medyo kulang pa din ang ingay at saya at energy dito! Sana nga, Doris!

Doris: Palagay mo, o-oo naman kaya agad si Maya? Diba marami pa siyang pangarap sa buhay? Ngayon pa lang niya unti-unting natutupad yun!

Sabel: Siguro naman, Doris! Kung tutuusin, lahat ng pangarap ni Maya parang nagkaroon na ng katuparan at dahil din yun kay Sir Richard. Nakapag-aral siya. Naging stewardess. Nakakatulong na siya sa pamilya niya! Sabihin na natin naging masikap din naman talaga siya, pero si Sir Richard pa rin ang nagbukas ng lahat ng oportunidad para sa kanya!

Doris: Tama ka diyan! At kahit maging mag-asawa naman sila, palagay ko hindi naman siya pagbabawalan ni Sir Richard na ipagpatuloy ang mga pangarap niya. Ganun naman si Sir, diba? Mabait at mapagbigay lalong-lalo na sa mga minamahal niya! Natutuwa lang talaga ako BFF. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagmamahal nila sa isa’t isa!

Sabel: Oo naman! Tsaka BFF, isa din naman sa mga pangarap ni Maya si Sir Richard, diba? Sa totoo lang palagay ko si Sir Richard ang pinakamalaki niyang pangarap! Haha! Naku! Kaya pag nag-propose si Sir Richard sa kanya, dapat OO siya agad bago pa magbago ang isip ni Sir Richard at ako ang yayain magpakasal! Kasi diba una naman talaga si Sir Richard naging akin!

Doris: Naku, Sabel! Nananaginip ka na naman ng gising! Itulog mo na muna yan. Diyan ka na nga! Good night!

 

Before He Proposes (version 2)

Written: AUGUST 21, 2013

A/N:  This  piece is inspired by the last part of the August 21 episode of BCWMH, where we find Sir Chief and Nanay Teresita conversing outside Emman’s condo.  It is not a continuation of Before He Proposes. 

Richard: Maya is really an AMAZING woman.
Nanay Teresita: Salamat, Richard. Alam mo, habang papunta kami dito ni Nanay, kinakabahan ako kasi di ko alam kung anong daratnan namin dito.
Pero mukhang maayos na naman ang lahat.
Richard: Ahhh, speaking of that… Buti nagkausap tayo.
Nanay Teresita: Bakit?
Richard: I would like to ask for your permission.
Nanay Teresita: Permission? Para saan?

Below is what I feel would be the most probable continuation of the conversation between Sir Chief and Nanay Teresita.  Happy reading!

author: iamgarie

~*~

BEFORE HE PROPOSES (version 2)

 By iamgarie

Richard: I would like to ask for your permission.

Nanay Teresita: Permission? Para saan?

Richard: I want to marry your daughter. Gusto ko na po sana mag-propose na ng kasal sa kanya.

Nanay Teresita: (stares at Richard, speechless)

Richard: You know how much I love your daughter. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Mahalaga po siya sa akin.

Nanay Teresita: Ganun din naman si Maya sa yo. Alam kong mahal na mahal ka din ng anak ko, Richard.

Richard: Opo. Kaya nga po sana hihingin ko na ang permiso niyo.

Nanay Teresita: Richard, alam na ba ng mga anak mo?

Richard: Ang nakakaalam pa lang po eh si Papa and si Rafi. Si Rafi po yung bestfriend namin ni Maya. Pero sasabihin ko na rin po sa mga bata mamayang gabi.

Nanay Teresita: Okay lang sa Papa mo? Hindi na siya kumokontra?

Richard: Opo, okay naman po kay Papa. At kahit hindi ko pa po nasasabi kay Mama, sigurado po akong hindi yun kokontra. Hindi ko po alam kung nakwento na sa inyo ni Maya, pero magkasundong-magkasundo po sila ni Mama. Sa konting panahon na nakilala si Maya ni Mama, mahal na mahal na po niya si Maya.

Nanay Teresita: (nods) Yung sa mga bata, sa palagay mo hindi na kokontra si Nikki sa mga pinaplano mo?

Richard: Nitong mga nakaraang linggo po, masyado na rin po naging malapit si Nikki at si Maya sa isa’t-isa. Minsan nga po, ako na mismo ang nagtatampo kay Nikki kasi may mga kino-confide na siya kay Maya na di niya kayang sabihin sa kin. Puro na po sila girl talk at di na nila ako isinasali…

Nanay Teresita: (nods and smiles) Ganun ba?

Richard: Maya is truly an amazing woman. She’s very loving and caring. Mahal niya lahat ng mahal ko. Mahal na mahal siya ng mga bata. Mahalaga kay Maya ang lahat ng mahalaga sa kin.

Nanay Teresita: At nahawa ka na rin kaya pati kaming pamilya niya naging mahalaga na sa yo.

Richard: Opo. Alam ko po, marami kayong inaalala. Bata pa si Maya at marami pa siyang pangarap na gustong matupad. Nangako po ako sa inyo noon na I will never stand in the way of her dreams and her happiness. Kasi alam ko kung gano niya lahat pinaghirapan ito. And like you, I want her to be all that she can be. Hindi pa rin po nagbabago yun. Mag-asawa man po kami, I will still continue to support her in pursuing her dreams. Her happiness matters to me.

Nanay Teresita: (almost in tears) Pero mahal na mahal mo siya kaya gustong-gusto mo na siyang pakasalan… Kilala ko ang anak ko Richard, at alam kong mahal na mahal ka rin niya. Sa dinami-rami ng mga nanligaw sa kanya wala siya ni isang napusuan man sa kanila. Ikaw lang talaga ang gusto niya, ang mahal niya. Unang beses pa lang kitang nakita noong magba-Bagong Taon, naramdaman ko na agad na espesyal ang anak ko para sa yo at ganun din siya sa yo.

Richard: (smiles) Opo.

Nanay Teresita: Malaki ang tiwala ko sa pagmamahal mo sa anak ko. Mabait ka rin namang tao. Pero bilang magulang, at palagay ko alam mo rin naman ito, ayaw ko lang ma masasaktan ang anak ko. Ayaw na ayaw ko rin iiyak siya…

Richard: Alam ko po yun. Ayaw ko rin pong masasaktan si Maya. Kaya nga po kami nagkatampuhan nung isang araw kasi pilit ko siyang iniiwasang masaktan sa nangyari sa amin ni Papa, pero kilala niyo naman po yung anak niyo.

Nanay Teresita: Gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan para magkaayos ang mga taong mahal niya kahit na–

Nanay Teresita at Richard: SIYA NA MISMO ANG MAGSAKRIPISYO AT MASAKTAN. (They both laugh.)

Nanay Teresita: Mahal na mahal ko ang anak ko, Richard.

Richard: Opo. At nangangako po ako na wala akong gagawin kundi mamahalin siya at poprotektahan siya habang buhay.

Nanay Teresita: Pumapayag na ako. (smiles and in tears)

Richard: (smiles) Salamat po, Aling Teresita.

Nanay Teresita: Nanay, Richard. Tawagin mo kong Nanay.

Nanay Teresita opens her arms to Richard for a brief hug.

Nanay Teresita: (wipes her tears) O, tayo na sa loob. Baka nag-aalala na si Maya. Kelan mo pala balak mag-propose.

Richard: (smiles) Soon po… Bukas nga po pala, gusto ko po sana kayong invite sa bahay for dinner, para na rin po magkakilala kayo nina Mama at Papa.

Nanay Teresita: Sige Richard, pupunta kami.

After Richard and Maya’s mom re-enter Emman’s condo, Nanay Teresita runs towards Maya and envelopes her in a tight embrace, much to Maya’s utter surprise. 

Get ready, Maya! You’re in for the surprise proposal of your life! You’ll soon hear Richard say the words that will change your lives forever. Please don’t hesitate and do promise us you’ll say YES to him!