(Yours Series # 5) Always Yours (COMPLETED)

Chapter 19

"I do," I said with a small smile. "But he deserves the best, too."

Mama reached for my hands that were resting on top of the table. "Gracey, you're the best—and I'm not saying it because I'm your mom, okay? You are the best. You are kind and you are loving. Chester won't find anyone better."

I gave her a small smile. "But it's still so unfair for him..."

Mama squeezed my hand. "Remember back when you were little? When we used to do parties in orphanages?" she asked and I nodded. "You can always adopt."

My lips parted. "Really? It's okay for you?" I asked.

She nodded. "Of course," she replied. "There are lots of children who deserve to have a loving home. Should you and Chester decide to go that way, we will love that child, too."

I hated how I was crying again.

Suddenly, I felt sorry for thinking that the universe hated me... because if it did hate me, then why did it bless me with such an amazing family?

* * *

Since nandun na ako kanina, nagpasobra pala si Mama ng food para iuwi ko raw sa amin. And since nandun na rin ako, kumuha pa ako ng para kay Iñigo. Bago ako umuwi, dumaan muna ako sa apartment ni Iñigo and iniwan ko roon iyong food. Meron akong susi nun kasi binigyan ako ni Iñigo. Nagsabi rin naman ako kay Cha para alam niya but as it turned out, siya pala iyong nagsabi kay Iñigo para in case of emergency, may susi ako nung apartment.

Hindi ako nakatiis dahil naglinis din ako nung apartment ni Iñigo kasi ang dumi na. After that, bumalik na ako sa apartment ni Chester. Saktong pagdating ko, kakauwi niya lang din.

"Hi," I said. "Pumunta ako sa bahay. Binigyan tayo ni Mama ng food."

"May party na naman sa inyo?"

I nodded. "Always," I replied. "Are you hungry na? May rice ba? Kasi wala akong dalang rice, puro ulam lang 'to," I added as I placed the tote bag sa table.

"Magsasaing lang ako," he said. "Ligo ka na. Ako na magaayos dito."

I nodded na lang tapos pumunta na ako sa room namin para kumuha ng pamalit na damit. I took my time sa pagligo. Paglabas ko, nakaready na iyong pagkain namin. I was quietly eating nung mapansin ko na nakatingin sa akin si Chester.

"What?" I asked.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

I nodded. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know," he replied.

"So, why are we talking about this?" I asked him. And not even a few seconds passed before I felt guilty about snapping at him when he did absolutely nothing wrong. "I'm sorry," I quickly added. I sighed once again. "I'm... not completely okay, but it's nothing to be worried about," I told him with a small smile. "Don't worry about me."

"I can't not worry about you," he replied.

"Try."

It was his turn to sigh. "Gracey," he said. "I really mean it when I said that it's fine—"

"I know it's fine for you, but it's not fine for me," I said, cutting him off. "Can't I feel bad about this for a while, Chester?" I asked him as I felt tears starting to pool around my eyes. "I will be okay, I promise. But please... please let me be sad for a while, okay?" I added before I stood up and got out because for some reason, it was starting to get harder to breathe.

I didn't know where I was headed. I just kept on walking and walking. But then I stopped when I felt a drop of rain fall on my arm. Gusto kong tumalikod para bumalik na sa apartment, but I felt bad dahil nagalit ako kay Chester... Siguro magpapaulan na lang ako.