Love Lingers: Hearts Collide

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Parallel Lines

Marty massaged her temple to ease the knots in her head. Thankfully, her nausea easily went away after drinking a glass of warm water, but her body still feels strained.

"Pineapple? For breakfast?" Isobel asked when she sat across the dining table with her toddler, Ishan.

"May toast din ako. Pang dessert ko lang 'to."

Nangunot ang noo ni Isobel. "Really? Dipped in honey?"

"Oo. Masarap! Sakto kasi medyo maasim pa 'tong pineapple," she said, biting on a slice. "Kaya ko siguro 'to kainin ng ten years."

"Ten years?"

"Masarap nga kasi!" diin ni Marty.

"Tapos with honey?"

Marty nodded. "Oo. Dapat may honey."

Isobel paused for a while when Ishan grabbed a pineapple on Marty's plate.

"Ish, paalam ka muna kay Tita Marty if you want one. That's her breakfast."

"Tata Mattie!" Ishan called, flashing Marty his cute little smile.

Marty's eyes immediately marbled especially when Ishan drooled and nibbled on the pineapple he just took from her plate.

"Tita Marty," she corrected. "Dip mo rin dito sa honey para hindi gaano maasim."

"Tata Mattie!" Ishan repeated. "Salap hani?"

Marty scrunched her nose to stop herself from pinching his cheeks.

"Super cute mo, Ishan! Buti hindi ka nagmana sa daddy mong busangot. Pero masarap nga 'yang honey," sabi niya. She also took Ishan's pineapple to drizzle it with honey.

"Ayan, try mo," she said, watching his nephew nibble on the fruit again. But more likely, he just sucked on the syrup, leaving the pineapple behind.

"Hindi na niya titigilan 'yan," sabi ni Isobel habang pinupunasan ang pisngi ng anak niya.

"Mahilig din pala siya sa matamis."

"Yes. Mana sa 'kin."

But it seems like she has tuned Isobel out because she was busy watching Ishan smothering his little finger in honey from the saucer.

"Namapak ka na ng honey, wala na akong pang dip."

"Put more hani, Tata Mattie," turo ni Ishan sa platito.

"Enough na, baby. Hyper ka na naman mamaya niyan ang dami mong sweets na kinain," sabi ni Isobel.

"Ako na lang muna kay Ishan. May gagawin ka ba mamaya?"

"Magre-review ako ng financial statements."

"Ah . . ." Marty nodded. "Sige, ako na lang muna kay Ishan. Hanggang kailan pala kayo dito nila Uly? 'Di ko kayo napansin na dumating kagabi o baka tulog na rin siguro ako no'n?"

"Tulog ka nga. Past dinner time na rin kasi kami dumating. Pero hanggang weekend siguro kami dito. Basta okay na si Tito Chigo."

"Okay!" A bright smile etched on her lips, leaning closer to her nephew. "Ishan, kay Tata Mattie ka muna, ha? Busy 'tong si mommy mo mamaya."

"Marty?" tawag ni Isobel sa kanya?

"Hmm?"

"Did you do something different?"

Napaangat si Marty ng tingin kay Isobel. "Anong something different? Wala naman. Bakit?"

"Really? Are you wearing makeup?"