Maid With Love

Chapter 3

"Can I have your number?"

Paulit ulit na nagpeplay sa utak ko ang tanong ni Seungcheol kanina. Binigay ko ba? Oo naman. Sino ba naman ako para tanggihan ang nag-iisang Choi Seungcheol sa mundo diba? Halos maglupasay na ang ibang carats para lang makausap ang Seventeen tapos tatanggi pa ako na mismong bias ko na ang humihingi ng number ko? Di ka ganon kaganda para tanggihan siya Im Younghee. Pati sina Jeonghan at Jisoo nanghingi din ng number ko kaya binigyan ko na din sila. That was a good choice. I patted my shoulders while repeatedly saying, "Charesseo."

Nakarinig ako ng mahinang katok sa pinto kaya napalingon ako doon, "Younghee?" It was my Mom, "Can I come in, anak?"

"Ne." Sagot ko. Sunod na bumukas ang pintuan at maingat na pumasok si Mommy at nanatili lang nakatayo sa . Fuck. I hate seeing her like this. She looked defeated, like her whole life was taken away from her. I hated myself for this, "Mom." I ran to her and hugged her. Naramdaman kong umiyak si Mommy kaya mas hinigpitan ko pa ang yakap ko sa kanya, "I'm sorry for getting mad earlier. I won't do it again." I felt a kiss on top of my head as she said, "You have every right to get mad, my dear. We should be the one who's sorry." Agad akon kumalas sa yakap at umiling, "No, Mom. You shouldn't be sorry for protecting your peace. Both you and.. Dad. We'll get through this problem. We'll find a solution."

"When did you grow up to be this mature?" My Mom looked so proud of me that a tear fell just by hearing her praise, "Hajimayo." We both laughed and she suggested to tuck me in. I immediately refused, "Mom. I'm 18. I can sleep by myself." Again, she laughed. It hurts hearing her laugh just to hide the pain, "Arasso. I'll leave you alone, Miss Grown Up Younghee. You still haven't told me who brought you home. May utang kang explanation sakin bukas. Good night, my love." She's obviously teasing me. Her tone says it all. Napailing na lang ako sa Nanay ko. Bago pa siya makalabas ay nagpahabol ako ng, "I love you, Mom. Sweet dreams." She smiled warmly at me and mouthed I love you too then exited my room.

I know we'll get through this. We'll find a way. I looked at our family picture on my bedside table then at Seventeen's group picture beside it. Maingat kong tinumba ang picture para di ko makita kung gaano kami kasaya dati at tinignan na lang masayang picture ng Seventeen dahil ayaw ko nang umiyak. Pagod na kong umiyak. Nang mapagdesisyunan kong matulog na ay bigla na lang sunod sunod na tumunog ang phone ko. Kinuha ko iyon at tinignan kung sino ang nag text at halos mapasigaw ako sa gulat nang mabasa ang text ng unknown number.

From: unknown number

Annyeong, Younghee-ah. Si Coups 'to. Kumain ka na ba? Save mo number ko ah. Good night. ☺️

From: unknown number

Younghee-ya. Si Jeonghan ito. Paki save ng number ko. Matutulog ka na ba? Good night. 🤗

From: unknown number

Hi Younghee-ssi. This is Joshua. Please save my number. Jaljjayo~ ☺️

Juskolordt. Sinagip ko ba ang buong bansa noong past life ko kaya ganito na lang kadami ang natatanggap kong blessing sayo? Huminga ako ng malalim nang tatlong beses at sinave ko muna ang mga number nila bago magreply. Pero teka, anong irereply ko? Nako Younghee. Simplehan mo lang para di ka mapag halataan. Okay gets.

To: 내 사랑🍒

Annyeonghaseyo, Oppa. Ne, meogosseoyo. Na save ko na din number mo. Good night din. ☺️