What Becomes Of Us (An Anthology)

Rare Star - 6

"Mama, huwwy." Ethan squealed as Mae pushed him while he rode a baby tricycle. She laughed as she tried to go as fast as she could much to the little boy's delight.

It had been two weeks. The operation was a success. Ethan stayed in the hospital for a couple more days before he was sent home.

Mae almost didn't recognize the apartment when they got there. It was squeaky clean and everything was so neatly arranged. Allen tidied up the place and cooked lunch while Colleen, who just got home from her trip, drove them from the hospital.

"Daddy!" Ethan beamed excitedly and ran into Allen's arms, when he opened the door for them.

"Daddy?" Coleen mouthed as she nudged Mae with a raised eyebrow.

"Long story. I'll tell you later." She whispered to her friend.

"Hey, buddy. Welcome home." Allen smiled as Ethan kissed his cheek. "Hi Mae."

"Thank you, Allen. Sobra sobra na tong ginagawa mo. Sobra talaga." Mae smiled.

Allen held her hand and looked into her eyes. "Sabi ko sa'yo masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. Thank you for letting me do this for you and Ethan."

They stood, standing for a few seconds, just holding hands and staring into each other's eyes.

"Ehem... Excuse me lang. Hi Doc." Colleen said from behind Mae.

"Hi Colleen."

"O di ba? Andito pala ako noh? Kaya lang ang tingin mo, Doc. Hanggang dito lang oh." Colleen teased as she drew a line between her and Mae. "Akin na muna si Ethan, Doc ha? Medyo mabigat tong mga gamit di ko kaya ipasok."

"Colleen..." Mae protested.

"Eh, Mae, totoo naman eh. Si Doc lang pwede magbuhat niyang lahat. Wag kang mag-alala, malaki naman katawan niyang jowa mo." Colleen winked at her friend.

Allen blushed as Mae side-eyed her friend. "Colleen, ano ba? Nakakahiya kay Allen. Di ko siya, jowa. Friends lang kami."

["Friends lang. Dang! That hurts! Your fault for still not telling her, man."] Allen thought.

("Friends lang. Friends lang ba? Why is he acting like??? At bakit parang na-hurt siya when I said that. Naku, Mae. Wag assumera. Friends lang kayo talaga. He's here for Ethan.")

"O siya! Friends kung friends." Colleen chuckled.

After Allen and Mae brought the bags and stuff from the hospital inside the house, they all shared a meal prepared by the doctor himself.

Ethan excitedly narrated the list of activities he wanted to do with "Daddy" and "Mama". He wanted to ride his bike with Allen, play in the park with them, watch his favorite shows, and eat ice cream at his favorite spot in the garden. Allen promised to do them all but Mae remained apprehensive.

Later that night, after Colleen had left and Ethan fell asleep, Mae decided to finally clear things out with Allen.

"Mae, uwi na din ako so you could rest. I know you're really tired." Allen said.

"Allen, I need to tell you something."

"Ano yun?" He smiled but his smile faded when she looked him in the eyes with an expression of doubt. "Mae, what is it?"

"Allen, you need to stop. You need to stop doing this. Stop telling my son that you will be there to do those things with us. Stop promising him anything. Stop. Just stop being too good to us." Her voice trembled as she spoke and he could see the tears glisten in her eyes.

"Why? Saan nanggagaling to? I thought we agreed. I thought you were okay with me being Ethan's father figure. That's what Dads do, right?"

"But you're not his Dad! You have no obligation to us. Paano kung umasa kami sa'yo? Paano kung masanay na kami na nandito ka? We can't demand your presence if you can't give it dahil sino lang ba kami sa'yo?" She was surprised at how high her emotions were getting at that moment but she couldn't control how the whole situation was affecting her.

["Say it, you fool! She's upset."]

"Hindi nyo ako kailangan obligahin dahil gagawin ko pa din ang lahat ng masaya. You don't have to demand. I will be here. Mae, please believe me. Hindi ko kayo iiwan sa ere ni Ethan."

"But why? Why?! Paano kung hindi ka na masaya sa ginagawa mo? Goodbye na? Wala ka namang reason to stay with us. You can just walk away when you're not happy anymore."

"I have every reason to stay. I will never say Goodbye. I will never walk away from you and Ethan."

["s**t, Allen! Just tell her. Damn it!"]

"Bakit nga? Bakit Allen?!" She demanded. "I need you to give me one good reason or we can't keep being friends like this."

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" He yelled what his heart had been screaming all along.

Mae was shocked by his response. She took a step back and took a few seconds to let it sink in.

"Wha- What?"

Allen took a deep breath, slowly walked closer to Mae and took both her hands in either one of his. "I love you, Mae. That's why I'm so drawn to you. That's why I can't stay away even if I wanted to. That's why I'm here and that's why I'm going to stay. I know it's hard to believe. I know it's too soon but this is how I feel. I truly, wholeheartedly, without a doubt, love you Mae." He said staring deep into her eyes.

"I... I don't know what to say, Allen."

"You don't have to. I just wanted to finally let you know how I feel. I have only pure intentions for you and Ethan. I love you both and I can't imagine my life without you."

He paused, raised one of Mae's hands to his lips and kissed it.

"I want to stay in your life, Mae, even as a friend, if that is all you can give me but please just let me stay." He appealed.

"Allen... Unfair yun sa'yo." She said softly.

Allen shook his head. "Mae, please. It would be more unfair if you won't let me, if you won't even allow me that privilege."

Mae took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, Allen. You can stay but… You are also free to leave if you want to."

Allen sighed in relief and smiled then kissed her hand again. "Thank you. Thank you, Mae. I will never leave you and Ethan. I promise."

Mae did not answer, she simply smiled, hugged Allen and leaned her head on his chest.

("You don't have to promise me anything, Allen. We'll be happy to have you as long as you want to be with us.")

She closed her eyes and listened to the steady beating of his heart that spoke of his goodness and true emotions.

Allen sighed contentedly and wrapped his arms around Mae, happy to finally let her know how much he loves her.