Faith's POV
I was really surprised when I saw Austin with his friends at the market while I was talking to Ate Marie and her daughter Jade. I didn't know what I was feeling; I was restless, and I couldn't understand why. I didn't want to just walk away — they might think something. Especially since I'm a teacher, and some people know that the men with me are guests of the mayor. This is one of the difficult things in my profession: I have to be careful with every action. I don't need to be perfect, but I should always be proper and pleasant, especially since we can encounter our students anywhere.
We were caught off guard and just laughed when Glen called Ate Marie "Mother," though his gaze was really directed at Jade. I wasn't surprised when he immediately noticed the girl's beauty; Jade is indeed beautiful. At the age of eighteen, she already has a woman's figure. You wouldn't think she was Ate Marie's daughter. First, her hair isn't curly. Second, her skin shows that she was once fair but has now darkened from being under the sun every day while selling.
I was even more surprised when Glen bought all their vegetables in bulk. But I was also grateful because that meant they could rest early. So, I didn't hesitate to help them. As I was moving, though, I felt someone's eyes on me. When I looked up, I confirmed it was Austin.
Why is he staring at me like that? I asked myself.
I had no intention of talking to that devil. What's the point? whispered the other part of my mind.
I just continued gathering the vegetables and noting the prices. When Glen handed the payment to Ate Marie, I also said my goodbye.
"I'll go ahead, gentlemen," I said. I didn't even glance at Austin. I was about to turn away when he suddenly held my arm.
"Faith…" he whispered.
I looked at him. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but before he could continue, my cellphone rang at just the right moment. I quickly pulled my arm back and answered the call. It was Stella.
"Hello, Stella? Yes, I'm on my way home. Tell Jairee I'm coming and that I bought what she asked for… so she can calm down. Hehe!"
Jairee had been looking for me and asked me to buy her favorite snack — suman with bukayo. She knows I don't have work today, so she's claiming my whole day. I was a bit delayed because I helped Ate Marie and Jade, but I was still happy. It was all worth it.
When I got home, Jairee immediately greeted me — wait, no, she immediately looked for what I bought, just to check if I brought her favorite snack. When she saw it, she quickly looked at me.
"Thank you, Mommy," she said, with a bright smile.
Later, she'll hug me; we're used to that every time I come from the market, after I take a bath. I don't want Jade to do it; I know she's tired from taking care of Jairee and helping with the household chores.
After I bathed, I went to the kitchen to prepare our lunch. I found Jairee eating the suman with bukayo while Stella was assisting her. When they noticed me, Jairee immediately got down from the chair and hugged me — the hug she didn't give earlier.
"Thank you, my Mommy. You're the best mommy in the world po."
I laughed. Oh really? Just for suman, I'm already the 'best mommy in the world.' Haha!
"Wow, my child, just for suman, I'm already the best mommy?" I replied, laughing as I showered her with kisses on her face.
She laughed and laughed, and even Stella joined in.
"What about me, Jairee?" Stella teased, still laughing.
"You're the best Ate po! Because you love me too. You always feed me and take care of me," Jairee answered in her sweet little voice.
"There you go! I'm also the best Ate!" Stella said happily. "That sounds good, baby. Give me a kiss too."
She kissed Jairee on the cheek, so we both kissed her on both cheeks. We were all laughing. The whole house was filled with joy.
"Enough already, Mommy and Ate. Jairee is tired," she said while still giggling.
So Stella and I stopped and just laughed at her playfulness. When she seemed settled, she spoke again.
"I have the best Mommy and best Ate in the world. Mommy, surely Daddy… he's the best Daddy in the world too, right?"
I suddenly froze. Stella and I looked at each other—neither of us spoke. A few seconds of silence passed. I wasn't ready. I didn't expect to hear that from her, not at this age. I can't tell her the whole truth yet. This isn't the right time. She won't understand.
"Oh, baby Jairee, do you want sinigang for lunch?" Stella suddenly asked, quickly diverting the conversation. Good thing she's perceptive.
Jairee looked at her and nodded.
"Yes, Ate! But I want Mommy to cook it."
It seemed she had already forgotten her earlier question.
"Don't you like my cooking?" Stella asked, pretending to pout.
"I like it, but Mommy's sinigang is so yummy," Jairee answered innocently.
"Okay, baby. I'll cook it for you. Eat your suman again while Mommy is cooking, okay?"
They both stood up. But before Stella could go far, I held her hand.
"Stella… thank you, okay," I said sincerely, grateful for how she handled the situation.
"Oh Ate… it's just a small thing," she replied with a smile, as if it was nothing.
I just smiled at her as she took care of Jairee's food again.
While I was preparing the ingredients for the sinigang, I couldn't get Jairee's question out of my mind. It kept replaying in my thoughts, so I looked at her.
She looked at me while chewing her suman. She smiled at me—a sweet and innocent smile. I laughed when I saw bukayo stuck on her front tooth. She's so cute. Her cheeks are chubby and rosy.
"Why are you laughing, Mommy?" she asked innocently.
"You're so cute, my child," I answered, smiling.
Stella looked at her and smiled too. Like me, she couldn't help but admire Jairee's cuteness.
I hope it's always like this, I said to myself.
I hope our life stays this happy. I hope no heavy problems come.
I just continued what I was doing, though my thoughts lingered. I was thinking about Jairee. She's still so young.
How can I prevent her from thinking again about her daddy? I asked myself.
Suddenly, I remembered Austin.
That's another thing… why do I have to see him again?
I shook my head in frustration. Why does the pain of the past have to return? Just when I've accepted everything, when I've forgiven him and am trying to forget, he suddenly appears.
It's annoying.
But whatever happens, I'll do everything to avoid him. I don't want to go back to the past. I don't want to. Every time I remember him, the pain comes back. The anger. The wound he left — the wound I thought had completely healed.
Let him live with his conscience forever.
At the end of my thoughts, I accidentally slammed the knife a little too hard on the string beans I was cutting. It caught the attention of the two.
"Ate, maybe instead of your sinigang being sour later, it will turn bitter?" Stella joked, trying not to laugh.
"Mommy, I don't like bitter po. It's not yummy," Jairee quickly added before drinking water from the glass Stella handed her. I laughed. This child always reacts when it comes to food. Haha!
"It seems you're deep in thought, Ate," Stella commented after taking Jairee to the living room and giving her toys to play with. She was about to come back to help in the kitchen.
"I saw him again, Stella. Earlier at the market. He wanted to talk to me, but good thing your call came just in time," I replied, my voice laced with resentment — but also with a trace of gratitude for the unexpected interruption.
"Why don't you talk to him, Ate? For closure, maybe?" she gently suggested.
I looked at her. Besides Charie and Charls, only Stella knows the full story of my life.
"Stella, have you had a boyfriend yet?" I suddenly asked.
"Oh Ate, not yet! Just chatting… hehe! But I don't plan on having a boyfriend yet. I'm still studying, right?"
"That's good," I replied. I was quiet for a moment. "Austin… let him be in his life. He's my past. I don't need to go back to it. Let him be."
After that, I just continued cooking. Stella was quiet too, but I felt her support even without words.