Chapter 3: Mark's Secret

Honey is in front of her laptop and is doing something, online. Since she was just boiling rice soup, she had spare time to check the email to see if there was an answer from the restaurant where she handed over her manuscript to.

Nanay Lin thought Honey was scrolling through Facebook so she approached her and tease her.

"Are you looking at the picture of your crush, Honey?" She laughed awkwardly because she was actually doing something else.

She also explained to the old lady that she doesn't really have a boyfriend, that it was her naive heart hoping so.

"Then what are you looking at seriously?"

"Because I submitted a manuscript to a publishing company,but there is still no response." Sadness can be heard in Honey's voice.

"Is that the job you want? To pass the manuscript around and wait for an answer?" The old lady asked innocently which made her laugh softly.

"No. It's my childhood dream to be write a story and see it in a bookstore. And I don't even have a proper job right now so I'm still hanging out here. Don't worry Nay. If I ever get a job, I will ask my cousin who is still studying in high school to work here. She'll gonna study here in Manila too." Honey give Nanay Lin an assurance that she will not be feel alone and abandoned.

"You don't even need to think about me." Nanay Lin's refused.

"Nanay... Don't worry! You'll have a helper here. That's it! I'll take care of it!"

"I'm going back to the front. There might be a customer."

"Alrighty, Nay. The soup is about to boil already."

Nanay Lin couldn't help but feel emotional when Honey said that Honey would be relieved that if she had a helper in carinderia.

If only her children would be the same.

But that was a farfetched dream...

Very impossible.

That's why she immediately wiped away the dripping tears.

Nanay Lin's happy enough knowing that there someone cares for her.

Sunday morning...

Honey got up early and after prepping herself went straight to the carinderia. As for Jenny, it will be noon, still lying there until Honey returns. She immediately got up and slapped her.

"It's my day off.. Can't I just relax all day?" She didn't feel like defending so she scolded her friend.

"Are you comfortable there?!! Take a shower and get dressed so we can eat! Now we're going to catch that Mark of yours!" She laughed at what Honey announced.

"Really? So sudden?"

"Yes! Suddenly! I'm full of energy!"

"Did you say goodbye to Nanay Lin?"

"Yes. She said she was going back to her province. Her sister died."

"Awww. When will she come back?"

"She'll message me if she's coming back."

"Ahh."

"So stand up because I'm not going to do anything today except gouge out your boyfriend's eyes!" Honey pulled Jenny upright and and push to the bathroom.

It's two in the afternoon when they arrived in front of Mark's house. It looks like there was no one inside, but if you listen carefully, they could hear small voices that made Honey's eyes widen but not as big as Mark's eyes.

"Blimey! Bloody hell!" Honey whispered.

"What kind of reaction is that?" Jenny asked with a smile but she didn't respond.

Since the gate was not locked, Honey entered first. Jenny was taken aback and just followed. Jenny didn't know where Honey was going but she seemed to have memorized the house even though it was Honey's first time here.

Jenny stopped at the door of a room that she knew who belonged to.

To Mark.

She was nervous because her brain was suddenly filled with thoughts now that she was in front of his room. Honey faced her and said softly,

"Do you want me to make the grand entrance or just you?" Jenny's speechless.

Will she be able to speak to whoever she can see inside the room?

She looked at Honey and smiled..

"The usual.. You will knock, I will talk to the teacher." She replied that it meant was letting Honey make an entrance. The scenario that always happens at school.

Jenny thought it was just a simple knock but her heart almost drop e due to shocked when Honey knocked loudly on the door. And not only that, there is even a dramatic dialogue.

"HEY, MARK! OPEN IT!! I KNOW YOU'RE THERE! YOU CAN'T FOOL ME! OPEN IT!! JENNY IS PREGNANT! DON'T MAKE ANOTHER CHILD! F*CK! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A JOB!!!" Jenny tightly closed her eyes because she was afraid of what might be discovered.

Maybe what they suspected was true.

"Hey! Hey! I said, shall I knock or not?"

"Huh?"

"You? What are you thinking? Their gate is already there! Just a knock away." Jenny was suddenly stunned and laughed to herself.

What is it?

What did I imagine?!

"Hey! Have you gone crazy?"

"No, go ahead. Knock now!" She blurted out because she's secretly ashamed. Jenny mentally slapped herself for the thought.

Why did she imagine that?

Honey knocked and Jenny chest was like a drum that was rattling. Her pulse is catching with her breathe, and her palms are already sweating.

"It's time to open it!" Honey grunted because her knocking was so loud that no one even heard it. But, it wasn't long before someone opened the door.

Jenny's boyfriend Kurt's son. He asked with a smile, "What's that?" Since the boy knew them, Honey thought of pretending to be his teacher.

"Kurt, don't you, you like the teaching?" Kurt nodded,

"I'm supposed to be your teacher."

"Wow! Yes!" You can see the joy on the child's face.

Honey has a suspicion that the quote en quote other woman of Jenny's boyfriend is none other than his former girlfriend.

Kurt's mother.

She didn't want to bring this up to her friend because she knew Jenny would make excuses that Mark wouldn't look back to the one who left.

"Kurt! Baby? Who are you talking to?" A voice asked that made Jenny feel terrible. Honey immediately pushed her outside the gate where she could hide. She knew that Jenny had lost her face to show for now.

"Mamaaa! It's teacher Honey!"

Thus, this was their questions were answered.

The woman came who looked like she came from the kitchen because she still had an apron on.

"Oh, hello ma'am! Did you come to home visit?"

"Ah, yes. Actually, I am co-teacher of Kurt's homeroom teacher. I happened to take their class once. Alas, I became close to this child! So kind but so mean!" Supposedly the child is being restrained, but she is restraining herself from strangling the person in front of her.

"Come in!" As she wiped her hand on the apron.

"Ah, not anymore! I was just passing by and thought I'd stop by and visit Kurt! Your son looks just like you, 'no?" Honey's started to throw some sarcasm.

The child inherits a lot in physical appearance from its mother.

"Ah, yes. Hehe."

"I feel like I only see you today? Because his Papa is the one who always fetch him."

"Ah, I'm actually pregnant now. And my pregnancy is delicate. My doctor instructed me to stay here at home to avoid complications."

"Oh. How many months has it been?"

"It's been three months!"

"Oh, you and your husband are strong."

"In fact, it was 4 months ago when we got back together. Oh, ma'am! Let's go inside!"

"No, I'm leaving too. There is a class tomorrow." Honey looked at the young Kurt who had entered the living room earlier.

"The teacher is going to leave, Kurt!" It just waved because it was busy watching cartoons on TV.

"Alright, be careful! I'm sorry I didn't get to offer you a snack."

"It's okay. I'll go first!" Honey quickly ran out and saw that her friend was not outside.

Sh*t!

--

Jenny didn't know where to go. She heard what she needed to hear.

4 months ago?!

What's that? Mark has been cheating on her for four months?!

Why? Are you fooling around while hiding it?!

Jenny couldn't count how many times she wiped away the tears that didn't want to end with the back of her palm.

"What?! Stop it?!"

She stopped at an empty seat in a square. Jenny doesn't care if anyone sees or notices her crying! He needs to get it out!

"Tactful! Why does Honey right on analysis men?! F*ck up! My handkerchief was in her backpack! Even my wallet! It's a beautiful life!"

--

Mark was coming home from work when he saw Honey not far from their house. His chest was filled with nervousness at the thought, she knew something.

That's why he approached her. "H…Honey!"

"Hey, Pontio Pilato! If I found out that my friend had perished– Son of the tokneneng, I will offer you to the moon and the stars!" Honey pushed him on the shoulder making him pull back. He was weak at what he said.

"Sh–She already knows?"

"Oh, yes, bastard! What's your point? You got your ex pregnant right away?!"

"I'll explain!" He tried to explain, but she waved him off.

"Assh*le, help me find Jenny first! I don't know the way around here."

"Oh…Yes!" At least this is Jenny's friend. The man is even better!

"Explain to her, understand?" This is a solid response.

"Oh…Yes!" He let go of the collar.

"Ugh! Wrong! You must say, señorita!" It hit him that surprised.

"Who's señorita?"

"Nothing! All of a sudden, it's slow!"

"O...Oy, that's over the belt!"

"Add more to your stupidity! It's below!"

"Are you too much?"

"You are too much! Really, if we don't see Jenny, say goodbye to your loved ones and excluding Jenny!" Mark chose to remain silent because it seems that defeating is not in the lady's vocabulary.

But, young lady? Really?

Honey separated and gave Mark an instruction that he's on the left and she was on the right. Mark was very happy with what she said.

Finally, somehow the surroundings will be quiet.

Mark landed in the square and approached the female figure sitting on a chair. He knows it well.

It's Jenny.

He let out a deep sigh. He approached her slowly and knew that she was still crying. He heard it from where he was.

This is my fault! I need to fix it!

He slowly stepped closer and say, "Ahmm... I want to say, don't cry but.. Your friend said, I'm really stupid when I'm the reason, then I'll say it." He started lifting the head of the woman who was resting on her knees.

"M-Mark." Jenny's eyes were full of tears and he knew it because it's his fault.

"Shh. Don't speak. I will explain." He looked at her and gave her a confident smile.

"Yes, Rhea is pregnant. But I am not the father. It was the man he chose over me when Kurt was only 2 years old. That's the father. We got back together, just this month. 4 months ago, that's what she was begging me for. I– I don't want to put you in a situation like she did to me, but… It hurts me every time I see your smiles.. Your worries about Kurt, which is more than Rhea can give him. "

"Probably, I love you so much that I love Kurt like he came from me!"

"I– I know. My fault." He accepted.

"More.. You love her more, don't you?" Jenny was afraid to hear the answer but she knows that it is needed to be ask.

"J...Jenny."

"Answer it! Because I know you still love her.." There was weakness in her voice.

Mark kneel down and reach her. "But I love you too, Jenny!" The young man insisted.

"I know! But you love her more and there are more things that connect both of you. Kurt was first. As for me, it's just your love.. And I still lost." She laugh until her voice became weak and sobbed even though her eyes were full of tears.

Mark didn't know how to answer this. It was hard for him to see her struggling. He wanted to wipe her tears but he knew he had no right. He loves Jenny but he also loves Rhea.

And have to choose.

Even if it hurts.

"Alright. I am going home. Honey might making a fuss looking for me." Jenny wiped away her tears with back of right hand.

"Please. Don't think that I let you go because I don't love you..."

"I know, it's just the 'more' is not meant for me. I hope she doesn't hurt you again, because I won't be in your life.

"Jenny." He held her arm.

"Stop it, Mark.. I'm letting you go.." Jenny removed his hands on him and kissed him on the cheek. Jenny turned away and left her Mark without looking back.

Mark's heart was being squeezed because he still could fight for it but he voluntarily surrendered.

Why are there so many obstacles?!

--

Honey was very annoyed because she almost got lost while looking for but she still couldn't find her friend. And most of all, she was very hungry!

When suddenly a cell phone rang, "Oh goodness! I have her cell phone!!" She suddenly realizes and immediately answered the call.

It was Mark who called. "She's here. She just left, meet her." His tone is melodious and cold.

"Have you talked?"

"Yes. Okay bye." She hung up and looked at the screen in wonder. She put the cellphone back. And walked the distance to her friend.

Honey saw Jenny sitting across the square. She didn't talk to her, instead hugged her and invited her home.