Mommy Shark and Daddy Shark

ANGELLE

"Are you okay?" Link asked me as I woke up from bumping my head on the bus window.

I glanced at our surroundings and then at him. Are we stuck in traffic and still not there yet? And justice to the bus window. It hurts.

We were heading to Parañaque to attend his niece's birthday.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked me again when I didn't respond.

Do I look okay after hitting my head? What a silly question from this guy.

I nodded and rubbed my eyes. He smiled and handed me a bottle of water, then brushed the hair off my face.

"Are you tired?" he asked, like a father wiping my face.

"Not really. Why does it feel like it's taking so long?" I asked after taking a sip of water.

He adjusted the air conditioning and smiled. "It's because of the traffic on Edsa. But we're almost there," I nodded and looked at the TV on the bus display board.

Edsa be like: Always blaming me for everything!

Shortly after, we arrived at Baclaran before boarding towards Parañaque. He suggested we stop by the church for a brief prayer, which surprised me a bit.

Not to be overly dramatic, but it was surprising to have Link invite me to pray. A guy who I never thought would step foot in a church. Because on Sundays when one should be in church, he's usually out socializing.

As we entered the church, we sat at the back, and he knelt down, closed his eyes, and prayed.

I knelt down too, watching him pray. I hope there are more guys like him who are willing to go to church and are prayerful like Link. But in today's time, there are few men like him.

I smiled, bowed my head, and closed my eyes. Thanks to God for giving me the guy I deserve. I hope he's the one.

After we finished praying, he left the church with a beaming smile. You would think he received a gift, the way he smiled so genuinely.

As we boarded a jeepney, I called his attention, and he turned to me.

"Why are you smiling so much after praying?" I asked. His smile widened even more.

"Because I'm with you," he replied. I couldn't help but grin.

"How is that even related?" I asked, with a hint of annoyance.

"Because I made a promise to the Lord that when I find the woman He has chosen for me, I will bring her to His home," he said straightforwardly.

I bit my lip and held my stomach. What's with these butterflies in my stomach? Not now. We'll eat later.

"How can you say I'm the woman chosen for you?" he smiled.

"My heart knows it. And I know it's you," he said with a smile.

His words made me blush, so I hid my face. The butterflies continued to flutter inside me.

"I want us to get married in Antipolo church," he whispered, causing me to raise my head and give him a "what's-wrong-with-you-look."

Why is he thinking so far ahead?

"What are you talking about?" I snapped.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about where we'd get married while I was praying."

"Tch. You think too far ahead. We're not even together yet," I stated.

"It's better to plan ahead than not plan at all," he retorted.

"Yeah, whatever!"

He just smiled at my sarcasm and looked ahead.

I subtly glanced at him and couldn't help but smile. Why is his forwardness so endearing? But I hope, I hope we end up together till the end.

•~•~•~•~•~•

"Is she Kuya Link's girlfriend?"

"Maybe. Kuya Link doesn't usually bring girls here."

"I'd say 9 out of 10 she is."

"Why?"

"I haven't really met her yet. She might be high-maintenance or snobbish."

"Yeah, you have a point. She's a 10 out of 10 for me. She's pretty, and I know Kuya will choose someone kind."

I swallowed hard upon hearing the conversation of the two young boys behind me. Link and I had just arrived at Ate Lira's house, along with that goofball. Ate Lira had briefly left me, as she instructed him to visit his friends here in Parañaque.

I was left here in the living room with the two boys who looked so alike. I later found out they were Link's cousins, sons of his dad's sibling. These twins.

Then they started ranting at me as if they were going to judge me. Imagine these kids thinking they can pass judgment. They should be grateful I don't eat chubby kids. They look cute, but one of them hates me. The look on his face says it all.

"Hi, Angelle. Sorry, I can't attend to you right now; we're busy in the kitchen," Ate Lira said as she walked past me in the living room. I smiled in response.

"It's okay, Ate."

She smiled and patted my shoulder before returning to the kitchen. Where's Link? I don't want to be with these two kids.

"Lie and Lost. Accompany Ate Angelle to go to Link. He might still be chatting there," Ate Lira instructed, gesturing to the two boys. "Angelle, go pick up Link as it might get late for him there." I nodded and stood up.

The two boys also stood and exited the house ahead of me. I followed them hesitantly. I felt a bit scared of these two, feeling like they were the twins from Alice in Wonderland.

I was surprised when they walked beside me and even positioned themselves on either side of me. Oh no.

"Why are you with Kuya Link?" Chubby 1 asked. I didn't know which one was Lie or Lost among them.

And wait... why are their names Lie and Lost? Do their family require unique names? Link. Key? And Lie and Lost.

"Um. He's courting me," I replied as they exchanged glances.

"Do you love Kuya Link?" Chubby 2’s question made me gulp. Why is he looking at me like that? T_T

"Y-yes."

"Are you not going to hurt him?"

"Yes."

"Will you love him until the end?"

"Yes."

"When do you plan to answer him?"

I didn't immediately respond to the twins' question. Who is their mother? Why do these twins have such sharp tongues? How can they ask me such questions?

"Lost. Why did you let out your sister Angelle?" We looked ahead and saw Link with three guys.

Thanks to Link, I had no intention of answering the twins' questions.

"Kuya, Ate Lira ordered me to pick you up because she's afraid you might stay out late again." Link chuckled as he approached me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, to which I nodded.

We returned to Ate Lira's house where we found Key and a young girl playing with LEGO. I remembered Hero; he loved LEGO, but these past few days, I noticed that his displays were slowly disappearing. Is he still continuing to sell them?

The two children looked around and noticed the people nearby. Key gaze first landed on Link, prompting him to leave the girl and approach his uncle.

"Wow. Our youngest is so handsome," Link said with a smile to his nephew.

"Takes after you uncle, hehe," Key replied.

Perhaps he taught the child to respond that way. But honestly, it's in their genes to be handsome and beautiful.

"Key, there's your Ate Angelle," Ate Lira said upon entering, causing Key to quickly turn his head in my direction.

Key's smile widened when he saw me. He immediately got down from Link's lap and ran towards me. When he reached me, I knelt down to be at his level. He hugged me suddenly, making me laugh.

"Yay! My girlfriend is here!" he happily exclaimed, causing laughter from the people around us.

"No, she's not your girlfriend."

Key let go of me abruptly and gave Chubby 1 a dirty look. Okay? Why does it feel like I see Link in Key here?

"She's my girlfriend."

"Tch. She's grown up now, and she suits Kuya Link better," Chubby 2 interjected.

I saw Key gritting his teeth, and it seemed Ate Lira noticed it too, so they reprimanded the twins.

Key then invited me to the sofa and started chatting with me. Meanwhile, Link and his friends were busy outside. I glanced at the kitchen door and noticed a young girl looking in. Oh, she was the girl who played with Key earlier.

"Key, who's the girl?" I asked, pointing to the child who immediately hid.

"Ah. That's Caramel," I nodded and glanced back at the girl, but she was gone.

"Ate Angelle, where do you plan to get married?"

I was caught off guard by Key's question, even though I wasn't eating. Like, duh, Link also asked me that earlier. Are they really that advanced? Is it in their genes to be like that?

"I—" I couldn't continue as someone leaned on me, giving Key a mischievous smile that made him frown.

"Key, you're still a kid, you shouldn't ask Ate Angelle those things," Link interjected, glancing at me.

"But I want to marry Ate."

Link shook his head. "Key, it's impossible because someone already owns Ate Angelle." Key frowned even more.

I approached Key slightly and tapped his shoulders.

"Key, at the right age and time. You will find the right girl for you, but for now, as a kid, don't think about having a girlfriend yet." Despite knowing he was reluctant, the child nodded and hugged me, making me smile.

I looked at Link, who was smiling at me.

In a moment, Key's birthday party began. And guess who the host was? Well, it was Link. I didn't even know he was good at hosting; I thought he only knew how to be a hype beast.

"Kids, do you want to see Key dance Baby Shark?" Link asked the children, who happily agreed.

What if Link dressed up as a clown? Haha.

"Aho, aho! Key!" the twins shouted.

"Oh, Key. Many want to see you dance Baby Shark. Come here," Link called.

Key stood up from his seat and went to the front. I was sitting next to Ate Lira, who was recording. Meanwhile, Key's dad was in a corner, also recording. They had many relatives present. Link even introduced me, and it was nice to hear that they were okay with me.

Almost everyone was always smiling. Even the twins seemed okay with me, and one of them no longer had a hostile look.

When Key was in front, he looked in my direction and tugged on his uncle's shirt, prompting him to bend slightly to be at Key's level.

While they were talking, Link glanced in my direction, furrowing my brow. Why were they looking at me?

After their conversation, Link straightened up and smiled at the audience. I really hate that smile.

"Um, guys, before Key dances, he wants Ate Angelle to join him," Link said, making me gulp. Shocks! Why me?

"Are you serious?" I mouthed. He nodded with a smile.

I looked around at the people present. I saw some of Link's relatives signaling for me to go to the front. Oh, I'm going to be dragged into this.

I took a deep breath and stood up, causing the people to applaud. I stood to Key's left, with Link on the right.

"Link, why don't the three of you dance instead?" Ate Lira suggested.

"That's a good idea, ate," Link said, lowering the microphone and glancing at me with a smirk.

Damn!

When the music played, the three of us danced to Baby Shark do-do-do—ugh.

"Mommy Shark do-do-do-do~"

Then, when it came to the mommy part, I danced alone. And when it was Daddy's turn, Key and I let Link take over. You know, a dance that shouldn't be hot becomes hot because of Link's moves.

I didn't know this guy was a dancer too. I wasn't even informed. When the Lord showered talents, Link probably caught them all.

After Baby Shark ended, Key happily approached me and pulled me towards Link. I was surprised at how close I was to Link as he hugged me, causing the people to cheer. I felt shy and bowed my head, smiling at Key.

I can't deny that I had fun here.

"Did you enjoy it?" he whispered softly to me.

I looked at him and nodded with a smile.

After Key's dance request, we also had dinner. I sat at a table with Link's two cousins, a girl and a boy. Their wealth was evident from their looks and possessions.

"How's Kuya Link's courtship going?" Stephy, Link's cousin, asked.

I smiled. "Um, it's going fine," I replied.

"You know, Kuya Link never jokes about the girl who makes his heart beat now," Shooty added.

I blushed and smiled. Link is really crazy; he probably tells his relatives everything under the sun.

Stephy and Shooty are siblings.

"Do you know, Ate, that sometimes Kuya calls us just to talk," Stephy said with a chuckle, looking thoughtful.

"Huh? What does he want to talk about?" I asked.

"Well, you're always his topic with us. Sometimes we wonder what you did to him because he seems so crazy about you," I chuckled softly.

"I also don't know why that guy took a liking to me. All I remember doing to him was slapping and kicking his wealth."

The two widened their eyes and burst into laughter.

"What do you mean, Ate?"

"Well, in our first encounter, we became enemies. You see, he suddenly hugged me, mistaking me for his ex-girlfriend, Gipsy." The two were slightly surprised when I mentioned Gipsy.

"That girl is a headache. Not to speak ill of her, but our family really dislikes her. She's high-maintenance, always playing the victim," Stephy said, her expression revealing her dislike for Gipsy.

"Yes, it's good that Kuya left her. Kuya doesn't deserve to have a girlfriend who can't appreciate him," I furrowed my brow.

"How can you say Gipsy didn't appreciate Link? When they broke up, Gipsy went berserk," I said.

Shooty let out a sigh. "That's Gipsy for you, she always acting like she's the victim to get people on her side," Shooty commented.

I bit my lip and glanced at Link, who was busy getting food for the kids.

So, in their minds, did o

nly Link love? Does Link still love Gipsy?

Lost in thought, I turned to look at Link, and he smiled at me. I smiled back in return.

I hope, Link, that Gipsy is no longer in your heart. Because I don't want to get hurt now that I know I love you more than you think.