Sunday, May 10, 2020
A week has passed and it was time for Maan to go back to her province after being locked down in Manila for two months. In a span of a week, Maan and Gil took care of everything they needed to settle before leaving Manila. They left the management of GilYan’s Kitchen to John and Angel and even asked them to stay in Gil’s house while they are away. Maan and Gil fully trust John and Angel even though they have only known them for a short time, they do not treat them as employees but as a family. Maan left her notebook where she wrote her not so secret recipes to Angel, that’s how big they trust the couple. They reminded the couple not to hesitate to give them a call if they need anything.
Maan and Gil left Pasay City at six in the morning to travel to Batangas. They were both excited to travel… for Maan because she was separated from her family for a long time while Gil was excited because it would be his first time to meet M
Excitement and happiness can be seen from the faces of Maan’s family. Her brother quickly opened the gates for them while Maan already shouted her greetings to them through the open car window. Gil maneuvered the car inside the vast yard of Maan’s home. He has not turned off the engine but Maan already opened the car door and immediately let herself out. Although any form of physical contact is discouraged like kissing, hugging, among others to avoid Covid infection, the family seem to not help themselves. Maan tightly hugged her parents because she missed them so much. They heard a sound from their back that got their attention. Maan looked at Gil and smiled. “Mother, Father, I’d like you to meet Gil. Gil, they are my parents.” Maan gladly made the introductions. “Mother, father, nice to finally meet you in person. How are you?” Gil greeted then kissed their hands. “My love, this is my older brother Marco and his wife Tina and their children Martin and Marti
It was six in the morning when Maan woke up to the familiar sound of chicken crowing and the early warmth of the sunrise seeping through the window. She glanced at Gil still deep asleep beside her. His arm was draped around her waist and his right thigh on her. Maan tried to move out from being entangled with him but he just tightened his hold on her waist. “Hmm…stop wriggling…it’s still early. Let’s sleep some more.” Gil whispered to her with eyes still closed. “”It’s already morning…” Maan protested. She felt Gil moved his body closer to her so she felt something hard poking at her back. Maan stiffened for a moment and tried to fight the weird feeling she had. “My love, I need to get up…” Maan said. “Hmmm…it’s already up…can’t you feel it hmm..” Gil whispered naughtily and moved his body closer still, which made Maan’s temperature rise. “My love…don’t be like this…” Maan said while holding her breath and trying to rem
During their first week, Gil and Maan visited Maan’s relatives. Gil met her Aunts and Uncles and cousins as well as Maan’s friends. They were all happy to know that Maan will be getting married soon and that her business is doing well which according to them they follow on social media. They also requested her to let them have a taste of GilYan’s Kitchen’s favorites. In the end, Maan could not do anything but to take their orders instead of taking her time off the kitchen. Meanwhile, Gil accompanied Maan’s father and helped him at the farm. Gil enjoyed his work at the farm even though he did not have any skills on farming, he felt satisfied just by helping his future father-in-law in carrying things, digging or cultivating the soil that will be used for planting new crops. He might be occupied in the farm but he did not forget to keep his parents updated on their upcoming talk about the wedding this Sunday. He has taken care of ordering the foods and he
It was Saturday at noon when Aunt Jean and her family arrived in Batangas. Of course Maan was the happiest upon seeing her cousin because they have more time to bond with each other. Mother Eva and Aunt Jean caught up with each other while brothers Father Manuel and Uncle Art had their talk. On the other hand, Maan, Gil and Joan bantered on the patio. “Finally,couz! This is really it! My cousin Gil really has one of a kind suave moves. As swift as a lightning!Who would have thought that after two months you’ll be marrying each other!” Joan said. Maan just smiled timidly while Gil had an amused grin. “I could not believe it myself but I think that’s how it really is. According to the oldies, getting married is like a thief in the night, it happens when you least expect it.” Maan said. “Just admit it that you have really fallen helplessly in love with my charms!” Gil said, teasingly. “Now, now…cousin Gil! I think you are the one who could not let go of
Maan and Gil woke up happily even though they were tired from yesterday’s event. Her sisters-in-law took videos and pictures of the event. In the afternoon, she decided to post it on her social media account and tagged Gil and Joan and her brothers. Many of her followers liked and commented on her post. Maan and Gil’s phone kept on ringing since she made her post, mostly their close friends and relatives who were surprised but congratulated them with their great news. Her sisters-in-law and brothers gave them ideas on the things that they need to prepare both for the civil and church wedding like wedding invitation, motif, designer, flowers, church, reception, souvenirs among others. Before they slept last night, they were discussing their wedding entourage, their primary and secondary sponsors for their church wedding and who will stand as their witness on their civil wedding.They slept without agreeing on their souvenir and entourage. They prepared early because they neede
The following morning, Maan went back to her normal routine. She went to the kitchen to do her chores. She checked the orders for the day for GilYan’s Kitchen. She fixed their breakfast because she is sure that it’s going to be another long day for her and Gil. After preparing the breakfast, she started doing the orders while waiting for John and Angel to arrive. John and Angel arrived at about eight in the morning and started their work right away. Looks like the couple has gotten used to their work in the kitchen and within the span of two weeks they were able to manage GilYan’s Kitchen smoothly. “Looks like you’ve gotten used to our work here in the kitchen.” Maan can’t help but verbalize her observation. “We’re glad that we were able to manage. We did not accept other orders for two weeks except those from our regular customers. We just accepted some if it was included in our menu for the day so we just needed to add a little so it wouldn’t be difficult f
Saturday morning when Maan and Gil went back to Batangas. They went to the town of Taal to collect their clothes that they will wear for the wedding. They went directly to Maan’s home after. Maan kept her dress in her sister-in-law’s house because she didn't want Gil to see it before their wedding even if he kept on asking about it since they visited the boutique. She doesn’t know if he will approve of her choice once he sees it. That's why she kept it from him because she really wanted the dress. They busied themselves in cleaning their small house to make it livable. They ordered two sofa beds, a center table, dining table and four monoblock chairs, an electric fan, curtains,pillows and blankets online. They borrowed a water dispenser from her brother Marco’s house. Tuesday morning when they went to the market to buy the ingredients needed for the dishes that they will cook. Gil went back to Manila to fetch John and Angel. Chairman and Mark informed t
The special day has arrived for Maan and Gil. Everyone around them was busy when they woke up. Maan went to her brother Melvin’s house to have her hair and make up done. She will get dressed there and meet Gil at the backyard after where the simple ceremony will be held. The gay make-up artist was the same make up artist who fixed her sister in law during her wedding.Maan was having mixed emotions at the moment. She felt happy, nervous but excited all mixed up. She was not able to eat properly at breakfast. The make-up artist started doing her makeup and then finally she wore the dress that she had chosen. She hoped that Gil will like her dress. After a short while her sister-in-law gave her a signal to go out. They were all ready for the event. Good thing that the judge allowed them to have their civil wedding at their backyard. Maan nervously went out of the house and was surprised with the transformation the catering service did in their backyard. There was a short
After 16 years… “Yan-Yan! You’ve been in the bathroom for quite a while now! JZ will be here any moment. Will you please come out now!” Maan shouted behind her bathroom door. It’s already four in the afternoon and they need to be in the venue by five in the afternoon. Today is Ya-Yan andJZ’s JS Prom. They are both in their fourth year of Junior high school. Gillian Marie Velasco or Yan-yan and Johnel Zion Mercado or JZ have been inseparable since pre-school until now that they are in high school. Yes, they are the children of Maan and Gil and John and Angel. Angel and John were not just staff of GilYan’s Kitchen but they became business partners after a few years. Their children grew closer and treated one another as siblings as they grew older. Both Yan-yan and JZ were aware that both of their parents wished that they woul
Gil was very hands-on when it came to Maan’s pregnancy. He gave in to every cravings Maan had. He did not fail to accompany her to her monthly check ups. They do not have any preference when it comes to their baby’s gender. What is important for them is the health and safety of Maan and the baby. Months quickly passed by and GilYan’s Kitchen continued to grow. They also have a growing branch in Batangas which was managed by her sister-in-law, Karen. Angel enrolled herself in an online table skirting and design course to help in the catering aspect of the business. Their proposed separate kitchen and office for the business also pushed thru. Baby JZ has started to become restless and moved a lot. He has started to crawl, stand up and take baby steps. Maan safely delivered her healthy baby girl named Gillian Marie Velasco. Maan and Gil were overjoyed with the b
Maan and Gil’s first Christmas and New Year’s Day celebration was so happy because they got to celebrate it together with both of their families in Batangas. It was the first week of January when they dropped off Gil’s family at the airport. It was a mixture of happiness and sadness because they got to know one another and truly bonded during their times together but now they need to be separated once again and wait for a long time to see each other again. They just have to be satisfied with video calls again.“Don’t forget to let us know next month if the baby project in Palawan became successful!” Vanessa reminded them.“Huh? We are not the only ones who need to give an update. You also need to update us on that baby project next month!” Maan teased then giggled.&nb
The trip to Palawan took them just a few hours. Exactly five in the afternoon when their aircraft landed right in front of the hotel. They were able to rest during the flight maybe because of fatigue of the past days that they were able to sleep the whole flight they were just woke up when it was time to get off the plane. They woke up fully charged and excited on their first time in Palawan. They were warmly welcomed by the hotel staff with a fresh coconut juice for everyone while they were being assisted by the attendants in checking in. The staff checked if they have complete requirements to travel because of Covid-19, they need to have a clear result of RCPT- Covid test before they can be allowed to travel. They need to show the result to the place of destination before they are allowed to enter. They were not booked inside the hotel but instead they were led to the back of the hotel where villas were located. They went to a family villa where a s
The day that Maan and Gil were waiting for has finally arrived…their church wedding. Maan stayed at her parents’ house two days before the wedding because the oldies still follow traditions and superstitions. They believe that it is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the day before the wedding. Gil stayed at their house with his family. They just called and sent messages so that they don’t have to miss each other much. Their families prepared so much for this special day. Her father butchered two pigs and dressed a number of chickens for the wedding feast. The amount of food that will be served definitely was twice as much when they had their civil wedding. They were expecting more people to come today than their previous wedding because it is more lenient now than six months ago. A lot of people came to the house to help in the preparations. Mr. Chairman, Mark, Angel and John with baby Johnel Zion, Hannah and Dexter
The next day, Maan introduced Gil’s family to her newly hired staff of GilYan’s Kitchen. They observed how they work for a few hours before they bid them goodbye to visit their relatives in the city, first on the list is Aunt Jean’s family. Days quickly passed by and the weekend came. Together with Gil’s parents and Vanessa’s family, Maan and Gil were on their way to Batangas in a rented van. They decided to leave after dinner to avoid being stuck in heavy traffic. Nine in the evening and they were on their way to the province.“Maan, is your house by the beach?” Vanessa asked.“Not so, sister. There is a nearby beach resort in our village but our house is not by the beach. Our place is more farmland than the coastal area.” Maan replied.“Really
Days quickly passed by and it was now the first week of December. Maan and Gil are now on their way to the airport to fetch Gil’s family. They will be arriving this afternoon and Maan was nervous but excited to meet them in person. Maan and Gil waited quietly inside the van for the traffic to move going to the airport. They rented a van because they will not fit in Gil’s car.“My love, are you okay? You seemed so quiet. Don’t tell me that you are nervous?” Gil said, laughing.“My love, of course I can’t help but feel nervous because it will be my first time meeting them in person. What if they get disappointed when they see me?” Maan said, worriedly.“My love, you know that you have nothing to worry about. They want you for me and they love you as t
Days passed and the month of December is fast approaching. Maan and Gil were busy preparing for their church wedding. They also have added a few people to help them with GilYan’s Kitchen especially now that Angel’s due is this month. They were John and Angel’s friends and old colleagues who live nearby. They have also prepared the house in Pasay for the homecoming of Gil’s parents and sister and her family. The master’s bedroom in the first floor where Gil’s parents used to stay had been cleaned as well as his sister Vanessa’s old room where Maan used to stay. They will be arriving in the first week of December. That's why Maan is excited and nervous because it will be her first time to meet her in-laws in person.Everyone was busy with the orders to be delivered that day. Someone was assigned with listing down orders and packaging. Angel helps Maan in the kitchen though she is not given heavy work to avoid stressing her. Gil has repo
The next day when the four of them saw each other, they talked about the surprise that John and Angel made.“Hello, good morning Sir Gil and Miss Maan!” John and Angel cheerfully greeted in unison. They saw Maan and Gil having their breakfast.“Oh, Good morning to the two of you! Please join us for breakfast!” Gil greeted and invited the couple with a smirk on his face while Maan widened her eyes when she saw the couple.“So, how was the honeymoon?” John asked naughtily.“Both of you! What were you thinking when you did that to us?” Maan asked with a slightly raised voice. Angel bowed her head which did not go unnoticed by Maan. She felt a little guilty for raising her voice when she thought of Angel bei