Monday April 13, 2020
Maan woke up before six in the morning feeling something heavy on her. She moved slightly from lying sideways to lying on her back and removed the heavy burden on her body when she felt an arm around her waist that gently pulled her closer to body beside her. She heard a soft groan from Gil beside her. Then she remembered what happened last night.
Flashback
After doing their respective nightly ritual before going to sleep, Maan went to Gil’s bedroom carrying her own pillow and blanket. She saw him fixing the bed. Gil sat on the bed when he saw her coming in.
“Why do you have your own pillow and blanket?” Gil asked, surprised.
“Of course, I don’t want to fight with you over a pillow and a blanket when I have my own.” Maan replied and went to the other side of the bed.
“If you don’t want to share my blanket with you then I will be the one to share wih your blanket. I will not allow sleeping with different blanket wi
This is just a work of fiction and the dates, events, places and names are just a product of my bored imagination during the pandemic last year.
Monday, April 20, 2020 Days passed and it’s been a week since John and Angel went to work for GilYan’s Kitchen. The orders keep on growing enough to pay for their salary and make the business afloat. The couple are hard workers and good companions. Maan thought she found a new friend in John and Angel. Both Gil and Maan’s parents never fail to give them a call in a week to check on them. They are happy that their business is doing well and their relationship is going strong. There were also some establishments that requested for them to deliver food regularly just like the local grocery store nearby which ordered 10 solo orders of Maja Blanca and sticky rice with mangoes every week. Maan also did not fail to notice Angel’s cravings and she’s happy with John’s thoughtfulness and caring ways to give in to his wife’s needs. Maan thought if Gil would be like John if she gets pregnant with their child. She quickly dismissed the thought and silently scolded herself for thi
Days quickly passed by and marked the end of the month of April. Maan, Gil, Angel and John continued with their daily routine. Maan and Angel grew closer to each other. Angel and John are both hardworking and dedicated working for GilYan’s Kitchen. There was only one day when they requested to leave for work and that was the day of Maan’s pre-natal check up. One week before the scheduled check up, they already informed them and John even looked for a temporary replacement for him which Maan thought to be very considerate of him. Angel also has a visible baby bump now to which Maan was very fond of. She usually touches it every morning and considers it a lucky charm. Angel teases her to make her own so her baby will have a playmate soon which Maan replies with a smile.Wednesday evening while Gil and Maan were having dinner, the tv program that they were watching was suddenly interrupted with an announcement from the president.“The lock down that is c
Sunday May 03, 2020 It was almost eleven in the morning when Gil and Maan left for Las Pinas. Just like what Joan requested they brought with them two large disposable food containers of sticky rice with mangoes and maja blanca. It took them 30 minutes to reach a spacious lot where a modern two-storey house stood fenced with a black gate and a well- manicured lawn. Gil honked his car and after a short while a smiling Joan opened the gate to let the car in. Right when the car stopped, Maan did not wait for Gil to open the car door for her and she excitedly went out to hug Joan. “Couz! Maan and Joan both exclaimed. “Aren’t you going to greet me too? I am also your cousin. “ Gil said, faking offense. “OMG! Couz! Are these my requests?” Joan burst upon seeing the food containers Gil carried. “It seems that you are more excited with the food we brought than to see your handsome cousin!” Gil smirked. “Don’t feel bad couz Gil you are st
Monday, May, 04, 2020 Maan cheerfully woke up that day. Why not? Today is her twenty sixth birthday. Today is different because it will be the first time that she will celebrate her birthday without her family. Instead, it will be her first birthday celebration with Gil. She left him still sleeping and she doesn’t know if he’s aware that today is her birthday. Monday is usually the busiest day of the week but she plans to cook a special dish for a special day. She will just ask John and Angel to accompany her to go to the market later. A few moments later, she saw Gil going down the stairs. He went to her while she was preparing his breakfast. He hugged her and kissed her passionately on the lips.” Happy birthday, love! Thank you for coming into my life. I just feel bad that we cannot go on a proper date to celebrate your birthday. Do you have plans for today?”Gil asked. “Nothing special. I will just cook some pasta and some dishes that we, John and Ang
Maan did not think that Gil would propose to her on her birthday. She thought it will just be a simple celebration with Gil, Angel and John. The happiness that she is feeling is immeasurable for the efforts that Gil exerted for her. Inspite of the pandemic, he still was able to gather not just her family but also his family to celebrate her birthday with them. They were still hugging each and would seem like they would not want to separate.“Thank you for this! I am so overwhelmed with your efforts. Thank you! I love you so much!” Maan whispered to Gil full of sincerity.Gil chuckled with giddiness with Maan’s words. “You’re welcome, my love! You know that I would do anything to make you happy. So, are you happy, future Mrs. Velasco?”Maan felt giddy with Gil’s new term of endearment for her. “Very much! I am so lucky to have you!” Maan hugged Gil with so much passion.“That’s w
It was already dark when the visitors decided to leave. Angel and John helped them in cleaning up right after the guests left. Mark was the first one to take his leave but was teased to Joan before he left. Gil asked him if he was able to get Joan’s number to which he only answered with a mysterious smile. Soon after uncle Art and his family took their leave but not before reminding to inform him if they will push through with their plan of going to Batangas. The couple John and Angel were the last to leave after cleaning up.When Gil and Maan were left to themselves, they proceeded to their room. They lie beside each other and chat because they are not sleepy yet.“Are you happy spending your first birthday celebration with me?” Gil lovingly asked.Maan hugged him and looked at him.” I am so happy! This is my most memorable birthday celebration yet aside from the unique way of celebrating it during the pandemic it came with a surprising
Sunday, May 10, 2020A 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
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