"Just calm yourself, Mariana. Give your daughter time. One day, she'll understand why you're doing all this." Franda could just calm Mariana down and pat the woman on the back. "I'll talk to Lunar as soon as she calms down. Now, you come to my house. Spend the night at my place. How?"
Mariana shook her head, wiping away the tears that had fallen on her face with a tissue. "I don't want to trouble you."
"I don't feel bothered at all," replied Franda. "Besides, Harris wouldn't mind. He was on duty at the police station and was on his way home in the morning." Franda's eyes looked very shady, deep and seemed to understand what Mariana felt more than anyone.
Understandably, these two women have been friends for a long time. More precisely, since they were handed over by their own parents at the same daycare center. Too much time and precious moment had passed them together, making their bond so strong. Even when Mariana got kicked out of the house because she got pregnant, Franda was the only person she trusted. And instead, when Franda and Gilbert wedding, her first husband, ran aground only Mariana became the place for Franda to shed tears. Not with her parents, in-laws or brothers and sisters.
But, perhaps it's this closeness that makes lunar feel that Franda is too interfering.
"She's just a fifteen year old girl," said Franda. "What can we expect from a girl her age? Without you and her father present, it must be very difficult for Lunar. You don't have to worry, I'll make sure she's okay."
Mariana looked him in Franda's eyes for a moment and hugged him. "Thank you, Franda. I don't know what to do without you."
"Don't say thank you." Franda wiped out Mariana's tears, then hugged her best friend even more. "I'll always be there for you and Kevin. You guys are like family to me. My family's precious."
"While talking about family," Mr. Smith was driving around asking, "have you contacted your family, Mariana? I mean, even if the custody of children falls into your hands, of course you can't take them, you didn't forget that, did you?"
Mariana took off her arms and then breathed deeply. "My kids won't come with me either."
"To that end, I would suggest that you ask your family for help to take care of them. Of course we can't let your kids live alone in such a big house, can we?"
"I'll take care of it!" Franda said. "I'll come and check on them every day."
"Of course it's not enough, Franda!" Mr. Smith shook his head. "You think they're chicks? They need more than pocket money, food to cook, or just to be seen. Instead, they need companionship not only physically but also mentally."
As one who also grew up in a dysfunctional family, Mariana understood how her three children would feel. Especially their father is also fighting for his life. In his current condition, Kevin is unlikely to return. Even to live, Kevin had to depend on medical equipment. That's why Mariana did all this, nothing more than to watch her kids grow up with the father.
***
"Want some soup? "Said Franda in her apron, preparing to enter the kitchen.
Mariana sitting in the dining chair only nodded slightly, not speaking at all. Her gaze was empty and unfocused.
Realizing that, Franda then drew a deep breath and said, "Harris and I are planning a test-tube baby. Maybe you're right, test-tube babies aren't such a bad thing. It's just, my mother-in-law doesn't approve. So we had to convince her first."
"Oh yeah?" Mariana turned her head, but her expression was still gloomy. As hard as Mariana wanted to look fine, it didn't mean anything. The sadness was still very clear in his eyes. "That's wonderful."
"Would you like some fish stew or beef gravy?"
"Whichever way you like."
"Can we make some fish stew?" Franda showed Mariana a fresh pack of fish and threw it out of the fridge, hoping her best friend would be interested, but the result was the same. Just nothing.
"I don't know why I love cooking now. I mean, learn to cook. From European cooking to Asian cooking with spices. I even tried to use your prescription and it worked. Harris loves it."
"If you are cooking Asian food, please bring it to my house occasionally. The kids haven't had Asian food in so long, I know Lunar must miss my recipes."
"Why don't you make it yourself?"
Mariana shook her head. "Lunar won't eat my cooking. I knew my daughter. She's stubborn."
Franda stopped slicing Onions, she placed the knife on the kitchen table, wiped her hands and walked toward Mariana. "If you want, you can cook any food for them, I will take it to your children. I'll make sure they won't know it's food made by you."
The sound of ringing of the phone immediately made the two of them turn to the television table. Frranda quickly picked up his phone, and received the call.
"Yes? Hello, Brenda? What's the latest? A what?" Franda screamed, her facial expression turned panicky and then glanced at Mariana. "Okay, Brenda, Mariana and I go straight there."
"Wait, what's wrong? "Asked Mariana.
"We need to get to the hospital now!" Franda ran toward the kitchen to turn off the stove, took off the apron and without waiting for the moment pulled Mariana's hand out of the house.
"what is going on, franda?" Mariana 'sconfusion. "Did something happen to Kevin? Franda, answer me!"
Franda stopped, she took her hand out of Mariana's hand and looked her in tears. "Yes. Kevin's condition is deteriorating. We have to get there now."
"Oh Jesus!"
They rushed out of the house, but they had just opened the front door, and they saw paulino there. The man stood looking out at Mariana. He looked so intently, as though he were about to burst into anger.
"Paul, why are you here?"
"I should be asking, why are you here?"
"Paul, I'm sorry but Mariana doesn't have much time!" Franda is interrupting both people's conversation. Then prepare to strike a close friend by the hand. "We have to go to the hospital now. Before it's too late."
"Mariana, you are divorced and now the man is no longer your responsibility!" Said Paul.
Mariana shook her head. "Kevin is no longer my husband, but he is the father of my children. There's no way I'm ignoring it." Her voice quivered, signaling an underlying emotion she was still trying to suppress. "Move, I'm coming through."
"No, Mariana!" Paul pressed his words. "You must come home with me. We're expecting guests."
"Guests?" Franda frowned. "What do you mean, Paul?"
"The party's about to start."
"Wait? Paul, don't tell me you're having a party to celebrate Mariana divorce with Kevin!
"Even if I did, so what?"
"You are crazy!" Franda curses. "Never mind, Mariana! We don't have time for guys like him!"
Just before the two women stepped up, Paul first shouted, "once you go, then you will regret it, Mariana!"
"What are you --"
"Franda!" Mariana shook her head, tears came flooding back, making her eyes swell.
"Mariana, let's go!" Paul reached out, insisting Mariana not return the favor.
Even with a broken heart.
"Franda, please call me when you get to the hospital." Mariana sobbed.
Meanwhile, Miranda could only gaze at Mariana's death in a frenzy. Between anger and hate and fear. Wish she could save Mariana from that crazy man. I wish time could do it all over again.
***
"Good, mariana. You've made the right choice. Because if you go see that guy again, then I won't hesitate to cut off his medical bills. So be it if the fool dies. Anyway, he's of no use at all." Paul said that when they were on the road, in a fancy car with a personal driver. "Care for a drink?" He poured wine and two glasses of glass, then handed Mariana one. "It'll make you feel better, Baby."
Mariana accepted the wine and gulped it down to nothing.
"Good! "Paul says with a small smile. "I'm glad you're this obedient."
"I don't know why you would do this to us, Paul." Mariana looked out the window, refused a personal look at the man. "What have I done to you?"
"You don't have any mistakes, Mariana."
"If the blame is on Kevin, I apologize on his behalf."
"Kevin didn't have anything to do with it either. You're both good people, they say. But I believe you are good people.
"So, why? What's your reason for doing this, Paul?"
Paul drew her face to Mariana, then smiled bitterly and whispered, "because I love you very much. I want to stay by your side. I want to make you mine."
"Haven't you collected many women? Are you dissatisfied too?"
"They are not my wives."
"If you want a wife, marry them."
Paul slapped Mariana so rudely.
"Watch your language! What an ingrate!"