Despite everything, Mia had to admit even to herself that she felt happy every time she woke up with Erik still next to her. But even so, the happiness she feels is still not complete because she knows that someone is hurting. And that was none other than his mother.
That same day, two days before their wedding, Erik announced that he needed to take care of something on his work. She knows that he is still on leave. But such circumstances cannot be avoided, especially because he is an architect.
It was afternoon when she decided to go to the market to buy the necessary ingredients for the lunch she would cook. She wants to cook soup. And because of that Erik's favorite is what she wants to serve, Sinigang na Bangus.
And because she wants to be home before nightfall, she left the house earlier. This time she rode a tricycle to speed up her job. But she didn't expect that in that place she would see the person she now avoids crossing paths with the most. None other than Aurora.
"Mia," she said glancing at her beloved plastic basket before returning her gaze to her face.
"G-Good afternoon, Aunt Aurora," she answered politely and smiled sweetly even though she was nervous.
As she expected, the woman did not smile back at her and instead spoke formally again. The tone of her voice was still the same. It's cold. It seems that she only indicates to her that she does not want her for her son. That's why even though she knew about that already, Mia still couldn't stop being hurt.
"Are you done shopping?" she asked her.
She reluctantly nodded. "Y-Yes," she answered.
Aurora nodded and then spoke again. “Come with me and let's have a snack first," she said to her.
Mia couldn't stop the little pleasure she felt in her heart because of Aurora's words. Maybe the woman thought she loved Erik. Maybe she has accepted her and is ready to accept them.
But she was wrong.
After the waiter placed the two orders of halo-halo in front of them, Aurora spoke.
"How is Erik?" she began to stir the cooler in front of her.
Mia was shy to act and then started taking the cooler in front of her. Even though the truth was she felt like she wanted to walk away and leave.
"He's fine," was her polite reply.
She didn't look at Aurora because she was really afraid to meet her gaze. But she was forced to do so when she spoke again.
"I want to ask you, Mia, how much do you love my son?"
"W-What?" she asked in disbelief as her eyes remained fixed on the woman in front of her.
"I’ll go straight to the point. The truth is, maybe, if we were in a different situation. I mean, if it wasn't for your past, I might be the happiest mother in the world," Aurora told her.
"W-What do you mean?"
“A good life awaits Erik in Canada. He manages his grandfather's farm. With his cousin. And if the two of you stay together, if Erik's grandfather finds out about your past, it won't be far for my father-in-law to disinherit him," Aurora said bluntly.
Mia was shocked by what she had heard. Not only because of the straightforwardness of the woman in front of her now but even more than was because of what she said.
"Erik didn't tell me about that," she said truthfully.
“He's not going to tell you about it, Mia. Because he loves you so much. He managed to disobey me, his own mother, because of you. You know, he is willing to do everything and lose anything just to fight for your love. Just to be with you. But what about the good life that hopefully awaits him in Canada? All of that will disappear when you two get married."
Mia couldn't detect any arrogance or anger in Aurora's voice at that moment. She felt no other emotion in every word she said, but love. That's right. A mother's love for her child.
“I know you love Erik, sweetheart. And I believe that. But if you love him, maybe you won't let him lose the good life he can have, right?" now the tone of Aurora's speech was pleading.
Mia was unable to speak immediately after what she heard. She just bowed her head and then let her tears flow as her eyes warmed up quickly.
"What you are asking for is not easy, Aunt Aurora," she said, keeping her head down as she focused her eyes on her fingers that she was playing with.
“I know what I'm asking is not easy, Mia. But if you really love Erik, you will be able to make sacrifices for his good. I told you, didn't I? If it wasn't for your past, we wouldn't have a problem. Because I always wanted you for my son. But another man got you pregnant. Isn't that very unfair to my son? Then that's not all. His grandfather, that old man will not accept you. So, in the end, you will not be happy either.”
That explanation is long. But despite everything, not a single word escaped Mia's hearing.
Every word is like a piece of broken glass that gradually sinks and wounds her heart. And that made her cry even more.
"Y-You don't know how much of a favor you're asking of me, Aunt Aurora," she said, still crying. But that time she raised her head to look at the woman.
She could hardly see Aurora's face clearly because her eyes were too clouded with tears.
That's when Aurora moved and grabbed her hand. Mia immediately felt the warmth of her palm. That's why even before she gave in, she carefully withdrew her hand from her.
"I have to go home. I'm sorry," she said as she stood up but stopped when she heard what Aurora said.
“I am willing to give you a large amount, sweetheart. How much? A million? Two million? Oh well, ten million. Just stay away from Erik," she said to her.
That's when Mia's heart immediately filled with anger. But despite that bad treatment, she still chose to be calm. The woman in front of her is Erik's mother. And if their marriage continues, she will become her mother-in-law. So it was only right that she reciprocated her respect despite the seemingly inhumane treatment of her.
"I love you son so much that no amount of money can buy it. I’m sorry but I have to leave. I still need to cook our dinner.”
That was it and then she left her.