This is the last chapter of Hope Ur Ok (Sour Hour #4). Next update is Maverick's POV for Wakas.

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"A–are you my mother?" Sa kabila ng panlalabo ng aking mga mata, malinaw kong nasundan ang pagkislap ng mga mata ni Hetty dahil sa luhang nagbabadyang lumabas doon. Her lips were trembling as she stared at me, waiting for my answer.

I gently pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her. My hands overlapped behind. I didn't bother wiping my tears rolling down my cheeks. "Yes. Y-you are my daughter, Hetty. I'm sorry."

I don't care whoever her father is. She's my daughter no matter what.

Tila pinipiga ang aking puso nang marinig ang mumunting hikbi niya sa aking braso. Slowly, her body relaxed and I felt her leaned her head on my shoulder. Unti-unti kong naramdaman ang pagyakap niya sa akin sa gitna ng kanyang mga hikbi.

"M–Mommy?" Her eyes peeked from my arms. Those were a bit red because of crying.

"Will you forgive me for what I did?" I sobbed.

She gently pushed my to make a distance between the two of us and smiled at me. "You're really my mother, Tita Rylli—" She stopped after realizing she shouldn't be calling me that way. "M–Mommy?"

I nodded. "Hmm."

"Then—" Her eyes darted towards Mav and Spencer who's behind us. "Tito Maverick is my father? Or... is it Tito Spencer?"

I opened my mouth to answer but ended up clearing my throat when I felt a lump in it. "No. None of t–them is your father." I tightly pressed my lips. For now, I don't want to tell Hetty anything about her father.

"Then, who's my father?"

Kung sasabihin ko sa kanya kung sino ang ama niya, sunod-sunod ang magiging tanong niya. She'll ask what happened and why did she end up in this orphanage.

I'm not ready for that.

"We're not but we can be your father too," Mav stated before giving Spencer a quick glance. "Right, Tito Spence?"

Spencer nodded. "Of course, Hetty. You can treat us as your father."

"And besides, your Uncle Spencer has already been a father to you for the past year."

Hetty slowly nodded his head on Maverick. "I'll always be grateful that I have Tito Spencer—"

"I said, I don't want! You both leave! I don't want you to be my family!"

Hetty's words were cutted when we heard a familiar voice shouted. Napalingon kami sa pinanggalingan ng boses. There, I saw Amethyst walking out of the orphanage while behind her is Mother Josie and the couple who happens to be the same couple who adopted Amethyst.

Amethyst sat on her usual spot while the couple followed her. Ganoon din si Mother Josie ngunit tila pinipigilan naman niya ang mag-asawa. They seems arguing but we can't hear them because of the distance.

"Baka kukunin ulit nila si Amethyst," Hetty whispered.

Sarkastiko akong napabuga ng hangin. "I thought they don't like her? Kaya ibinalik nila si Amethyst?"

"I don't know. They're also here the last time. Gusto po ulit nilang ampunin si Amethyst pero ayaw na nila Mother Superior."

I held both of Hetty's shoulders to get her full attention. "Even when we still have no idea that you're my daughter, your Tito Mav and I are already planning to adopt you and Amethyst, only if you want to be adopted."

"Y-you'll adopt me?" Her voice broke once again.

I pressed my lips and let the corners of it rose. "If you want. Will you come with us? L–let's go home?"

Ilang ulit siyang tumango. "I–I will. I want that, Mommy."

I wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks as my heart was beating so fast that I was breathless just because of hearing Hetty calling me her mom.

"About Amethyst, is it alright with you if we'll adopt her?"

"Then she'll be my sister? It's alright with me! I want that. Madalas talaga ayaw niyang makipaglaro pero alam ko mabait siya. She's just acting like she's bad but she isn't." She even shook her head like she's so sure of it. "The last time she pushed me, she apologized when we're about to sleep but when I asked her to be my friend, she rolled her eyes on me again. But I know she's just shy to accept it. I know she's good."

We all know she is. That kid suffered a lot already. I badly wants her to feel like she isn't an outcast just because of what her former foster parents did. I want her to think and feel that she have a family.

And I hope I won't mess it up. I hope I can take care of Hetty and Amethyst. I hope I'm ready to be their mother.

I glanced at Maverick and caught him looking at me. That was enough for us to talk without saying a single word. Tila naintindihan na namin ang desisyon ng isa't isa dahil lamang sa tinginan.

He then nodded. "Let's go get Amethyst."

He doesn't have to tell it twice because all of us started walking towards their direction. Habang papalapit ay unti-unti naming naririnig ang pagtatalo ni Mother Josie at ng mag-asawa. Habang si Amethyst ay nakaupo ilang hakbang lamang ang layo sa nagtatalo, malayo ang tingin ngunit alam kong naririnig nito ang mga sagutan.

"We can't let you have Amethyst again because of what you did. Hindi ho isang bagay lamang ang bata na kapag ayaw na ay hahayaan na lamang at kung nagustuhan muli ay muling gagamitin." There's a hint of contempt and firmness in Mother Josie voice. Para bang pinipigilan ang sarili dahil hindi rin pabor sa gusto ng mag-asawa ngunit ayaw din namang maging bastos.

"We're not saying that Amethyst is a thing. We just want her back, what's wrong with that? Ayaw niyo ba noon? Mababawasan ang alagain niyo rito."

I grimaced as I heard those words from the woman.

Oh, look at this shit. I can't believe the audacity of this woman.

"Hindi namin itinuturing na pabigat ang mga bata rito, kung iyon ang tinutukoy mo, Mrs. Hernandez," mahinahon at nagpipigil na sambit ni Mother Josie.

"Excuse me, what's happening here?" Hindi ko na napigilan na hindi isali sa usapan ang sarili.

The couple glanced at my direction. Pati si Mother Josie ay napalingon din sa amin. Hetty walked towards Amethyst and sat beside her. Habang si Maverick at Spencer ay nanatili sa aking tabi.

It was the woman who opened her mouth to answer me. "We just want to adopt but this nun won't let us. Kumpleto ang mga papeles namin at walang problema—"

"Adopt?" I purposely cutted her midway. "Who? Amethyst? I thought you two don't want her? What's with the sudden change of mind?"

The man raised his forehead. "Sino ka ba?"

I let out a sarcastic breath and smile. "Do you think you can still adopt after what you did to her?" I can't help but frowned. "You're both too immature to do it."

"Miss, we're not asking for your opinion so shut it—"

"You can't adopt Amethyst because we'll adopt her. Kumpleto rin kami ng papeles, walang ibang problema. At higit sa lahat, we won't repeat what you did. You don't have to worry about Amethyst, she'll surely be alright with us," I stated, making Mother Josie gasp. From the side of my eyes, I even saw Amethyst turned her head on us because of what she heard.

"Kami ang nauna—"

"Why don't we let the kid choose?" Muling putol ko sa sasabihin ng babae.

Her face is already turning red as her eyes glared at me. Her teeth is now crushing unto each other while her chest is heaving heavily.

I smirked before adverting my eyes towards Amethyst. "Amethyst," I called. Hindi ko na hinintay ang desisyon ng mag-asawa dahil si Amethyst ang masusunod, pumayag man sila o hindi. "Can you come here? We'll just ask you something."

"No! You can't do that—"

"Of course, I can."

The smirked in my face didn't falter upon seeing the man shifted her weight. They don't want Amethyst to decide because they know she won't choose them.

Pinanood kong lumakad si Amethyst papalapit sa aming direksyon. I didn't expect her to follow though. I mean, I thought she'll just roll her eyes and go away but she's now in front of us.

"They're your former foster parents, right? And you know that they wanted to take you back."

She blinked and slowly nodded her head.

I gave her a warm smile to at least make her comfortable. I bended my knees for us to have the same height. "I'm planning to adopt you while your former foster parents are here too, planning to do the same. Now, you have to choose. Who do you want to adopt you? Your Tito Maverick and I or your former foster parents?" I trailed off and smiled. "Or do you want to stay with Mother Josie, in this orphanage? I'll let you decide, Amethyst."

As much as I want to adopt Amethyst too, I still want her to decide on what she wants. Gusto kong piliin niya ang kung saan siya magiging komportable o kung saan man ang gustuhin niya kaya't hindi ko ipagkakait na manatili siya rito sa bahay-ampunan kung iyon ang gusto niya.

Amethyst tilted her head towards the couple and stared at them. The couple stared back with hopeful eyes but Amethyst snobbishly tear her eyes away from them.

"I don't want to go back to them. I'll stay in this orphanage," she announced that immediately made the couple complain.

"No! You'll come with us—"

Seriously? What's wrong with them? Inayawan na nila si Amethyst kaya't bakit ngayon ay parang gustong gusto nilang makuha ang bata.

I smiled and it made an unintentional sound. "You heard the kid. I hope you know what that means. Ayaw niya sa inyo at hindi magiging masaya ang bata kung ipipilit niyo ang gusto niyo. Let her stay if that's what she wants."

Wala na ring nagawa ang mag-asawa dahil sa kagustuhan ni Amethyst na manatili sa ampunan. Kampante na rin ako na hindi nga makukuha ng mag-asawa ang bata dahil ayaw din ni Mother Josephine na mangyari iyon.

Hindi ko na rin ipinilit ang pagkuha kay Amethyst dahil pinal na ang desisyon ng bata. But I told her we'll still visit her and if she changes her mind, the offer is still open and she just have to tell me. Maverick also assured her that she's always welcome in our family.

While Hetty, it took us a week to finalize the process of her papers. We also informed Mother Josie about the truth, that Hetty is my daughter. She didn't expect it and almost fainted when I confessed.

Spencer insisted to get a DNA test between Hetty and I. Ayaw ko na noon dahil sapat na ang mga salita at ginawa ni Spencer para sa bata upang kumpirmahing siya nga ang anak ko. But Spencer wanted it saying just for formalities.

"I'm nervous," I heard Hetty whispered as we entered our mansion. Maverick's holding her hand as we walk side by side.

Nilingon ko si Hetty at bahagya siyang inilingan ng may ngiti sa mga labi. "Don't be. They won't do anything that'll harm you."

She pouted and nodded her head. Bumaling sa harapan ang tingin niya at bahagyang namilog ang mga mata kaya't napalingon din ako sa direksyong iyon.

"How's life, Dad?" I smirked when I saw my father climbing down the stairs.

"Good evening, Sir." Maverick greeted and Dad nodded.

"Good evening," he greeted back before he flatly looked at me. "Still the same."

"Don't you missed me?" The smirk in my lips widened when his eyes narrowed.

"Don't start with me, Amaryllis."

A low chuckle come out of my lips upon hearing his response and slowly shook my head.

I'm used to it already. I already accepted the fact that I belong to a family who's having a hard time to properly express theirselves.

They looks like they doesn't care but they do. So much that sometimes it is too much to handle. Too much that I misinterpreted their actions.

"Who's that..." My father's forehead slowly formed a frown when his eyes darted at Hetty.

My hand flew at Hetty's shoulder. "Let's talk about this over dinn—"

"Amaryllis? Maveri—" Mom suddenly came in the living room. Naputol ang sasabihin niya dahil lumipad ang kanyang mga mata sa gawi ni Hetty. "May I know who is this kid?"

She settled beside Dad while her eyes fixated at Hetty.

I took a step back and let my hands rests at Hetty's shoulders. "Mom, Dad, meet my daughter, Henrietta Amity."

Eksehaderang namilog ang mga mata ni Mommy matapos ay ilang ulit siyang napakurap habang bukas ang mga labi.

"Hetty." I smile and leaned to find her eyes. "Meet your grandma and your grandpa." Tumango ako habang may ngiti pa rin sa mga labi upang mapanatag siya. "Go greet them."

Unti-unting sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Hetty bago lumapit kina Mommy at inabot ang kamay nila upang magmano.

Wala sa sariling ibinigay ni Mommy ang kamay niya kay Hetty nang abutin ito ng bata para magmano. Si Dad naman ay bahagyang nakakunot ang noo na tila hindi naiintindihan ang nangyayari.

Matapos ay isang hakbang na umatras si Hetty. "Good evening po. I'm Henrietta Amity and you can call me Hetty. Nice to meet you two po."

"Nice to meet you too," Mommy replied while seems like her mind's still flying somewhere.

"What are you talking about, Amaryllis?" Dad asked. Lumipat kay Hetty ang mga mata niya bago bumalik sa akin at bumaling kay Maverick. Tila naghahanap ng sasagot sa tanong niya.

"You two a–adopt?" Mommy stammered. Nananantya ang tanong niya habang marahang napakurap.

"Hetty is my daughter and Maverick adopted her."

"Your daughter." My mother repeated and shook her head. There's a hint of mockery in her tone, maybe because she's too stunned and can't believe it. "You must be kidding. Paano kang mabubuntis nang hindi namin alam?"

"I was pregnant when you sent me to States," I stated. And I caught how things dawned in parents. My mother's eyes widened a fraction.

It was enough for them to know, who the father is and that Hetty is really my daughter.

"Y–you mean... he got you pregnant." Mom knowingly gave emphasis on the word 'he'.

"Yes," I breathlessly muttered.

A loud gasp went out of Mom's mouth as she almost lost her balance. If Dad didn't caught her she probably fell already. "Oh, God."

"Hetty's a good kid, Mom."

She's not like her father. Malayong malayo ang ugali ng anak ko kay Draven. I can't help but be thankful to it. And I know, sooner or later Mom would realized it. That Hetty isn't like Draven.

The night air came inside me as I inhale while my lips were closed tightly. I stared at the darkness in front of me while I stretched my legs to push myself and let the swing where I am sitting make a gentle move.

"You do you think Hetty will be alright?" I turned to Maverick who's holding the chain, supporting the right side of the swing.

"Hmm. Your parents won't do anything to harm her."

I know it but that's not what I'm exactly thinking. I don't know if Hetty will be comfortable to them though she insisted to stay.

After the dinner, Maverick asked me if I want to take a walk outside and I agreed. I felt like I needed it too. Hetty said she'll stay in our mansion. Naroon din naman si Fritz at ibinilin ko rin si Hetty. Mom seems off at first but I guess Hetty make her magic happen over dinner. Maayos na ang tungo ni Dad at lalo na si Mom kay Hetty bago kami lumabas ni Maverick.

And this is where our feet brought us, in the playground inside our subdivision where we used to play— where I used to, I mean. Dahil ako lang naman ang naglalaro noon at tila sinasamahan lang ako ni Maverick.

This still looks the same but a bit rusty than before. Madilim din dahil wala na ang nakatira sa mansyon na katapat ng palaruan, kaya't walang ilaw na nagsisilbing liwanag ng palaruan.

"Where do you think it will brought us when nothing happened before?" Maverick whispered. "Do you think... we're still together when we got married that time?"

I loudly smiled and gaze up at him. "You think I'll let you go?"

He chuckled that even in the dark and with only the moon giving light, I caught how his eyes lit. "You won't. And I won't too, Rylli. Married or not, we'll still be together."

I nodded my head. But if nothing bad happened before, I'll probably still the same Amaryllis. The one who will just cry when it hurts already and in the end, the only thing I can do is cry.

I don't want to go back to that.

Crying is alright but what's not fine is not wanting to continue. Because we should. No matter what happened, continue is what we should do.

Though, things still can't get out of my mind. Paano nga kung kinasal kami noon? I want to know what it feels like. I want to be with him like how we promised years ago. "I still want to marry you," I muttered while my eyes were fixed in front of me.

"And I do, too," Mav whispered back. Dahilan kung bakit marahas akong napabaling sa kinatatayuan niya ngunit wala na ang bulto niya roon.

Suddenly, the whole playground lit up. I clearly saw the slides in front of the swing as it lit too. Agad akong napatayo sa kinauupuan upang hanapin ang mga mata ni Maverick.

But instead of him, it is my family who I first saw. My parents, my brothers, Hetty, Chaileigh and even Spencer is there. They all have a smile in their lips that made me feel everything's gonna be alright.

As my eyes went down in front of me, that's when I saw Maverick kneeling with ring in his hand.

Namimilog ang mga matang napasinghap ako at agad na lumipad sa aking bibig ang aking kamay nang matanto ang ginagawa ni Maverick.

"We won't elope this time and there'll be no one against us." A smile formed in his lips. "Will you finally marry me, Rylli?" He whispered.

Suddenly, everything went blur as things flashed back in my mind.

It went back on how everything started.

On how I got here.

You should happily live your life because it is a blessing. But some just can't. Because how can they live happily if life isn't just a smooth and straight road but a rough one with lots of directions in it?

Living isn't that easy, as easy as being happy. But it is our decision if we'll choose to live and be happy at the same time. Somehow, our happiness depends on us, on how we will choose to handle life.

Because life is a curse wrapped with dreamy things. It'll make you believe that everything is all about rainbows when infact, a lot of storm would go your way before you see sunshine.

But regardless on how you handle life, in the end, the only thing that matters is you learned.

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