The Nutcracker Project

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin ang nangyayari sa'yo noon, love? Sana natulungan kita-"

I kissed his cheek, cutting him off. Nasa kama pa rin kami ngayon matapos ang ilang round na ginawa namin kagabi. It was a miracle how I managed to survive that.

"Oh, ayaw mo na namang pag-usapan?" Logan remarked, lacing our fingers together.

Inangat ko ang aking ulo para matignan siya sa mata. "I didn't know kung paano ko sasabihin sa'yo... how our baby died because I wasn't healthy enough. What if magalit ka sa akin? What if hindi mo na ako mahalin because of that?"

I swallowed hard after saying that. Even until now, naaalala ko pa rin ang mga panahong yon. Kung natuloy ba ang pagbubuntis ko, makakaya ko kaya?

Logan kissed the top of my head. "Wala kang kasalanan, love. At mamahalin pa rin kita kahit na anong mangyari. Galit lang ako na hindi mo sinabi sa akin."

"Galit rin ako sa'yo," I confessed.

"Ha? Bakit naman? Nagtiis nga ako ng ilang taon bago kita pinuntahan dito. Hindi mo lang alam kung gaano ako nabaliw na wala ka sa tabi ko," sabi pa niya.

"Why did you pretend na ikakasal ka na sa iba?" I confronted him.

He suddenly chuckled. "Ah yon ba. Wala naman akong sinabing ikakasal ako sa iba, di ba? Ang sabi ko lang ikakasal ako. Pero sayo talaga yon."

I shook my head at him, unamused. "I can't believe you still managed to fool me."

"Ikaw lang talaga ang assuming na may iba ako," he teased, touching my nose with his finger.

I let out a sigh.

"Kung magkaka-baby tayo, ilan ang gusto mo?" he suddenly asked. "Ako mga nine."

"What? That many? Ikaw ba ang magdadala ng mga yan sa tiyan mo?" I protested.

"Para isang buong baseball team," he stated, chuckling.

Umiling ako. "No! I'm not having nine kids."

"Paano kung ibigay ni Lord? Tatanggihan mo ba?"

I bit my lip. "Fine. But, if it was me, two is enough."

"Ang damot naman. Dalawa lang?" Logan pouted.

"Yes, hopefully a boy and a girl."

"Sige, pag lalaki, Gio ang pangalan," he suggested.

"Gio? Bakit Gio?" I asked.

He smiled. "Giordan kasi pangalan ni lolo. Siya talaga ang nag-impluwensiya sa akin na maglaro ng baseball. Dati siyang naglaro ng pro sa Dodgers."

Napaawang ang labi ko. "Really? I didn't know that. Gio it is, then."

"Baby Gio," he suddenly hushed, caressing my belly.

I squinted at him. "Are you manifesting it now, Logan Maxwell?"

He smirked. "Please, Lord. Mabait naman ako. Nine babies po ha."

#

"It's me, The Nutcracker Prince," the toy soldier announced, removing the huge mascot face over his head.

The Swan Princess stared at the guy behind the mascot. "It was him all along. The guy who had been helping me," the princess stated.

"I love you, Swan Princess," the guy confessed, kneeling down infront of her.

"W-What are you doing?" she stuttered in confusion.

"This wasn't part of the script," I stared at Logan habang nakaluhod ang isang paa niya sa aking harapan.

"Ballerine Maeze Castillo, will you marry me?" Logan blurted out as he opened a small transparent box towards my direction, revealing a shiny diamond ring.

"L-Logan, I..." I couldn't form any words in my head, but my heart was screaming and jumping in joy.

"Bal, huwag mo naman akong ipahiya sa harap nila," pabulong pang sabi ni Logan sa akin.

Napatingin ako sa audience na nakatingin sa amin. We were supposed to be doing the play, "The Nutcracker Project," which was re-imagined and re-written by Koleen and directed by Jale as part of Gen L Society's fundraising event for this year.

But, instead of doing the play, Logan suddenly decided that he wanted to marry me right this moment.

"Why didn't you brief me before-"

Logan cut me off. "Love, yes or yes?"

I bit the inside of my cheeks. "Of course, yes!"

He froze for a second bago niya ako nilapitan at binuhat sa kanyang mga bisig. "I love you! I love you! I love you!" he blurted out in repeat, kissing my cheeks over and over.

"Woooh!" Narinig ko na rin ang paghiyaw ng audience sa amin.

"Where's my ring?" I demanded kaya binaba na rin ako ni Logan.

"Shit," he cursed nang mabitawan niya ang hawak niyang box na may ring.

The ring fell and rolled on the stage. Sabay pa naming hinabol ang singsing hanggang sa matumba kaming dalawa sa stage.

"Aww," I winced as my butt landed on the floor.

"Love, okay ka lang?" Logan asked, extending his hand to me.

"This is embarrassing," I commented, standing up.

"Kinakahiya mo ba ako?" tampong tanong ng lalaki.

I shook my head at his gesture. "Definitely," I teased, kissing his cheek. "Not."

"Mrs. Ballerine Maxwell, mahal na mahal kita," pagtawag ng lalaki sa aking habang nilalagay na ang singsing sa aking daliri.

After the play, everyone congratulated us from our family and friends. Nakita ko si mom sa may front row habang papalapit na rin sa amin.

"Mom, I'm sorry again about you and Tito Raymond-" I spoke, but mom cut me off.

"Don't worry about it. We tried and it didn't work out. This is your time now. Logan waited for four years for the annulment process to finish until he told me he was still very much in love with you and that he wanted to marry no one else but you," mom stated.

My jaw fell open. "That's why he... waited for that long?"

Mom nodded. "He asked for my approval first before chasing you in New York. Logan is a great guy and I know he will treat you well. Congratulations to both you."

"Thank you so much, mom," I answered, hugging her tight.

"I'm proud of you, sweetie," she suddenly mentioned, making me tear up. Those words were the words I'd been longing for her to tell me.

Finally, I felt mom's love for me again.

#

"Okay, make sure to practice those steps and I'll see you again tomorrow," sabi ko habang nakatingin sa mga batang babaeng nakasuot ng leotards at tutu sa aking harapan.

"Yes, miss," sabay-sabay na tugon ng mga bata bago ko sila i-dismiss sa ballet class.

I decided to manage mom's ballet studio after graduating from Juilliard. It was the best decision for me, especially because the love of my life was here and I wanted to start a family here with him.

From Maxwell:

Love

Tagal ka pa?

Ito ang huling text sa akin ni Logan na hindi ko pa nare-replyan. I immediately typed in a message after kong magpunas ng pawis.

To Maxwell:

Coming love

Be there in a bit

From Maxwell:

Dito lang ako sa training center love

"Ballerine," someone suddenly spoke, catching my attention.

Napatingin ako sa harap at nakita ang isang pamilyar na babae habang may buhat na batang babae sa kanyang mga kamay.

"Ate Bee, mommy will buy me new tutu skirt today," sambit ni Princess sa akin.

I smiled at her. "I'm sure you will look good, Princess."

"Thank you, Ballerine," Crisha told me, a small smile plastered on her face.

I nodded. Kahit na hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang ginawa nila sa akin noon, I decided to just forgive her for the sake of Princess na rin.

Logan had to let go of Princess, dahil hindi naman siya ang tunay na ama ng bata. Despite this, pumayag naman si Crisha na bisitahin pa rin namin si Princess tuwing weekends o kung free sila.

"Congratulations pala sa inyo ni Logan," sabi pa ni Crisha.

"Thank you," I ended, touching Princess' hair.

Sinabi sa akin ni Logan ang katotohanan tungkol sa nangyari kay Crisha at kung bakit ayaw niyang ipaalam sa tunay na ama ni Princess ang totoo. I felt bad for Crisha for what she'd been through. I just hope she'll finally be better just like me.

"Mauna na kami. Pakisabi nalang kay Logan na congratulations."

Nang makaalis na sina Crisha at Princess, agad rin akong lumabas ng ballet studio at nagtungo sa kotse kung saan naghihintay na si Manong Eli sa akin.

"Saan po tayo, ma'am?" tanong ng matanda sa akin.

"Sa FU, kuya," I answered.

Minutes later, nakarating rin kami sa university. Palubog na ang araw kaya medyo kaunti nalang ang students sa field.

I made my way towards the training center kung saan familiar na ako dahil dito ko naman laging pinupuntahan si Logan noong mga panahong hindi pa niya ako mahal. I laughed at that thought.

Naalala ko pa na lagi siyang naiinis sa akin everytime I visited him here during their baseball practices. Time had really passed since then.

Fast forward to now, I couldn't live a day without seeing him, and that's probably the case for him too.

Pagkarating ko sa loob ng training center, napansin ko ang paglingon ng mga lalaki sa akin. I knew bawal ang girls dito, na laging sinasabi ni Logan sa akin noon. But, we had been breaking that rule since day one.

"Mrs. Maxwell!"

Someone suddenly called out to me, making me look over my shoulder. Isang matangkad at maputing lalaki ang kumaway sa akin. He looked familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint his name.

"Nasa batting cage si Coach L," sabi pa niya sa akin.

I lifted my chin at him. "Oh, okay, thank you..." I paused, trying to hint at him that I forgot his name.

"Dave," he answered. "Congrats pala sa engagement niyo."

"Oh, right. Thanks, Dave!" I waved at him, making my way towards the batting cage.

Nagtuloy-tuloy lang ako sa paglakad, even passing by the gym area and shower area. May mga nakasalubong rin akong walang saplot na mga athletes dito at ang sama ng tingin nila sa akin.

Ignoring them, I entered inside the batting cage. It looked exactly the same as before. May mga aisles ng nets kung saan may designated pitching machines a few meters away from the batter's box.

Ito ang indoor batting cage facility ng Fotheringham University, isa sa mga high-tech sports facilities sa bansa.

Narinig ko ang malakas na tunog mula sa pag-swing ng baseball bat sa huling aisle. Walang ibang tao sa loob kaya alam kong si Logan na yon.

Dahan-dahan akong naglakad patungo sa kinaroonan ng lalaki. When I finally reached him, napatitig lang ako sa kanya.

Nakasuot siya ng kanyang usual sleeveless white tank top at black shorts. Kahit na may pawis na bumabalot sa kanyang mukha at katawan, ang gwapo pa rin talaga ng lalaking ito.

Logan held the baseball bat over his shoulder, knees slightly bent down and eyes fixed on the ball about to be thrown by the pitching machine.

CRACK.

Narinig ko nalang ang malakas na tunog mula sa wooden bat ni Logan. Hindi ko man lang napansin ang pagdating ng bola. That was how fast it was, and how fast he saw and hit the ball.

Kahit na licensed psychologist na siya, he still decided to become an assistant coach during his spare time dito sa FU. And it was a good decision because he was an amazing baseball player. Sayang naman ang skills niya kung hindi niya ito ma-i-share sa iba.

"In love ka na naman sa akin?"

His voice suddenly caught me off guard as he looked at me with a smirk.

I made a face at him habang binababa Niya ang wooden bat sa gilid. "Huwag kang assuming, Logan Maxwell."

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinila ako sa kanyang bisig. "Ang cute talaga ng misis ko," komento pa niya habang hinahalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko.

Wala akong suot na heels ngayon at naka-flat shoes lang ako kaya nakalagay ang baba niya sa aking ulo habang yakap-yakap ako.

"You stink!" I teased, pushing him a bit. Amoy ko ang pawis niya, but, in all fairness, mabango pa rin naman siya. May halo na nga lang na pawis ang usual vanilla scent niya.

Tinignan niya ako sa mata habang nakabalot pa rin ang braso niya sa aking katawan. "Pero mahal mo pa rin naman ako, di ba?"

I flashed him a smile. "More and more everyday."

The moment I said that, he immediately claimed my lips, pushing his tongue inside my mouth passionately.

Sinabayan ko na rin ang paghalik sa kanya habang nilalagay ko ang aking mga kamay sa kanyang leeg.

He suddenly carried my weight, so I crossed my legs around his waist, not breaking our kiss.

"Oh my God! Sorry!"

Someone suddenly commented near us, kaya napatigil kaming dalawa sa paghahalikan. Si Koleen ang una kong nakita na nakatayo malapit sa amin.

"I told you we should've knocked first." That was Jale who spoke this time, habang tumatawang nakatingin sa amin.

"Putcha! Ano'ng ginagawa niyo dito? Closed practice to ah," Logan cursed, while slowly putting me down the ground.

"Mommy! Daddy!" A little boy came running towards our direction and that's when the frown on my face disappeared.

"Vani! My baby!" I immediately hugged the kid in my arms.

"Nakalimutan niyo atang pinabantayan niyo sa amin ngayong araw si Vanley," Koleen reminded, shaking her head.

Logan sighed. "Sorry na. Thank you."

"Pwede na ba kaming umalis?" Koleen asked.

"Thank you again." I finally turned to the couple once Logan carried Vanley in his arms.

"Anytime," Jale answered, taking Koleen's hand with him. "We'll go ahead. Happy anniversary, love birds!"

When they finally disappeared from our sight, we headed home and put Vanley to sleep. He was only five years old, but we wanted him to have his own room. Pero he would still end up sleeping between me and Logan... just like tonight.

"Tulog na siya," Logan whispered, looking at me.

Tinatapik ko pa rin ang likod ni Vanley para hindi siya magising. "Just go to sleep now, Logan."

"Bal, mabilis lang," he whined.

I shook my head at him. I wasn't in the mood to have sex right now. Besides, I still needed to tell him something.

"Love naman..." Logan continued to plead. "Anniversary gift mo nalang sakin."

Sighing, I took something out from the bedside table next to me and handed it to the guy. "Happy anniversary."

"Ano to?" Logan asked, unwrapping the small box I gave him.

I just smiled as I waited for him to unbox my gift. It was something I had been hiding for weeks now.

When he finally opened it, his eyes glistened under the dim night light. "Second baby?"

Seeing the wide smile on Logan's face while looking at me with such loving eyes, I couldn't have asked for anything more in this world. 

Who would've thought that the guy who drove me to hate myself ended up to be the one who taught me how to love myself again...

SNEAK PEEK FOR NEXT STORY!

Omega Sardines

1:28 am

alexandré the great

GUYS

EMERGENCY!

Jale Enrico

What's the matter?

Koleen F

Ano na naman yan?

Kell Atkinson

This better be a real emergency

Logan Max

Tangina dre

Istorbo ka

alexandré the great

Love u guys

Please bail me out

Nahuli ako ng pulis 😬

#

A/N: Surprise! Konting pasilip lang sa susunod na story na alam niyo na kung kanino hihi kung sino ang female lead, hulaan niyo nalang.

Sino sa tingin niyo ang love interest ni André? Comment down below!

See you on the next project...

The Elixir Project!