Falling For The Man I Married

"A friend and a suitor?"

"Yes. What's that boy's name again?"

She said thinking the name of whoever it was. I felt my heart stop beating as I waited for her to speak again. 

"Oh, it's Garry!" she squealed excitedly. 

"Garry?"

"No.No, wait! It's not Garry." then she tried thinking again. "Ahh... it's Greg! Yeah, it's Greg I'm sure of it. Thank God, I finally remember the name of that sweet boy."

Then I was left thinking. Greg. I wasn't sure if the person she was talking about was the same person I know. Greg also studied in Florida and Florida is Madi's homeland. But as they say, there's no harm in trying... trying to ask. 

"What's the name again of her friend?"

"His name is Greg. Come here, she has a picture of him. They were so close back in their school days. They took the same course and this sweet boy was always taking care of my daughter."

She took my hand and we sat on the three-seater sofa near the last cabinet. She took something from the drawer. An album. A photo album. 

"Here. You can see their pictures and their circle of friends in college."

She gave me the green album and started scanning the pages, but my hand was stuck in one of the photos. It's Madi with three girls and 'Greg' my cousin and my best friend, wearing a cooking school uniform. 

"Greg Anderson," I muttered just to myself but she heard it. 

"Yes, Greg Anderson. How did you know him and his last name?" she asked looking directly into my eyes. 

"Uhm..."

"I usually call him Anderson boy. He's the one who never stopped being friends with my daughter and you know what, I remember once he asked me if he can go out and court my daughter. And then I told him, it's not my decision to make, but he never stopped. Until now he keeps coming back just to know if she's okay and ask about her situation. He's very persistent and has great patience because it's been eight years since his feelings for Madi started.

I frowned with the newest information I heard. Madi's identity was a lot to take, but knowing she and Greg were best friends in college and he's still insistent on going out with her until now, it makes me want to punch something. I put my fist under the photo album and formed it in a hardball. 

"Wait, I'm not telling you this to make you jealous. I'm just sharing a little bit of my daughter's life and school days story."

Mom, it's okay and

but deep inside, I really wanted to see my dearest cousin and punch him over and over in his face. Now, understand why he told me to take care of Madi for him. Why he was

it's in the past and

Mom." I said closing the cover of

"Yes, what is it."

friend. He's actually my

true? But I didn't see you with him in the last

moved here to Florida and he finished his studies here while our family also migrated to Belleville, but our business

but does my daughter know about this

I actually introduced her to my family and Greg was

said

"We're actually engaged, Mom."

that, but I just felt a little possessive now with

my God! Is that true? Were you and my

when she lunged at me and hugged me tightly.

good heavens. Praise the Almighty God!

I got shocked, my mouth fell open

said when she

"For what, Mom?"

I know sometimes she's really stubborn, but she's a fine woman, son. I

said 'smart mouth' because that's exactly my first impression

what's your favorite food, dishes or cake flavor? I'll cook for you personally!" her eyes were filled with happiness and amusement

to do that, Mom,

be shy, you're part of this family

the back of my neck. Madi

the kitchen." I tried to suggest but she grabbed

"Remember, she comes from a cooking school and she's a professional cook.

someone like her before and I admit the respect I already had for her got deeper after the conversation with her mother and at the same time, my eagerness to become a better man for her has doubled. She deserves someone who can love her and protect her against this

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Madi's POV:

don't know what to feel. It started when he got back from I don't know where, with my Mom. But now we were in the swimming pool, both of us sitting on the edge, while both of our feet were submerged in the water and still, I can feel his intense gaze on

there something you wanted to ask? Something that