The prompt for this week:

"Mama.  Not so loud.  Aling Petra is coming this way again.  I do not want her to hear me", said the owner of the voice  who was peeking out from behind the window curtain.

"She only wants you to visit with your childhood friend."

"She will try to make a match of me and her child again.  She mentioned that to me when we met each other after  the Christmas Mass." 

"And what is so wrong about that?  Both of you are of age and fancy free.  Besides, I heard that your sweetheart has done quite well."

"Oh, don't call my friend my sweetheart.  Ewww.  The idea! We were children.  And then  my friend's face suddenly grew the biggest acne, not to mention the biggest bucktooth too!"

"You are incorrigible.  And you think you are a star? Heh! Besides, I prefer your friend to many others you have been dating."

"Oh, Mama.  Please stop that.  You are not being helpful!"

"But really, why don't you want to see your friend, if only for old time's sake?"

"Mama, Aling Petra is at the door.  Tell her I am out...I'm away, I got married yesterday."

"Sigh", said the bemused mother. "How long can you keep this - you've been hiding like a rat since you arrived." 

The following morning, our window-gazer slept a little too long and and came down merrily singing an off key tune and nearly fell at the bottom of the steps.  

Mama was there.  And Aling Petra too.  And Someone else.   

"I thought you have gone.  Come here, Anton.  Celeste came to visit, as you can see,"  Mama invited with a gleam in her eyes, as she presented the comeliest woman that Anton has ever seen.

 Anton fumbled his way through, coughing to hide the blush.  

Celeste stood up and greeted him with the sunny smile he remembered and a hug.  Aling Petra was sniffing.  Has she been crying?

 "I was hoping to see you sooner but I got sick. Well, I decided to come and visit before I go."

Aling Petra found her voice and in between wails and sobs managed to say -

"I was hoping you could change her mind.  She will join the Franciscan Sisters when she leaves today."   

And Anton could do nothing but stare at his once bucktoothed friend.