I have a cousin named Jeffrey. He came from Mindanao where he grown together with his family. The first time he visited Cebu to find a job, he met some of his cousins. He stayed in the house of his auntie who is his fathers’ sister in Cebu. But sometimes he transferred to other cousin’s house.
His auntie has a lovely daughter named Anne. She was on her second year in high school. While Jeffrey is ten years older than Anne, they got close to each other. He goes along with Anne to school and pick her up everyday. Where Anne goes, Jeff was also there. My other cousins noticed the closeness of Jeff and Anne. They are so sweet but not one of my cousins put any malice because they’re first degree cousin.
That time, Anne’s parents were the ones supporting Jeff by financial and everything he needs.
Anne and Jeff developed a special relationship but hide this to her parents and other cousins. They are always by their side, going to the beach and anywhere they like to go. Anne did not attend to school for almost a month and nobody noticed their hidden relationship.
One day, Anne got sick after a month of absences in school. She got pregnant but never told to anyone because she might get shamed and afraid. Jeff still lived in the house of Anne and took care of her. She did not like to go to school anymore and always stayed in her room.
Her mother started to worry about Anne’s situation. She looked weak. My auntie convinced Anne to see a doctor but Anne always refused because she is worried that her secret will be revealed.
After a month, Anne can’t hide anymore. Her stomach gets bigger everyday. She looked pregnant. Her family started to suspect that Anne is pregnant. Their suspicion was confirmed. Her mother got the shock of her life and exclaimed “Who is the father of that baby”. Her mother was so angry. She only cried but did not answer her mother..
My auntie asked some of her friends who is the boyfriend of Anne. ,My cousins know the boyfriend of Anne, but they’re broke-up already. The parents of Anne went to the house of her ex-boyfriend and told him about the status of Anne. The guy was shocked and got surprised to know that Anne is pregnant. When asked if he is the guy who impregnate Anne, the guy answered back “I never touched your daughter, I respected her when we are still together because I really love her”. Embarrassed, my auntie was confused. She wanted to know who is the one responsible for the pregnancy of her daughter.
They confronted Anne and forced her to reveal the guy. Anne has no other choice but to tell the reality, that her cousin Jeffrey was the one. Everybody got shocked and my auntie cannot accept the reality. Everybody was tensed and even my family was affected. My father hated Jeffrey. He didn’t want to see Jeffrey.
Jeffrey asked for forgiveness to the family. He said he loved Anne so much. My auntie shouted at Jeffrey, go away and never ever come back again in this house. W e did not like to feed a big ‘snake’ in our house. .
Jeff went away and go to other cousin’s house. He is also not accepted in our house because my father hated him. One of my uncle consoled Jeff and advised him on what to do. Anne is so sad because she felt in love with Jeff, she didn’t want him to go. All my relatives were shocked and felt sad too. Some of the cousins advice Jeff to go back in Mindanao so that he can explain to his parents on what really happened. But Jeffrey didn’t want to go unless he can bring Anne with him. He hide in my uncle’s house, not so far from Anne’s house. The family of Anne did not know that Jeff was still on that area.
One day Anne escaped their house and went to my uncle’s house where Jeffrey hide. Because of their determination and love, my uncle felt pity and help them to escape going to Mindanao. Their plan was very fast and on that day, they get away as fast as they can. A neighbor saw the two leaving the place and told the mother of Anne that they already left and went to Mindanao together. My auntie cried so much.
When they arrived in Mindanao, Jeff planned to introduce Anne as his wife. He never told his father that Anne was his cousin. His father did not saw Anne before and do not know that she is her niece. But when they arrived home, the family were very quiet, got surprised and felt nervous when Jeff explained what happened. His father got angry to Jeff because they already knew the story. Anne’s mother wrote a letter to his brother-- the father of Jeff and told what he did in Cebu. The family of Jeff felt so upset of him and because of the scandal and what he did to his auntie despite all the financial support by his auntie.
And they live happily ever after
Anne delivered a healthy baby boy . Jeff’s family already accepted to them. They have proved that they really love each other and sincere in their relationship.
Anne wrote to his parents to ask forgiveness for what she had done to her family. The family forgave her and Jeff, and told them that they are welcome to go back to Cebu anytime. They now lived here in Cebu and had two healthy baby. Both of their parents gave their blessings to let go with their church wedding. The church allowed them to tie the knot because they have proven that they really love each other.