Just a night with him (Published)

Epilogue: Two become one

A year later...

"There, it's fixed."

Nginitan ni Sancho si Yto matapos niyang ayusin ang bow tie nito. Kanina pa siya nakatingin sa salamin. He was admiring the fact that his son was with him that very special day. Tiningnan niyang muli si Yto, ang laki na nang itinangkad nito. He's just eight years old pero matangkad na ito, kaunti na lang ay magbibinata na ang panganay niya.

"Tatay, excited ka po?" Biglang tanong nito sa kanya. Ngumiti lalo siya. He was excited – that's for sure, pero hindi lang excitement ang nararamdaman niya, he's feeling nervous too. He's worried that his wife wouldn't come for this day. Alam niyang mahal siya nito, pero hindi pa rin niya maiwasan ang hindi isipin nan baka hindi siya siputin ng babaeng pakakasalan niya.

"Hey kiddo." He put his hands on Yto's shoulder. "Do me a favor, silipin mo naman kung nasa labas na ng church si Nanay." Nginitian ko siya.

"Sige po, Tatay. Wait lang." He ran towards the door. Naiwan akong nakatayo sa harap ng salamin, kinakabahan pa rin siya. He had this pathetic idea that even though, they are already married, and that they have kids, tatakbuhan pa rin siya ng asawa niya. He inhaled sharply, napansin niyang bumukas ang pinto at mula roon ay pumasok ang Lola niya.

"Grandma." He smiled at her. Nilapitan siya nito at saka niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Best wishes, apo." She smiled. "I wasn't able to say that to you the first time you married Sheena, but now, I could. I'm so happy." Naluluha na naman ito. Nang nakaraang taon, ipinaalam niya dito ang muli nilang pagpapakasal ni Sheena, ganoon na lang ang kasiyahan nito. Hindi nito maitago ang happiness na nararamdaman nito, she cried in front of him and his wife. Mahal na mahal ni Lola Adel si Sheena at mahal na mahal rin siya nito.

Maayos na ang lahat sa buhay niya ngayon, wala nang gulo, wala nang banta – it's just him, his family and a hood life a head of them. Kaya nga siguro niya naisip na muling pakasalan si Sheena. Ayaw niyang ipagkait dito ang isang bagay na hindi niya naibigay noong unang beses silang magpakasal.

He wanted to give everything to her. Kahit na ano pa iyon. Right now, he wanted nothing but to make her happy and he started that mission of his life by re-marrying her. It was the best plan he ever though.

"I never thought about you settling down with Sheena." Nagpahid ng luha si Lola Adel.

"She's a wonderful lady, Grandma, a brave one, she raised our kids well and she loved me for who I am. Please don't cry."

Tumango si Lola Adel. Niyakap niya itong muli at saka hinagkan sa noo.

"Naaalala ko lang ang Daddy mo at si Laide." She sobbed. "Kung nandito sila, I'm sure your dad will be happy and Laide will be as excited as you, best friend niya si Sheena." Hindi na siya kumibo. He remembere Luke's wedding, bumaha rin ng luha ni Lola Adel noon, bago sila nakapag-ayos sa beach ay kung ano-ano muna ang nasabi ni Lola, hanggang sa ikinakasal na si Lukas ay iyak pa rin ito nang iyak.

Muling bumukas ang pinto, iniluwan niyon si Lukas at si Adam. They were both wearing a three piece gray suit. They both looked good pero sa opinion niya ay siya ang pinaka-gwapo sa lahat, it's his day so he's the boss.

"Game na daw sabi noong hot wedding planner." Wika ni Lukas habang nakangisi.

"Naririnig ka daw ni Apollo." Sabi niya sa kapatid.

"Joke lang naman iyon. Pero game na daw." Nakita niyang siniko ni Lukas si Adam.

"Diskartehan mo iyong wedding planner." Bulong nito. He rolled his eyes. Adam just made a face. Hinarap naman ni Lola si Lukas.