Dagger Series #4: Unadorned

Chapter 35: Last

Napatawa ako nang makita ko ang litrato kung saan nasa stage si Belaya kasama si Pierce at ang dalawang katambalan ng babae na sina Caleb at Samuel. They all look like as if they were doing a breathing exercise. The other image was Caleb carrying an ashen face Pierce out of the place while Belaya was on a stretcher.

Hindi ko pa natatapos ang pagbababasa nang tumunog ang cellphone ko . Nakangiting sinagot ko ang tawag nang makita ko ang pangalan na nandoon.

"Kung nasa delivery room ka, please lang, si Pierce ang tawagin mo at huwag ako. You called me that first day when you thought you were pregnant and you were freaking out. I can't handle your brand of crazy now you're about to pop out a child— well children," bungad ko sa kaniya.

Imbis kasi na pumunta sa ospital noon ay ako ang tinawagan niya. She was alternating from laughing and crying, and it took awhile before I convinced her to go to the hospital. Nang mga panahon na iyon kasi ay nasa Palawan ako para sa isang shoot. She and Pierce weren't really trying for a baby, but she missed a couple of pills after she got sick.

"They're already out of the oven, witch." She looked tired, but there's a huge smile on her face.

Itinapat niya ang camera sa dalawang sanggol na nakalagay sa bassinet nila. My heart instantly warmed looking at their cute sleeping faces. "Say hi to your niece and nephew. Astraea and Orion."

Nangilid ang mga luha ko sa sinabi niya. I know what she said was not just because I'm married to her brother-in-law. She's like a sister I never had, and I know she feels the same way even though she has a lot of siblings already.

"Bakit ka umiiyak?" lukot ang ilong na tanong ni Belaya na muling lumabas sa screen. "They came out of me. I should be the one crying."

"I'm just happy, bitch."

Pinakatitigan niya ako ng ilang sandali bago siya nagsalita. Her stare turned suspicious when I struggled to keep my composure. "Show me the table in front of you." Nagtataka man ay sinunod ko siya. Nasa harapan ko pa rin kasi ang meryenda ko na hindi ko pa tapos kainin. "Hmm."

"Anong meron?" tanong ko nang muli kong itapat ang phone ko sa mukha ko.

"Ibaba mo 'yung camera." When I did exactly that, she motioned with her finger, "Lower."

I was about to do what she asked, but I laughed when I realized where she wanted me to point the lens at. "Why are you interested in my bumper, munchkin?" Tanging roba lang ang suot ko kaya litaw sa suot ko ang cleavage ko.

She looked around before she whispered, "You floozy." Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata. "Alam na ba ni Axel 'yan?"

I plastered an innocent look on my face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're not drinking anything alcoholic."

"Anong akala mo sa akin? Sabik sa alak?"

"You love drinking wine on that balcony kapag ganitong oras!" she hissed. "Tell me! Wala si Pierce dito at bumibili iyon ng pagkain." Nang hindi pa rin ako nagsalita ay pinaningkitan niya ako ng mga mata. "I'm betting my entire fortune that your already humongous breasts are bigger now."

"I doubt that."

"Liar—"

"They need a few months more before I need help carrying them. Ilang buwan pa rin bago kakailanganin ni Trace na tawagan iyong dati niyang hinaharot na nagtatrabaho sa farm ng mga prutas."

"Nagbagong buhay na 'yon. Wala na raw siyang balak balikan ang mga kaharutan niya noon kaya hindi na tayo makaka-discount—" Makabasag tenga na tili ang pinakawalan niya nang mapagtanto niya ang sinabi ko. I heard soft cries from the background, and she moved to reach for her babies that she probably woke up. "Shh, shh. Sorry babies. Kasalanan ng Tita niyo." She skewered me with a look. "I can't believe you! Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin agad? And how? I thought you two weren't planning for one yet dahil sa trabaho mo?"