Our Married Life

37

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Chapter 37

Nothing Will Change

We were all excited for the baby. Kami ni Hale at pati sina Manang. Naging sobrang maayos na rin ang pamilya namin ni Hale after all the challenges we encountered in our married life. And finally was able to leave the things that should just remain in the past. But that's after we learned from it, too. At ang mga natutunan namin ni Hale sa mga past experiences namin ang nagturo sa amin kung paano dapat kami mabuhay sa kasalukuyan. And that's to live and cherish the people we love and we're with in the present. And we've been doing it together now.

Sure there's still challenges that will come to us... Because it's not the end of our story yet, was it? Maari ngang nagsisimula pa lang din kami muli ni Hale. Pero sa pagkakataong ito we're wiser. Because we already learned and we will bring all these life lessons with us until we grow old and gray.

I smiled watching Hale smile as he picked a crib for our baby himself. We went out shopping for our baby after we just came from the doctor for our regular check up during my pregnancy. I'm excited but Hale's just more excited! At natutuwa na lang ako para sa asawa ko.

And then we ate our dinner out and went home after. Gelo and Angel were also already in the house when we got home. "Sorry, kumain na kami ng Daddy ninyo sa labas bago umuwi. Kumain na rin ba kayo, Angel, Gelo?" Salubong ko sa mga bata nang makauwi kami ni Hale.

"We're done eating too, Mommy." Angel smiled.

Ngumiti rin ako. And we ended our day thinking that everything was just all right...

"Busy with schoolwork, Angel?" Ngumiti ako.

Angel nodded. "Yes, Mommy. Lapit na po kasi ang final exam namin."

I just nodded and let her study.

"How about you, Angelo? Alis ka ngayon para sa basketball practice ninyo?" I asked Gelo who looked ready already to go out. Nakapagpaalam na rin siya sa amin ni Hale na aalis ngayon kasama ang mga ka team niya sa varsity sa school nila para sa kanilang basketball practice.

Both Gelo and Angel were achiever at school in their academics at sporty rin si Gelo na kasali sa basketball team ng school nila. While Angel said that she'll also try to join the girls volleyball team next school year. Gelo also encourages his twin sister to join some sport at school...

Ayos lang naman sa amin ni Hale iyon at tingin namin ay makabubuti nga iyon sa mga bata.

"Yes, Mom. I'll go now."

"Wait, Gelo, sabay na ako sa inyo ni Manong." tukoy ni Angel sa driver na maghahatid sa kanila ni Gelo sa pupuntahan. Mag-g-group study din daw kasi sina Angel kasama ang mga kaklase at kaibigan niya.

I smiled to both kids and let them go. "Okay. Take care you two, please." bilin ko sa kanila at sumunod hanggang sa main door ng bahay para ihatid sila hanggang sa sasakyan. Mukhang lalo rin silang naging active nang lumipat kami rito sa Manila.

"Dahan dahan lang po sa pagmamaneho, Manong..." paalala ko rin sa driver.

Nang makaalis ang mga bata ay ngumiti ako dahil naisip ko na namang lumalaki na talaga sila at the same time ay nagbuntong-hininga rin ako dahil namimiss ko na rin na nasa bahay lang sila... Kasi ngayon aside sa school they're also spending more time now to hang out with their friends, too. Which is normal naman for young teenagers like Angel and Gelo. Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasan na mamiss din sila and spend time with my kids, too.

Mag-isa ako sa bahay kasama sina Manang. Nasa trabaho rin kasi si Hale. Okay lang naman ang pagbunbuntis ko and the doctor assured us that me and my baby are both just fine and healthy. Kaya walang dapat na ipag-alala masyado sa pagbubuntis ko. As long as I myself also follow what the doctor advices me.

Halata na rin ang umbok sa tiyan ko ngayon. Hindi pa ito ganoon kalaki pero makikita nang buntis nga ako. I held my protruding belly and gently smiled thinking of my baby.

It's my first time being pregnant. Nakakakaba but at the same time exciting din. Of course I still have worries but thinking about my baby and becoming a mother to my own child now makes me elated, too. And also thinking that I am not alone in this journey and Hale, my husband's with me put my mind at peace. I smiled.

Naunang makauwi si Angel nang mga malapit nang maghapon. And she was just on time. While Angelo got home a little late. Nagkasabay na sila ni Hale ng uwi.

"Was everything okay at the practice game, Gelo?" Salubong ko sa kaniya.

Humalik sa pisngi ko si Hale na kasunod lang din ng anak niya.

"You made your Mom worried, Angelo." Hale said to his son. Pinigilan ko naman siya at hinawakan sa braso niya.

While Gelo looked at me. "You were worried? Of me?"

Nanatili ang tingin ko kay Gelo. "Of course, anak. Ang paalam mo kasi ay hanggang sa ganitong oras lang, but you went home a little later than sa time na paalam mo..." Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "But it's all right now. Next time tumawag ka na lang para magpaalam pa rin kung medyo malilate ka ng uwi."

Angelo nodded. "Yes, Mom... I'm sorry for making you worry..."

Umiling naman ako. "Ayos na, anak. Don't worry about it. Kumain na tayo ng dinner."

Angelo nodded and we went to the dining area with Hale and Angel. We ate dinner together like we always do. And then spent some time pa sa garden pagkatapos para matunawan din sa kinain namin. Walking in the garden at the evening after dinner helps with digestion, too. Plus ang bango pa ng garden dahil sa mga tanim kong hulaklak doon kaya mas kaaya-aya sa ilong lalo ang hangin dito.

I was inside the finished baby room when Gelo entered the room. "Oh, Gelo..." I smiled to him. "Pasok ka. Tapos na ang room ng kapatid mo." Pinaayos namin ito at may connecting door na sa kwarto namin ni Hale dito sa bahay namin sa Manila.

Bago rin itong bahay at pinagawa talaga ni Hale para sa amin.

Lumapit si Gelo sa kinatatayuan ko sa gitna ng baby room. He was looking at my stomach. Mas matangkad na talaga siya sa akin ngayon. He grew up so tall and handsome just like Hale. Ngumiti ako.

"Will something...change when my baby sibling is born?" Gelo asked me this.

Bahagya akong natigilan at nag-isip. "What do you mean, Gelo?"

He looked away a bit. "I'm just thinking that...you've been really good to us. To me and Angel. You treated us like your own son and daughter... And we're really happy." He smiled a bit sadly.

Bahagya rin akong nalungkot sa ngiti niya.

"I'm just... Just thinking if when the baby comes out... And then some things might change..." As if he couldn't explain it anymore further.

Ngumiti na ako. At mukhang naintindihan ko na rin ang ibig niyang sabihin. "Angelo..." I sighed a bit. "Hindi magbabago kung paano ko kayo ituring ngayon ng kambal mo. Dahil hindi rin magbabago ang pagmamahal ko sa inyo."

He still looked a bit troubled. "But it's your own child now..." tukoy niya sa baby na nasa tiyan ko pa.

Muli lang akong ngumiti sa kaniya. "Sa inyo ko unang natutunan ni Angel kung paano maging ina, Gelo. Kaya magiging ganoon lang din ako sa kapatid ninyo. The affection I showed you and your sister is nothing less than of what I will show and give your sibling, Angelo. So, to answer your question... Nothing will change, Gelo. Nothing will ever change of how I love you and your sister. Don't worry about it..." I smiled.

Unti-unti na rin lumiwanag ang mukha niya. He's like a little boy now who looked the happiest in front of his mother... And it feels like it just melted my heart...as I watched him happy. And it made me happy, too.