Aleck

Epilogue

El woke up the next morning. May kung anong pakiramdam ang gumising sa kanya. Nilingon niya ang kabilang bahagi ng kama at nakitang bakante ito. Nakita niya ang orasan sa bedside table at alam niyang kasalukuyang nasa kusina ang asawa niya habang naghahanda ng almusal.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo at tinungo ang banyo upang maglinis ng katawan. Palabas na siya ng palikuran ng maramdaman ang matinding sakit. Napasinghap siya at napakapit sa ceradula ng pinto. Ilang saglit siyang nahinto bago muling humakbang ng muli na naman niyang naramdaman ang sakit. Makailang ulit niya pa itong naramdaman saka niya napagtantong humihilab na ang kanyanh tiyan. Hudyat na maaari na siyang manganak.

Dahan-dahan pinilit niyang maglakad patungong kusina kung saan naririnig niya ang ginagawang pagkilos ng asawa. Paminsan-minsan ay napapatigil siya sa paghakbang sa tuwing umaatake ang sakit. Ramdam niya ang pawis na namumuo sa kanyang noo at ilong.

Napakagat siya ng labi upang impit na pigilan ang sakit na muling sumalakay sa kanya.

Breathe in. Breathe out.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Lahat na yata ng breathing exercise nagawa niya para maibsan ang sakit. Nang marating niya ang bukana ng kusina, ay kaagad na nag-angat ng tingin ang kanyang asawa.

Saglit na katahimikan pa ang namayani sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Marahil bakas sa mukha niya ang itsura niya dahil mabilis na tumalima ang asawa niya upang daluhan siya.

"It's time..." she whispered, gritting her teeth as another wave of contractions assailed her. Hindi niya namalayang napakapit siya ng mahigpit sa mga kamay ng asawa. Napa-pikit siya. Pinangko siya ng asawa at dinala sa pinakamalapit na upuan.

"What do we do?"  tila natatarantang tanong nito. Sasagutin na niya sana ito ng muli itong magsalita.
"Right. I'll go get the car." maya-maya ay tumakbo na ito patungong pinto. Narinig niya pa ang paglabas nito. Kahit nahihirapan, hindi niya napigilan ang matawa. Alam niyang anumang sandali ay magbabalik ang asawa, dahil nasa mesa sa kanyang tabi ang susi ng sasakyan.

Hindi siya nagkamali. Bumalik ito at halatang lalong natataranta.
"I can't find the keys. I think I lost it." sabi nito. Tatawagin na niya ito ng muli itong magsalita.
"I'll get another car. I'll have it ready.--"

"Aleck!"
"What?"

Hindi na niya napigilan ang tumawa ng husto.
"Sweetheart?"
Halos maiyak siya sa kakatawa. Natigil lamang iyon ng kumirot muli ang kanyang tiyan.
"The keys are right here. And please, turn off the stove baka masunog ang bahay."

"The house can burn for all I care. We're having a baby." And silence....

"My god! We're having a baby!" sigaw nito, mukhang ngayon lang nito napagtanto ang lahat ng nangyayari. Napa-upo ito sa kanyang tabi.

In any other occasion, she would have laugh at his face. But no, she knew that her husband is feeling an overwhelming panic and fear. She can see it. Fear for her safety and their babies. Mustering a strength, she grasps his hands as firmly as she could.
"We're having a baby. It's time to meet them."

It seems those words finally settled him. Aa fast as he could, Aleck turn off the stove, run to their bedroom to retrieve the bag they have packed for this occasion. Grabbing the keys and his cellphone and putting them in his pocket as he guided her slowly towards the door. He appears to be more calm now compared earlier. Though she can tell he hardly felt calm.

They were at the elevator when another series of contractions slammed through her. Making her grasps painfully on his arm for support.

Nang marating nila ang basement parking, kaagad na siyang pinangko ng asawa at tinakbo ang sasakyang nakaparada sa dulo. Isinakay siya nito doon saka nagmamadaling pina-andar ang sasakyan palabas ng parking area.

Aleck is holding her hand all throughout the drive. He is there with her in every step. He kisses her hand as if to assure himself that everything is gonna be okay.

Alesso Errol Alcantara-Nadal was born 2:15pm that Saturday afternoon. He was followed by his sister two minutes and thirteen seconds later. They named her Angelica Eve Alcantara-Nadal.

Aleck never felt so happy and proud in his entire life. This is complete happiness beyond anything. The love of his life have given birth to these beautiful babies. She have given him such priceless gifts. She made him a father.

It's quite scary as well as exhilarating, overwhelming and much much more. But looking at his beautiful wife he knows he will never be alone. He knows he can be anything for them. He might took a stumble but he knows he will always stand and conquer anything and everything for them alone.

Their friends and family arrive at the hospital to see for themselves what adorable little babies had made an addition to the family. All were happy and eager to see. Others were tearful but they were happy tears.

Aleck watch his wife lovingly. He kisses her hands and whispered words of love.
"Thank you..."
El only smiles at him and shook her head.
"No, thank you..." For loving me, for seeing only me, for not giving up on me, for giving me a chance to be a mother, for believing and most of all, for giving me this beautiful fairytale no imagination can possibly create.

She doesn't need to tell those, Aleck understands. He knows, he can see it in her eyes. His answer is the sweetest kiss on her lips.

"My Angel..."
"I am Lecki's Angel..." 
"Indeed you are. An Angel sent from above that I was lucky enough to catch."

Inside that room, friends and family dotted on the sleeping twins while quietly watching the loving embrace of the new parents. This is complete happiness indeed.

~The End~

A/N: Yay! Natapos ko din! 😂
I've been thinking of adding bonus chapter. Wala lang just a few thoughts on Aleck and Angel. Maybe to give more light to their lives before they met?

Ayun, it's been a while. Medyo naging busy dahil sa aking small business lalo na kapag maraming rush orders. Soooo.... Sana po nagustuhan ninyo. I tried to update as much as I can pero mahirap pala? Ayaw ko naman na basta na lang magsulat. I wanted to give life to these characters. It's a challenge actually, I've never written a love story before. Kaya para sa akin, malaking achievement ito. Whew!

Maraming salamat po sa mga sumubaybay. Patawarin ninyo po ako at natagalan. Patawarin ninyo po ako kung nainip kayo. Mababasa ninyo pa rin naman sina Aleck at Angel sa mga susunod na kwento. They are still part of the story sa mga susunod na kwento.

Until then, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

~eradashlyn 😘