Epilogue
Casimiro
"Good morning, Sir. May invite na po sa inyo from the University to be their guest for the Commencement Exercises." Napangiti ako sa binalita sa akin ng sekretarya ko. My wife will be part of that graduation and it made me proud of her.
"Sure, let them know that I will be there." Ngiting-ngiting sagot ko.
Nang makalabas si Melody ay naalala ko bigla ang church wedding namin few months ago.
***
I wanted us to have a church wedding because my wife deserves it. I could still remember when I proposed to her. I was so nervous that she will not accept my proposal, funny right?Kilala ko ang asawa ko, ayaw niya ng grand. She was a very low profile person. Akala ko hindi niya na gugustuhin pa ang ganoon.
But I was wrong, 'cause she said yes. Kaya natupad ang plano kong kasal. We're here ready to say our vows in front of God.
Kahit tatlong taon na kami magkasama ng asawa ko ay may kaba pa rin akong nararamdaman at excitement habang naka-abang sa pagbukas ng pinto ng simbahan.
My brother, Elliot was my best man. Tinapik niya ako sa balikat kaya napasulyap ako sa kaniya at ngumiti, tapos sinundan ko ang tingin niya. Pagbalik ko ng tingin sa pinto na siyang tinitigan niya ay bumukas iyon ng dahan-dahan. An intro of a familiar tune played on the piano.
I saw my wife standing there. Stunningly gorgeous. She was holding her bouquet and a microphone.
I was really surprised that she managed to prepare a song for me.
She started to sing as she took a step.
"From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on"
Nanginginig nang bahagya ang boses niya. I hinted that she was about to shed a tear. I felt my eyes watered so I pinched the bridge of my nose to stop it from falling.
"From this moment, I have been blessed
I live only, for your happiness
And for your love, I give my last breath
From this moment on"
I liked the song it suited us well. I was watching her well while she was walking slowly on the aisle. I could also see the happiness in my family's faces while they watch my wife walk.
"I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you"
Three years of marriage and we were still in love. We were very happy. Dumating man ang isang trahedya nang hindi matuloy ang inaakala naming pagbubuntis niya ay tinanggap namin iyon ng maluwag.
"From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment on."
I can still remember how she grieved for that supposedly pregnancy that never happened. I never left her during those times that she would cry every night and break down at times.
"You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you"
But we survived. We were here now. Already moved on. Just like what the song says, we were the answered prayers of each other.
"From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment, I will love you
As long as I live from this moment on"
Now, that she was almost finished in her studies, we could start with the family we were planning. It's our time to try to have our children. Of course, younger siblings for my daughter, Cassia.
Aria deserves to have her own baby too. I know that she was a great mother. She took good care of my daughter and claimed her as her own, since Cassia was born. That's one of the reason why I admired her.
Aria stopped in front of me. She was smiling, that beautiful smile that makes my heart flutter every time. But tears were on her cheeks. I wiped those tears using my thumbs.
I assisted her on her chair and the rest were history.
***
I was back to reality when my phone rang. It was my wife calling...
"Hey, 'tart?" Bungad ko nang masagot ko ang tawag.
"Guess what?" Bakas na bakas ang kilig at excitement sa boses niya.
"Candidate na ako for graduation." She exclaimed excitedly.
"Congratulations, you made me proud again." I was smiling from ear to ear.
"Thank you for believing in me." Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. I always have a trust in her. I wouldn't trust my heart to her if I don't.
"Pauwi ka na ba?" Sumulyap ako sa orasan. At nakitang mag-aala cinco na.
"Yes, inaantay ko lang ang sundo." Mabilis na sagot niya.
"Okay, wait me." Pagkasabi ko noon ay binaba ko na ang tawag.
"Melody, aalis na ko." Paalam ko sa sekretarya ko mula sa intercom.
"Ako mag-drive. Back up kayo." I want to have a date with my wife. Kapag ganitong gusto namin ng privacy, nagpapa-back up na lang ako. Ayoko kasi mag-risk ng kaligtasan namin.
Nag-drive na ako papunta sa university. I already informed my wife's driver that I will pick her to the University, instead. I suddenly remembered my college days at UP, where I took up Political Science and then my Masters in PolSci which I took up eventually after finishing my undergrad.
From there I started working on government agencies, until I found my gut to enter politics. First attempt to run I was the top councilor, as well as my second. That gave me a courage to run as Mayor, and I hit it.
Being the father of the town was not easy. Just like being a father to my Cassia. Luckily I got the best wife in the universe. I am one lucky bastard.
Aria, despite of her her busyness in finishing her schooling she never forgets her duty as a wife and a mom to Cassia.
That's why I was the happiest when I heard the news about her graduation. My husband heart was very proud and excited.
I knew how hard my wife worked to reach this point.
I saw Aria waving her hand while waiting on the front gate of the University. Itinigil ko sa harap niya ang sasakyan. Hindi na ako bumaba at hinayaan ko siyang sumakay sa passenger seats.
"Hi."
"Hi, Sweetie, how's work?" Nakangiting tanong niya.
"I'm good." I replied as I maneuvered the car.
"So bakit ikaw ang driver?" Nakangising tanong niya sa akin, alam kong alam niya kung bakit ako ang driver. She really knew me well. She can read what's on my mind.
"You knew it, sweetheart." I pinched her chin and focused on my driving.
"So, where are we going?" She asked excitedly.
"Trust me sweetheart I'll bring you somewhere good." I said and winked at her, she smiled at me. Oh my heart was melting.
"Of course I have trust in you, you're my husband." She said smiling from ear to ear. "Surprise me then."
I drove her to Kuya Caleb's Cabin.
"Kanino to?" Manghang tanong niya. Palubog ang araw kaya ang ganda ng view sa nilalakaran naming buhanginan. Kuya owns a small parcel of this beach. And it has a small cabin. Kaniya ang area na pinag-parkingan namin, itong nilalakaran namin at ilang metro lagpas sa cabin.
"Kuya Caleb."
"Wow! Ang ganda nung cabin." Mabilis siyang tumakbo papunta sa cabin.
"Casi, wala akong dalang damit. Saka walang kasama si Cassia kung dito tayo matutulog."
"We will not stay here, uuwi rin tayo. I would just like to spend few hours with you." Hinila ko ang kamay niya at iginiya siya sa outdoor bench.
Umupo ako at kinandong siya. Napansin kong namula ang pisngi niya. Kinikilig siya. I love it when my wife blushes like this.
"Tingin ka sa akin." Hinuli ko ang baba niya. Napansin ko kasi ang pag-iwas niya. Kunwari pang nahihiya na bumaling siya sa akin.
"I love you."
"I love you, more." Ipinulupot niya ang dalawang braso niya sa leeg ko habang sinasabi iyon.
"I would never get tired of loving you." I gave her a peck on her lips. Lumayo ako at tinitigan siya. Pero bigla siyang parang sininok tapos tutop sa bibig niya. Mabilis siyang tumayo at tumakbo papalapit sa lababo sa gilid ng cabin.
"Are you okay?" Alalang tanong ko habang hinahagod ang likod niya. Worried, I grabbed her hair and pulled it up.
Naghilamos siya tapos humarap sa akin. "Ayos ka lang ba?" Nakita kong parang pagod ang mga mata niya.
"Nakalimutan ko pa lang kumain kanina dahil sa pag-aasikaso ng papeles ko para sa graduation." Mahabang paliwanag niya.
"Let's eat somewhere, then." I suggested. Lumubog na rin kasi ang araw, iyon lang naman ang pinunta namin rito.
"What do you like to eat? Or where would you like to eat?" Biglang nangislap ang mga mata niya.
"Casi! Gusto ko ng kare-kare na madaming bagoong." Pakiwari ko ay kumikinang pa ang mga mata niya habang sinasabi iyon.
"Kakaluto mo lang noong isang araw." We both like kare-kare, dahil sa paborito ko ito ay na-master niya na ang pagluluto.
"Gusto ko kumain ngayon, pero gutom na ako para magluto pa ngayon." Himutok niya na parang nagtampo sa sinabi ko, wala naman akong sinabing ganoon. What's wrong with my wife?
Nag-umpisa siyang maglakad at iniwan ako. Parang tinopak. May topak talaga minsan—I mean madalas ang mga babae.
Binilisan ko ang hakbang at hinabol siya. I saw her crying.
"Hey! Why are you crying? Dahil ba sa kare-kare?" I found that weird, dahil hindi umiiyak ang asawa ko sa simpleng bagay lang.
"Okay, okay let's look for kare-kare." Nangislap bigla ang mga mata niya at nagmamadali na pabalik sa parking ng sasakyan.
Hinanap niya sa Waze ang gusto niyang puntahan. If I am not mistaken—isa iyon sa mga relocation area ng bayan na ito.
"Ayan, diyan. Diyan mo i-park." Itinuro niya sa akin ang isang space sa tapat ng parang karinderia. Tapos bumaling siya sa space na nasa likod namin. "Pwede na sila sa kabila."
"Sure ka ba na dito tayo?" I asked calmly. Ayokong masamain niya. Hindi sa sensitibo o maarte ako, pero I am the father of this town. Imposibleng hindi ako mapansin rito.
"Dito kasi may masarap na kare-kare. Tara na." Wala na akong magawa noong makababa siya. Pinatay ko ang makina at bumaba.
Sinalubong agad ako ng isa kong tao ang isa naman ay nakasunod na sa asawa ko.
"Upo kayo sa isang table, order din kayo ng pagkain."
"Yes, Sir." Tumango sa akin si Caloy at humanap ng puwesto.
Hinaltak ako ni Aria papalapit sa estanteng salamin kung saan naka-display ang samo't saring lutong bahay.
Itinuro niya ang kare-kare at nagrequest ng maraming bagoong, dalawang order nang kanin at himirit pa siya ng dinuguan.
Ako ay umorder ng litsong kawali at sinigang na hipon. Nag-double rice rin ako.
Nakilala ako ng nagsasandok kaya sumaludo siya sa akin. Noong naka-upo na kami at naihatid ang mga order ay may matandang babaeng ngiting-ngiting lumabas.
"Mayor, nagagalak po kaming napasyal kayo rito, maaari po ba kaming maka-selfie sa inyo?" Tanong ng ginang. Ngumiti naman ako at tumango.
Sa gulat ko ay umakbay ang matanda sa akin. At nag posing para sa photo shoot. Natawa na lang ang asawa ko.
"Enjoy po kayo sa pagkain, Mayor." Halos hindi mapatid ang ngiti ng matanda.
Hindi sa pagbubuhat ng bangko, pero alam kong mabenta ako sa mga kababaihan kahit mga matatanda pa. Mabuti nga't hindi selosa ang asawa ko. Tinatawanan niya lang kapag napagkakaguluhan ako. Confident si Misis na hindi ko siya papalitan.
May pa-take home ang may-ari ng karinderya. Ipagmamalaki niya raw sa page nila ang pagpunta ko roon.
The night was spent well as we drove safety to home. Our dear Cassia was waiting for us and giving us a big hug.
"Mommy, Daddy, I've been waiting for you." She said in her sweet small voice.
"Oh, I am sorry my princess, may inasikaso si Mom and Dad." I consoled while touching her hair.
"Would you like us to watch a movie?"
"Yesss." She screamed loudly in excitement.
"Okay, get ready. Tell Ate Fe to prepare popcorns, while Mom and I change our clothes." Utos ko sa kaniya. "Does it sounds good, huh?" I asked her.
"Yes po." She replied giggling and run towards the kitchen to tell Ate Fe to prepare.
"Cassia is so adorable." My wife commented.
"She is, I think we can make another Cassia or a little boy?" I teased. I saw her cheeks turned red. Mahiyain pa rin ang asawa ko.
When we got a quick shower. Pero hindi pumayag sa short time ang asawa ko dahil naghihintay daw ang anak ko. Hindi tuloy ako naka-isa. Bawi ako mamaya. Kailangan na namin makabuo. I chuckled at the idea.
"Anong nginingiti-ngiti mo riyan?" Natigil ako sa iniisip ko sa pagpitik ng misis ko sa harap ko.
"Stripping you off." Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa isinagot ko. Tapos namula ang mga pisngi. My misis looks cute.
"Watch your mouth, Mister. Andito lang ang anak mo." Napasulyap ako sa anak kong nakatutok ang mata sa pinapanood na Disney movie. Paborito niya talaga ang mga Disney Princesses. At nabilhan na siya ng Lala niya ng lahat ng outfit ng mga princesses. She called my Mom, Lala.
Spoiled masyado, palibhasa unang apo.
"She's not listening to us." Bulong ko sa tainga niya. Napansin ko ang pagtaas ng mga balahibo niya sa batok.
"Tawagin ko na ba si Ate Fe?" Bumalinh siya sa akin at nangunot ang noo. Para makpahinga na tayo. Look, mukha ka nang pagod." Minasahe ko ang bewang niya.
"I know what's running on your head."
"Oh really?" Maang na tanong ko.
"Yes. Ayoko." Tumalikod siya at tumayo. Cassia, sleep na tayo. Sama ka sa room namin ni Daddy." Napahilamos ako sa mga kamay ko.
Pinatay niya na ang tv at binuhat si Cassia. Wala akong nagawa kundi mapabuntong hininga at sumunod sa kanila.
We slept together with Cassia in between us. Sorry my little boy. Bad mood si Mommy tonight, kaya behave ka riyan!
***
Today's my wife's graduation day. Sabay kaming dumating sa University.
I gave my inspirational message and proudly tell the crowd how excited I am to be here, as my wife was one of the graduates.
I was a touching moment to be the one to give the diploma to my wife. To my surprise she put something on my hand. A small pouch. She just smiled at me and proceed. I looked at it for a sec and put it on my pocket as another graduate approached.
As the ceremony ended, I go down and searched for my wife on the crowded place.
"There you are." I put my hand on the small of her back and kissed the top of her head. It smelled like vanilla.
"Congratulations." I handed her a bouquet of tulips. Her favorite. Mula mang malaman ko na paborito niya ito ay lagi ko na siyang binibigyan nga ganoon.
"Thank you." Niyakap niya ako sa bewang. Tapos hinila niya ako palayo sa crowd.
"Nakita mo na 'yong inabot ko sa'yo." Nangunot ang noo ko sandali. Then I remembered the pouch. Kinuha ko iyon mula sa bulsa ng suot kong pants.
To Daddy Casi!
I opened the small pouch and saw a white stick with two red lines. Nangunot ang noo ko. Pero may nakadikit na sticky note sa likod nito.
See you soon, Daddy!
Halos mangilid ang luha ko nang mabasa iyon.
"You're pregnant?" Di makapaniwalang tanong ko. Nakangiting tumango-tango siya at ngumiti sa akin. Pinupunasan niya ang luha niya.
"Since when?" I asked emotionally.
"I found about it last week." Mabilis na sagot niya. Binuhat ko siya at dahan-dahang inikot sa ere. Tinigilan ko lang siya nang sinaway niya ako.
"Ibaba mo ako, Daddy!" Tatawa-tawang sabi niya.
"I think, this is a honeymoon baby. Nag-alis na kasi ako ng pills bago tayo ikasal. Ga-graduate na kasi ako kaya tinigil ko na. Alam kong matagal mo itong inasam." Mahabang paliwanag niya.
"Thank you!" Iyon lang ang nasambit ko.
I think we were complete. Pero sabi niya lima daw dapat so after this we can have three more?
Why not! I would like to see mini me and mini Aria running around our house.
Napangiti ako sa naisip.
Our love story might be odd for some—because her sister was my ex and we share a kid, but I think there was a real reason why everything happened. It might be God's way on bringing to me my "Instant First Lady."
~~~
Author's Note:
Hello! I choose to finish it this way! Ilang taon na rin itong tumatakbo.
July 30, 2015 - March 19, 2022 (kaloka 5 years, and almost seven months). I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This is my very light story. Puro tawa at konting luha sa katatawa. 😂
Si Elliot na next. 😉 Abangan na lang ang couple na ito sa mga susunod na story ng mga Zaragoza.
One down na Mamita!😉
Thank you for staying.
Love lots!
~Leyn💙