"Kain muna tayo, nagugutom na si Samantha."
Aya ni Rose sa asawa niyang kanina pa palingon lingon sa paligid.
"Talaga? Gutom na ang beybe ko?" sabi niya at binuhat ang isang taong gulang na anak nilang babae ni Rose mula sa stroller.
"Pero ano naman kaya ang makakain ng mga bata dito?"
Sabi naman ni Ken habang hawak hawak ang anak niya na si Shaqiera habang naglalakad. Kakarating lang nilang apat dahil nagkaroon ng traffic.
"May mga soft cookies sa banda doon, kuhanan nalang namin sila ng makakain"
Rain said and pulled her husband, Justin, to grab some healthy food for their godchildren.
"We also bought snacks..for kids. Kids, lapit kay ninong"
Malambing na sabi ni Paulo at lumuhod para makapantay ang mga batang kasama nila.
Several years have already passed, and now they are already with their children except for Rain and Justin who still enjoys each other.
Rose and Stell have Samantha, a very cute and elegant baby girl.
Paulo and Zailee already have Jecallie Zionna, the beautiful girl version of Paulo. And a very jolly one.
Ken and Cia have Qiera and Keifur, the perfect siblings of Suson.
They are all 1 or 2 years old. Except for Shaqiera because she's the eldest and going to be 7 years old this year.
"Have some drinks"
Napalingon silang lahat nang marinig ang boses ng isang lalaki at nakita si Josh na naglalakad palapit sa kanila dala ang iba't ibang klase ng cola.
"Ayown, andito na pala ang father-to-be namin eh!" sabi agad ni Stell at inakbayan siya.
Ngayon kasi ay nasa bahay sila nila Josh at Annie, ngayon gaganapin ang tinatawag nilang 'gender reveal' ng batang nasa sinapuponan ni Annie. Pitong buwan na siyang nagbubuntis at ngayon excited nang makita ang magiging panganay nila ng asawa niyang si Josh.
"Hello kiddos!" bati rin ni Josh sa mga bata. Nagsilapitan ang mga ito at sabay sabay siyang niyakap. Kahit na hindi pa diretso ang mga lakad ng mga bata ay pinilit pa rin nila para lang mayakap ang paborito nilang ninong/tito.
"Woah, woah, woah. Easy.." tatawa tawang wika niya habang pilit na sinusubukang yakapin silang lahat pabalik.
"Magpractice kana muna sa kanila." Paulo said and smirked.
"Hindi ako makarelate.." biro ni Justin na ikinatingin naman ni Rain sa kanya.
"Hahaha, weak ka kasi"
Pang-aasar ni Zailee sa kanya.
"Aba't! Paulo 'yang asawa mo ah"
Kunwaring banta ni Jah sa kanila pero isinawalang bahala iyon ni Paulo at bumilat pa na parang bata.
"Enough na. I thought you dislikes kids?" Rain confronted him and fold her forehead. Inakbayan siya ng asawa niya at ngumiti ng awkward.
"Ano? Hahaha, eh atat nga 'yang magkaanak eh. Nagsisinungaling lang yan Rain, wag ka maniwala"
Sabat ni Josh na ngayon ay tapos na sa mga yakap ng mga inaanak niya.
"Takte Josh, manahimik ka." banta ni Jah.
Napatingin sa kanya si Rain kaya napakamot siya sa batok at naiilang na umiwas ng tingin. Ayaw lang niyang sabihin iyon dahil alam niyang wala pang balak at hindi pa handa ang asawa niyang si Rain. Ayaw niyang ma-pressure ang mahal niya dahil lang sa gusto niya ng anak.
Minsan na kasing nasabi ni Rain na kung siya ang susundin ay ayaw muna niyang magkaroon ng supling. Pero hindi naman niya alam na seseryosohin iyon ng asawa niyang si Justin.
"Itigil niyo na yan, silang dalawa na ang mag-uusap tungkol sa bagay na iyan"
Suway ni Rose at kinuha ang anak.
"Nasaan pala si Annie?" tanong ni Cia.
"Nasa dressing room pa" sagot niya at ngumiti.
Sila sila lang ang andito, plus ang mag in-law na Santos at Manzano.
"Wala pang makain ang mga bata ngayon kasi akala ko wala pa kayo. Maya maya ise-serve na iyon"
Josh randomly informed them so the three fathers will not complain because their kids are hungry.
"Kailan nga ulit due date ng asawa mo?" Zailee asked and drink a glass of water.
"Hindi sure, pero sabi ng doctor, baka sabay sa wedding anniversary namin"
Proud na sabi ni Josh at ngumisi.
Umupo muna silang walo habang naghihintay na magsimula ang ganap. Naka hiwalay nga lang sila sa mga asawa nila at nasa ibang mesa ang mga babae.
"Takot ka magka-anak?" agad na tanong ni Zailee kay Rain.
"Hindi naman.. Medyo hindi pa siguro ako ready" sagot niya at nilingon si Jah na nakikipagkwentuhan sa mga kaibigan niya sa kabilang mesa.
"Sa totoo lang, wala talagang handa handa sa mga bagay na ganyan. When i received Qiera, i wasn't also ready."
Wika ni Cia para pagaanin ang loob ng kaibigan.
"Yeah.. Pero willing naman ako kung gusto talaga niya ng anak. I am not against family"
Rain said.
"Hmm, and Justin will surely be a good father. Alaga nga lang niya sayo ay ibang level na"
Rose said to her cousin.
"So is Josh. Look at him, he looks very blooming today. Halatang excited sa pagdating ng magiging baby niya."
Sabi ni Zailee at nginuso ang direksyon ni Josh.
"True, si Annie ba naman ang ina.."
Nasa kalagitnaan sila ng pakikipagchikahan sa isa't isa nang bigla nalang namatay lahat ng ilaw sa buong sala at tanging ang ilaw lang sa pagka-stage nila ang nakasindi.
Napatingin ang lahat sa direksyon na iyon habang ang iba naman ay inalo ang mga natakot na anak. Josh waa confused because he also didn't know what's happening. Is it a short electricity break or what?
Dahan dahang naglakad palabas si Annie mula sa kinatataguan habang nakasuot ang isang ngiti sa labi. Hawak hawak niya ang biloging tyan niya habang naglalakad papunta sa sentro kung saan makikita siya ng lahat.
Nagulat si Josh at agad siyang nilapitan para alalayang maglakad.
"Careful.." he whispered as he watched his wife's steps.
Napangiti ang mga nanunood dahil ngayon lang muli nila nakita si Annie ang ang tyan niya. They last saw her when she's 5 months pregnant because she's pretty meticulous and vulnerable in her last two months.
"So.. Hi" Annie started while looking at her circle of friends. Mukhang late ang mga kaibigan niyang sila Rulu dahil malayo-layo ang bahay nila sa lungsod.
"I think, i don't need to wait for my friends before the announcement because actually, they are the first persons who knew my baby's gender"
Tatawa-tawang sabi niya.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng asawa niyang nakasuporta sa bewang niya at muling tinignan ang lahat. Lumalapit din sa kanilang dalawa ang mga bata, pinangungunahan ni Samantha na ipinaglihi kay Annie.
"Tonight, i am glad to announce that our baby is..."
She smiled widely to her husband as she pressed the button and the light turns into a blue-light colored.
"..a boy"
———
"Let me cut your foot nails.. You can't reach it"
Wika ni Josh at umupo ng mas mababa sa asawa niyang tahimik na nanonood ng tv.
He put pillow on his lap and gently lay Annie's foot down. Doon napatingin sa kanya si Annie dahil hindi siya nito narinig kanina. She smiled when she gets what he wants to do.
"Thank you then, Mr. Santos" she said and smirked.
"You're welcome Mrs. Santos...and to my little Jiollox"
Sabi niya at malawak na ngumiti habang sinisimulan nang ayusin ang mga kuko ng asawa.
Annie can't reach them to cut because of her tummy's big lump.
"Jiollox? You want to name him Jiollox?" nakangiting tanong niya sa asawa at hinayaan nang malagpasan ang teleseryeng inaabangan niya.
"If you don't mind.." sagot naman ni Josh.
"Of course not! Jiollox...and his nickname will be Jio..."
She wondered while glancing in the sky.
Her husband chuckled as he carefully cuts her nails.
"Babe.. Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.. But there's still no sign of Jiollox.. Sa tingin mo ba gusto niya munang mag-stay sa tummy ko?"
Annie asked and looked at her husband.
"He maybe wants to embrace you more..." Josh concealed her.
"And babe, if you want to pee and you can't stand up, you can just ask me to carry you. Peeing in the sofa is bad thing"
Josh calmly said and paid a look to the wet sofa under Annie's butt.
Panandalian silang natahimik at agad na nagkatinginan nang mapagtanto kung ano ang sinasabi niya. Sabay silang napatingin sa basang damit ni Annie gamit ang naglalakihang mga mata at sabay ring napatili.
"MANGANGANAK KA NA?!"
"MANGANGANAK NA'KO!"
———
Panay ang tawanan ng magkaibigan Cherry at Elma habang nagkwe-kwento sa tabi nila si Annie. Napatakip naman ng mga mukha sila Justin at Ken dahil sa kahihiyan para sa kaibigan nila.
"Takte, ang laughtrip niyong dalawang mag-asawa! HAHAHA"
Hagalpak ni Cherry at hinampas pa sa braso si Elma.
"HAHAHA sa lahat ng mga manganganak, reaksyon niyong dalawa ang pinaka-epic!"
Sabi din ni Elma at hinampas rin pabalik si Cherry. Pangiti-ngiti lang si Annie habang pinapanood silang nagtatawanan hanggang sa naghahampasan nalang silang dalawa.
She was telling them what exactly happened three months ago before Jiollox finally came out from her tummy.
"Gosh, sinong matinong asawa ang mag-iisip na naka-ihi sa sofa ang asawa niya?"
Nahihiyang sabi ni Stell habang pinapalo-palo ang ulo dahil sa kahihiyan.
"Akala mo naman ito! Parehas lang kayong nataranta!"
Rose snapped and laughed.
They are all gathered again to witness the once-in-a-lifetime christening of three months old, Jiollox Aeou Santos.
The venue's already set up and the guests are all everywhere. Hinihintay nalang si Josh kasama ang anak niya para masimulan na ang programa at maging ganap ng kristyano ang panganay nilang anak.
"Tagal naman ng Josh Santos na 'yun. Gusto ko nang buhatin si Jio"
Stell randomly whispered.
"And oh by the way," Annie stood up and mischievously opened her palm in front of everyone.
"I am here to collect red pocket on behalf of my son"
Natawa si Timmia dahil ngayon ang pinaka-unang beses ni Annie na humingi ng pera sa kanila. Ngayon lang sa tanang buhay nilang magkakasama.
Walang nagreklamo at paunahan pa ngang nagsilabasan ng pulang sobre ang mga ito.
"Wow, ang kapal naman nito tito Justin"
Nang-aasar na sabi ni Annie habang pinagmamasdan ang ipinatong ni Jah na sobre sa kamay niya.
"Mababawi ko rin yan kapag ako na ang magpapa-binyag"
He said and laughed. Napailing iling ang katabi niyang Rain at napahawak nalang sa tyan niyang umu-umbok na.. Yes, Rain is finally three months pregnant, and these days is her conception days.
"Iba talaga kapag ako ang nagpush ng courage.."
Proud na sabi ni Zailee at tinapik tapik pa ang sarili. Napangisi ang asawa niya at napailing iling.
"So i guess, everyone is already settled.."
Seryosong sabi ni Paulo pero sa loob loob niya ay hindi na mapantayan ang sayang nararamdaman.
"We all met on our sixth year high school, right?" he asked to the three and they nodded as response.
"Ay! 'Wag kang mag-reminisce ngayon Pinuno, maiiyak ako dito sige!"
Babala agad ni Justin para pigilan ang kaibigan niyang naging gabay rin niya sa halos kalahati ng buhay niya.
"Ngayon mo lang ulit ako tinawag na 'Pinuno', bunso.."
Paulo seriously said and smiled cheekyly.
"HAHAHA bunso daw ohhh!"
Pang-aasar ni Stell.
"Bunso daw pero nauna namang nagka-love life"
And Ken leered.
"Inggit? Porke wala sa series and kwento mo?"
Justin snapped back.
"Okay, stop it already. Josh's coming"
Suway ni Paulo at sabay sabay silang napalingon sa lalaking paparating habang hawak hawak sa mga braso ang maliit na sanggol.
He looked very careful and gentle while holding her son. The word 'embrace' is invisible but his fatherly aura today shouts it.
That time, Annie in her seat, can't be happier anymore. Seeing her husband and son walking towards her makes her feel over the moon.
Jiollox is the final product of their long, painful, overwhelming, and unpredictable story. He is the sign of their unconditional attachment to each other. Who would ever thought that the faked attachment will put them in this wonderful time and situation?
Siguro, ang bagay na kahit kailan ay hindi matitibag ng tadhana ay ang tunay na damdamin ng isang tao. The pureness and true feelings will always conquer the whole love economy. Faith holds them up together, as love fixs all the problems along the way.
For her, this is the perfectly imperfect story. The attachment, faith, honesty, and love.
Jiollox said hi to them as the whole Syclups say goodbye to us..
H
oney, it's time to build up your faith. We are always here.. Don't be afraid to lose someone, if it's for you, it will fly back to you. So today, learn how to appreciate and cherish yourself first...
—END—
DATE: 07/07/2022
PAHABOL: Happiest Birthday to SB19 Justin! Our budol king's day is our goodbye day :<
Everyone, i would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for witnessing and finishing my very first series.
Now, let's all go back to each story and let's remind each other the lesson that we should learn.
SYCLUPS SERIES #1:
Learn how to be patient with something you really want and like. This story tells us that patient, and persistence can make magic. No matter how cruel her past is, your pure love will make her fly higher and freeir.
SYCLUPS SERIES #2:
This story made us realize that once you love something or someone, you will naturally accept how it made to be. You will automatically love the real him/her even how many redflags she waves. As long as the love is pure, the dirtness of world will fade away.
SYCLUPS SERIES #3:
This tells us to not love our bestfriends.. JOKE. The story actually thought me, the author, that if you love someone, he/she was still unobligated to love you back. If you love that person, her/his happiness and safety will be your number one priority. It thought me to be contented seeing my love forming a beautiful smile everyday from afar and laugh at the fate because it always makes us play an unknown game of life.
SYCLUPS SERIES #4:
This told us that love will came out in any possible or impossible way that we can think. Honesty is still something that we can't neglect. Also, having enough time for families will have a wonderful lifetime outcome. Trust is more precious than a jade, or pearl. It was something that we can't easily build up again and again..so let's cherish it and the people who gives us that. Let's protect our heart.
I, Skydamsel, emotionally bowing to everyone to thank you again. Every of my stories are all important to me that's why i get too emotional once it ends.
Let's say our waves and goodbyes together to my very first series as a rookie writer.
Syclups...you are a part of me.
GLORY BE TO GOD! ❤️