Special chapter 4: Happy family
“MARKUS!” I call my husband. It was loud but my voice was still calm. I’m sitting on the edge of the bed holding that huge bump in my belly. “Markus!” I called him again when I felt my baby kick in my stomach.
“Mama, are you okay?” Azethmarkian ask me when he entered our room.
He came to me and smiled when he saw my big bump. So, he held it too, gently. I took a deep breath when my stomach ache subsided.
“I’m fine, my son. Where’s your Papa?” I asked him and I tried hard to hide my emotions.
“Nasa baba po, feeding Marue and her babies,” he replied and placed his ear on my tummy as if he was going to listen to his little sister. They do this often, so glad to see them like this. But not now, please.
I touched his hair and I couldn’t bend down to kiss his head because of the pain I feel, right now.
“Call your Papa, son,” my sweet command to him.
“Alright, Mama! Wait a minute!” he said happily and ran out of the room.
I once again took a deep breath and touched my stomach. “Don’t make Mama suffer, my baby,” pagkakausap ko sa anak namin ni Markus.
Ngayon ang due date ko at si Markus. Sumasabay sa init ng ulo ko nang naglilihi pa man ako. Though mas nahirapan ako ngayon dahil masyadong maarte ang anak namin pero hindi naman siya nagsawang alagaan ako at mahaba ang pasensiya niya. Ibinibigay niya ang mga gusto ko lalo na naikuwento niya rin sa akin na dati ay parang ganoon daw siya.
Kaya nasabi ni Papa na kaya pala hindi ako masyadong naglilihi noon ay nasalo pala iyon ni Markus.
Napatingin ako sa pintuan nang bumukas iyon at pumasok ang asawa ko. Naka-piggy back sa kanya si Markhanniel habang hawak naman niya sa kamay si Azethmarkian. They were fun to watch but not today with my stomach hurting.
“What is it, baby?” He came to where I was and put our son down to bed.
“I think I’m about to give birth, Markus,” I answered and my husband’s eyebrows raised.
When I say that my face was emotionless and looked normal or wala lang sa akin ang manganak.
“Baby? Are you kidding me?” he asked me and my face became darker.
He swallowed and touched my stomach. He also reached for my hand that has been cold for a while.
“True? A-Are you about to give birth?” paniniguradong tanong pa niya sa akin. Mukha ba akong nagbibiro sa sinabi ko?
I want to frown at him. Like
that I hid my emotions to him so that he wouldn’t panic to take me to the hospital. Even though my stomach hurts.
“Go get our baby stuff in our closet. Get it all ready,” I commanded him and his eyes widened. He stood up and went straight to the right side. “Baby, the closet is on the left,” I said and he quickly turned around towards there.
Crunchy cursing is all I ever heard from him. “Mama... Mama... Are you okay?” magkasabay na tanong sa akin ng mga anak ko. I only offered them a frugal smile because my stomach ache is getting worse.
“I’m fine. Mark, come on down, son. Tell Mang Simone to prepare our car,” I said and he nodded and left the bed.
“Mang Simone!” he call Mang Simone even though he hasn’t come down yet.
“What about me, Mama? What am I going to do?” Azeth asked me a nervous question. Obviously worried about me.
“Just stay here beside me, my son,” I said and he hugged me. Apparently he’s talking to my stomach because I can hear his wee voice.
“Let’s go!” Markus has our baby’s pink baby bag and all the stuffs are ready.
He grabbed it by his shoulder then carried me but he stopped when he felt my water’s broke. “W-What was that, Theza Marie?” kinakabahang tanong niya sa akin.
“My water has broke,” I simple answered. While we were on the road Markus was restless and panicked all the time.
“How do you manage to do that? Baby, is that still normal?” he asked me an astonishing question even though the concern was in his voice.
"Which one?" kalmadong tanong ko sa kanya.
"Why does it seem like nothing to you? Your hands are cold and your heart is beating fast but why don't you look nervous? Doesn't it hurt, baby? Are you not hurt?" sunud-sunod na tanong niya sa akin.
"Masakit. Nasasaktan. I just don't want you to see my nervousness and fear, Markus. You might freak out even more. Eh, I'm calm but you're still panicking," I said.
He kissed the back of my hand and I could see the side of his tears.
"I'm so proud of you, baby... Just hold on, we are almost there." Ngumiwi siya nang hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang kamay niya.
That way he feels the pain that I feel too.
Minutes later and we arrived at the hospital too. I was immediately taken to the delivery room and our children were left outside who insisted to come.
"I'll go with her," my husband told his friend.
"Are you sure? Will you not faint? Just by the look you're nervous and look like you're about to pee your pants and look at your lovely wife. She's about to give birth but I didn't even see a trace of emotion in her face. Your wife seems calmer than you are," his friend stated.
"You say too much."
"Are you okay, Mrs. Brilliantes? Just take a deep breath, okay?" he asked me and I nodded.
"Your wife is one of a kind, Mark. Looks like an alien and didn't even cry. I wish my beautiful wife was like her but nope. She was still fighting with me when she was about to give birth too. Your wife is amazing."
"Please, Dex! Stop and my wife is suffering. Then you go out immediately! Bawal ka sa loob kahit doctor ka pa!"
"Markus, calm down," marahan ang boses na wika ko sa kanya.
Dexil even clapped and smiled. "Well done! She's about to give birth and still calm. What a brave."
Markus even walked me to the delivery room and he wouldn't let go of my hand even if it was shaking. His hands are probably colder than mine.
"Breathe, baby. Calm down. I'll be fine," I told him. It looks like he's having trouble breathing because of nervousness.
He kissed my forehead and cheek several times.
"It's like I'm the one who's going to give birth," he said shakingly and I just smiled at him. I can see that.
My face wrinkled when my stomach started fluttering and my husband saw it, so he panicked again.
"I'll be fine. This is worth it, baby. After this," sabi ko pa.
"Okay, Mrs. Brilliantes. Let's relax yourself first. Breath in, breath out." I did the doctor's orders at gumaya rin sa akin si Markus kaya nadi-distract niya ako sa sakit. Napangiti ako.
"Okay. Ready yourself. First, push..."
I've screamed a few times and my voice is not as loud. I held my husband's hand tightly and he witnessed all my struggles to give birth to our child.
He kept wiping my sweat from my forehead and neck. He also often whispers to me that he loves me so much and he also talks to our child not to make her mother suffer.
My last scream was with our child's voice echoed.
"Oh, God..."
Even though we expected that our child will be a baby girl ay hindi namin inalam sa OB namin ang gender ni baby.
Mas gusto namin ang pareho kaming isurpresa.
"Congratulations, Mommy and Daddy. Your new born baby is a girl."
Pagkatapos iyong punasan ng dugo ang katawan ng anak namin ay sinuotan agad ng lampin at ibinigay sa asawa ko.
I'm so tired and I feel sleepy. I feel like something has beaten my body.
"Hindi ko ba siya mabibitawan? She's so tiny," basag ang boses na sabi ng asawa ko.
"Hawakan mo lang siya nang mabuti," ani ng doctor sa kanya.
Natatakot mang hawakan niya ang anak namin ay kinuha pa rin niya ito at nag-uunahan ng bumagsak ang mga luha niya.
Nakita ko pa ang maingat na paghalik niya sa noo nito. Napangiti ako.
"It's a girl, baby! It's a girl!" he said happily. A mixture of crying and laughter at nangibabaw ang saya sa mukha niya.
"She's beautiful, baby. Our Themy Marie is beautiful, just like her mother." I smiled when I heard her name he mentioned.
Sinabi ko sa kanya maaga pa lang na siya naman ang mag-iisip ng pangalan para sa anak namin.
"Themy Marie," ulit ko sa pangalang
ibinigay niya.
"Yeah, her name is Themy Marie. I want her name like yours, baby..."
"Welcome to the world, Themy Marie Medina Brilliantes... You look like her," I said astonishingly as he brought Themy Marie to my chest.
I kissed her forehead. She's indeed beautiful, the pain is worth it.
I get to see a new face of my husband every day. This is so dope.
MARKUS' POV
"MOM! Mama!" Themy Marie was so excited and she even jumped.
We are at the hotel where my wife's last concert was held. Soon, she will stop playing the violin because she prefers to focus on us. Her family.
But I still supported her decision so here is the whole family we attended her performance.
My brother Miko and Michael holding the twins. The two are excited to see their Mama. Ako rin naman. Maaga kasi siyang umalis sa mansion namin.
"Papa? Up, up?" My daughter hugged my leg. She want me to carry her if this was her reaction.
My youngest daughter Thezsi Marie is in my arms, she's only ten months old and plays with her hands over her mouth. Seems to be speaking that I don't understand but I have her attention. Ako yata ang kinakausap ng anak ko.
I smiled at her and kissed her soft cheek and she giggled. Apat na ang anak ko at may kamukha na ang asawa ko. Si Thezsi Marie.
I moved my baby to my left arm so I could carry Themy. Knowing this little brat of mine will really cry if she doesn't get her way.
She has a different attitude between her two brothers. She should be able to follow everything she wants.
"There," ani ko at ngumiwi ako nang hinigpitan niya ang pagyakap sa leeg ko. My daughter Thezsi Marie's voice just echoing in my ear. Hearing her laugh makes me smile.
"Okay, damihan mo pa, Kuya," my cousins and siblings teasing me nang makita na parehong nasa bisig ko ang dalawang anak kong babae.
Markhanniel and Azethmarkian are now 8 years old. Themy Marie is only three years old.
"Heto nga, nagpaparami pa," I said they all just laughed. Grandpa smiled so proudly.
Malapit sa stage ang puwesto naming magpamilya at ang kasama ngayon ng asawa ko ay ang kapatid niya. Tinutulungan siyang mag-ayos para sa performance niya mamaya.
Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo ng mga anak ko sa paa ko. Tumabi ng upo sa amin ang dalawa.
"I'm excited to see, Mama!" Mark happily said and Azethmarkian agreed to him.
"Me, me, Papa!" I just laughed at Themy Marie. Siya talaga ang bulol-bulol na magsalita. Pero gusto ko naman pakinggan ang boses niya.
"Yeah, you'll see your Mama later," I said sweetly to her and she kissed my cheek. Mas lumapad ang ngiti ko sa ginawa niya. She's sweet.
The whole hall was filled with guests while we were waiting for my wife to come out.
"Here, Themy. You want?" Markiana gave her cousin a popcorn and Themy happily took it.
"Thank you, baby," nakangiting pagpapasalamat ko sa pamangkin ko.
"You're welcome, Daddy Markus," nakangiting sabi niya.
Hindi na nag-iingay ang labi ni Thezsi habang ang nasa kabila na sina Markhanniel at Azethmarkian ay nakikipag-usap na naman sa mga tito nila.
My eyes stared at the stage when the emcee spoke and there I saw the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in the whole wide world. My wife.
People applauded when they saw her getting ready.
"That's our Mama!" the two screamed while the other remained quiet and when I saw why she was quiet she was feeding her little sister a popcorn.
Nalukot ang mukha ko at kinakabahan na tiningnan ko si Thezsi. Her little hand was so full of popcorn that she obviously grabbed it.
Lumulubo ang pisngi niya dahil sa dami ng pagsubo sa kanya ng Ate Themy niya.
I felt like crying at what I saw and I quickly took the popcorn out of her hand. She even pulled it away from me.
"No, baby. Patay tayo kay Mama niyan," I said and Themy Marie stared at me.
I carefully insert my finger in my child's mouth just to spit out everything she eats.
"A-Aw..." I groaned when Thezsi Marie bit my finger with a twitch.
She even cried when she spit it all out.
"Mama's gonna be mad, baby. You're not allowed to eat that," I said and when I looked at Themy, her tears are rolling down her eyes and her nose and cheeks are red.
"Ni-aaway mo ako, Papa?" nakangusong tanong sa akin ng anak ko.
"No, Themy. Not like that. Themy--"
"Away mo, Themy!" umiiyak na sabi niya but her voice was not loud. That's how she is. Just like her Mama who looks calm but spoiled.
"That's not how it is, my baby. No, honey," I'm whining at her and she's actually crying with her sister, Thezsi. Naglulumikot na nga silang dalawa sa kandungan ko.
"Fight, Themy, Papa," tila nahihirapang sabi niya.
I shook my head and touched her hair then I kissed her head. I rested her head on my chest and there she was crying. Thezsi imitated too but she cried harder.
"Papa is not fighting you, honey," I said but she just cried.
Napabuntung-hininga ako at kasabay no'n na umalingawngaw sa loob ang pagtugtog ng violin ang asawa ko. That's where my kids stop.
They really loved seeing their Mama play the violin with this and Thezsi often falls asleep. Pumapalakpak na siya at nakatutok sa stage ang mga mata niya.
"Ang daling tumahan kapag makita na ang Mama nila," umiiling na bulong ko.
"Don't cry, Themy. Oh, for you." Mayesse gave Themy a big pink lollipop.
Tandang-tanda ko pa noon na mahilig sa pink si Theza Marie dahil naglilihi pa nga siya. Pero heto naging favorite color ni Themy pero...
"Lagot." I sighed when I saw that even Thezsi was feeding her a lollipop. It's too big and it's probably going to be consumed for a long time.
So I reached for my daughter's hand and put it straight in my mouth then I bit it.
"Yummy," I said, noddingly.
I did just that and I didn't get to watch their Mama much either.
I took a big bite off Themy's lollipop and the little one noticed it.
She looked up at me willingly and her nose turned red again. It's a sign that she will cry again.
"Your bite is big, Papa," anito.
"You nailed it, Papa. You're so bad, Papa!"
"No... Papa is going to buy later. "
"I don't want it anymore, Papa... You're bad. You pulled out yoyipop of Themy and Thes... Mama... Mama..." Now, she calls her Mama again.
"Mom, mom..." I closed my eyes and even Thezsi cried and hit my chest like she's scolding me because I'm fighting with her Ate Themy.
Theza Marie performance ended and my family still laughing at me but they be noisy because of their kids.
"Hi," my wife and I greeted and quickly kissed my cheek.
"Why is Themy Marie pouting?" tanong niya sa anak namin at marahan itong kinuha, then Themy pointed at me.
Tula nagsusumbong sa Mama niya.
"Papa is bad, Mama! Ubot niya yoyipop ko!" she complaint to her Mama and she even showed her lollipop which was only small.
"Is that so? Papa is not bad, Themy. You can never have too many sweets. That's a big no no to me and your Papa, and don't tell me that your Papa is bad. No, sweetie. Say sorry to your father.'' I smiled. She's like this. Hindi niya hinahayaan na lumayo ang loob ng anak ko sa akin kahit gaano pa kaliit ang iniiyakan ng mga anak namin.
"Soyyi, Papa," she apologized to me. I kissed her neck when she hugged me.
"Papa is not angry at all. It's okay, baby," I said.
She never left hugging me so my wife took Thezsi.
"Come on, let's go," pag-aaya sa amin ni Daddy.
Author's note:
This will be the last update of TRQH. No more special chapters. Wala na pong book 2. Just wait for the next series of Brilliantes.
Maraming-maraming salamat po sa walang sawang pagsuporta at pagbibigay ng oras sa pagbabasa ng kuwento nina Markus and Theza baby.
You guys are my inspiration habang isinusulat ko ito. Hindi ko nga rin inaasahan na magugustuhan niyo ito at lalong-lalo na minahal niyo ang characters nila. At sana katulad nila ay suportahan niyo rin ang gaganap na bida sa Brilliantes Series #2. Markin and Rea.
Thank you po at sana may natutunan nga kayo. Let's move on sa story nila. I'm just glad na natapos na ito. 6 months ko rin siyang isinulat.
Again, thank you so much!
The Rude Queen's Heart (Brilliantes Series # is signing off...
Love lots,
Ate Lyn