Author's Note: Hi there. Medyo natagalan ako kasi nagdadalawang isip ako kung tatapusin ko na ba o hindi pa. Pero ayun nga, I end up writing this epilogue and maybe make special chapters instead.
Honestly, a part of me was sad knowing that I am the only reading this. Oh, a friend of mine too but I guess he didn't finished it reading. I know you have encountered a lot of errors throughout the whole story. If I have the time and the inspiration to correct them, I'll correct them. For now, I want this story to stay how I wrote it—errors and all.
I do hope I can write another story and I hope to see you there. ENJOY READING R's.
EPILOGUE
"Sigurado ho ba kayo? Baka kailanganin 'to dito at makakabili naman po ako kung gugustuhin namin." Nakangiti itong umiling kaya ay tinanggap ko na lang ang basket na naglalaman ng mga niluto nilang cookies kasama ang mga bata.
"Naku Sir, ginawa talaga ng mga bata iyan para sa inyo at sa mga kasama mo sa bahay. Pagpapasalamat sa pagbuo ng matutuluyan nila mahabang panahon na ang nakakaraan. Kung hindi po dahil sa inyo, wala ho kaming matutulugan at bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob ay ginawan namin kayo ng makakakain kahit na hindi man ito pumantay sa mga dinadala niyong cookies dito sa ampunan."
Tumango ako at tinawag ang kasama kong guard na siyang magpapasok ng mga niluto nila sa sasakyang dala namin.
Ilang taon ang nakakaraan, naitayo ang ampunang pwedeng maging bahay ng mga walang kasama sa buhay. Walang pili dito dahil kahit anong edad ay tinatanggap namin. Mapa-bata o matandang nag-iisa na lang sa buhay ay pinapatira dito sa napakalaking espasyo na pinaglagyan ng tatlong building na may tig-tatlong palapag. Sa gitna ng tatlong gusali, may malaking espasyo para pwede paglaruan ng mga bata, may slides at basketball ring, tennis at kung anu-ano pang magbibigay ng kalibangan sa mga tumitira.
Meron ding mga bakanteng kuwarto na ginawang classroom, well hindi talaga classroom gaya ng nasa eskwela pero ginawa nila iyon para magturo ng apat o tatlong beses sa isang lingo o hindi kaya'y may mga bata na gusto talagang matuto ay nag-aaral doon ng halos pitong araw sa isang lingo. Nag-order kasi kami ng sandamakmak na mga babasahin para sa mga may gusto dahil kung hindi mali ang pagtantsa ko, nasa halos isang libo o lagpas ang mga nandito. Hindi ko mabilang.
"Oh siya, umuwi ka na at baka hinihintay ka na ng mga Anak mo doon. Paki-kamusta na lang ako sa nag-iisa mong babaeng Anak ha. Kapag wala silang pasok ay baka maaari mo siya o silang papuntahin dito. Kahit na tinatawag ng ibang bata ng Sassy Frein ay friendly pa din at mabait... O sige na, nadaldal na naman ako ng sobra." Natatawa akong nagmano sa matanda.
"Oho Nay, dadalhin ko dito ang mga Anak ko sa susunod kong dalaw, paniguradong matutuwa ang mga 'yon... Alis na po ako Nay." Tumango ito at kumaway pagtalikod ko.
Habang naglalakad ako patungo sa exit ng lugar, hindi mawala ang ngiti ko dahil may mga bata akong nakakasalubong na nakangiti.
"Ingat ho kayo Sir Achie!"
"Sir, amping!"
"Dalhin niyo po si Sassy Frien sa susunod Sir Achie!" sigaw ng mga batang nasa loob ng ibang kuwarto at sa gilid ng hallway.
Tinanguan ko sila at kinawayan bago ako sumakay sa naghihintay na sasakyan. Nilingon ko ang malaking pangalan ng lugar.
HOME FOR YOU
Napakasimple man ng pangalan ng buong lugar ay napakalaki ng ganap nito sa buhay namin at sa buhay ng mga nakatira dito.
"Deretso po ba tayo sa mansion?" tanong ng nagmamaneho.
"Yes please, I miss them already." Ngumiti ito at tumango.
Agad namang na-excite ang kalamnan ko sa isiping uuwi na ulit ako sa piling ng pamilya ko. Hindi ko na namalayang nasa may gate na pala kami ng mansyon. Bumukas ang pinto at lumabas kaagad ako.
"Kindly bring the foods inside and let the chef ready it for our dinner. Call everyone in the house and we have an announcement to make later."
"Yes Sir, noted." Tumango ako at naglakad na paloob.
"Magandang hapon, Sir."
"Good afternoon Manang, please help Hacob ready the food. He's brining in the food from outside. Thank you." Ngumiti ito bago ginawa ang pinag-utos ko.
Habang naglalakad ako sa hagdanan ay tinitingnan ko ang mga malalaking portrait ng mga Anak ko. Mula kay Rehan Jay, Mark Jihan, Briel James at ang aming prinsesa— Caly Frein. Malalaki ang ngiti ng mga ito. Agad na tumutok ang tingin ko sa portrait ng panganay namin.
Rehan has been a very good Kuya to his siblings. The best they could ever ask for. Rehan is now 24 and training for the company my parents left behind for me. I mean, my parents aren't dead, they're travelling the world. As far as I know, they're in Seattle and enjoying their husband and wife time. I'm happy for my parents though, they get to do whatever they wanted before.
Back to Rehan, in his twenty-four year of existence, ni walang pinakilala sa aming girlfriend ang panganay kong 'to. He didn't introduce any girlfriend but he said that he's waiting for someone to be ready. And I can say that he's doing good waiting for that someone. I'm a little worried though because I'm the only one who do not know who this someone is. All of them knew and I do not.
While Mark and Briel, they're almost done in college. And these boys of mine are a pain in the ass. Girls here, girls there. I swear I'll smack their heads when I found out that they're fucking around. Anyways, they're good at their academics. Always the top of everything. When I say they don't have to do that all the time and just enjoy the life of a college, they would shake their heads and disagree. They want their mother proud.
Ah, fuck... I miss her.
Caly on the other hand, is a pain in the ass of her older brothers. My princess is beautiful, yes. Very beautiful that boys would drool over her and would come here to ask permission if they can court her but her brothers would always come their way, especially Breil. He said that he don't want her sister to get broken by some random assholes that Mark secondly agreed.
"Aren't you a bastard Kuya Briel? I saw you kissing a girl in the cheeks!" Caly said pointing her Kuya while eating Piattos.
Napatayo naman si Briel at agad na tumingin sa panganay nila. Yeah, he's scared of Rehan. Rehan on the other side, blankly staring at his younger brother.
"Kuya, Pa, I can explain, okay? That was a dare, okay? A-And I only kissed her on the cheek." Tumango tango nitong ani habang palipat lipat ang tingin sa akin at sa Kuya niya. "Come on, Princess. Help your handsome Kuya!" Nag-peke ng naduduwal si Caly na ikinailing ko at ikinasama ng tingin ni Briel.
"Ew, Kuya. Dada oh, naghahangin na naman siya."
"I'm handsome, Princess and you know it!" Inirapan siya ng bunsong babae.
"Stop that Briel. We all know that I'm the handsomest here."
"Isa ka pa Kuya Mark. I saw you holding someone's waist in the cafeteria." Napatingin agad si Mark kay Rehan na mas lalong naging neutral ang ekspresyon.
"T-That? It was a friend. I swear, Kuya, Dad." Inirapan ni Caly ang Kuya niya at nakuha ang atensyon ng lahat nang tumikhim ang panganay.
"I told you two again and again that don't fuck around. Calm your dick down or I'll swear, I'll call a doctor and cut the fuck out of your dicks. I swear. And you, Princess, I found out that someone kissed your cheeks? Who was that? You know me. I love you and all, but still know your limitations. Sa ngayon ay palalampasin ko ang mga nangyari. I have eyes all over the university for everyone's information." Napangiti ako nang kaniya-kaniyang magsiyuku-an ang ulo ng mga kapatid niya.
One quality that Rehan inherit from me is him being strict to his siblings. I mean, our strictness know its place. But there are times that we need to heighten our strictness because apparently my children are untamable sometimes.
I'm also glad that Rehan can discipline them all on his own without asking help from me. Isa siguro 'yan kapag panganay ka. Isa na sa responsibidad mo ang disiplinahin ang mga kapatid mong lumiliko ng landas minsan.
"I agree. I know you all are growing, but please, know your limitations. Listen to your Kuya. We all want your happiness so do your part. Okay?"
"Yes Dada, sorry Kuya."
"Yes, Pa. Yes, Kuya."
"Yes Dad. Sorry Kuya."
"Good," sabay naming saad ni Rehan at nasundan ng tawanan na para bang walang nangyaring serious mode.
Nang buksan ko ang pinto ng kuwarto ay agad na bumungad sa akin ang malaking espasyo. Picture frames are all over the place. Captured moments that are very special to everyone.
There's a veranda where you can see the view of the green mountains mixed with tips of few buildings. This is my home. My own house. My home with my children. I got this after I closed a billion deal. I chose this place because it's peaceful but I didn't live in here for a very long time since I'm alone. Ang boring din kapag mag-isa ka lang. Paano na lang kung may mangalabit sa'yo tapos manghingi ng hustisya? Katakot.
The horror.
Anyway, I promised myself that I'll bring my family in this mansion. It took me some time though but I have my children now. I never imagined myself having one but they are with me now and I am forever grateful for that.
I looked around for a minute before hearing the bathroom door open. And from there, my beautiful wife come out.
My very beautiful wife.
She welcomed me a smile before opening her arms, a sign that I can hug her.
I instantly crossed our distance to feel her warmth. A sigh of relief escaped me, her is always home. Our home is her.
"How's the visit?" she asked, still caressing the back of head with her soft and warm palm.
"It was okay, they wished that I can brought all of you there. Maybe next time, when the kids aren't busy." She replied with 'hm hm' before releasing me.
Pulling away, I can't help myself but to stare at her. She always has this smile on her face that would literally help me ease the whatever burden I'm carrying or bothering me.
She will always be this tahanan at pahinga that I will forever cherish and be grateful for.
"Why are you starting at me like that, hmm? Is there something on my face? I just finished shower though," she said while slightly pouting at herself.
What a cute scene to see.
I shook my head, "No, love. But indeed there is something in your face... beauty. Did I told you today how much I love you hm?" She chuckled.
"You always say that whenever you got the chance. But I love you too, as always." I smiled and snuggle on her neck inhaling her fresh scent that I will never be tired of smelling.
Minutes later, I told her that I should get a fast shower since I've sweat a lot today and I needed to be fresh enough when dinner strike.
Finishing it, I opened the door and saw my boy asking for some love from her Mama.
"And you know what Mom? I think that I like her and maybe in the future, I want to be her half, like you and Papa." I rose a brow from what I heard.
Is my youngest son already in love? It must be infatuation. Yep, just infatuation. Don't make it a big deal, Achie.
"Pero Anak, hindi gano'n kadali ang kagustuhan mong makuha ang isang tao." I saw my son tilt his head as a sign of confusion.
"Why po Mama?"
"The first question is, ang taong gusto mo ba ay gusto ka din?" He think for a while and then shook his head.
"I guess no Mama." Maya kisses our son's head before holding him in the shoulder while I stay quiet in the near corner.
"Then Anak, you should wait or work hard for that person. You do understand what Mama is saying, right? If you really like that person then you can pursue him or her later in life after you have fulfill your dreams and ambitions. Is that okay with my baby boy?" She asked and our son nodded them hugged his mother.
Before they can have all the hugs they can get this afternoon, I butted in.
"Why is Papa thinking that he's missing out all these hugs?"
"Hi Papa! I missed you!" He ran to me and cling to my hips that I end up carrying him in my arms.
He hugged me and kisses my cheek that made me smile.
"What is my Anak telling his Mama?"
"I like someone po, in school, hehe." Ginulo ko ang buhok nito bago mahinang pinanggigilan ang pisngi.
"Think of what Mama told you, okay?"
"Opo, Papa. Thank you po." He kissed my cheek again before requesting that he want to be put down because he knows that I'm tired from my work.
Nagpaalam itong bababa muna at sa mga Kuya niya muna ito manggugulo hanggang sa maghapunan sila. And that means more alone time with my wife.
I hugged her and told her if we can lie down and cuddle which she agreed on. When we are both in a comfortable position, I kissed her forehead and earned a second sigh of relief.
"Your son told me kanina how his teacher praise him for writing his long name fast." I chuckled at the thought of my son's name.
Achilys Mile Khailen Silver Pedrosa Vasco.
Four names.
I didn't even know why we chose that long that time. It should have been Achiles Mile only as what Maya would have decided but I decided to make it more unique. All of my first three children has two names, so why not double it up?
"I guess he's getting the hang of hid name love, so yeah." Natawa kaming parehas at nasundan iyon ng mahabang katahimikan hanggang sa hindi namin napansin na nakatulog kami parehas.
Una akong nagising dahil sa mahinang katok sa pinto. Nang tingnan ko si Maya ay tulog pa din ito sa bisig ko kaya dahan-dahang kong binawi ang braso ko at nang hindi ito nagising sa pagkakahimbing ay agad kong binuksan ang pinto at bumungad doon si Rehan na halatang galing pa sa labas dahil naka pormal pa din ito ng damit.
"Hi Pa, is Mama okay? Are you okay? Sobrang busy sa kompanya mo lately and I'm catching up after our vacation months ago. So yeah, Nanay said you have something to announce later? I'm excited about it. The table is almost set so I decided to come up here and maybe get you two ready for the dinner."
"Yes, son. Bababa agad kami maya maya. Tipunin mo silang lahat sa hapagkainan, sasabihin namin ang surpresa kapag nandoon na ang lahat at bago tayo kakain." Tumango si Rehan at nagpaalam na magbibihis muna.
Agad ko namang binalikan si Maya na unti unti nang nagigising. Her groggy eyes looking for me and when she spotted me, she smiled.
"Hindi ko alam na nakatulog pala ako, I'm sorry."
"Ayos lang mahal, nakatulog nga din ako eh. Nagising lang ako dahil sa katok. By the way Rehan was updating us that dinner is almost ready. Maybe we should get down there and tell them the surprise?" An excited grin appears on Maya's face before nodding and getting ready.
Once we're heading down the stare, I carefully guarded Maya's every step while holding the four paper bag in my free hand. We headed straight to our dining room and truth to Rehan's words, everyone is indeed waiting for us.
They are somehow curious to what I'm holding but they remain silent until me and Maya are in front of everyone.
"Good evening everyone, I hope you had a great day today. Tonight, we have a surprise for everybody. We've been waiting for this moment that everyone in the family would be intact in this house once we announce the surprise."
"What's with those paper bags, Mama? Is it a gift?"
We both response, "Kinda." Synchronously that earned a couple of laughter and giggle and excitement.
"Can we have that Mama already? Silver's excited po eh, " Silver asked and I looked at Maya to ask for permission and she nodded.
So I hand the four paper bag each of my children. They curiously feel the paper bag trying to figure out what's the surprise we're talking about.
"And before y'all open that, some of the food placed in the table eas prepared by our friends from the orphanage. They made it as a way of saying thank you for the opportunity that we built for those who are in needs. And thank for you guys," I eyed my house maids and everyone working in this mansion a smile. "Thank you for staying and helping and taking care of the home that was once alone."
I felt Maya hug me in the side and lean on my shoulder.
"Without further ado, open them up!"
Lahat sila ay dali daling binuksan ang bag at nang makita kong anong laman nun ay halos lahat sila ang napatingin sa amin maliban kay Silver na nahuhuli sa pagbubukas kaya tinulungan ni Briel.
"A t-shirt?"
"Ilabas niyo at tingnan niyo ang nakasulat," ani Maya.
Kinuha agad nila ang tela mula sa paper bag at nang makita nila kung anong nakasulat doon ay unang nakagets na si Rehan ay agad na tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo at agad na yumakap sa aming dalawa.
"Oh my goodness. Congratulations Mama, Dad. Heck yeah!"
"Kuya bakitt?" ungot ni Mark.
"I don't understand, Mom, Dad!" sabad naman ni Caly.
"H-Hala! Gets ko! Why are you two so slow?" tanong ni Briel na may halong pang-iinis sa mga Kapatid.
"OMG! I'm gonna have another baby brother and sister?!" Patalon-talon na tanong ni Silver habang nakayakap sa t-shirt na hawak nito.
"It's either baby brother or baby sister, Khai," pagtatama ni Briel.
His two siblings wide-eyed open looked at their youngest — well now younger sibling.
"You're pregnant Mom?!"
"Holy moly. Magkakaroon ulit kami ng bagong Kapatid?"
"Aww Mamaaa," naiiyak na lumapit sa amin si Caly at yumakap sa Ina bago sa akin.
I really didn't believe their reactions because I thought that they know what could be the surprise or maybe sense something on how we surprised them basing on the fact that they are more into technology and social media. We only get the idea of revealing the news in that way based on what we saw while browsing Facebook. Guess it worked too well that Maya end up crying with them.
Even our household helpers are some of them cried in happiness while congratulated us and can't contain their excitement for the new unborn family that is coming our way.
"I love you, wife." I kissed Maya's lips before drying her happy tears.
Rehan is comforting Caly who's tears did not stop yet for being so emotional like her mother. While Briel almost launched at his kuya for being that slow. And Silver who has its own world while now trying to wear the t-shirt we got for them.
And at that moment? I could not think of anything. I could only think that excitement for this new adventure and chapter of our life.
I could never express the gratefulness I'm feeling. The overwhelming feeling of happiness that flows in every veins I have, I could never wish for more.
More than thankful for what Maya could give me.
And despite the circumstances we have gone through, I would not hesitate to experience it all over again if it means me having her for a lifetime —me being her half.
THE END