Family
I almost stumbled when I tried to capture Tarian's hand. Nakita ko ang mabilis na pagdalo sa akin ni Troi nang makita iyon. Lumabi ako at pagkuwa'y ngumisi.
"I'm fine," sambit ko.
His eyes never leave me after it happened. Parang nag-aabang ng kung ano pang pwedeng mangyari. Binalingan ko uli ang anak kong walang kamalay-malay sa kamuntikan mangyari sa akin. He is innocently running towards the new comer.
"Kuya! Kuya! Daddy bought us new toys!" puno nang pagmamadali at pagkagalak ang boses ni Tarian.
The boy immediately captured Tarian in his arms. Oo at mas matangkad siya kaya hindi nadala sa biglaang pagdalo ng anak ko sa kaniya. Ginulo nito ang buhok ni Tarian bago pa ito kumalas.
Both of them look at our way. I felt Troi beside me, encircling his arm on my waist.
Maliliit ang kanilang mga hakbang kaya naman sinalubong na rin namin iyon. Kapwa kami basa ni Troi sa ulan at ganoon din si Tarian pero hindi alintana iyon ng bagong dating at niyakap pa rin ang kapatid.
"Dad," he called Troi. Lumapit ito sa ama at kinuha ang kamay para magmano bago sa akin bumaling.
"Mama..." tawag nito sa akin at nagmano rin.
Hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya habang nakangiti.
"Mabuti at pumayag sila, anak," nakangiting turan ko, halos maiyak.
I heard Troi hissed beside me. Bakit ba? I'm just happy! Hindi ko lang akalain na hindi talaga magbabago ang isip nila at ipagkakaloob talaga siya sa amin.
"Don't cry, love," he warned me which I didn't take seriously.
Naglandas ang luha sa mga mata ko.
"Max, what can you say about your new home?" I asked, voice cracked a bit.
Iminuwestra ko ang malaking bahay na magiging tahanan niya ngayon.
The young boy smiled widely. "This is good, Mama. Makali ang laruan namin," anito bago nilingon ang kapatid.
Tarian and I burst in laughter. May luha pa sa mata ko pero hindi mapigilang matawa sa narinig.
"It's not makali, Kuya. It's malaki," pagtatama ni Tarian at bahagya pa ring tumatawa.
The young boy massaged his nape and smiled shyly. I shook my head to ease his embarrassment.
"Don't worry, anak. Now that you're here we will help you in learning tagalog, okay?" Ginulo ko ang buhok niya nang tumango ito sa akin.
Maxton Gage Mijares is now with us. Lumaki ito sa ibang bansa at malayo kay Troi. Doon tuluyang nagpagamot sa sakit sa puso. Nitong taon lamang nito bumalik. Troi has been visiting him, though. Kahit pa noong wala ako. I'm thankful for the Mijares that they never stop Troi for acting as Max's father. At least, hindi nito parehong maranasan ang kawalan ng parehong magulang.
"Thank you, Mama..." sabay yakap sa akin.
Tarian went on his father's side while Maxton held my hand after his hug. Masaya naming tinungo ang loob ng bahay. Inihabilin ko kaagad sa isang kasambahay ang mga bata. They both insisted that they can handle their selves. Malaki na raw sila pareho at kayang magbihis para sa kani-kanilang sarili. Iyon nga lang ay gusto ko pa rin na may titingin sa kanila.
"You should get inside. Magbihis ka na. Baka sipunin ka," si Troi, galing sa kusina.
He's holding a tall glass of milk. Ngumuso ako at tumango.
"Hindi mo ako sasabayang maligo?" tanong ko sa kaniya.
I saw his lips twitched. His playful eyes is soulfully laughing at me.
"Mom is excited for us. Hindi tayo makakarating nang maaga sa kanila kapag sinabayan kita." Ngumisi pa siya matapos sabihin iyon.
Umikot ang mata ko.
"Maliligo lang..." bulong-bulong ko habang tinatanggap ang gatas mula sa kaniya.
Ininom ko iyon nang diretso. Inayos niya ang buhok na nakakalat sa mukha ko habang umiinom ako. He's so focus on what he's doing that I don't know whether he knows about me staring at him.
Inabot ko sa kaniya ang baso habang sumasagap ng hangin.
"I'll return this to the kitchen. Maligo ka na," aniya na may munting ngiti sa labi.
I nodded my head and walked towards our room. Sumambulat agad sa mukha ko ang mabagong amoy noon. I smiled as I stare at the picture frames hanging on our wall. May picture ni Tarian, ako, si Max at kami ni Troi. We haven't had a proper family picture. Saka na raw kapag kumpleto na kami.
Tinungo ko ang bathroom at nag-umpisang paliguan ang sarili. I was waiting for Troi to join me but true to his words, hindi talaga siya sasabay. Sinabon ko ang aking mukha habang nakababad ang buhok sa shampoo. Kitang-kita ko ang repleksyon sa gilid kung saan may salamin.
Bahagyang namumutla ang aking labi at balat dahil sa paliligo ng ulan. Alas kuatro ng hapon ngayon at saka lamang namin naisipang umahon. Saktong pagdating naman ni Maxton kaya doon na dumiretso si Tarian para salubungin ang kapatid.
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti kapag naaalala kung paanong nagkaayos ang dalawa. Tarian seemed distant on their second meeting while Max look so persistent. I truly see how much he likes to be a big brother to my son.
He's so calm, full of patience and will to extend his love for his brother. However, Tarian is so hard to please. Kahit anong kausap sa kaniya ni Maxton ay ayaw nitong sumagot. Maliban na lamang kapag niyayakag ko siya upang 'di mapahiya ang kapatid. I let them bond, tho at kalaunan, miski ako ay napapalapit ang loob sa bata.
Somehow, my heart tightened at the sight of Maxton's lonely eyes. Mataman man itong nakatingin sa amin ni Tarian nang may ngiti sa labi, nakikita ko pa rin ang kinukubli nitong pagkasabik sa atensyon ng isang ina.
I am a mother to Tarian and I don't think it would be a burden to mother him, too. That afternoon, when Troi asked me to take him back, hindi ako agad nakasagot pero hinayaan ko ang sarili kong maging panatag muna sa kandungan niya.
That same night, I went to visit Evangeline's grave. That is the first time I've met her, not accidentally or whatsoever. Siya talaga ang sinadya ko. Nakikita ko pa lamang ang puntod niya kung saan nakaukit sa magandang paraan ang kaniyang pangalan, kumakabog na ang dibdib ko.
She's dead now, I know. Ngunit hindi maitatanggi ang pagpunta ko rito ay para humingi ng tawad sa isang taong alam kong kinuhanan ko nang malaking karapatan para sa isang bagay.
To be Troi's wife is so romantic that it pains me while thinking that I don't deserve him. But then, Troi has been in so much pain, too. If I don't deserve him, maybe he deserve me. He deserve to have me after all the struggles he'd faced. Tarian deserve a complete family and I would love to extend it to the innocent Maxton.
Nanginginig na inilapag ko ang pumpon ng bulaklak sa kaniyang lapida.
Maria Evangeline L. Mijares.
I smiled bitterly when my mind immediately added Del Rico on her name. She was supposed to be one of them but I took her life accidentally. Fate took her too early.
"Evangeline..." I muttered her name softly.
Tears stroll down on my cheek when I sit beside her.
"I'm sorry..." I took my handkerchief and tried to look decent in front of her.
I want to look decent in front of the woman who put Troi and I's path together. Masalimuot man pero sa huli... unti-unting nagiging maayos.
"I-I'm very sorry for taking the chance from you to become his wife. If I took the chance for Maxton to have a mother by his side." I sniffed and laughed when the cold wind blew.
Is she here? Are you here? Are you listening to me? Please, I hope you are.
"I came h-here to ask for forgiveness and blessing. I hope you could accept me as Maxton's stepmother. K-kinuha ko ang pagkakataon mong maging ina kaya sana h-hayaan mong iparamdam ko sa kaniya ang pagmamahal na dapat ay ikaw ang magbibigay. I wouldn't ask you to bless Troi and I... but..."
Sunod-sunod na ang pagbagsak ng luha ko kaya nagmamadali rin ako sa pagpunas. I heard a car horn not that far from where I am. Marahil... si Troi iyon.
"Evangeline... I will love your son like he's mine. I will shower him love that he deserves to receive from a mother. I'll be a good mother figure to him. I promise you that. Babawi ako sa iyo... sa pamamagitan ni Maxton."
Yumakap agad ang init sa likod ko. Isang malaking leather jacket ang naroon at inaayos ni Troi. I am wearing a cardigan but he's not contented with that. Ipinatong niya ang sumbrero sa ulo ko.
"You shouldn't have come here alone," he stated with a grim line on his lips.
His eyes is full of worries and sorrow with the sight of Evangeline and I. Yumukod siya at inilapag din ang bulaklak sa tabi noon.
"How are you?" he asked, voice a bit low.
It took him a couple of minutes before he could utter another word. I let him speak to her. It doesn't make me bitter or anything. All I feel right now is at peace.
"Line... thank you for guiding her towards me again. Maybe you got tired hearing my cries and stories about her and you asked God to bring her back to me," humalakhak siya matapos iyon.
Troi's hand found mine. Itinapat niya iyon sa lapida ni Evangeline.
"I'm holding her again and I'm letting you meet her."
He then looked at me and smiled warmly. Gumuhit din ang isang ngiti sa labi ko. Muling humampas ang hangin na malamig kahit na ang mga puno sa paligid ay hindi man lang natinag. Humigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay ni Troi at ang ulo'y isinandal sa kaniyang balikat.
In that silence while the wind is blowing only on our side, we know... she is blessing us. She is letting us be happy together. We won't waste the chance to start a new.
Troi and I... we both talked about our situation. We both asked for forgiveness and we both let ourselves meet each other again. A much better version of ourselves.
It's been two years since our divorce happened. After a year, Troi let everything went smoothly until he asked if he could pursue me again. We take everything slow and after a year, our relationship is getting better and better.
I live in his house. Ayaw ko pa noong una pero sa paulit-ulit niyang pangungulit, pumayag na rin ako sa huli. Yanna is very much happy for us and so as Victor. They said I should really let myself be happy. That I deserve it after all of what I've experience.
Yanna is getting better, too. Kaya naman pakiramdam ko, maayos na maayos ang lahat. Maxton was given to us since Mr. and Mrs. Mijares needs to leave for States. Ang matandang lalaking Mijares ay kinakailangan maoperahan at hindi makabubuting isama si Maxton doon dahil lingid sa kaalaman ng bata ang tungkol doon.
Troi and I paid a visit to the old couple and personally asked if Maxton could live with us. I personally asked for forgiveness. Alam kong hindi ko kasalanan ang pagkawala ng kanilang anak at hindi ko iyon sinasadya. Ngunit sa tingin ko, bilang magulang na rin kay Tarian, nauunawaan ko ang pagdaramdam nila.
Hindi ko rin yata kayang... tanggapin na lang basta ang lahat at magpatawad kung buhay na ng anak ko ang usapan. I asked for forgiveness but I never beg. They could be mad at me and I gave them the rights to feel that way. Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ayos ang paghaharap namin ngunit mas hindi ko inaasahang... mismong si Mr. Mijares ay hihingi ng kapatawaran sa akin.
Hindi man niya nilinaw kung para saan iyon, para sa akin, ang kapatawarang hinihiningi niya ay sapat na para mapatawad ko siya sa lahat. Hindi ko na nais ungkatin ang hindi na dapat maungkat at sa halip na manunton pa ako, mas gusto kong... bigyang tuldok ang lahat sa malinis na paraan.
I caused them pain and they did the same. I asked for forgiveness and they did the same. Gusto kong sa paghingi ng kapatawaran at pagtanggap sa akin bilang bagong ina ni Maxton ang maging katapusan at simula ng lahat ng kaayusan.
I want to start a new life with Troi. Bagong simula na walang hinanakit... takot... pangamba at galit. Gustong-gusto kong maging maayos ang lahat at salamat dahil matapos ang ilang taon ng paghihirap, sa tingin ko ay nahanap ko na iyong kaayusan na iyon. Sa piling ng pamilyang binuo at mabubuo namin ni Troi.
Hindi mapupuknat miski ng mga magugulong reporter ang ngiti sa labi ko. I am holding Max on my left hand while Troi is holding Tarian in his arm. Ang isang kamay nito ay marahang nakalapat sa likod ko.
"Miss Cortez... Mr. Del Rico... When is the wedding?"
"Mr. Del Rico, is it true that the custody of your first born is now given to you and to Miss Cortez?"
Reporters flocked on our way. Flashes of camera's are everywhere. I almost bump into someone but Maxton managed to trapped the person into someone's way.
"Be careful, Mama," I heard him said despite of the crowd's voice.
Troi's bodyguards shoved the reporters away so we could enter the premises. Bumungad agad ang magarbong tanggapan ng mga Del Rico. Samu't-saring mamahaling lamesa, upuan at dekorasyon ang naroon. Napapalibutan din ng magagandang palamuti na nagsusumigaw ng karangyaan.
Hanggang ngayon, hindi ako masanay-sanay makakita ng ganitong ekslusibong pagtitipon na dati ay in-imagine ko lamang habang nagbabasa o nagsusulat. Lalo pa akong namamangha kapag nakikitang ang mga narito ay hindi basta-basta at talagang mga tao na kabilang sa pinakamataas na antas ng buhay.
Ang kani-kanilang kasuotan ay nilikha para punahin at bigyang pansin ninoman.
"Mas engrande ang kasal natin, sigurado ako roon," si Troi bago sumulyap sa akin.
Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at inilingan kalaunan. He's talking about marriage again while I'm still enjoying this. I still want us like this. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit hindi pa ako handa na magpakasal. Sigurado ako na si Troi na ang nais kong makasama hanggang sa araw na malagutan ako ng hininga. Gayunpaman, hindi ko pa nais na magpakasal.
I don't know why but maybe it's because I believe, even without marriage, he's mine and I am his. Even without marriage, our life will still be like this and will still spend it each other and with our child. Saka na... kapag handa na uli ako. At nagpapasalamat ako dahil nauunawaan niya iyon.
"Look who's here," I heard a calm feminine voice coming from the back.
Nang balingan namin iyon, I saw Eve, gorgeously owning the carpet in an elegant gown in soft pastel pink, featuring a flowing chiffon skirt, a sweetheart neckline and delicate floral embelishments.
Kahit na may anak na, batang-bata pa rin tignan si Eve. Tila nga mas bumata siya ngayon kaysa noong unang kilala namin. Marahil ay dahil sa klase ng postura at koloreteng ginagamit niya na sadyang bagay na bagay sa kaniya.
"Nagkapalit talaga tayo ng estilo ng pananamit," sita niya nang makalapit sa amin nang tuluyan.
She smiled at me and gazed at my outfit. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko at sinipat ang sarili. I am wearing a figure-hugging mini dress in a bold color. It has a plunging neckline, which caused Troi's distressed before we head here. I paired it with a strappy stilettos and accessorize with statement earrings and necklace.
"Tsk," is what we heard from Troi.
Eve grinned at Troi.
"Stop sulking, Troi! She's my rumored girlfriend before," she said that only caused grimaced from Troi.
We both laughed when we remembered that.
"God! How shallow media could be?" I muttered before laughing with her again.
Eve crouched a bit to face both of our son.
"Hello there, kids. May I know your names?" magaan at malamyos ang boses na ginamit niya.
Tarian and Max introduced their selves in a formal tone.
"I'm Maxton Gage Del Rico, Ma'am," Max answered.
Tarian waved his hand to Eve. "Hello, too, gorgeous lady. I'm Tarian Roze C. Del Rico. The second born," he replied.
Eve smiled and kissed the two.
"I'll let you meet your cousins later. They're probably with their father right now."
The boy's eyes widened a bit.
"We have one?" It was Max and seconded by Tarian. "Aside from Dilay and Hope?"
Eve nodded, still flashing her white teeth.
"Yes, yes... They're twins. Dumarami ang susunod na henerasyon ng lahi niyo, Troi," anito at nginisian ang katabi ko.
"It's good to know you've move forward, Eve." That was the first word of Troi to his best friend whom he haven't talk for years.
Eve was startled. Her smile waver and eyes glimmered in unshed tears.
"Don't cry. Your husband might kill me..." It's Troi's term to smirked at her.
Eve looked at me na parang nagsusumbong ito. Siniko ko si Troi. Eve collected herself.
"Nasa bahay ang asawa ko. Hindi ko sinama para iwas gulo," pagtatama niya kay Troi.
Nagulat ako roon at tila nahalata nilang dalawa. Bumaling sa akin si Troi na bahagyang nakangiti.
"She's married to someone outside showbiz," he mumbled.
I glanced at Eve, still confused. "I thought your kids is with their father... and your husband is at home?"
Eve blinked hilariously. Sasagot pa sana siya nang maunahan siya ng isa pang boses na pamilyar din.
"I'm the father of her kids. Her husband will soon be her ex, though."
I lost my tongue when Tyron came in with a girl and boy both in his arms. They're twins...
My throat went dry when I looked at Troi beside me and his eyes are fixed on his brother's side.
Nagulat ako nang ibaba ni Troi si Tarian at ganoon din ang ginawa ni Tyron sa dalawa.
"Eros, Iope... My babies, Rolly," Eve proudly announced that.
"Mano kay Tito at Tita," ani Tyron sa kalmadong boses habang ginigiya ang anak sa amin ni Troi.
Tarian seemed engrossed with Tyron. Nagmano agad ito sa bagong dating tapos ay kinuha ang kamay ni Maxton para dalhin kay Tyron. Two hands took mine and put it on their forehead.
"Nice meeting you po, Tita," halos magkapanabay na sambit ng dalawa.
Laglag ang panga ko at 'di malaman kung paano magre-react pero sa huli, ngumiti at tumango ako sa dalawang bata. Goodness! Hindi sila magkamukha! Isang hawis ni Eve at isang hawis ni Tyron! Talaga namang...
The boy take a look from Tyron and the girl is from Eve.
"It's nice to see you again, Rosalie," Tyron's voice took my attention away.
Naramdaman ko kaagad ang pagpulupot ng braso ni Troi sa baywang ko. The two saw that. Tyron growled a laugh.
"I've moved on, brother. And I thought we already talked about this?" he wiggled his brows.
Eve scoffed at him. Astang aalis ito sa tabi ni Tyron pero pinigilan agad iyon ng kamay nito.
"Bitaw, Tyron, ah!" narinig ko ang mahinang sikmat ni Eve sa katabi.
Tyron doesn't seemed to mind Eve's action. Nanatili itong nakahawak at nakasuporta sa babae. Nanliliit ang mata ko at napangisi na lang bago iginala ang mata.
The children is now busy with their world. Hindi na alintana ang diskusyon sa dalawang nasa harap namin.
"You two talked?" I asked Troi after a long period of silence.
He smiled proudly and nodded his head. "Can you imagine it?"
I chuckled at that. Ang dalawang magkapatid... At last they're fine. At last, they reconciled.
"Mrs. Willbourne?" Tyron's face crumpled when someone called that.
Eve is the second to react and so I concluded that it's her who's being called.
Lahat kami ay lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. A woman looking elegant and sophisticated is coming on our way. She is smiling so brightly that it can turn your world into a broad daylight. She's wearing a silky satin dress which hugged her curves in a perfect way. Her long straight silky hair is down. Humahampas sa balakang niya habang humahakbang.
Itim na itim ang kaniyang buhok na umaabot hanggang dulo ng kaniyang puwitan. Ang singkit na mga mata ay naglaho dahil sa ngiting iginawad sa amin. We watched her skin glows as the light from the chandelier gives life to her uneven skin tone.
"Rouge!" Eve exclaimed. She looked shock upon seeing the woman.
"Sabi ko na nga at likod mo pa lamang ay kilalang-kilala ko na," nagagalak nitong sambit.
Pakiramdam ko, kahit sumigaw ang babaeng ito, marahan pa rin ang pagdating sa sinomang makaririnig.
"Guys, this is Rouge," pag-iimporma ni Eve bago isa-isa kaming ipinakilala.
"I know her..." said by Troi. Binalingan ko siya gamit ang nagtatanong na mata.
"Cirolius," sambit niya.
The woman eventually blend in with us. Sa aming dalawa ni Eve. I haven't seen Ate Hollis so I guess they haven't arrive yet.
May iilang dumalo sa amin at nakipagkwentuhan bago pa may dumating para tawagin kami. Troi guided our sons and I towards where the other Del Rico's are. When we entered the hall, everyone turned to look at us.
Eve and her kids with Tyron, The woman named Rouge and Troi and I together with our kids.
"Our babies are here!" Mama Alesha exclaimed.
Iniwan nito si Papa at animo'y mauubusan ng pagkakataon na mahagkan ang mga apo. Isa-isa niyang binigyan ng halik ang apat na batang ngayon ay tuwang-tuwa sa lola nila. Papa Theron also came to kiss the children.
"Kumpleto tayo, ah!" hiyaw ng boses ni Blake.
Nahanap kaagad ng mata ko ang magpipinsan. Nakangiti itong sumalubong sa amin, hindi na rin naghintay na tuluyan kaming makalapit sa kanila. Kuya Tross and Ate Hollis also arrived and dig into our little commotion.
"Ang sasaya naman ng buhay niyong lahat," ani Blake uli.
Humalakhak si Tyron sa kaniya. I saw Yanna approaching us with Bjorne on her side. There are also other unfamiliar women who's with the Del Rico men. They seemed pretty awkward with the situation. Isa-isa kaming pinakilala at nagkapalagayan ng loob kalaunan.
"Ang pangit niyo ka-bonding! Rich Tito lang yata talaga ako," kunwari ay pasikretong sambit ni Blake kahit ang boses ay sadyang nilakasan.
We grinned at him and he earned teases from his cousins. May nabanggit pang pangalan ng ilang babae na sa tingin ko ay malaki ang epekto sa kaniya.
Sa ganoon namin naubos ang mahigit isang oras. Nagkamustahan lamang ang lahat doon at nang makuntento sa panahon na ibinigay sa isa't-isa, nag-aya na ring lumabas at makihalubilo sa mga bisita.
This is the Del Rico's clan celebration. Troi explained that this celebration marks the beginning of their lineage. Kaya isa-isa pa ngang ipinakilala ang mga batang Del Rico sa harap. Pagkilala sa panibagong henerasyon na magdadala hindi lang ng karangyaan kundi reputasyon ng pamilya.
That soulful night, Del Rico's Progeny was introduced to the world of elite.
Audentis Fortuna Iuvat is boldly written by the glowing fire at the sky and it means, fortune favors the brave.
Everyone cheered for that when it was revealed. Everyone praised the Del Rico clan. If Troi's generation of Del Rico is translated as "The Kings” the next generation is called “The Rich” and I cannot refuse that because somehow, it's true.
Hindi kailanman pumasok sa isip ko na mapapabilang ang anak ko sa ganitong klase ng buhay pero ito ang nakatadhana. Soon, Tarian and Maxton will face big responsibilities under the surnames they're currying and the honors the Del Rico bears.
Halos kalahatian ng gabi nang makasarili ko ang magulang ni Troi. Tyron and Kuya Tross dragged their brother away from me so their parents could have their time with me.
Mama Alesha smiled at me while holding dearly on my hand.
"Rolly, I am very glad you're now a part of our family. In your own choice. Iyong hindi napipilitan at hindi dahil sa iba pang dahilan. I know that my son will end up with you. Si Troi... hindi papayag iyon na ang para sa kaniya ay mapupunta sa iba." Humagikgik siya at nilingon sandali ang asawa.
"That son of mine is competitive. Sila ni Tyron. Kaya hindi nakapagtataka na nagkaroon ng gusot sa pagitan nila at nadamay ka pa. Troi will fight for whatever he likes to have but soon, he will give up. Kapag nakita niya na gustong-gusto mo ang ipinaglalaban mo, hahayaan ka na niya kaya naman..." Mama Alesha's tears poured down.
Papa hugged her, soothing her with his warmth. Kanina lang ay nakangiti siya, ngayon ay lumuluha na. Ramdam ko ang paparating na bigat sa kaniyang mga salita at hindi ako nagkamali roon.
"Kaya noong hinayaan ka na niya... pinakawalan ka... akala ko tapos na. Hinayaan na ng anak kong maging maligaya sa malayo ang taong kaligayahan niya rin. Ikaw lang ang... ang makapagpapasaya sa anak ko, hija kaya... salamat." Humalik ito sa kamay ko.
I cried with her.
"M-mama..." I tried stopping her but she didn't budge. She continue kissing my hand.
"I saw my Troi so broken when Evangeline died. I saw him turning into someone I didn't know and yes... I was scared for him. So scared that I fear he's going to look for his own downfall and when he did... I saw him again, not just broken but empty... at bilang ina mas masakit iyon. W-walang kapatay."
Lumipat ako ng upuan at yumakap sa kaniya. Hindi ko na rin mapigilan ang aking mga luha.
"My son lost his smile. K-kung noon kay Evangeline... kaya niya pang pumeke ng ngiti... noong nawala ka nang tuluyan... nagpakalayo-layo... nawala na ang anak ko. H-he drowned himself in emptiness. Hindi dilim kundi kawalan ang pinaglugmukan niya.. ganoon siya noong nawala ka at ang sakit sakit makitang unti-unting naglalaho ang anak na pinalaki ko."
"Hon, calm down," Papa tried hushing her.
Mama sniffed and sobs but she still continued.
"Troi was so lost... He's there with us, with your son but... but he's lost. N-nawala siya kasabay nang pag-alis mo, hija. I cannot do anything but to hope that you'll come back. I prayed and hope that somehow, you'll find your way back to him. Humiling ako na baka... sana... mahanap mo uli ang pagpapatawad sa puso mo para kapag bumalik ka... alam ko b-babalik din ang anak ko..."
Walang pagsidlan ang pagtulo ng luha ko. Instead of seeing Mama, I'm seeing myself in her shoes. My sons... To see both of them. Max and Tarian, so lost and empty because of their very own mistakes... of course all I can do is pray for them to redeem their selves but can I endure it? To see them... like that? Like how Mama witnessed Troi?
"I am not telling you this to make you g-guilty, hija. I want to tell you this so you won't be confuse why I'm so thankful because you came back. Why I will always owe you life because you take back my son with you. My sons are my life. I owe you my life..."
We both cried our pain and happiness. Sa ganoon kami dinatnan ng tatlong magkakapatid. I thought they're going to ruin our little momentum but they stayed a bit far from us and waited until we both collected ourselves.
Sumalubong agad si Troi sa akin, ang mata ay kumikintab sa pag-aalala.
"I'm fine," I mouthed at him because I still couldn't find my voice back.
He told me that we should go to our room since the kids are already asleep. Sumama kay Eve ang mga anak namin at nakatulog kasabay ng dalawa pa.
"Dito muna tayo," bulong ko sa kaniya katulad ng ginagawa niya sa akin kapag niyayakag akong matulog na.
This is the very first time I am enjoying this kind of party. Gusto kong sanayin ang sarili at pagsawain. Mukha namang napansin niya iyon kaya hindi na nangulit pa. Past midnight when we bid our goodbye to them.
Marahan ang paggiya sa akin ni Troi patungo sa silid na para sa amin pero bago kami tumuloy dito, sinilip muna namin si Max at Tarian. They're both fast asleep. I just kissed them goodnight and we both head to our room. He helped me take off my dress. Nagtungo agad ako sa bathroom at nag-asikaso ng sarili. Nang matapos ay siya naman ang sumunod.
Sa kama pa lang ay hinihila na ako ng antok ngunit gusto kong hintayin siya. Mag-aala una ng madaling araw nang kapwa kami nakayakap sa isa't-isa. Pinagsasawa niya ang sarili sa pagkintil ng halik sa buhok ko habang nakasubsob ako sa dibdib niya.
"We're family now," he murmured.
"We are..." Yes, Troi. I am one of your family now and we will build our own. We will be a happy family like what we dreamed of.
He hugged me tightly and hummed a song for me so I could drift off to sleep.
"I love you..." his voice cracked. "Thank you, love," he whispered again.
How I wanted to answer him but the way his hand brushed my back and the way his breathe warm my hair, I finally dozed off to sleep. Bearing the answer on my mind. That I'm thankful of him, too and I love him more than the way I could express it.
_
Okay guys! We've come this far! Yehey! Kasama kayo sa journey nila Rolly at Troi! Next is Wakas. Stay very tuned! Very masaya ang next chapter. Hehez na agad! Good evening sa inyong lahat! Drop your comments and feels. Sure ako matatawa kayo sa next chapter since super funny ni Troi as a person. I love you, guys! :)