Two years later...
MIKA
It's Christmas Day.
Jeron and I are in Bulacan, spending the holiday with my clan. Sa New Year naman ay uuwi kami sa Tagaytay to celebrate with the Tengs.
"Ye! Jeron! Sali kayo, dali!', sigaw ni Mama.
Nag-gagames na yung mga tao at ang next game pala ay for the couples daw.
"Tara?", Jeron held my hand.
Tumayo kami sa gitna kasama ng iba pang couples - mga Tito and Tita, pati na rin yung mga pinsan ko at mga asawa nila.
Si Ms. Angel ang host ng celebration. We invited her to join us when we found out na hindi siya uuwi sa kanila.
"Ok! Complete na ba ang pairs natin?"
"Yesss!!!"
"The title of our game is Feed the Baby. Siyempre bago naman kayo nagkaroon ng mga anak eh si mister muna ang baby niyo."
I looked at Jeron and smiled.
He intertwined our hands and gave me a kiss on the forehead. He probably thinks na naiiyak ako dahil sa sinabi ni Ms. Angel.
But no.
Baka siya pa nga ang maiyak sa aming dalawa mamaya.
Ms. Angel began explaining the mechanics of the game. The wife is supposed to stand behind her husband na parang naka-backhug position. Lalagyan ng blindfold yung husband tapos may mga ipapakain yung wife sa kanya, keeping their position. First to finish all the food wins the game.
Nagsuot na ng blindfold yung mga lalaki.
"Guys, kamay sa likod! Bawal niyo yang gamitin. Kamay lang ng mga asawa niyo ang magpapakain sa inyo ngayon.", Ms. Angel instructed.
As we waited for the game to officially start, I wrapped my arms around my husband, hugging him from behind.
"Sexy ko ba?", he suddenly asked.
"Kapal mo ah. Nangangawit lang ako.", I responded, leaning my head on his back.
He suddenly turned around to face me, his hands still behind his back as if they were tied.
Jeron kept on moving his face, trying to search mine, but the blindfold made it hard for him.
Umilag-ilag lang ako. Dito pa gusto mag-PDA?!
"Ang kulit!"
He laughed until Ms. Angel called us out.
"Aba aba, ang mga Teng!!! Oy Jeron kahit CEO ka na, lumaban ka ng patas!", she said, making everyone burst into laughter.
Tumalikod na ulit sa akin si Jeron and I hugged him again.
Sa totoo lang may advantage kami sa game kahit paano kasi hindi naman nalalayo ang height naming dalawa.
"Ok, game na! First, isusuot ni wifey kay hubby yung bib."
Inabutan kami isa-isa ng table napkin at sinabit ko yon sa neckline ni Jeron.
"Dahan-dahan ah, yung abs ko nahahawakan mo."
"Puro ka kalokohan!", I slapped his chest.
"Ok, mukhang nakapagsuot na lahat?
Ngayon dito na talaga mag-start ang totoong laban. Sa mga wives diyan, isubo niyo lang sa asawa niyo yung pagkaing iaabot sa inyo ng mga assistant hanggang sa maubos lahat ng nandyan sa mesa. Pati yung tubig ha!
Ready, get set, GO!"
I immediately grabbed the wafer first and fed it to Jeron.
"Bilis, bilis!", I cheered.
"Next na!", he shouted.
Hindi na ata nginuya yung tinapay.
Sunod kong sinubo sa kanya yung mga mani.
Nung una paisa-isa pero dahil nakita ko yung technique ng katabi kong pinsan, pinalaklak ko sa asawa ko lahat.
Bigla siyang naubo kaya kinuha ko agad yung tubig para painumin siya.
"Grabe ka ah. Gusto mo lang yata akong i-mouth to mouth mamaya.", banat niya.
Binatukan ko nga.
"Mouth to mouth ka diyan, hindi ka naman nalunod."
"Nakakalunod kaya pagmama---"
Binalatan ko agad yung saging at sinubo ko sa kanya. Babanat na naman eh.
Naubos naman niya yon pero may nauna na sa amin.
"And our winner... Joy and Jason!!!"
We applauded as my cousin and her husband went in front to be awarded.
I removed Jeron's blindfold and wiped his mouth with a towel.
"Ano baby, nabusog ka ba?", pang-aasar ko sa kanya.
He smiled and pointed his mouth at the glass of water.
Aba nawili.
Pagbigyan na nga at mahirap din namang kumain under pressure.
I held his chin and assisted him in drinking.
"Sorry, we lost.", he apologized.
"Ano ka ba, wala yun!", mabilis kong sagot.
"Why? Kasi in the end ako pa rin naman baby mo?", tanong niya.
Nagpapa-cute na naman po siya.
I think this is the perfect time to tell him the news.
I wrapped my arms around his body and smiled at him.
"Actually... Hindi na ikaw...", I said playfully.
"What?!"
Grabe maka-react. Galit agad?
"Hindi na ikaw ang baby kasi..."
I went close to his ear and whispered.
"You're going to be a daddy."
Jeron froze in shock.
Hahahahahahaha! Sa itsura niya, gusto ko siyang piktyuran ngayon.
He suddenly tightened his hug and turned around, carrying me.
"Magiging daddy na akoooo!!!", he shouted and everyone cheered for us.
Seeing him happy, wala na akong mahihiling pa. Jeron has been the most patient and the most understanding. Kahit pa kinakantiyawan na kami ng mga kaibigan namin, he would just tell them na he's not ready yet hanggang di pa rin ako ready.
But now I got that "M.D" added to my name. And God added an additional member to our family. Talagang he makes everything beautiful in His perfect time.
JERON
I am the real winner today.
Mika is four weeks pregnant.
Sabi nga nina Mama at Papa, mukhang hinintay lang daw talaga namin na maging licensed doctor ang anak nila.
Which is partly true. Pero hindi naman namin inexpect na ibibigay agad ni Lord ang regalong 'to shortly after she passed the exam.
My wife has always expressed her worry in the early stage of our marriage. Natatakot siya na baka hindi ako masaya kasi hindi niya pa priority ang magkaroon ng baby.
Kaya I would always tell her that she is my priority. She is my happiness. And nag-eenjoy ako na baby muna namin ang isa't isa.
"Thank you for waiting.", she told me sincerely.
I smiled at her before giving her a kiss.
"As long as it's about you, it's always worth the wait. I love you, Mika."
Time came for the picture taking and I asked Nathan to also take a picture of me and her sister using my phone.
"In 3, 2, 1, smile!"
The photo came out perfectly. Mika was smiling sweetly at the camera while my arms were wrapped around her and I was kissing her cheek.
The picture speaks of our happiness and overflowing gratitude to the love that never left us.
I did not hesitate to share it on instagram.
jeronteng: All I need this Christmas. Expect a plus one on our next December photo! :) #ThankYouJesus
Author's Note:
Happy weekend, guys! Meron pa ako isa pala :) Last na yun talaga, feeling ko XD