"Happy birthday again babydolls." Ang nakangiting bati ni Icey sa kanyang mga anak na ngayo'y pagod na nakahiga sa kani-kanilang kama. Halos hindi na nga maibuka ang kanilang mga mata.
"Did you enjoy you're party babydolls?" Ice asked.
The kids sleepily nodded and smiled saka tuluyang nakatulog.
Kanina ay ginanap ang 9th Lolita and Cars Inspired Birthday Party ng kambal sa mansion nina Ice. Bongga kung bongga, walang tipirang naganap. Hindi maipagkakailang malaki ang ginastos ni Ice. 1 week ba naman ang celebration. Ewan ko lang kung di lumaki ang gastos.
Ininsist kasi niya na kelangan bongga ang party dahil 8 years ang hinahabol niyang birthday ng mga ito. Hindi naman nakapalag si Icey dahil alam niyang matutuwa ang kambal.
Everybody was invited. Mga kaibigan from the business world, mga kapitbahay, mga bata sa village. At higit sa lahat, ininvite din ng kambal ang mga batang lansangan near their area pati narin ang mga bata sa isang orphanage na nadaanan nila last week.
The twins even shared their clothes to the less fortunate. And being proud parents Ice and Icey were, they supported their kids' good cause.
"Do you think the twins loved the party?" Ice asked her habang nakahiga sila.
Icey cupped her husband's face. "Of course they did! You know the best part of the party they will never forget?" Kumunot ang noo ng asawa niya. "It's when they blew their candles with their mommylove and daddylove. Tapos buo na tayo sa picture. Yun ang pinaka nagpabongga sa party."
"Alam kong hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa siyam na taong wala ako sa pili-" Hindi na pinatapos pa ni Icey ang speech ng asawa. Baka kasi magdrama na naman sila.
"Nung unang araw na hinatid mo ang mga bata sa new school nila; nung kinandong mo sila habang nagbubukas ng regalo last Christmas; nung sinabayan mo silang magsindi ng sparklers sa labas nung New Year; at higit sa lahat nung nag "I Do" ka 7 months ago. Dun pa lang, bawing-bawi ka na."
Matapos kasi ang kasal nila 7 months ago, Ice had been giving all his efforts para daw makabawi sa kanila. Mahal na mahal niya ang mga bata at sobrang iniispoil niya ang mga ito. He's also been extra sweet and caring to her. Lalo pa't kabuwanan na niya ngayon.
But the baby's gender is still a surprise for them. Para daw may thrill. As long sa alam nilang healthy ito tuwing check up, okay na yun.
She smiled at him and and gave him a peck in the lips. "You know Labs, gusto ko yung naisip ni Icing na magtayo ng orphanage. Gusto ko rin yung foundation na iniisip ni Coffee. Both are to help others."
"Me too Labs. Nakakaproud nga kasi naiisip nilang tumulong sa iba kahit na 9 palang sila. Why don't we talk about it tomorrow? Naipaayos ko na naman ang details kay Sun and Moon eh."
"Ang effecient ralaga ng dalawang yun no? And I'm thinking of letting them go labs. Para namab matutukan na nila yung pagdodoktor saka yung lovelife nila." Icey said saka humilig sa balikat ng asawa.
"I agree. Naisip ko na ring kausapin ai Abrea- I mean Sun, tungkol jan. Pero bukas na." Ice kissed her wife. "Tulog na tayo mommylove?"
"Okay. Thank you for everything Labs. I love you." Icey sleepily said.
"You're always welcome Labs. And I love you more." He hugged her tighter and they both drifted off to sleep.
And for the nth time, Icey had the best dream of her life. A dream that already came true.
"Do you, Snow Price De Vera take Winter Schatrice Tzu as your lawfully wedded wife?" Father asked him.
"I do Father."
"And you, Winter Schatrice Tzu, accept Snow Price De Vera as you lawfully wedded husband?" Tanong naman ng pari kay Icey.
"I do father."
"And now, the couples have chosen to say their own marriage vows." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Icey sa sinabi ng pari. Goodness! Hindi ako handa!
"Icey, the first time I saw you sitting on that bench 9 years ago, I immediately feel in love with you. Likod mo pa nga lang ang nakita ko nun. And when you looked at me and spoke, nasabi ko sa sarili ko: She'll be my wife. Hindi mo lang alam kung paano ko kinulit si Autumn lara ipakilala ako sa'yo.
But something's weren't due at that time. Ika nga nila, we had the right love at the wrong time." Ice's voice broke and her eyes pooled with tears. "I lost you and all my memories of you. And in that moment, I swear I felt completely incomplete. Like half of my life was missing."
Ice stopped talking and wiped his tears. Pati si Icey naluluha narin. "But when I saw you again after 9 years, I had that feeling na nahanap ko na ang missing piece of my puzzle. But for the second time, I lost you again. When I asked you the other day if you still love me, you didn't answer. Pero mahal kita eh so I took this one step closer to making my dream come true. At ikaw iyon."
Huminga ito ng malalim at nagpatuloy. "I will not promise not to hurt you. because Icey, tao lang ako. But there are things I intend to do as long as I live. That is to love and cherish you and the kids; to hold and to never let go; in sickness and in health; for richer or for poorer. I love you my Icey. Till death do us part."
Saka isinuot ni Ice ang singsing sa kamay ni Icey. Is it my turn now?! Shucks, hindi ako ready! Her mind was in chaos.
"Uhm, Ice. I really don't know what to say so let me be honest. Uhm, when I was young, I never believed in true love. Cause of it existed, how come merong mga taong lumuluha at nag-iisa? But everything changed when someone approached me one day on that bench, while I was having a dilemma on which way I should go. That moment our hands touched, alam kong siya na.
I have loved you by then Ice. Kahit nung maghiwalay tayo, I still loved you. Hanggang sa magkita tayo, mahal parin kita. Kahit nung iniwan mo na naman ako hanggang dumating tayo sa puntong ito, mahal na mahal kita. You are life's greatest surprise to me, my dream come true.
But life has its ups and downs. And our love has become a roller coaster ride. Nakakakaba, nakakahilo, nakakasakit ng ulo, at nakakaluha. No wonder why I've always hated roller coasters. We lost each other later on the ride Ice. Pati ang ating little angel na si Tea had been taken away. Good thing Coffee and Icing's still with us."
Yumuko si Ice. Habang si Icey naman ay pinunasan ang mga luhang naglandas sa kanyang mga pisngi. "But Ice, if being with you to eternity is the prize of the ride, then I'll be more than willing to ride the ride all over again. Kahit ilang beses akong mahilo, masaktan o kahit pa mahimatay ako. Basta ikaw ang premyo, go lang ng go. Yeah I hate the ride, but what can I do? I love "the Price". And it's a cold one."
Halata sa mga bisita ang kilig. Nagtitigan sila ng ngayo'y nakangiting si Ice, both in tears.
She gets the ring and slowly slid it to his finger. "So Ice, take this ring, as a sign of my love and submission to you. That as you look at this, may you remember me with a promise of love, care and happiness by my side.
I won't promise to be a perfect wife and mother to our babydolls because like you, I am just human and far from perfection. But I will try my best to be good in this profession. Mahal kita Ice, kahapon, ngayon, bukas at kailanman."
"And by the power vested in me by our almighty God, in his eyes and in the eyes of all law, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our new couple. Mr. and Mrs. Snow Price De Vera." Nagpalakpakan ang lahat habang ang mga anak nila ay talon ng talon.
"And now, let us witness the first public kiss of our newlywed couple.."
"Finally its official." Nakangiting bulong ni Ice sa kanya. Hinawakan nito ang kanyang mga pisngi at dahan-dahang bumaba ang mukha nito sa labi niya.
Naputol na lamang ang kanyang panaginip dahil sa biglang paghilab ng kanyang tiyan. She felt the need to pee. Iminulat niya ang kanyang mata at kumawala sa yakap ng asawa. But unfortunately, pagka-upong pagkaupo niya ay naramdaman niyang naihi na siya.
Kasabay nito ay ang paghilab muli ng kanyang tyan. Nung una ay tolerable pa ang sakit. Hanggang sa ilang minuto ang makalipas ay lumala ito at hindi na mawala.
"Ice.. hhhmm.. Ice.. Gising.. Lalabas na yata si Icelette." Yugyug niya sa asawa. Ngunit wala itong epekto. "Hoy Ice.. Ano ba... Masakit na ang tyan ko.. La-lalabas na talaga yata si Iceltte."
"Hhhmm.." Tanging sagot nito.
"Ice.. ICE ANO BA! LALABAS NA ANG ANAK MO! KAPAG HINDI KA PA GUMISING, LALAYASAN KITA AT ISASAMA KO ANG MGA ANAK MO!"
Mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong bumangon si Ice. "Let's go MommyLabs. Uh. Uh.. tara na sa ospital!" Agad itong lumabas ng kwarto at iniwan siya sa loob.
"ICE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! LALABAS NA ANG ANAK MO, DAMNIT!" Kung ibang pagkakataon lang siguro ito, malamang kanina pa siya natawa. Sukat ba namang iwan siya eh siya kaya ang manganganak?!
"Oh sorry labs! Tara na! Lalabas na si baby natin!" Binuhat siya nito pababa ng bahay. "Tere! Toyang! Berto! Tere! Toyang! Berto" Tawag nito sa mga kasambahay.
"Baket koya?!" Pupungas-pungas na tanong ng mga ito.
"Manganganak na si Icey. Berto, ihanda mo ang sasakyan." Utos niya sa driver na agad namang tumalima, "Teri, Toyang, kayo na ang bahala sa mga bata. Tawagan ang dapat tawagan at ipasunod ang mga gamit sa ospital."
They quickly got in the car and Berto drove as fast as he could to the hospital.
Pagdating doon ay sinalubong kaagad sila ng mga staffs. Ice was holding her hand hanggang sa makarating sila sa tapat ng Delivery Room. "Sir, kelangan niyo po munang mag disinfect bago niyo po madaluhan sa loob ang inyong asawa. Nasa loob narin po si Dr. Gellar."
Tumango si Ice at agad na nagdisinfect sa room na tinuro ng nurse. Matapos ay dali-dali siyang sumunod sa Delivery Room. nadatnan niya ang asawang namimilipit sa sakit habang ang OB naman ay nagbibigay ng orders.
Nilapitan niya ito and gave her moral support na tanging maibibigay niya.
Ice was holding her arms, trying to relax her when the door suddenly opened. "Doc, I'm here na. Buti nalang talaga at hindi pa ako naidlip! Ilang cm nalang?" Was that Moon? Thank God she's here!
"2 cm. The cervix is delated so anytime now, the baby will be ready to come out." Dr. Maria Lara Gellar, Icey's OB, expalained to Moon, their Attending Pediatrician.
"Aaaaaaahhh. Moon... ouch... I think... it's.. ready..." Tili ni Icey na lalong humigpit ang hawak sa namumutlang si Ice.
Dr. Gellar checked it and nodded at her team, hudyat na maghanda na.
Ilang sandal pa't puro mga ire ni Icey ang maririnig sa buong kwarto. "Konti nalang Icey. You've got passed the shoulders now.. Ayan na... Okay!"
After a few more pushes, a piercing cry of a new born was heard in all corners of the room. "Congratulations Icey Baby, you have a boy!" Nakangiting bati ni Moon at maingat na nilalapag ang baby sa dibdib ni Icey.
She looked at her new baby boy. His tearless crying eyes were the last thing she saw. "I love you Labs.. thank you.." And she let sleep pull her once more.
Nagising si Icey feeling a little discomfort. Déjà vu! She told herself. Hinayaan muna niyang mapayapa ang kayang diwa saka siya nagmulat. As expected ay nasa ospital siya. At mukhang nandito na rin ng kanyang mga magulang at magulang ni Ice.
"Anak! Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?!" Nag-aalalang tanong ng mommy niya.
"Nasa cr lang si Ice." Mama Yzzah, Ice's mom said. "Babalik din kaagad."
As if on cue ay lumabas naman si Ice mula sa cr. Agad itong lumapit sa kanya ng mapagtantong gising na siya. "Hey labs. Still tired?"
"Hey labs. Hhmmm.. yeah.. tired and sleepy and still with a little pain." She answered with a sleepy and tired eyes.
Tinabihan siya ng asawa at hinimas-himas ang kanyang ulo. Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto at iniluwa ang ilang mga nurses na nagra-rounds para kunan siya ng records. "Uhm, miss, kelan pwedeng dalhin dito si baby boy namin?" Ice asked the nurse.
"After 30 minutes po sir. By that time, tapos na rin po lahat ang new born screening sa kanya. Doc Moon's hands on with him." The nurse said and left.
Nagdatingan naman ang kanilang mga kaibigan. her friends, maliban kay Moon na Pedia niya at kay Summer na kapapanganak palang last month at "nagtatago" parin. But when the door opened and spit out Ice's friends, agad na nagpaalam na ang mga girl friends niya.
Hindi na naman nagbabangayan ang mga ito. Pero hindi rin magkakaibigan. Kumbaga civil lang sila sa isa't isa. Kahitnga ang best friend na sina Autumn at Dew ay medjoawkward din. But alam naman ni Icey na magwowork out din ang lahat.
Ilang sandali lang ay nagpaalam narin ang mga boys kaya't naiwan silang mag-asawa kasama ang kanilang pamilya.
Kwentuhan lang sila ng kwentuhan hanggang sa di nila namalayang 30 minutes na pala. Dumating si Moon karga ang kanilang baby boy. At sa pagpasok ng baby sa room ay natahimik ang lahat.
Moon handed the baby to its mommy while everyone's looking at them with love and amazement.
"Hey babylove.." Icey muttered as she took hold of their baby. She felt that familiar tears of joy strolling down her face. Seeing her son right now, lahat ng hirap, sakit at pagod niya ay bigla nalang nawala.
She kissed her baby and smelled his sweet newborn scent she loves. "What time did he came out?" Naalala niyang itanong.
"11:59. A minute before another day." Moon answered. Napatingin sila rito. Wow! Ang swerte naman nila! "Ibig sabihin, kabirthday niya ang kambal. Mas mapapagastos kana every year Ice. What should we call him?"
Naisip niya ang nakalista sa notebook ng kambal. Napag-usapan kasi nilang kapag girl, they'll call her Icelette. But if it's a boy, it will be...
"Frappe. We'll call him Frappe." Ice and Icey chorused while looking at their sleeping angel. Everyone nodded. Habang si Moon naman ay lumapit sa kanila holding a piece of paper.
"Guys, baby's complete name please." Moon said, feeling excited. Siya rin kasi ang gumawa nito noon sa kambal. "You already have Amietea Chaice, Niccho Pheelive and Wienche Shaice. So, what would be Frappe's?"
"Call him Christopher!" Her mommy suggested.
"Christan?" Mama Yzzah gave her a name too. And so as the others.
But the thing is, may nakalaan nang pangalan sa baby nila bago paman ito isilang. For the past 5 months, they had been brain storming with this.
And the twins, after some time of thinking, finally came up with a name for girl and for a boy. At yun ang susundin nila.
"Frayve Peltiere Tzu De Vera." Sabay na sambit ng mag-asawa. At para namang nagustuhan ito ng baby dahil nang marinig niya ang kanyang pangalan, little Frappe showed his angelic smile.
For the nth time in Icey's 28th years in the world, she felt complete.
~~~☆~~~~☆~~~~☆~~~~☆~~~
A/N:
yehey!!!! tapos na po ang aklat na ito!!!! yahooo! sa wakas may natapos na akong kwento..! sa ngayon po, pinagpaplanuhan ko na ang isusunod ko.. at nasimulan ko na rin ito..
last chapter na po ito for Icr and Icey's story.
at kung hindi na ako busy, saka ko na ipo-post ang teaser ng susunod na book. hehehe..
thanks po..
enjoy the last chapter..and thank you po talaga sa lahat ng nagbasa ng story ni Ice people..
How do we pronounce their name?
*Winter Schatrice - Winter Shatria (Aysi)
*Amietea Chaice - Ameyti Chays (Ti)
*Niccho Pheelive - Niko Pelif (kofi)
*Wienche Shaice - Wenshe shais (Aysing)
*Frayve Peltiere - Frayf Peltiye (Frap)
enjoy.. :)
-LadyHestia