YOU ARE MY HOME

Epilogue

The nurse went inside carrying the baby and put her down to Azie's side.

Azie's half-shut eyes opened wide in delight. She bit her lower lip to hold back her tears. She already poured out too many tears when she labored earlier. I was with her inside the delivery room. She was cursing me while crying in pain. I know the pain was unbearable and my presence did no good. Mas lalo lamang siyang nasasaktan sa tuwing nakikita ako.

When the baby was delivered, Azie held my hand like her life depended on it. I saw her pain and it made me love her way more times than I did.

Nilipat siya sa isang private room para magpagaling. I stayed with her and held her hand the entire time. I feel so lucky to be with her. I feel so lucky to have her as my wife.

Our newborn wailed and the next moment, she was sucking her mother's breast. I can see her jaw moving as she extracts milk. It was a beautiful scene I failed to see when she gave birth to Kio.

I can't take my eyes off them. I can look at this sight forever.

"She's so cute," masuyong sabi ni Azie. She's all eyes on the baby.

"She is," I agreed. "And, you're wonderful."

I planted a kiss on her forehead.

She was surprised. "I look like a shit today."

"That doesn't make you less beautiful," kalmado kong sabi at hinimas ang buhok niya. I don't want her to think negatively about herself. She is beautiful in my eyes. "I am proud of you."

Kinurap-kurap niya ang mga mata. Her face blushed. Yumuko ito at itunuon ang tingin kay baby. Kahit na nanghihina ito ay ramdam ko ang kanyang kasiyahan.

The baby then slept peacefully beside her. "Magpahinga ka muna," I told her.

"Sabi mo pupunta sina Papa dito."

"Oo. Mamayang hapon pa naman iyon. Matulog ka muna. You have to gain your energy back."

She had a sad expression on her face. She missed her parents. We rarely see our families since we got married and moved to another house. When it was already difficult for Azie to travel, mga magulang nalang namin ang bumibisita sa bahay.

Huminga siya nang malalim. "T-Thank you, Marcus," she softly said.

May namuong mainit sa dibdib ko.

"Thank you for making me happy, love." I brought her hand to my lips. "I love you so much. I wanna kiss you senseless but I am not bold enough to do that."

She chuckled lightly. "You sound too aggressive just now."

Umiling ako na nakangiti.

"We're the only ones in this room," she naughtily said. "I can grant your wish."

I leaned down as our eyes locked together. I held her chin and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"That wasn't senseless," pagkuway reklamo niya..

She glared at me and pulled a long face.

I burst out laughing. I sat on the chair beside her bed. "Are you daring me or something?"

"What if I am?" she countered.

"Come on, love. Magpahinga ka muna," utos ko sa kanya. "Ako na ang bahala magbantay kay baby."

"Ikaw din. You need to take a rest. Dahil baka hindi na natin maranasan ang kumpletong oras ng tulog simula ngayon."

I stared at our daughter. Her hands moved. I placed my finger inside her palm and she gripped it.