Secret Series #3 Beautiful Scars [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 35

A S H Y

"Mommy!" Patakbong lumapit sa akin si River. Bumaba ako ng kaunti para siya'y bigyan ng yakap. Masaya siyang humalik sa aking pisngi.

"How are you?" tanong ko pagkahiwalay sa kaniya.

"I miss you, Mom," he answered. He leaned forward and slowly turned his gaze to his father. He raised his one hand, showing respect to him.

"I miss you, Master."

"How could you miss me?" pabirong tugon ni Rain. Binalingan ako ng aming anak saka ito ngumiti ng nakakaasar.

"Would you kiss my mom?" Napataas ang aking magkabilang kilay na tila nagtatanong sa kaniya. Kumunot ang aking noo nang ipinahawak nito sa akin ang kamay ng kaniyang ama.

"You're blushing, Mom," pangungutya nito. "Kinikilig ka."

"Paano mo nasabi?" giit ko na pakunwari ay hindi apektado.

"Because you said it, Mom."

"Kunwari ka pa," sagot ni Rain sa mahinang boses na agad ko rin binalingan.

"Ako ba talaga ang nagkukunwari rito?" Humarap siya sa akin at pasimpleng ngumiti.

"Hindi ba?" panigurado niya na nagbigay asar sa akin.

"Paano ba iyan," dagdag pa niya. "River wants me to kiss you."

"No way," I concluded, rolling my eyes as I began to walk. Dinig ko na lang ang tawanan at asaran nilang dalawa.

"Hey!" Lin goes out of the kitchen and comes onto us. Her sweet smile indulges.

"What's for lunch?" tanong ni Rain at umupo sa aking tabi.

"Something special," she patiently answered, "and River wants it to be more special."

Lumapit si River sa kaniya at humawak sa kamay nito.

"Let's go, Tita," giit niya at nilingon kami. "Take your time, lovebirds."

Lindsay can't help but smile, then they suddenly go back to the kitchen. Silence spread for a moment.

"Ang tahimik mo na ngayon," pabulong niyang sabi. Bakas sa tono nito na gusto ulit mang-asar.

"Hindi ako natutuwa, Rain."

"Natuwa ako sa naging asta ng anak natin. He even wants us to become happy, and that simple joke from him makes me feel na masaya pala talaga magkaroon ng buong pamilya."
My heart was aching when Rain's last two words echoed in my mind.

Buong pamilya.

Bahagya ko siyang nilingon. I saw his twinkling eyes at maging ang kaniyang pagkasabik na mapabilang sa isang masayang pamilya na kaniyang noo'y pinapangarap.

He held my hand and said, "Thank you for giving me a child."

"Thank you for everything, Rain. For the love and care, for making me believe that all impossible things are working together . . . for good."

"Hindi mo alam kung gaano mo ako napasaya, Ash. Not just once, but many times. Kaya ngayon, ayaw na kitang pakawalan pa."

"I'm already yours," saad ko sa kaniya.