Pay The Price

Kabanata 65

Maingat kong ibinaba ang seven month old na bunso naming anak ni Dimitri. Hinalikan ko ang noo niya at dahan- dahang lumabas sa kaniyang kwarto. Paglabas ko ay nakita ko si Dimitri na kalalabas lang rin sa kwarto ng kambal naming anak.

"Tulog na?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

He held my hand and wrapped me up in a warm hug. "Yeah. Finally,"

Mahina akong natawa sa sagot niya. Iginiya niya ako papunta sa kwarto naming dalawa at humalakhak ako noong paikutin niya ako at parang nagsasayaw kaming dalawa sa isang makalumang kanta. For the past five years, I created my own fashion line company. Of course, my husband helped me but he credited me with all the efforts behind my company's success. Five years ago too, we held my dream wedding at the beach. Hindi pumayag si Dimitri na hindi iyon nagaganap dahil sabi niya ay iyon daw ang pangarap ko and he wants all of my dreams to become a reality.

Five years ago too, Lucius Kristopher, our first child was born.

Dimitri became extra careful when I was pregnant with Lux. Kaunti na lang ay bantayan niya ako kahit sa opisina. Wala naman akong ibang ginagawa roon bukod sa maupo, mag-review ng files at mag-drawing. When I gave birth to our first born, all of my family members were in the hospital. Can and his family are there too, together with all of Dimitri's friends.

"Our son," Umiiyak kong sabi noong mahagkan si Lux. Dimitri kissed the top of my head and I could see tears on his eyes too as we both watch our son while crying.

Lux is a carbon copy of his father. Kuhang- kuha niya ang itim na buhok ni Dimitri, ang makapal na kilay, mapupungay na mata, matatangos na ilong, at malalambot na labi. The way he acts is like his father. He is smart for his age too and he likes to read books, something that he takes from his Papa.

"Mahal, tingnan mo ang anak natin. Kamukhang- kamukha mo. Ang daya! Ako ang nagdala n'yan sa loob ng siyam na buwan, ah." Nakanguso kong sabi. Dimitri kissed my lips and chuckle.

"Let's make another one that will look just like you, then." Sabi niya sa akin and proceeded to kiss my lips once again.

A year after Lucius was born, I gave birth to our not one but two sons. And again, our twins look exactly like him. Sobrang lakas ng dugo niya dahil kuhang- kuha na naman nilang dalawa ang itsura ng ama nila. There's only one thing you will notice that will make you distinguish who is who from the twins. Lukariah Kierro has a small mole on his upper lips whereas Lothaire Kierro has one on the top of his left eyebrow.

"Mama!" Sigaw nilang parehas at saka tumakbo papalapit sa akin papunta sa study room. They are four years old right now. Isinauli ko ang gamit ko at saka inabanagan ang yakap nilang dalawa.

"What does my big boys want?" Tanong ko nang kumalong sila sa akin.

"We made you cookies!" Tuwang- tuwang sabi ni Loki.

"Really?" I ask, matching the excitement in their voice. Kahit anong pagod ko ay nawawala basta makasama ko lang sila.

"Papa said that we should call you that's why we come here. He and Kuya are preparing our snack in the dining room." Tumango ako kay Luka at saka siya nginitian.

"I guess we should go now, then. Papa and Kuya Lux is waiting for us."

Pagbaba ay hawak sila ng magkabilang kamay ko. Nilingon ako ng asawa ko at nginitian. Lux waved his hand at me. He's getting taller too. My babies are getting bigger and bigger this past few years.

"'Ma, seat here. We prepare this for you. Papa also made pasta!" Sabi ni Lux at saka hinila ang upuan sa tabi ni Dimitri. Umupo ang kambal sa tabi ng Kuya nila samantalang pumunta naman ako sa tabi ng asawa ko na naglalagay ng cookies sa tray at saka siya niyakap. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed my lips. Nasa malayo kaming dalawa at pinapanood ang mga anak namin na ayusin ang lamesa na pagkakainan. Gusto kasi nila na sa pool area nalang para daw mahangin.