Love Quarantined

Epilogue: Four of Us

EPILOGUE: FOUR OF US

Colby

I BROUGHT my family in a open park here in Brooklyn, New York City. Katatapos lang doctor's conference na dinaluhan ko kanina kasama si Erian. Sinama ko ang aking pamilya para makapagbakasyon na rin kami dito sa New York. We've been busy all day of our lives and forget to relax. Fourth birthday din ni Rafael at naisipan naming imbis na maghanda ay ito na lamang gawin.

"Woah!" tili Rafael nang ilabas ni Kriselle ang cake. The design matches our son's favorite character - the we bare bears. Nagsasayaw ang anak namin at humanap pa ako ng paraan para mahipan niya ang kandila. "We Bare Bears!"

"Yes, love, that's your favorite. Happy birthday!" Kriselle said, kissing our son on his lips.

"Daddy needs a kiss too," I demanded from my wife, but I received a frown instead of a kiss. Rafael walks toward me and kisses me on both of my cheeks. "You're growing so fast, buddy. Happy birthday!"

"I want the bear cake!" turo ni Rafael sa cake na para bang gusto na niya kumain.

"Anong sabi ni Lola Irene nang sabihin mo na walang birthday party?" tanong ni Kriselle matapos subuan si Rafael. Pinaupo lang niya muna ang anak namin para hindi makaranas ng indigestion.

"Nagtatampo. But I received an email that she still wanted to give Rafael a party."

"We just have to let her then,"

"Most probably because we can never win to her." Umisod ako palapit sa asawa ko at hinawakan ang kamay niya. I teasingly planted a kiss on the back, making her smile. "I love you, Kris."

"You've told that already a while ago before we reach this place,"

"Why are you so grumpy, wife?" Lakas-loob kong tanong kay Kriselle.

"Because you're annoying," she simply replied but in her humble voice. Ang bilis magpalit ng mood talaga at naghihinala na ako dahil hindi naman ito ang unang beses na nagsungit siya.

Kriselle got annoyed when I'm still on my pajamas a while ago. Nagsabi kasi ako na maaga ang meeting pero nasa parehong hotel kung saan kami tumutuloy ang venue, medyo binagalan ko ang kilos. She outraged upon smelling her favorite perfume of mine. Ang odd pero kinolekta ko lang lahat ng ito sa isipan ko na nadadagdagan nang nadadagdagan.

"Easy, okay? I'm sorry." Hinalikan ko ulit ang kamay niya bago pa kami pagitnaan ni Rafael.

"Baby! I want a baby brother!"

Nagulat ako sa sinigaw ng anak ko bigla. I eyed Kriselle and she dodge my stare like always. Tumayo sa harap ko si Rafael at inulit-ulit ang wish niya. I have to stopped him before her mom got annoyed again. May kailangan ako gawin para naman mawala ang inis ng asawa ko sa akin.

Agad ko kinuha ang cellphone at nagpadala ng text message kay Erian. I need his help on this one again.

Pagkatapos namin kumain, nagsabi si Kriselle na babalik na sa hotel dahil masama ang pakiramdam niya. Bigla akong naawa at nag-alangan na ituloy ang plano ko kaso sayang naman effort ni Erian. Itutuloy ko pa rin ito para gumaan ang mood ni Kriselle.

"I will meet Erian here. Mauna na kayong umakyat dalawa ni Rafael," sabi ko pero hindi ko binigay kay Kriselle ang mga gamit na dala namin kanina.

"I'll take those in our suite, babe,"

"Ako na dito. Akyat na kayo at magpahinga." I kissed my wife on her forehead and tossed my son's hair. "I love you both,"

"I love you too," my wife finally answered, smiling at me.