Faultlessly Captivated [Completed]

Special Chapter

“Where are you two going?” Etienne asked yawning. He just woke up while I and Hera are dressed up already.

“We're going to La Esperanza. My parents want to see Hera. We'll be back tomorrow morning,” I kissed his cheeks and my Elaine did the same too.

“Bye, daddy. See you tomorrow!” she waved her little hands at her father and we headed outside.

“Take care!” Sancho Etienne shouted because we were already outside the door.

Hera and I giggled when we got out of the house. I bet he's already sulking right now.

Pumunta kami sa bahay ng parents ni Etienne. We already planned this. Today is his birthday and we are planning to surprise him! .

Sancho and I have been married for a year. After that day he said that he still loves me, I asked him for marriage. Yes, asked I'm the one who asked it. We already wasted 6 years and I don't want to expand it. I love him and he loves me and our daughter, that's all matters.  And so far, I never regretted it for I am happy and so does my Hera.

We prepared everything before dinner came. His parents will call him to come here because they will give him their gifts.

“Ephraim, are you excited to see your Dad?” I asked as I comb his hair.

He is one of our surprises for Sancho's birthday. He mentioned one time that he missed her son but he is too busy to visit him.

Gustuhin man naming sa amin na siya titira pero hindi papayag ang mama niya.

“Yes po, Tita. Thank you po for inviting me,” he shyly said.

“Don't be shy, Kuya. We're a family here! And Daddy misses you so much!” Elaine stated.

Close silang dalawa. Feeling close kasi masyado si Hera kaya ayan. Although, I'm happy that they got along with each other. And both of them are smart enough to understand the situation.

“Really? I'm looking forward to seeing Dad,” Ephraim said as he pats Elaine's head.

Ayaw ng anak ko na ginugulo ang buhok and I guess there's an exception. Lagi niya pinapagalitan ang uncles niya.

“Kuya, don't mess my hairstyle,” she pouted. There's no exception pala. Akala ko ayos lang pag si Ephraim eh.

“Oh, sorry, lil goddess,” Ephraim chuckled. Nginusuan lang siya ni Elaine.

“Sancho's coming!” Mama Paula announced.

We lined in front of the door para pagbukas ni Sancho sa pinto ay babatiin namin siya. Ako ang may hawak sa cake at katabi ko ang mga anak ko.

“Happy Birthday!” we greeted in unison when Sancho Etienne showed up in front of the door.

Napaupo siya sa gulat at nananlalaking matang tiningnan niya kami. Suminok pa siya.

“Bakit nakaupo ka diyan, gago. Sabi ko sa'yong hintayin mo ako, eh,” Yve said as he helped Sancho to stand up.

Naitayo na ni Yve si Sancho bago niya kami mapansin. “Oh, hi, people?” he said laughing when he realized what was happening.

“Oh, God. Yve, can you slap me? I think I'm imagining scenarios,” Sancho said midst his hiccups.

Tinawanan lang ni Yve si Sancho at inakay papunta sa'min.

“Are you drunk, Sancho?” I clarified. Bakit siya uminom?

“Hala, Yve. She's talking!” hindi makapaniwalang saad ni Sancho. Tanga!

Mabuti nalang at hindi nakakaintindi si Ephraim ng tagalog. Nakakahiya siya sa anak niya pag nagkataon!

Sinapok ni Eshiva si Sancho. Hindi ko namalayan na nakalapit na pala siya sa'min.

“Bobo, umayos ka, Etienne,” sabi nito pero sinuklian lang siya ni Sancho ng sinok.

Pinauna ko ng kumain ang pamilya ni Sancho at binilin ko nalang kay Yve ang mga inaanak niya. Nasa kwarto kami ni Sancho ngayon.

“Bakit ka ba naglasing, Sancho?!” I interrogated.

“I thought you and Hera forgot my birthday,” he pouted, parang bata.

“Oh, dahil do'n naglasing ka?” I asked, annoyed. He ruined our surprise!

Hindi siya nagsalita at yumuko nalang.

“I thought you realized that you don't really love me, County,” he admitted.

“Dahil lang hindi kita binati at umalis kami?” I stressfully asked. Tumango siya.

Siguro ito na ang huling beses isusupresa ko siya, naglalasing, eh! Tanga pa naman 'to pag lasing.

“Sorry na, Abunjing bunjing. Mahal mo naman ako 'di ba?” he inquired.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at tinitigan lang. Tiningnan niya ako sa mukha at halata sa mukha niya na kinakabahan siya.

“I love you, Love,” he added but I didn't respond.

Bumangon siya sa pagkakahiga at hinawakan ang mukha ko. I remained silent.

“Hoy, I love you,” he repeated. Para na siyang natatae kaya 'di ko napigilang tumawa.

Nakarinig kami ng katok sa pinto kay nilingon namin ito. Nakasilip si Ephraim at Hera sa pinto kaya pinalapit ko sila sa'min.

“Happy Birthday, Daddy,” they greeted Sancho.

“Thank you, kiddos. Sorry about earlier,” nahihiya niyang sabi. Marunong pala siyang mahiya.

“You look stupid earlier, Dad,” sabi ni Hera at tumawa naman si Ephraim.

“Hera!” I yelled in surprise. Saan niya natutunan 'yon?!

“She heard Tita Erish said that,” natatawang saad ni Ephraim. Napa facepalm nalang tuloy ako.

“County, I love you,” Sancho whispered. Tulog na kasi ang dalawa sa gitna namin.

“Happy Birthday, Sancho. I love you, too,” he smiled when he heard my response.

Bukas nalang ang regalo niya. Parang tanga kasi, naglasing pa.

Inabot niya ang kamay ko na nakayakap sa baywang ni Hera. Kinuha niya ito at hinalikan.

Even if the plan didn't go according to what is planned, I'm still happy. My heart is at peace, surrounded with warmth, by the people I love.