Phases of Us

X: Epilogue

"Mahal, ikaw na kaya ang tumingin?" pagmamakaawa ni Lucio.

Today is the release of the results of the PLE exams. He wasn't able to take an exam last year because a lot of problems came our way. Hindi niya pa kayang mag-focus dahil sa dinarami-raming problema ang dumaan sa buhay namin. But this year, he finally took it. Nauna siyang mage-exam dahil ang schedule pa ng BAR exam ko sa November. May ilang buwan pa ako para mag-aral at maghanda. I need to take it once.

I didn't just finish Law for some personal satisfaction, but to open the case of my father. I want to press more charges against him. I want him to die in jail. I want him to rot in jail. Alam kong maraming kaso ang mayroon ang Tatay ko, pero kulang pa sa ebidensya. He has gotten into a lot of crimes, such as sexual and physical assault, larceny, and adultery. Mom even wants to file for divorce with him, which I agree with the most. I promised her that I would be the lawyer in that case.

"Mahal, sige na. Look, nanginginig na ang kamay ko." I grinned and watched Lucio trembling in nervousness.

"Hon, I want you to look at it. Go on, look for your name." I held his left hand.

I have actually seen the result, and he was there. He even topped. Alam kong kaunting scroll lamang nito ay makikita na agad niya ang apilyedo niya. He followed what I said and put his focus on his laptop. Ang kaninang mahigpit niyang kapit sa akin ay mas lalong humigpit nang magsimula na siyang maghanap ng pangalan.

"Fuck," He cussed as he pulled me into a hug.

"Congratulations, Dr. Callejo! I'm so proud of you, Hon. I'm very very proud!" At that moment, I cried with him.

Muli niyang sinulyapan ang screen at nung mabasa niyang naandoon nga siya ay tumayo ito at nagtatalon sa tuwa. He kissed me as he finish celebrating. 

"I'm now a cardiologist. Love, I'm now licensed!" Sunod-sunod akong tumango sa mga sinabi niya.

"Kailangan malaman ito nila Tatay. Where's my phone?" Aligaga itong naghanap ng cellphone.

Sakto namang may nag-doorbell. They came just in time. "Love, can you please open the door? Ako na ang maghahanap ng cellphone mo." He nodded before wiping his tears and walking towards the door. I put my phone out to record this kind of moment.

"Putangina! Si Doc pala 'to eh!" Hindi ko mapigilang matawa nang marining ko ang boses ni Dex.

"Congratulations, Kuya!" And a few seconds later, the voice of twins.

Sinundan ko si Lucio at napangiti nang makita ang buong pamilya niya. Tito, Alea, Leo, Dex, Brett, and my Mom. Hindi makapagsalita si Lucio habang gulat na gulat pa ring nakatingin sa mga sumorpresa sa kaniya.

"Congratulations, anak. Paniguradong masayang-masaya ang Nanay mo ngayon. Sobra mo kaming pinasaya, Dr. Callejo." I laughed when I saw my Lucio cried like a baby.

"Congrats, hijo." My mom greeted Lucio as she handed him a gift. She never ran out of presents for Lucio. Kung tutuusin ay mas mahal pa yung mga inireregalo nito kay Lucio kaysa sa akin.

In just a few weeks, he started working as a medical doctor. Since he topped the board, a lot of hospitals want him to work with them. On the other side, I continued studying and reviewing for my upcoming BAR exam. I am not aiming to top like Lucio. I just want to get licensed and get the chance to open my first case. I want this year to end peacefully. I want Mom to be freed as my father's spouse.

This year has been blessed for me and Lucio. We got licensed, we celebrated our 5th anniversary, my father was sentenced to life, and the twins graduated from senior high school. Lucio is planning to get them from the province. Dahil gusto niyang pag-aralin ang dalawa sa Manila. I am just not sure if he was able to convince his Dad dahil mukhang hindi ito sasama. Wala raw magbabantay sa bahay. I am not meddling with their concerns; makikialam lang ako kapag nahingi na ng tulong si Lucio.