CORMAC [TDH - IV]

EPILOGUE

IMARI NOELLE

"Yakov," pagtawag sa kanya.

Bago niya ako nilapitan ay nagpaalam muna siya sa mga kausap niya. He went straight to me and gave me a questioning look.

"Hey, love. You want me to do something?" tanong niya nang makalapit na sa'kin. Hinimas himas niya pa ang noo ko at hinawi ang mga hibla ng buhok na nakaharang sa mukha ko.

"Nasaan si Vlad?"

"He's playing with Damiano's kids, love. I have Dominic to look out for him." aniya. "Why? Do you want me to get him here?"

"Oo, please. Papalitan ko damit niya, baka kasi pinagpapawisan na 'yon kakalaro."

"Alright." naglakad papalayo si Yakov at ibinaling ko ang tingin sa emcee na kasalukuyang nagsasalita sa harapan.

Hindi pa nagtatagal ay nakabalik na agad si Yakov bitbit ang anak namin. Dominic was behind them.

"Mommy!" tumakbo papalapit sakin si Vlad at yumakap.

"Hi, baby! Did you enjoy playing with uncle Damiano's kids?" nginitian ko si Vlad at pinaupo siya sa gilid ni manang Josie.

"Yes! They like robots as well, Mom. Me, Abraham, Daux, and Irem, we were playing like the power rangers!"

"I'm glad to hear that, babe." sagot ko. "Now, you should go to Manang Josie, she'll wipe your back because there's sweat that might get you sick if you won't wipe it off after playing, my love."

"Okay, mom. I will change clothes!"

Pinunasan na ni manang Josie ang likuran ni Vlad at binihisan ito ng dala naming spare shirt niya.

Bumalik na sa pagkakaupo si Vlad at sabay kaming nanood sa mga pakulo sa harapan. Yakov was beside me and he looked so bored with the program.

"May I request mr. and mrs. Cormac to come up here in front." anunsiyo ng emcee at nagkatinginan pa kami sandali ni Yakov. Nonetheless, we stood up together with Vlad and went in front of the crowd. Everyone was clapping their hands.

"Let us all give our warmest regards to our newly baptized angel, Nikolaj Ioann Vladislav R. Cormac. Son of Mr. Yakov Vladimir Cormac and Imari Noelle Cormac." aniya.

Karga karga ko si baby Ioann, mahimbing siyang natutulog at hindi man lang natinag sa maugong na palakpakan ng mga bisita.

Mahigit limang buwan na ang lumipas nang manganak ako kay Ioann, normal delivery at madali ko lang din siyang nailabas. Hindi kagaya no'ng kay Vlad, muntik pa akong ma-cesarean.

Honestly, our children's names are very long and are very russian-like.

Ilang oras na ang lumipas at natapos na rin ang party. Nagsiuwian na ang lahat at naiwan kami ng mag-ama ko rito sa private resort na pag-aari ng kaibigan niyang si Mr. Ragussi.

Dinala rin namin si manang Josie para bantayan din ang dalawa naming anak. We had a very long day and all we need is relaxation with a bit of casual conversation.

While Dominic was busy looking out for Vlad who's playing in the jacuzzi of our suite, Yakov and I decided to go for a walk in the beach.

We held each other's hands and glimpsed at the breathtaking sunset.

"Ang ganda nitong beach," saad ko. I'm not a beach lover but I have a room for appreciation in everything I see.

"Yeah, this is paradise." he retorted and I smiled.

Totoo, parang paraiso ang ganda ng lugar.

"Mas gumanda pa 'tong lugar dahil magkasama tayo, isang masaya at buong pamilya."

Sobra sobra ang saya sa puso ko dahil simula nang magpakasal kami ni Yakov ulit, hindi na naulit ang mga masalimoot na minsan nang nangyari samin.

"You have no idea how grateful I am to spend my whole life with you, love." he held my hips and put me close to his body while we were walking on the shore. "To build a family with you is all I ever prayed for, to God."

"Ako, I've always wished to have a family of my own too. I was deprived of a parent's love for as long as I could remember, and I thought, having my own family would suffice my longing for love." my heart is so warm, I felt like it was melting inside. "And it surprisingly did. I feel complete because I have you and our sons. I just hope that it stays like this forever; where we're filled with love, happiness, contentment, and peace."

Huminto kami sa paglalakad nang hinarap ako ni Yakov. There was a small smile painted in his lips and just by looking at his eyes, I could feel his sincerity.

"I will do everything to make our family safe. I will do everything to show my love for all of you. I will do everything I can to grant you peace and security, my love. No one will dare ruin our family, and I hope you could trust me on that."

"Thank you, Yakov." inabot nang aking mga palad ang pisngi ni Yakov at hinimas iyon ng bahagya. "I love you..."

"I love you. I love you. I love you, love!" hinalikan niya ang labi, pisngi, at noo ko.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad at tinignan ang iba pang mga turista na masayang naliligo sa dagat.

"Look, ang dami ng mga anak nila." turo ko sa isang pamilya na nakaupo sa buhangin at nagkkwentuhan.

"I hope we could also have a lot of kids in the future, Imari." mahina nang sambit at dinungaw ko ang mukha niya, tutok na tutok ito sa pamilyang nasa hindi kalayuan lang.

Napangiti ako bigla at huminga ng malalim.

"Count this growing life inside me as your baby number 3, love." anunsiyo ko at maang siyang napatingin sakin.

"What?" gulat niyang reaksiyon.

"Anong what?"

"What do you mean by baby number 3, love?"

"I'm a month pregnant, love. Can't you imagine that? Limang buwan pa lang mula nang ipanganak ko si Ioann, ngayon naman ay buntis ulit ako. Baka kung ano na isipin ng mga tao nito!" pagbibiro ko sa huling linya ng sinabi ko.

"Oh my God! For real?!"

"As in, for real!" tumango ako at ngumiti ng malapad.

Yakov couldn't contain his joy, he hugged me tightly and gave me sweet kisses.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! I love you so much, Imari Noelle!" aniya. Paulit ulit niyang binabanggit ang katagang I love you matapos kong sabihin sa kanya ang pagbubuntis ko.

"I love you forever, Mrs. Cormac."

"And I love you for eternity, Mr. Cormac."

END.