When Love Stays Forever (Book 3 of WL Trilogy) (ML, #3)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

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"Where are you?" Ilang minuto akong naghintay ng sagot ngunit wala. "Densel! Hinahanap ka ni Mama!"

"Papunta na," anito.

"Saan ka kasi nagpunta? Mom was hoping you'd be here all day! But heck with you, Densel! This is our birthday!" I heard him sigh over the phone.

"Papunta na 'ko! Leigh, o please, stop shouting!"

"Okay! Okay! But—"

"O, please. Papunta na 'ko." At binaba ni Densel ang tawag ko. I breathe a sigh. Napapikit bago ibulsa ang phone. Hindi ko napansing may dumating na tao. Napakagat ako ng pang-itaas na labi habang tinitignan si Mama.

"Papunta na raw, Ma."

"And the guests will be gone in a minute," mabilis nitong sabi. "Akala ko okay lang 'yong ganitong set-up kay Densel." Mama breathes and gives me a small smile. "I guess my children are all grown up now. They'll have their own family." Mama shook her head a little.

Tuluyan na akong lumapit kay Mama at niyakap ito. "Ma naman..." Niyakap ito ng sobrang higpit. "Ganon na kaagad? Densel still your boy and I am still your baby no matter what." Kumalas ako ng yakap sa kanya. I look at my mom's beautiful eyes. "I love you, Mama. I hope I am still your baby girl when I get married and have my own family."

Mom was near to tears. Her lips tremble. Napatikom ito ng bibig at napailing. "Leigh...baby," anito. Mama cupped my cheeks. "Of course, unless..." Napatigil ito. At biglang naglaro ang ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"Unless what?" My brows creased.

"Unless you'll have your own," ani Mama.

Napanguso ako.

Mama laughs.

I was about to protest ngunit may nauna sa akin. "Your boy is here," anunsyo nito. Parehas pa yata kami ni Mama napalingon sa dumating. Kahit na nasa labas kaming dalawa ni Mama hindi naming napansing pumasok mula sa gate si Densel.

Agad na pumunta si Mama kay Densel. "Happy Birthday, my boy," natatawang sabi ni Mama. Halatang nagmadali si Densel sa pagpunta dahil sa gulo ang buhok nito. Saka lukot pa ang damit nito.

"Thanks, Ma." Densel kissed Mama on her cheek and hugged after. May binulong pa ito kay Mama na nagpatawa dito. "I love you, Ma," he added. Mom gave Densel her sweetest smile.  I wish I could capture this moment. Na pwede kong balikan kung gusto ko. I wish I could capture every perfect and beautiful moment of our family. After all the bad or good things happened to our family, I still think that we're blessed enough to have each other. I am still blessed, thinking God is still there for me—for my family.

"Mama! Your baby!" ani ko at lumapit sa kanila. Inakbayan naman ako ni Mama at hinalikan ang side ng ulo ko. Ganon din ang ginawa niya kay Densel ngunit sa bewang niya 'to hinawakan dahil mataas itong kambal ko.

"Mahal na mahal ko kayo," Mama breathes the sweetest words from her mouth. I wish I could record these words and replay it whenever I'd like to hear her voice. "Happiest birthday to you, Densel and Leigh. My twins." Naramdaman ko muli ang halik ni Mama sa ulo ko. It brought tears on my eyes. Kapag naalala ko 'yong mga panahon na kaming tatlo lang ang magkakasama na naharap namin 'yong lahat. Mas lalo akong tumatatag. Mas lalo kong gustong ipagtanggol ang pamilyang ito.

Napapikit na lang ako. Please, pwede bang i-pause ang pangyayaring ito. Pwede huminto kahit sandali. Para matandaan ko ang bawat detalye...bawat kilos na ginawa namin.