Task Force Trilogy #1: Bullet

Epilogue

Two years later.

KIDS came running outside, all babbling and talking to their friends. They are running in their little shoes, and in their heaviest bags. Napatingin ako sa mga kasama ko ngayon sa labas ng gate dahil sinalubong na nila ang mga susunduin. Each mothers quickly prepared a towel to wipe off their children's sweat, and they all asked about how their day went.

Linagay ko ang kamay sa bulsa. I am patiently standing in the corner while waiting for my kids to come running to me as well.

Nararamdaman ko ang mga panaka-nakang pagtingin sa akin ng mga tao.

I know it's because of my scars and tattoos again. But I don't give a damn anymore. I got used to it. Mahal naman ako ni Aurora.

I almost rolled my eyes when they still kept looking. Some are even staring.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Napaayos ako ng tayo ng makita ang kambal na tumatakbo na papunta sa akin. My lips automatically lifted for a smile as I welcomed them with a hug. Walang kahirap-hirap ko silang binuhat at hinalikan ang pisngi nila.

Athena giggled. "Dad, I got a perfect score in our quiz po!"

"Is that so, princess? Good job! Keep that up." I pinched her nose.

"Dad, I did as well po!" Adonis said next.

I kissed his temple. "Good job, prince. I'm so proud of you both. Sobrang matutuwa nito si mommy kapag nalaman na naka-perfect na naman kayo."

My twins clapped their hands as I brought them down. Kinuha ko na ang mga bags nila at sinakbit iyon sa magkabilang balikat ko. I also took their towels out and wiped off the sweats on their foreheads and and on their backs. Pagkatapos ay linabas ko ang Dutch Mill at sandwiches na pinabaon sa akin ni Aurora para sa mga bata.

"Let's go. Daddy's car is there." Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay nila. Athena is on my left side, and Adonis on the other.

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?" I took out my keys and unlocked the car. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at inalalayan ang dalawa na makasakay. I also put their bags there. "What is it, baby?"

"Why is mommy always in the house po? And why is her tummy so big na? I'm scared na it will sabog. Mommy will be hurt."

I chuckled at that as I sat on the driver seat. "Athena, princess, your mommy is always in the house because she shouldn't be tired and your baby brother. Kailangan niya palagi mag-rest. And remember when we had your baby brother Atlas? This is just the same. You're going to have a baby brother again."

"What?!" Athena gasped as she covered her mouth. Natatawa kong pinaandar ang sasakyan. "Daddy, we will be kuya and ate again?! And Atlas will be a kuya na?!"

"Yes." I felt my cheeks heated up. Isang taon lang ang pagitan.

"And he will be a boy po again?" Adonis asked.

"Yes, anak. We will name him Ares Vaughn." I answered while nodding.

Nang makauwi kami sa bahay ay pinababa ko na ang mga bata. Ipinarada ko muna ang sasakyan sa garahe bago ko kinuha ang mga bags nina Athena at Adonis. Then, before I entered the house, I checked if the twins put their school shoes on the shoe rack.

Napangiti ako nang makitang maayos nilang inilagay ang mga sapatos sa lagayan.

Pumasok na ako sa bahay at bumungad sa akin ang madaldal kong kapatid. She keps babbling things while my son, Atlas, is sitting on her lap and playing with his pacifier.