as the stars would have it

epilogue

Epilogue

Evie tried not to skip as soon as they got down from Abe’s car. He offered to drive for them since the idea was to keep Jachin in the dark until they were inside. Nakatakip ng panyo ang mga mata nito habang katabi ni Evie sa likuran ng sasakyan.

“Bub, sa’n ba kasi talaga tayo pupunta? Bakit ang tahimik?” Jachin asked for the nth time. Hindi ito mapakali sa sasakyan at paulit-ulit na tinatanong sa kanila ni Abe kung ano ba ‘yong surprise nila. Abe told him he’d run the car towards the nearest tree if he didn’t stop talking.

Because it was November 28. Jachin’s birthday.

“Secret nga! Come on, aalalayan kita.” Evie reached for his right hand and gently pulled him towards the restaurant’s double doors. There weren’t a lot of people, but it was still lunchtime so it was busy inside.

“Ah, kakain tayo? Bakit may pa-ganito pa?”

Evie pressed her fingers on his palm out of annoyance. “Just trust me!” She was already sweating so hard as it is without him talking down her ear. She wanted this to be perfect.

When they reached the private space she requested to occupy, Evie guided Jachin to stand in front of his guests, before walking behind him to remove his blindfold.

A chorus of “Surprise!” and “Happy birthday!” erupted from the people in front of him. Among them, his family—Mama J, Papa J, and his sisters—and even their dogs, Sugar and Lulu were present. Rigo and Fatima were also there, although at first they weren’t sure they would make it since Fatima was so close to her due date that she could go into labor any time this week.

Evie also invited a few of his former blockmates, including Amara who even came from her vacation to visit them.

“Hoy, ba’t ka nandito? Akala ko nasa abroad ka na!” Jachin greeted Amara with a hug.

“I’m on vacation!”

Jachin gave her mom a kiss on the head. “Ikaw, ma, ha. Sabi mo pupunta lang kayo ni Papa sa Cubao para mamalengke ng gulay. Tapos tagabitbit ‘tong dalawa.” He pointed at his sisters who giggled because they managed to deceive their kuya.

“E kung sinama kita, malamang malalaman mo surprise ni Evangeline.”

Evie adored the way his mother always called her by her full first name. It was rare to hear it even with her friends, so she appreciates how she seemed to like her name Evangeline.

Lumapit si Evie kay Fatima para yakapin ito. She truly was excited to see her baby! And she couldn’t help but coo at her belly. “Gusto ka na makita ni Tita Evie. Please come out na.”

Fatima mustered a smile despite the obvious strain on her body. Malaki na ang tiyan niya at madalas na siyang hingalin kaya hindi niya kayang tumayo nang matagal. “Sorry, I’m exhausted. Hindi ako pinatulog kagabi kasi galaw nang galaw.”

Evie bent down a little. “Ikaw ha. You always kick your mom’s ribs!”

“Masakit nga. Parang may disco sa loob kaya siya sumasayaw.”

“Do you have a name na?”

Fatima nodded and scooted closer to Evie. Lumapit ito sa kanya para ibulong ang pangalan ng anak niya. She’d been so secretive of it that even Rigo had no idea. Minsan naririnig niya ito na kinukulit si Fatima para malaman kung anong pangalan.

“Oh—” Evie’s eyes sparkled at the name. But Fatima was quick to put a finger on her lips. “Okay, okay. I will keep it a secret.”

“Thank you,” Fatima glanced at Rigo who was talking to Jachin and Abe. “Secret muna para ‘di niya malaman.”