"Happy birthday, Annabeth!" Everyone shouted as their daughter blew out her birthday candle. "Yehey!"
Ngumiti si Ara nang halikan ni Antoinette ang pisngi ng nakababatang kapatid. Nilingon niya si Kanoa na nasa tabi niya at nakaluhod habang kinakausap ang mga anak. Ibinalik naman niya ang tingin sa mga bisita.
Annabeth just celebrated her 5th birthday, and for the first time, they decided to celebrate here in the Philippines. Nasa plano na rin naman nila ni Kanoa ang lahat at hindi nila inaasahang tatanggapin ng parents ni Ara ang imbitasyon.
Maybe because Antoinette and Annabeth were their only grandchildren.
"Ang laki-laki na ng baby ko!" Binuhat ni Sam si Annabeth bago lumapit kay Ara. "I'm still shocked na they're here."
Sumenyas si Ara kay Sam na huwag maingay at na mamaya na lang sila mag-uusap tungkol doon. May pagkachismosa kasi si Annabeth. May mga bagay na hindi maitago sa bunso nila na ikinakatawa nila ni Kanoa kaya kapag kasama nila ang bunso, hindi sila nagkukuwentuhan tungkol sa mga bagay na dapat isinisikreto.
Natawa si Sam at tumango. Nagpababa naman si Annabeth para sumundo kay Antoinette na nakikipaglaro sa mga batang bisita nila.
"So there." Ara opened a topic. "I was shocked, kaya, when Mommy reached out. I casually asked her naman if they wanna come sa birthday ni Annabeth and mas shocking when mommy said yes."
"They're not getting any younger." Belle joined the conversation. "Unless they wanna die without even bonding with their apos. Hindi nila madadala ang pride sa grave."
Malakas na natawa si Ara sa sinabi ni Belle dahilan para tumingin ang ibang guest sa kanila. Pati na rin ang parents nilang nakikipag-usap sa parents ni Aaron ay tumingin sa kanila. Hindi pa rin nagpaawat ang kakambal niya.
"They're looking at us. Kung alam lang nilang I was talking about them. Hay nako," Belle rolled her eyes. "Mom asked me kanina hindi ako pregnant. Oh my gosh, I won't get pregnant!"
"Ano sagot mo?" Sam asked, laughing.
"Of course, I shrugged her off. I told her na if she keeps asking me, I won't get pregnant lalo. Aaron's parents nga are okay na we're not planning anytime soon or not planning at all 'tapos sila ni Daddy, hingi nang hingi."
Sam also opened a topic about their parents asking for kids, and Ara felt something inside her. It was painful. She then looked for Kanoa, who was talking to an old friend—a band member—when their eyes met.
Kanoa frowned and excused himself. He knew something was up. Ara smiled, but he knew better.
Sandaling nagpaalam si Kanoa sa kausap at lumapit sa magkakapatid. Nagkunwari siyang may ipakikilala kay Ara para mahatak ito palayo. . . para makausap. Nilingon nila ang party. Nag-e-enjoy naman ang mga anak nila sa pakikipaglaro sa ibang bata kaya kakausapin muna niya ang asawa.
"Ano'ng nangyari?" tanong niya paglabas nila ng events place. Naglakad sila papunta sa garden na mayroong malagong puno at mga upuan. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Ara. "May nangyari ba?"
"Wala naman." Pinilit ni Ara ang ngumiti. "It's still uncomfortable that they're here. My dad's not even talking to you and naiini—"
Naupo si Kanoa sa tabi ni Ara at inakbayan ito. "Love, sabi sa 'yo ayos lang. Hindi naman ako ang pinunta nila rito. Sina Antoinette at Annabeth naman."
Mahinang natawa si Ara at sinuklay ang buhok ni Kanoa. Matagal siyang nakatitig sa asawa. Ipinatong din niya ang baba sa balikat nito habang nagkukuwento tungkol sa mga balita ng buhay ng mga kaibigan nito at ilang kakilala nila.
May inggit sa parte ni Ara. Na bakit si Belle at Kuya niya, inaabangan ng parents niyang magkaanak? Bakit ang mga anak niya, halos bare minimum lang ang nakuha? Na parang wala na lang choice kailangan pang makilala?
But while staring at Kanoa, Ara realized she didn't need the validation or approval of their parents anymore. She had already broken all the rules by being with Kanoa years ago, and she was better now. Oo, galit ang parents niya kay Kanoa dahil sa nangyari sa kaniya. Kahit sino naman, eh. Kahit naman sina Belle and Sam . . . but Kanoa already proved that he was worthy.
Instead of feeling bad for herself again, Ara held Kanoa's hand and realized everything was perfect. They were doing well as a family, and they were at their best selves as parents. They were living freely and happily as a couple.
The journey was rough and painful, but they healed together.
It took them long, as they had to attend multiple sessions individually and as a couple, but it made them better—for themselves, for their marriage, and for their kids.
Bumalik sila sa party at kaagad silang nakita nina Antoinette at Annabeth na tumakbo papalapit sa kanila para ipagmalaki ang natanggap na regalo mula sa daddy ni Ara. Both kids were holding an envelope with Disneyland tickets and paper bags with princess dresses.
Ara looked at her parents. Her mom was smiling while looking at their kids. Her dad was looking at her and gave her a nod. She nodded back and held onto Kanoa's hand. Her dad looked away.
That made her chuckle.
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12,441 likes araceleste I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want. He was chaos. He was revelry. Daddy, I love him.
