Chapter 24
"What's up, boy? How's the life of a new dad now, huh?" bungad ni Tomas sa akin. "May pinadala akong box na puno ng baby toys. I think it should arrive next week if I'm not mistaken. But all that for baby Limer!"
"Nag-abala ka pa, Tom. But don't forget, kukunin ka pa rin naming ninoy ni Limer kahit na nasa Dubai ka."
Natawa naman ito. "Walang problema sa akin! Kapag umuwi kami sa Pinas, magpapa-big birthday celebration kami kay Limer kahit hindi pa niya birthdy."
"Aasahan ko 'yan, Tomas!" sabi pa ng asawa ko at saka ko iniharap sa kanya ang phone. "I'll be waiting for you to come back home! Papayagan kong mag-out of town na kayong dalawa lang ni Cholo soon, though the offer has only a limited time kaya uwi ka na agad!"
"Grabe ka naman Sy kung maka-pressure," anito. "I've been planning on going back home soon, but I have to work on my upcoming wedding. There are a lot of things that still need to work on. Isang buwan pa naman 'yon, but I felt like na kulang na kulang kami sa oras ngayon. We've already set everything, but me and my fiancee would eventually have to decide if we would push through with the wedding or postpone it to the next few months. But we'll see. . ."
"I'm sad na hindi kami makakapunta sa kasal mo," sabi pa ni Synestine. "Dubai's so far and expensive for me and Cholo to get there."
"Naku! 'Wag niyo nang problemahin 'yon. Kahit kayong tatlo pa lumipad dito sa Dubai, I'll shoulder all the expenses for your family. 'Wag niyo lang sasabihin sa iba, ha? Malalagot talaga ako sa fiancee ko. I'm scared of her, but not in a bad way! Anyway, I think I need to pick her up right now so I gottan catch up with both of you again soon!"
"Yes, boy! Update mo rin kami," pagpapaalala ko pa.
"Naman! Bye, see you soon!" pagpapaalam nito saka ibinaba ang tawag.
While we were still in the hospital and letting Synestine recover, a lot of our friends and relatives paid a visit to check on us and see our baby Limer. Maraming natuwa at nasiyahan nang makita ang anak namin ni Synestine. Whenever I saw people walking into our room, they were happy for us and saw Synestine was okay.
Wala sana akong balak na sabihin kay Synestine ang nangyari sa kanya dahil nagre-recover pa ito, pero nadulas naman ang parents niya kaya no choice kung hindi ikwento ko sa kanya. Obviously, she was so worried about it. Umiyak pa ito kasi kung tuluyan man siyang nawala, hindi niya man lang nakasama mamuhay ang anak nito. I felt so sad for her when she was telling what was going on in her head.
Ayoko rin namang mawala siya sa akin. Hindi ko hahayaang mawala siya sa akin.
On the last day before we all go back to our homes, Synestine's best friends throw out a small party for our friends and relatives. Hindi rin naman pwedeng maraming tao sa loob ng private room kaya halos hindi pa lalagpas ng sampung katao ang nasa loob. We've only got limited hours to do it dahil may window lamang na pupwedeng mag-stay ang mga bisita.
Everyone inside was having a blast. Hindi rin gaanong nag-iingay ang lahat dahil maiistorbo si Limer dahil kaunting kaluskos lamang ay umiiyak din ito kaagad. We tried to keep it quiet whle having fun.
Over the past few days when Synestine gave birth, she was feeling getting better. Good thing I was able to get some off from my work so I can look after my wife. Kung hindi nila ako papayagan, magre-resign talaga ako dahil mas importante sa akin ang buhay ng asawa't anak ko. They're my life now and if anything goes against them, ako ang makakaharap nila. Kahit buhay pa ang maging kapalit.
Later that night, I went home so everything would be prepared once we got home. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang excitement na nararamdaman ko. What I'm feeling now is indescribable. I couldn't compare it to any other thing.
