College Series #2: Finding My Sanity

EPILOGUE

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain, Lucius Ectorius Zuccaro, speaking from the flight deck."

"Anak, you listen to Daddy." I excitedly told Fabio.

He removed his earphones and closed his ipad. "Is he speaking na po?"

I nodded and smiled.

"I want to extend a warm welcome aboard our flight to Italy. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 30, 000 feet, with a flying time of approximately 13 hours. The forecast in Rome is looking beautiful, with sunny skies and a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit waiting for us. As we prepare for takeoff, I hope you all are enjoying our journey to Rome, Italy. Please sit back, relax, and let our crew take care of you. Thank you for flying with us!"

I proudly smiled after he spoke. He reached this far with us. Recently, he already received his airline transport pilot license. Walang oras na hindi niya pinagmalaki iyon sa akin at wala rin naman oras na hindi ako naging proud sa kaniya.

"Ma, Dad is so good." Fabio smiled at me. I felt happy seeing him proud too. "I love him. But please don't tell him po."

"Today is a special day, as we celebrate my son's birthday, Fabio, who is turning another year today!"

I looked at Fabio who was shocked. Hindi siya gumagalaw sa upuan niya habang nakikinig lang sa ama niya. I even noticed how his eyes started to get wet kaya umiwas na rin ako ng tingin. Mahihiya kasi siya kapag napansin niyang nakita ko 'yon.

"I am also thrilled to share this journey with my wife on our side. I couldn't ask for anything more as we create memories together in this special trip."

Pareho na tuloy kaming natahimik ng anak ko. Lucius knows how I hate being romantic. Pero kapag naman sinisimulan niya, nag e-enjoy naman ako. I just feel so shy. Hindi rin ako masyadong sanay na makarinig ng matatamis na salita. He was just the one who made me used to it.

We arrived in Rome, Italy after hours of flight. Kami ang huling bumaba dahil hihintayin pa namin si Lucius. But after a few minutes when we landed, agad namin siyang nakitang papalapit sa amin.

Him wearing a captain's uniform and his bright smile, I couldn't help to fall in love again.

"Ang gwapo talaga." I held his cheeks and gave him a peck kiss, not minding those few people who were left around us. "Can you leave already? Fabio and I can still wait naman."

"No need. Savior let me leave na." He gave me a quick kiss too before getting our bags. Walang kahirap-hirap niyang binuhat ang mga iyon.

Savior left Brianna years ago. Dahil may CCTV sa pilot lounge nila, nalaman niya lahat na ginagamit lang pala siya. According to him, he also felt that sa kalagitnaan ng relasyon nila. He just wanted to confirm it dahil ayaw niya naman daw pangunahan lahat. Savior was a real savior. Brianna was brought to jail with her family.

We stayed inside a huge hotel to take a rest first. Nakatulog agad si Fabio pagdating namin kaya naman dahan-dahan ko siyang pinalitan ng suot niyang damit.

Kami naman ni Lucius, sabay ng naligo para maglinis ng sarili.

"Can I bath you?" I asked permission.

He chuckled and nodded. "I would love to."

Gaya ng nakasanayan namin, I was the one who bathed him. Gustong-gusto niya rin naman kapag sinasabunan ko siya. Pero kapag ako na, hindi ko iyon pinapagawa sa kaniya. Bigla kasing nauuwi sa kung saan man.

"I told you, I should've got two beds for us. Para tabi tayo, si Fabio naman sa isa." Nagtatampong saad ni Lucius pagtapos naming maligo.

He was just wearing boxers. Ako naman ay nag pajamas and red sando. Hindi naman gaanong kalamig kaya ayos lang.