Break Fresh Ground

EPILOGUE

"And that is how your mama and I get married," I said in a hush tone. I chuckled as I realize that these little goofballs are already asleep. Well, alam kong kanina pa sila tulog, I just want them to be used to my voice.

Inaayos ko ang pagkakalagay ng kumot sa kanila bago nagligpit ng mga kalat sa sahig. Kung hindi mga plushies, mga toy cars, coloring books, crayons, and their other toys, mga natumbang wheeled toys at mga nagkahiwa-hiwalay na mga play mats sa sahig, ang nakakalat.

I sigh as I tidy up their room. After cleaning up, I make sure na sakto lang ang volume ng kanilang white noise machine, para makatulog sila ng maayos. Before going out, I plant a kiss on both of their foreheads.

"Sleep tight, mga mahal," I smiled and slowly closes the door of their nursery room.

I silently walked and knocked on the door, three rooms away from the nursery room. When I heard a go signal, I cautiously walked inside.

"Hello, darling," malambing na sabi ko.

She quickly puts off her glasses and closes her book before looking at me. She shoots me with a big smile.

"Hello, Mama," she greeted back.

As I sit down on her bed, her smile goes wider. "Anong ginagawa mo?"

"Nagbabasa po," August answered.

We make sure that August can acquire and speak Filipino dahil nasa Pilipinas siya. She'll be having a difficult time here if hindi siya marunong magsalita ng lenggwahe na ginagamit ng halos lahat ng tao sa paligid niya. And I am proud that she acquired it, speaking it, and continue learning about it.

"Ng ano?" Sinilip ko ang librong ginilid niya.

"Matilda by Roald Dahl."

My forehead furrowed. "You've seen the movie and the musical one, right?" Tanong ko.

She smiled. "Yes, Mama. Gusto ko lang pong basahin 'yong book."

As time goes by, August finds herself loving to explore books. Minsan, makikita na lang namin siyang nagbabasa sa garden, sa balcony, sa kusina habang nagmemeryenda, at madalas sa loob ng kwarto niya, engaging with her books.

Her Aunt Ivy influenced her for loving reading books. Madalas kasing magbigay ng mga libro ang propesorang iyon bilang regalo kay August.

"I was supposed to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, pero sabi ni Tita Ivy hindi ko pa raw maiintindihan what the story is tackling to the reader. So..."

"She suggested Matilda?" She nodded.

"Are they asleep?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yes."

"What part of the story did you tell, Mama?" She teased me. She knows that I love telling stories to her siblings, and that all of the stories are about Scarlett and I's moments and journey.

"Gusto mo bang i-kuwento ko rin sa 'yo?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "Ayaw. Memorize ko na lahat ng kuwento niyo ni Maman," she said sassily.

I chuckled, nodding. "But do you want me to read you something tonight? I can do it," I suggested. Mabilis niyang inabot ang libro ng Matilda sa akin. "This?"

"Yup!"

I sighed. "Okay. Mahiga ka na at babasahan na kita, mahal na prinsesa."

She immediately lay down, and she ready her ear to listen to the story. Halos kakasimula niya lang sa second volume ng kwento. I wonder what time she started reading this book.