Broken Boy meets Broken Girl

2nd Aftermath

Tears of Joy

My heart throbbed as I forcefully got up from the bed. Tagak-tak ang pawis ko at para akong nahihilo. I suddenly remembered my dream. Bigla ko kasing napanaginipan ang lahat ng nangyari sa akin noon. Simula no'ng bata pa ako, no'ng inaaway pa nila ako. Hanggang sa kinasal kami ni Apollo.

I wiped the drops of sweat on my forehead which was cascading down my face. After that, I immediately got down the stairs and went to the kitchen. I started finding the pitcher of cold water in our refrigerator.

Nang mahanap ko ito ay mabilis ako nag-salin ng tubig at ininom ito. Then, I washed the glass and put it in its rightful place.

"Apollo?" I said, as my voice echoed in the eighteen corners of the hous—mansion.

Napa-tingin ako sa aming kalendaryo nang naglalakad-lakad ako at hinahanap si Apollo. Napaka-laki naman kasi ng baha—mansion na 'to. Binuklat ko ang pahina ng kalendaryo at inayos ito sa tamang buwan. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ko ang phone ko na nasa aking bulsa. I immediately dialled Apollo. Sakto namang bumukas ang pinto ng aming sala.

"Where have you been? Ala una palang, Apollo! Nambababae ka 'no? Hindi mo na ako gusto dahil tumaba na 'ko! Sabi ko na nga ba eh!"

Hindi siya sumagot, ngumisi lamang siya. Hanggang sa na-dako ang aking tingin sa supot na hawak-hawak niya.

"Ano 'yan? Condom? Para kanino? Sa babae mo?" mabilis akong lumapit sa kaniya, at hinampas ang kaniyang matigas na dibdib. "Sinasabi ko na eh! Hindi naman natin kailangan niyan dahil magkaka-anak na tayo! Isa lang ang ibig-sabihin niyan! Walang hiya kang lalaki ka--"

I was cut off by his lips. He kissed me hungrily, which I also did. God, one kiss made me forget what he did! Mabilis ko siyang itinulak. How dare he?

"Apollo! Bwisit kang lalaki ka! Do'n ka na sa babae mo!" aniko, naluluha.

Ngumuso siya. "Ugh. Pregnant women." he mumbled.

"First of all, Luxien. You woke up at twelve in the morning and told me you want to eat fries and grapes. Though, it's weird, I still went off and searched for it. Now that I'm home, you were thinking that I was having an affair while I was off? Damn. Stop crying, Queen. I love you." malambing niyang sambit. Pinunasan niya ang luha sa aking mga mata.

Napa-tulala ako. Am I experiencing the 'paglilihi' stage of pregnant women?

Yumuko ako. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Apollo. I was acting weird lately--"

"I know, you even cried over a broken earring yesterday." he said, chuckling.

He pulled me in for a hug, then he locked his arms into mine. "I understand, My Queen. It's for our child's sake. I know you have your needs, and I understand it all. I'm willing to give everything. Everything that you, and our child needs." he said.

Bigla na lamang tumulo ang luha ko.

Sa mga nakalipas na araw ay patuloy padin ang paglilihi ko. Kung ano-ano ang hinihiling ko. No'ng nakaraang araw ay hiniling kong mag-skype kami ni Eliza habang kumakain ng fruit salad. No'ng minsan naman ay hiniling kong kantahan ako ni Apollo ng twinkle twinkle little star.

"Apollo, tapos na 'ko mag-toothbrush. Dali, kantahan mo ulit ako." sambit ko't nahiga na sa kama.

"Ah. Damn. Kung ibang babae ang magsasabi niyan ang sagwa, pero pag ikaw? The way you tell me that is turning me on, sweetie. Better be careful." aniya.

Namula ang aking mukha sa kaniyang sinabi. I rushed towards the bed, and plopped myself. Nagtago ako sa ilalim ng kumot sa sobrang pula ng aking mukha.

That was the last memory I remembered before I gave birth to my first baby. Para akong naka-hinga ng maluwag matapos kong mailuwal ang aking anak. My baby cried, which made my heart melt, and made my eyes burst into tears. Tinitigan ko ng mabuti ang aking mag-ama bago tuluyang lumabo ang aking paningin.

"Hi, mommy! Look baby, oh. Your mom is awake!"

Boses ni Apollo ang bumungad sa akin nang magising ako pagkatapos manganak. Nanghihina padin ako ngunit hindi ko ito pinansin nang makita ko ang aking anak sa bisig ni Apollo. My crumpled face immediately faded, and it was changed with a wide smile.

Mabilis na lumapit sa akin si Apollo at hinalikan ang aking noo. I extended my both arms so I can carry our baby. Ngumiti naman ito at walang kahirap-hirap na iniabot ang aming anak. Habang tinititigan ko siya ay bigla na lamang tumulo ang aking luha. Mabilis itong pinunasan ni Apollo.

"Our first baby's a boy." I whispered, as I look up to Apollo.

He immediately owned my lips. Hot and slowly kisses was the first thing I got. "Thank You, Luxien. For giving him to me. For giving birth to our son. I love you." he said.

Napatango na lamang ako. "What's his name? Sinunod mo padin ba 'yung plinano nating pangalan niya?"

He nodded. "Of course." he said, then he cleared his throat. He looked at me, "Luxien Atkins, it is my pride and honor to introduce to you, our son, Arrow Zacheus Grey-Atkins." aniya.

Lalong tumulo ang aking luha. No doubt that these tears are called, tears of joy. Sobrang saya ko na halos gusto ko na umalis dito sa ospital at gumala kasama ang mag-ama ko. Hinaplos ko ang pisngi ng aking anak habang mahimbing itong natutulog. I smiled as another tear fell down my cheek.

"Nice to meet you, Baby Arrow. I love you."