Stonehearts 3: Aquamarine

Epilogue: Brinx Antheros

"Baby sigurado ka ba na okay lang sa iyo maiwan mag-isa dito? Baka bigla kang manganak. Ayokong mangyari 'yun na wala ako dito." Tanong ko ulit sa asawa ko habang itinatali niya ang neck tie ko. I held her by the waist while she concentrates on my tie.

Sabi kasi ni Doc Dons, this week na ang target date ng panganganak niya. She's already having minor contractions, pero sigurado naman daw siya na hindi pa siya manganganak.

"Yes baby, saka magpupunta naman sila Ate Gie dito. So I'm not gonna be alone." She answered before she gave my chest a subtle slap. "Sige na, lakad na. Malilate na kayo ng mga chikiting natin."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. She's the best decision I have ever made in my whole life. She's the best wife to me and the best mother to our kids. Imagine her juggling five kids while she still supervises our hacienda. Minsan nga gusto ko na lang sabihin na hindi na niya kailangang magtrabaho, but she's happy doing it kaya hindi ko na lang pinuna.

I have to meet up with the guys today for the company merger. Actually, it was Ate Amy's idea. Hindi na rin naman ako tumanggi dahil mukhang maganda naman ang ideyang 'yun. At least hindi kami mangangapa dahil magkakakilala naman na kaming apat.

"Hindi! Ayoko 'yung design." I disagreed while looking at Ferris. One week into this partnership, hindi na kami magkasundo ng lalakeng ito. Buong araw na naming pinagdedesisyunan ang magiging itsura ng itatayong charity hospital hanggang ngayon hindi parin namin matapos.

He arched one eyebrow up before shaking his head firmly. We are going nowhere with this conversation. Gusto ko na lang sunduin ang mga anak ko at umuwi sa asawa ko. Sinabi ko pa man din na manonood kami ngayon ng movie, anong oras na. Baka magtampo sa akin si misis.

I heard Kuya Cube laughing mockingly, "Now now kids, 'wag kayong mag-away." Tikis niya, nag-apir pa nga sila ni Kuya Levi. Really, napaka-mature.

Hindi kasi nagpapatalo itong si Ferris! Napupuno na ako sa kanya. Kung hindi lang sa pakiusap ng asawa ko, baka naupakan ko na ito. Hindi naman pwede lahat na lang ng gusto niya ang masusunod. I also have a say here.

"Basta. Hindi ko ito gusto!" I muttered, strong and firm.

"Boo you." Ferris scoffed, unshaken. I scowled at him ready to counter but my phone rang.

Calling.....

Misis

My anger died as soon as I saw my caller. Happinees suddenly brimmed me before I pressed the green button and ignoring the men in suites that's sitting in front of me. "Baby, pauwi na po ako tatap-"

"Brianna Quincey. Out. Labor. Hospital. Now." She screamed phrases. I even heard Ate Gie barking at the drive to drive faster before I heard a monotonous tone. I felt my soul leaving my body while I was staring stolid at my phone.

"Brinx, are you okay?" I heard Kuya Lev's asking. I me three pairs of creased eyebrows before everything sank to me. I quickly stood up, my knees shaking.

"Wife. Baby. Hospital. Bye." I stuttered, probably mirroring what she said. I ran out of the conference, but the three of them was quick to catch me.

"You're not driving in that state Brinx. Give me the keys." Kuya Cube demanded. Wala naman na akong nagawa basta napaabot na lang ako. Nakakapit ako ng mahigpit sa balikat ni Kuya Cube habang nagmamaneho siya, sigaw ako ng sigaw na bilisan niya. Tanging boses ko na nga lang ang umaalingangaw sa loob ng Chrysler ko.

I immediately hopped out of the car and into the ER. Sinalubong ako ni Ate Amy na nagturo sa akin kung nasaan ang asawa ko. Good thing she understood me because my words were on a constant slur. Rina's voice crowded the hall when I entered the room where she was. I felt my hands sweating and chilling at the same time.

"Baby..." I called out when I was beside her. Sweats were breaking on her forehead as tears involuntarily flow out of her eyes. She grabbed my hand quickly before she screamed again, pushing our baby out.

"Sei cosi stupido Brinx! Hindi tayo magtatabi ng sampung taon!" Sigaw niya sabay tingin ng masama sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung alin ang mas masama, 'yung pagtawag niya ng stupid sa akin sa sobrang sakit ng nararamdaman niya o 'yung pagbabanta niya nang hindi pagtabi sa akin ng sampung taon.

"Sorry baby..I'm sorry.." I blabbered. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. She arched her back up before screaming, it was long and piercing until it was replaced by a soft cry.

Rina's chest was heaving while she was panting and desperate for air. She was busy looking at our beautiful baby while I was busy looking at her. Her tears were present again, "She's a beautiful baby.. So beautiful.." She murmured.

I kissed her hand before I kissed her full on the lips, sniffing. "Just like her mommy. I love you.. Thank you so much Rina.."

She just looked at me too, love sparkling out of her eyes. "Salamat rin Brinx.. Brianna Quincey is another perfect human form of our love..I love you.."

Saka inabot sa akin si Bri. She's so tiny, flailing her hands in the air before taking a champion grip of my index finger. Muli akong napatingin kay Rina at nakatulog na siya. I kissed her on the cheek before running my index finger on Bri's face.

I stayed there, drowning from the love we have for each other. We can never say that we wasted those years when misconceptions ruled our relationship, because in the span of our separated years, we learned how to love each other more. And that's what binds our love strong. And with our kids and my wife, my life reached its wondrous peak. This is heaven, this is bliss, this is love, my version of Aquamarine.

--

Saying goodbye to Q and Brinx is a hard one for me. Masyado ko ata silang minahal hehe. Thank you mahals for joining me on finishing another installment of the Stonehearts Series. Sana hindi kayo magsawa sa akin at sa mga kabaliwan ko. 

Thank you ng maraming maraming marami. Sana suportahan niyo rin ang kwento ni Aya at Ferris. See you sa fourth book. Hehe. All the love!

- B I A N C A