Aya
I had not intended for him to find out this way.
But, when his Boss came in to my office and attacked me, my rage was unleashed. It was another buwaya, this time in disguise. I had not felt this kind of anger in a very long time. Anger because again the life of my love was in danger and because of this vile being, there was threat to the complete family I wanted for my children.
I would have attacked, but this was not the place.
When Theo arrived, I had not come down from the height of my emotions and I was unable to mask my real self and I kept my eye unmasked.
"Who are you?" Theo asked.
I blinked and was now back to the appearance I kept for Theo's office. "I am Mayari."
"I... but... what..."
"Not here. We will speak later."
We agreed to speak when work was done. He would be visiting me at my home here on Earth, but I was preparing myself that he would not be able to accept us — me. It was difficult for me to tell the story, so I had pleaded with Bathala to send a Babaylan who would be able to retrieve the memories for Theo.
When Theo arrived, I was filled with some hope but I did not want to expect so much. I escorted him in and introduced the Babaylan. "Naisip kong mas mabuting ipakita sa iyo ang mga pangyayari. Maaring hindi ka maniwala sa aking kwento at masyadong masakit para sa akin ang ibahagi ang mga ito."
He did not want to lie down so the Babaylan went behind him on the seat, before she placed her hands on him. "Teka, okay ang ba kay Aya na hahawakan mo ako? Baka hiwalayan ako nito ha."
I was stunned and gave him a careful smile. "It's okay. Pero hanggang diyan lang sa may forehead ha."
"O, narinig mo, Miss ha."
The Babaylan rolled her eyes and we started. In a few seconds, he was in a trance.
I could not see what memories were now playing in his mind, I only saw his expressions and the occasional comments he made.
"Parang awa niyo na Bathala, kailangan namin ng tulong."
Then, in a whisper,
"Mayari."
It felt like a caress to my soul, remembering that first time we met.
"Sa aking wari, ako ay umiibig sa Diyosa. Ito kaya ay papayagan ni Bathala?" I wasn't sure who he was speaking to because this was something I had not known before but I was thrilled.
Then, he started sweating and muttering, "Mayari. Mayari." He groaned and panted and I knew he recalled our more intimate moments. I felt my cheeks heating up and the Babaylan giving me a knowing smile.
"Nagdadalang-tao?! Salamat! Salamat, Mahal ko."
Before long, that joy turned to, "Layuan mo ang aking pamilya!" I knew this was the last few minutes of his previous life.
As the Babaylan took her hands off him, he collapsed and we put him to lie on the bed. It was over an hour before he regained consciousness.
When he opened his eyes, I was unsure what to do, so I did not move from the seat I was on at the foot of the bed.
He massaged his temples. "Pwede bang maki-inom?"
I got him a glass of water.
"Is there any chance that everything I saw was just a dream?"
I shook my head, sadly.
"What... what happened after I... I..."
"Passed away?" I told him what I had done to the buwaya and the punishment to me. "You were kept away from me."
"Pero bakit?"
"Because you were the only one I loved that much."
He looked at me but I could not read his mind. "Sandali... buntis ka noon. Namatay din ba ang anak natin?"
A tear escaped as I nodded. "That's why I was so mad and killed the buwaya and his men. I lost you and our child... children."
His eyes widened. "Your twins? But you said you had them... what... what does it mean?"
I gave a bittersweet smile. "I found out soon after that I — we — had twins. They went straight to heaven and I still have them. They do not grow up because they died so early here on earth but we are together where my kind live."
He said nothing.
I took a deep breath. "You do not need to accept us. We were given this second chance but that does not mean we need to take it. All I ask is when the time comes that you go to heaven, at least be kind to our little angels. They have longed for you. I understand that this is difficult for you but it has not been easy for them as well."
"All this time... you carried that pain and raised our children by yourself?"
"Yes. I... I was waiting for you."
He frowned. "But I am different. Am I ... Am I good enough to meet the little ones?"
"You... you want to see them?"
"Kung pwede sana?"
I smiled. "Then, I will plan it."
"Pwede bang ngayon na? Masyado ng matagal yung panahon na magkahiwalay kami... baka pwede ko na silang makita and if I could hug them?"
"Theo, you are just adjusting to this. Don't you need time to take this all in?"
He looked at me. "Iiwan mo ba ako ngayong alam ko na lahat?"
"Hindi."
"Yun naman pala eh. Then, I have the greatest support system I need. Kaya ko lahat basta nandiyan ka. Pwede ko na bang makilala yung mga anak natin?"
But, I had another idea. "I promise, bukas."
"Bakit bukas pa?"
"I was wondering... if you'd want to make love to me tonight?"
