Theo
Diyosa yun eh, hihindi ba ako?!
It was strange because at times I felt like I was trying to compete in pleasing her with my former self, until she told me, "Relax. Ano ka ba? Just enjoy this."
"Nakaka-pressure kaya?!" I complained.
She shut me up in the most pleasurable way.
When I woke up, she was no longer at my side. "Aya? Aya! Mayari? Nasaan ka?"
She peaked through the door. "Wait, don't get up. I made breakfast in bed for you." She walked in and then gave me a kiss. Peaking under the blanket, "Hmmm may ready pa din ha."
"Halika ka nga dito."
"Later. Maybe you should take a quick shower."
"Sama ka?"
She chuckled. "Mamaya na lang. Maligo ka na and eat quickly. I've summoned for our children."
*
I waited in the room. I knew that the twins would be appearing in the living room and Aya wanted a few moments to speak with them before we officially met.
A few minutes of pacing back and forth, I heard a whisper, "Theo, please come to the living room."
Smoothing out the imaginary wrinkles on my clothes, I headed out. I saw Aya standing by the living room, two pairs of small feet hiding behind her. For the first time, I saw an uncertainty in Aya's eyes and I knew her worry for the angels.
"I promise not to break their heart," I said, earnestly to her.
It seemed to be the signal she needed because she gently pulled both children out from behind her. "This is my little Lakan. And this... is my sweet Mayumi."
They looked like normal human toddlers not older than three human years, except that I knew that had existed for much longer. Also, they had small wings peaking out from her dress and his little shirt.
"Hi. I'm Theo... I'm..."
"Mga anak, this is your Ama."
They giggled conspirationally. "Ina, alam po namin!" Then, they cautiously turned to me. It was my Mayumi who addressed me first. "Ama?"
"Yes, Mayumi?"
"Pwede pong payakap?"
"Ako din!!!" Lakan piped up.
I nodded, and when I held them, everything just made sense.
*
Mayari waved her hand and the children's wings disappeared. "I hid them first. Don't worry, hindi naman yun mawawala."
"Is it the same magic you use with your eye?" I asked, to which she nodded. "When we are at home, is it safe for me if you don't hide it? I like seeing your natural self."
She gave me a sweet kiss on the lips and agreed. "As long as it is safe."
The children excitedly looked around the flat of their mother and tinkered with the lights. "We can't keep them here 'no?"
Aya shook her head. "It would raise questions. I told you they do not grow old."
"But, can they visit often? Kunyari kapag gabi? Or weekends na tayo lang? Ayokong malayo sa kanila ng matagal." Thankfully, Aya agreed to such arrangements. "They're beautiful."
"They look like you."
Lakan looked exactly like me yes, but Mayumi was a mixture of Mayari and I and I was thrilled.
That entire day, we did simple things like coloring pictures, playing with lego and clay, eating together as a family.
"Aya?"
"Theo?"
"Pwede ko bang sabihin sa magulang ko yung tungkol sa atin at sa mga anak natin?"
She looked concerned. "Are you sure that is the best? I do not worry about the news spreading because this will very easily be dismissed as crazy but your family? Will it be something they could understand and accept?"
I promised that I would speak to them and hoped that my parents could find it in their hearts to understand this. I wanted them to know my twins and my Mayari. But, like Aya said, I had to be prepared that they may not be able to understand this and I'd have to learn to let it go.
"There's another thing, Theo."
"What is it?"
She told me about the threat at my office. "I have asked my brother to help keep watch. I hope you understand, Theo. I won't risk you getting hurt again — not when I just found you."
"Is there anything I can do to protect myself?"
We discussed to be extra vigilant and Mayari and her brother would watch over me at least until this threat has been taken cared of. "Paano yung mga anak natin? Pwede ba niyang saktan sila?"
She kissed my face. "No. Hindi niya sasaktan ang mga anak natin. He won't risk Bathala's wrath."
"Ama! Ina! Pwede po ba kaming manood nung cartoons?" Lakan and Mayumi asked.
Too soon, it was time for them to head back to the heavens. "Ina, ayoko pa pong iwan si Ama!" My little girl cried and Lakan soon followed, hugging my leg and not letting go.
"Lakan, Mayumi, makinig kayo kay Ina. Pwede naman kayong bumisita ulit. Sa ngayon, uuwi muna kayo kay Bathala ha? Aya? Babalik naman sila, di ba? Makikita ko pa sila ulit?"
Aya nodded. Sadly, it was time for them to go and in the blink of an eye, the three of them vanished.
I teared up.
Aya returned.
"Kamusta sila?"
"Malungkot... pero masayang masaya din that they had today to spend with you. Thank you so much, Theo."
I cupped her face and leaned my forehead on hers. "I can't imagine how you did this all these years. Promise ko sa'yo, hindi ka na mag-iisa. Kasama mo na ako palagi. Gagawin ko lahat para makapasok ako sa langit when the right time comes."
"Talaga? Kahit na ibig sabihin celibate lang dapat hanggang sa huli."
"HA?! KASAMA BA YUN???"
Aya laughed. "Siyempre hindi! Ako mismo magpoprotesta." Then, she leaned in. "Please take care of yourself okay? I don't want to lose you again."
"I'm staying. I'm staying."
"So, you don't mind if Aki also guards you? I know some men do not like it."
"I don't care. As long as I am safe for you, then it's fine."
"Theo?"
"Yes?"
"Let's go to bed."
The next day was a Monday. And for the first time, I did not come in early. Napagod ako eh.
