Aya
We were surprised when Theo's mother walked back in. He immediately stood and stepped in front of us, covering me and our two little angels who flew to my arms as fast as they could.
"Aalis na muna kami."
"No. Dito lang kayo," he insisted at the same time that our angels pleaded, "Ina! Di ba po makakasama namin si Ama hanggang bukas?!"
I glanced at his mother who took a seat, but thankfully did not faint.
Mayumi was crying now; Lakan was trying to be brave but his tears were close to falling. Theo took Mayumi and cupped Lakan's face. "Hindi kayo aalis. Maguusap lang kami ng Mama ko ha?" Turning to me, he asked, "Please? Please, Mayari? Don't ask them to go yet."
I nodded.
"May play area sa baba. Pwede mo bang itago muna yung pakpak nila?"
"Baka may makakita sa amin."
Theo waved it off. "Hayaan mo na. Kanina pa sila nakakulong dito."
"Dito na lamang kami, Ama! Ayaw po naming malayo sa inyo."
"Are you sure? Pwede naman kayong maglaro sa labas."
The little ones were adamant.
"Sige na mga apo, maglaro muna kayo. Maguusap lang kami ng tatay ninyo."
We all turned at the voice of Theo's mother and latched onto her calling them "apo". I looked hopefully at Theo.
Turning to me, she said, "Will they be okay? Wala naman sigurong mananakit sa kanila?"
"They are safe with me." I answered. With that, I escorted both to the play area, but they kept glancing back at Theo as we headed out.
*
Theo
"Ma? Are you okay?"
"I... I am trying. When you asked us earlier about reincarnation, something clicked," she shared. "When I gave birth you and you first opened your eyes, you never looked at things in wonder. You acted like you had seen this all before."
I smiled. "Talaga po?"
"Yes, I had forgotten until today. Please tell me what is going on. I promise to listen and try to understand."
I gave her the entire story. From meeting Aya to finally knowing our history. My mother alternated from disbelief, happiness, grief and then finally joy.
"Sorry po talaga, Ma. Pero hindi ko papayagan na hindi ko makakasama yung pamilya ko. They've suffered enough."
Wiping her tears, she nodded. "You all have. Akong bahala sa Papa mo. It may take him awhile but he will understand. He does not believe in all of this but he loves you. That's a good start."
Aya and the twins came back then. And my mother's first words to them were, "Can I hug you?"
*
We lay in bed that night with happy hearts because we no longer had to hide from my mother and the children spent a wonderful time with her.
"Sure ka ba, Aya? They won't fall? Wala akong yung mga bed bumpers para sa babies dun sa kwarto na yun."
"It's fine. If they fall off the bed, they will just float."
"Ayos," I said, amazed.
She cupped my face. "I'm glad things worked out with your mom."
"Ako din. Sobrang saya," I stared at her. "Mayari?"
"Yes, Theo?"
"Marry me? Please? Ilang araw na akong naghahanap ng engagement ring but I don't know what would be fit for a goddess..."
She smiled and kissed me. "I don't need jewels. We do not need to marry again. You forget that we married before."
"Oo, pero dati yun and well, hindi maganda yung ending. I was hoping this time masaya na yung story natin."
Aya leaned in to kiss me again. "Yes. I will marry you. Again."
Our kiss deepened and before long we had finished one round of love making.
"Theo, I only want a small wedding with few guests so that our little ones could join."
"Of course. Now, ready ka na ba sa next round?"
Congratulate me guys, pinagod ko yung diyosa.
Heh.
*
We woke up the next morning and found our angels with a man in our kitchen.
"Brother."
Mayari and Apolaki shared a hug.
"I apologize to arrive so early, but the buwaya will strike. He has already harmed a woman. We must move now."
"Then let's go."
I stepped in. "Sasama ako."
"Theo, please, no. I cannot risk it. I will not die but you still can."
I hated being so helpless.
"Don't put yourself down because you cannot join this battle. This is not the only measure of being a man," Apolaki said. "If you do not mind, may I ask that you guard my wife and my newborn daughter? Bring these little angels with you."
Mayari pleaded with her eyes.
I nodded. "Please be safe."
The deities shared a look. "Are you ready, Brother?"
"Ready."
In the blink of an eye, they were gone and the twins and I were at Aki's home.
