LIKE I NEVER LEFT °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

Special Chapter - Future

Four

Hindi naman ako ang manganganak pero pakiramdam ko ako 'yong mahihimatay. 'Yong puso ko nga eh parang lalabas na sa sobrang bilis at lakas ng pagtibok. Seeing Amara pushing hard while crying, I feel so helpless. I hold her hand while doing so but it feels like I am so useless at that moment.

"I love you, baby. I'm here." I keep whispering to her. Darryl, who is always excited about having a sibling, is outside the delivery room with my mom and mama Carl. Darryl worries about her mom too and she's always crying since we arrive here. Bago kasi namin isugod si Amara sa hospital, sila ni Darryl ang magkasama sa kwarto nang makaramdam ang mommy niya ng pananakit ng tiyan na tila manganganak na siya.

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

Napalitan ng ngiti ang pagkabalisa ko nang marinig ang iyak ng kapatid ni Darryl. Amara's grip of me becomes tighter as she continues to push again. Not long after a few minutes, another sweet cry of a tiny voice fills the room.

"They both still look like you, baby." I tell Amara who's crying, looking so worn out. Inayos ko ang buhok niya; may ilang hibla kasing tumabing sa napakaganda niya paring mukha. Matapos ay hinalikan ko siya sa noo. "I love you, mahal." Mayamaya ay inilagay ng doktor ang mga sanggol sa dibdib ni Amara. Now she's crying so many tears and I wipe each of them that rolls down the side of her eyes.

"Hi there, princes." Halos pabulong niyang anas. "It's mom. Welcome to the world, my love."

If there's someone in the family who's happiness is evidently shown after Atticus and Asher's birth, it's Darryl. It's been a week since she has her twin brothers and like the first day she became a big sister, she still proudly announces it to everyone. I remember, before we take Amara home, Darryl tells almost all the nurses that take care of her mother and brothers that she's the big sister of the twin. No wonder why the nurses are so fond of her.

"DJ. You should also tell your mom and dad to give you another baby sister." I catch Darryl telling her cousin when it's just the two of them at the sala, watching cartoon on TV. "Like us, baby Ali will grow up and there will be no more baby in your house."

"Is that so? But I don't think I like a baby sister." DJ answers. "But maybe I can ask mom and dad to give me a brother that I can play with. What do you think?"

"That's exactly my point. You are fast learner." She smirks and suddenly, I see myself in her. Is Amara right all along? Mana sa'kin ang anak namin? "No wonder we're cousins."

Geez. Amara is probably right. Darryl is really something... Mapapailing ka nalang.

"Kids! It's time for ice cream!" I announce, making the two race towards the our outdoor lounge. Nando'n kasi si Amara kasama ang mga kapatid ko't mga asawa nito. Our parents are still on the way. Pero hindi rin naman nagtagal ay dumating din ang mga 'to.

"Darryl, is there something you want to say to everyone?"Kuya Dos mutters. I know that he's leading my daughter into telling something. Tsk.

"Okay. Eyes on me." She demands after standing on her chair, looking at us. Napailing na lamang kami ni Amara. Napahawak pa nga siya ng mahigpit sa kamay ko. Karga-karga ni dad at ni papa Theo ang kambal kaya talagang ang atensiyon naming mag-asawa ay na kay Darryl lang.

"First of all, I'll be turning ten in a few weeks." Inayos niya ang pagkakahawak ng kutsara niya na ginawa niyang microphone. "So, congratulations daddykins. You made my wish come true. You gave me my baby brother before I turn ten." She pauses to give everyone her cute grin. This girl is a gem. She's too special. I cannot imagine her growing up and falling in love. I'm gonna get my heart broken if she marries. Whooo. I wish we can freeze the time and keep her just like this, my precious baby girl.