Barcelona Escapade

Finale

Took this story two years to conclude so finishing this means as much as moving forward. This would be the end of our Barcelona Escapade. Thank you to everyone who supported and patiently waited. Will do better on the next stories! Ingat lagi't lagi!

Next stop: Tokyo

apsigyn

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FINALE

Eros

"Papa, when is Mama going home?" asked Tobias, my four-year-old as I caught him clutching the hem of my shirt.

Naihinto ko ang pagtipa sa laptop dahil sa pagtayo niya siya sa gilid. With my lips pressing a small smile, I scooped him up and made him sit on my lap. Nagpadala siya at masayang kumapit ang mga braso sa palibot ng leeg ko.

"Mama's coming home in a few," sagot ko.

Tobias beamed. Our nights are normally like these. Mauunang akong mauwi sa asawa ng ilang oras, sasalubungin ni Tobias na naghihintay sa akin pag-uwi, at sabay naming hihintayin ang ina.

Despite the excitement for his mother, he was wary to be still on my lap when he acknowledged I'm working on something. Hinalikan ko siya sa gilid ng ulo habang napapangiti.

Nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto ilang minuto ang lumipas, doon lamang siya gumalaw sa kandungan ko. Ibinaba ko siya. Aktibo niyang itinakbo patungo roon. Nag-iwan lamang siya ng kaonting distansya para bigyan ng espasyo ang ina sa pagbukas ng pinto nang hindi siya natatamaan mula sa likod.

Alethia twisted the door open and entered our room. Unang napansin si Tobias na tumatalon-talon na nang makita siya. His excitement to see her home is a consistency I get to witness everyday simula noong magkamuwang siya.

"Mama! You're home!"

"Hi! How was my Tobi?" Sinilayan niya ako. Her beautiful smile held me. Binuhat niya ang anak at lumapit sa'kin para laharan ako ng halik sa labi. "Hi."

See how her little things still make me crazy up to now.

"Kumain ka na?" tanong ko, hindi mapigilang akapin siya ng saglit.

Umiling siya. "Later."

"I'll join you."

My wife's work has gotten more hectic. Lalo na't natalaga siya sa isa sa matataas na posisyon sa kumpanya nila. How she splits her time with her family, career, and charity still sometimes amazes me.

She nodded at me. "Si Silas?"

"Nasa kwarto niya, binabantayan ni Tessa."

Buhat-buhat pa rin si Tobias, lumingon siya sa maliit na TV sa tabi ng kama namin. On the screen flashes the camera from our youngest son's room. He was in his crib. There weren't any signs of restless movements from him so he must already be asleep.

Maski ang nagbabantay sa kaniya, nakaupo lang sa gilid at nagbabasa ng libro. Kanina rin pagkarating, pinuntahan ko si Silas doon at nakumpirmang tulog na nga.

Alethia put Tobias down. Nagtanggal siya ng blazer habang umuupo sa kama. He watched her delicately. She looked back at him with hints of excitement on her face, as if she remembered a thing.