The Playboy's Karma

Epilogue

Reagina Apostol

"There have been complications..."

I shook my head as the Doctor Ferreira's voice rang in my head. It's been months, yet the fear is still there. Inayos ko ang bulaklak sa paligid ng itim na granite na lapida. The cool wind whooshes causing the candle light to flicker. Tinabingan ko iyon ng aking palad hanggang lumipas ang hangin nang hindi mamatay ang sindi.

I sighed heavily as I stared at the gravestone. Niyakap ko ang aking sarili nang maramdaman kong tumindig ang aking mga balahibo. The heat calmed down a bit and the wind blew again. Tumagos iyon sa suot kong puting swing tank top, tinernuhan ko lamang ito ng denim shorts kaya ramdam ko ang damo sa aking balay.

It's been a couple of months since the shooting incident happened. May kirot sa aking dibdib tuwing maalala ko ang nangyari kay Ethan.

Attorney Madison and Attorney Santiago were brilliant. They've fought with us until Immanuel got what he deserved. Weeks of going in and out of court are all worth it because he's now incarcerated for at least half of his life. I also found out that he was obsessed with me. His room was full of my pictures and stolen creepy shots from afar. He's been planning to shoot us both when he found out that the father of my kid is Ethan and when we were dating.

Which happened, but the only one who got shot is Ethan.

I took a sharp breath and faced my kid. She's running around with Heshika, our golden retriever dog. Her hair was dancing on her shoulders as she ran. She always takes him with us whenever we visit here in the cemetery. The shiny fur of the dog bounces as they both run towards me.

"Mama! Heshika is super hyper today!" She giggled. Hinihingal siyang umupo sa tabi ko. I wiped the sweat on her forehead. Buti na lamang ay presko ang suot niyang floral na pink dress.

Heshika barked at my back, pareho kaming napabaling doon.

"Sweetie, can you tell Heshika to calm d-down." Ethan let out a nervous chuckle as he squatted behind me. Ibinaba niya ang hawak niyang hydro flask. Kasalukuyan kaming narito sa puntod ni Tita Debra. We visited her during the weekends. He went back to the car to get Eriz some water.

Namataan ko din ang isa pang sasakyan. Knight is looking at the place, observing if there's a possible threat.

"Daddy, she's not gonna bite you. She's happy to see you." Eriz replied and giggled at her father.

"I really wish I could believe that--Shoo, please, go away."

Tinawanan namin siya ng anak niya nang subukan siyang dilaan ni Heshika sa binti. His face is pink from the heat and probably embarrassment. He's afraid of dogs ngunit pumayag siyang mag-adopt kami ng aso nang makalabas siya sa hospital, weeks ago dahil hindi niya matiis ang cute puppy eyes at malambing na boses ni Eriz.

"Reagan, amore..I told you the dog doesn't like me!" Pinanlakihan niya ako nang mga mata.

I just laughed

"Arf! Arf!"

"Reagan! he's gonna bite me!" He's starting to panic.

Malakas na tumawa si Eriz. The dog is basically leaping in excitement.

"Just pet him, Daddy. Then he'll stop."

"O-okay but drink first. You've been running around with him since we got here, young lady." Ethan negotiated.

She beamed and nodded. Binuksan ko ang inuman at iniabot iyon kay Eriz.

"All done, Daddy! Now, pet him, please." She smiled cheekily as she handed me the flask.