::Epilogue::
Life Goes On
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(Venice's POV)
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Nine Months Later…This is horrible. Kahit anong pilit kong paliitin or ipitin or kausapin, my very pregnant stomach still looks...well, very pregnant. -___-
Ngayon pa kasi naisipan ng mga bubwit na reporters dumaan! Bakit hindi pa sila maghintay ng ilang araw!?? At least by then, baka sakaling naluwa ko na ung melon sa tyan ko. If the morning sickness, the cramps, the mood swings aren’t enough, ngayon, ma-pipicturan pa ko na mukhang balyena. ARGH!!!
Ako: Why are these reporters coming here again?Jerwin looked up from where he was tying his shoes. I can immediately see his eyes calculating kung may hidden meaning ba ko sa sinabi ko. Seriously, porket moody ako, hindi ibig sabihin na lahat ng sasabihin ko, may kung anong hidden agenda noh.
Jerwin: They’re doing a feature piece. People kind of got excited when news leaked out that we still ended up together after everything that happened. They’re curious.Ako: So curious na lumipad pa sila dito sa States?Jerwin: Yep. They’re also wondering about the small music school I founded. I think one of the students went to the Philippines. She got pretty famous. She called me a week ago. May offers na raw sa kanya to record songs. She wants me to write a song for her.I stared at the mirror again. Sinubuksan ko uhlet na i-re-arrange ung sash para ma-cover ung tyan ko. It’s hopeless.
Ako: I look like an inflated beach ball. If you roll me down the stairs, I’ll probably bounce. -_-
Jerwin finished putting on his shoes. Nung narinig nya ung sinabi ko, he slowly stood up and walked behind me. He looked at my reflection as he snaked his arms around my waist to cover my bulging stomach.
Jerwin: Sardines, you’re 9 months pregnant. You have every right to look like a beach ball.Ako: So you do think I’m huge!?!?Jerwin: What?!? No! Ang ibig kong sabihin, people won’t care if -- if -- you look rounder than usual. There’s a life growing inside you. It’s a magical thing. And besides, I think I’m really liking this pregnant look on you. 
Ako: Oh, do you now?He tenderly ran his hand over my tummy. There’s a soft glow of wonder sa mata nya. It never fails to amaze me na parang hindi sya makapaniwala na there’s this little person inside na he helped create.
Jerwin: Yep. So, please don’t call our baby a beach ball again. You might hurt his feelings.Ako: “His”?He nodded vehemently.
Jerwin: Mabuti nang merong kuya ang anak nating babae.I shook my head in amusement as I twirled around to face him. I have a feeling na, if ever magkaron nga kami ng anak na babae, Jerwin’s the type of father that will dote on her. I can even see him chasing away guys. Daddy’s girl ang anak namin, if ever. Pag lalaki naman, he’ll teach him all the trades. I’m gonna have to worry about our little boy breaking hearts left and right.
I can’t wait to see Jerwin as a father.
I was patiently watching the interview go on. Malapit na yata sila matapos. Ang tagal. -__- We took the pictures earlier, kaya ngayon nakatunganga na lang ako as they ask Jerwin questions.
Oh well. I stood up to get something to drink nang biglang--
Ako: Ugh.Napahigpit bigla ung hawak ko sa upuan as another contraction hit me -- this time, a LOT more painful than the previous ones. When the pain subsided, I stood still for a minute… I wonder if I’m in labor?
If I am, then that’s just great. All I wanted to do is sleep, ngayon, kailangan ko pang manganak muna bago ako makatulog.
This is not my day.
Hindi napansin nung mga lalaki ung nangyari, so I had to hobble palapit sa kanila nang konti.
Ako: Jerwin?Jerwin: Yes, Venice?Ako: The beach ball is coming.Napatingin sa’kin si Jerwin with a confused look.
Jerwin: What beach… beach ball? Beach ball?!?!Napatayo bigla sya nung na-realize nya ung sinasabi ko. I would have laughed at the clueless expressions sa mga mukha ng mga bisita namin, pero, just then, another contraction hit me again. This one was even worse than the one before -- and I don’t normally curse -- pero as I clutched my stomach, I think I let out a whole sentence of expletives.
Ako: Are you just gonna stand there or am I gonna have to drive myself to the hospital?That snapped the four very shocked men out of their reveries. Next thing I know, tumakbo na si Jerwin sa’kin, yelling at one of the guys to grab the bag near the front door.
Between the four men, they managed to get me to the car. One of the guys stayed with us, while the other two jumped in their own cars para sumunod sa’min sa ospital. Jerwin quickly looked around to see if we’re forgetting anything.
Jerwin: Okay. Wife, check. Baby, check. Baby bag, check. Venice’s bag, check. Cellphone, check.He backed out of the garage and tore through the streets, not caring too much about the speed limit. Dahilan nya, kung hulihin man kami ng pulis, eh di tumulong ung pulis na magpaanak sa’kin. Susuntukin ko na sana sya, kung hindi lang ako pinigilan ni Kuya Ralph.
---♥♥---
(Jerwin's POV)
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"
I don't care what you do! Smoke it out! Pull it out! Crack me open! Just get this thing out of me!!!"
Venice's screams reached all time high the past few hours. Mas lalo na ring tumitindi ung sakit ng contractions nya. Umiksi na rin ung time between each contraction. I suppressed a groan as she was hit with another stab of pain. I can barely feel my hand anymore sa sobrang lakas ng hawak nya. At hindi pa sya nagsisimula sa actual na labor.
I looked at the doctor na tinitignan kung ready na ba si Venice. I almost sent a prayer na please, for the safety of everyone in the 2 mile radius, let's start giving Venice what she wants.
Doctor: Well, it seems like everything's in place.I felt my legs tensed up. This is it. It's happening na. I gripped Venice's hand with my own as we watched the doctor position herself to help deliver the baby.
I gave her hand a quick kiss, hoping na kahit papano, it'll give her some sort of comfort..... coz Lord knows I'm about to go crazy with anxiety and excitement.
Doctor: Okay, Venice, I want you to start pushing with everything you got. One… Two… Three... Push!Lalong humigpit ung hawak ni Venice sa kamay ko. I think some of my bones broke.. Her face turned red with the effort. I bit my lip, trying to keep myself quiet, just in case ma-distract ko sya.
She stopped to take a breath. The doctor urged her to push again. She screamed in frustration and pain. Then she'll pause again. After a few moments, the doctor will tell her she has to push na ulit. The cycle went on for what felt like forever. I stood there, whispering encouraging words to Venice when her hands started to shake. I wiped away her tears and the perspiration out of her face. I kept my firm hold on her hand.
Finally, she slumped back on the bed. Next thing I know, strong cries of a newborn filled the delivery room. Napatingin kaming dalawa dun sa doktor na may hawak na... very.. bloody baby. The baby’s cries were echoing all throughout the room. Parang napikon yata na inistorbo sya sa warm and comfortable na cocoon nya sa loob ni Venice.
Doctor: Congratulations, it's a boy!Ako: A boy?I saw the doctor hand the baby to one of the nurses to get him cleaned up.
Him. My boy. Both of us were happily dazed hanggang sa may lumapit nang isang nurse.
Nurse: Do you want to see your son?
Ako: Of course.I took the small bundle in my arms. He looks so... tiny... and wrinkly. He has his mom's pale skin. A soft nestle of curls on top of his head. This is my baby -- my son. The life Venice and I created. He's... wonderful.
Ako: Hey, baby. It's me, your dad. You don't look like a beach ball at all.I heard Venice snort right behind me. I slowly turned around para makita rin ni Venice ung anak nya.
Ako: And this is your mom. She threatened to never have sex with daddy again on our way here. Tell her na gusto mo ng little brother or sister soon.Venice: Jerwin!I chuckled as I sat down next to her on the bed. We barely noticed the doctor and the nurses leave the room to give us some privacy. We were too engrossed on this bundle of miracle in my arms.
Venice: He's beautiful. What are we gonna name him?We paused for a while and watched our baby fall asleep.
Ako: How about… Michael?Venice: Michael?Ako: Yeah! After Michael Jackson! 
Baka maging legend din ung anak natin someday.Venice: Uh… no. He doesn’t look like a “Michael”.Ako: Albert?Venice: Einstein?Ako: Galileo?Venice: What?!?She glared at me. Toh naman, di mabiro.
Buti nga hindi “Policarpio” ang sinunod kong i-suggest eh.
Natahimik kami. Venice finally settled back on her pillows to make herself comfortable. Umurong ako nang konti para nakikita nya pa rin ung baby sa bago nyang posisyon. I was looking at the baby when I suddenly remembered something Jean told me nung binalita naming buntis si Venice.
Ako: Raymer.Venice: Huh?Ako: We can name him Raymer. You know, after my father and your stepfather. “Ray” is my dad’s nickname, then, “Remy” spelled backwards is “ymer”. He’s named after special people in both our lives. What do you think?Venice: Raymer… I like it. Pero, di ba magrereklamo mga nanay naten?Ako: When we have our daughter, we’ll name her after them.Venice: “When” ha… Sigurado kang magkaka-babae tayo?Ako: Well, I won’t stop until we get a daughter.Venice: Anong you won’t stop?Ako: Na akitin ka? Venice: Psh. Kilabutan ka nga.I smiled at her. Tama na nga ang pang-aasar, baka nga hindi na ko bigyan ng anak nito.
Ako: So, it’s official? We’re naming him Raymer?Venice: Yeah. I like it.Ako: Good. Coz I know what I want his second name to be.Nilipat ko ung tingin ko kay Venice, who’s looking back at me expectantly. I took a deep breath. I’ve been thinking about the name for a few months now. I think it’s perfect, pero Venice would have to agree first. I wonder if she’ll smack me… Well… uh.. I have to prevent violence in front of my child.
Ako: You want to hold him now?Venice: Huh? Oh, yeah. Okay.Dahan-dahan kong nilipat si Raymer sa waiting arms ni Venice. Oh, ahyan, hitting two birds with one stone. First, Venice finally got to hold her son -- and she looks really happy as she coos to him. Second, she won’t be able to hit me if ever man na isipin nyang nababaliw ako.
Ako: Okay, so, as a second name, iniisip ko… How about… Gerard?She paused, parang nag-iisip kung tama ba ung rinig nya or anoh. Then, very slowly, tumingin sya sa’kin.
Ako: I mean, since we’re naming the kid after special people anyways, I think Gerard deserves the recognition, right?Tinaasan nya ko ng kilay. That usually means she’s listening, but she has no idea what I’m trying to say. So, at least, hindi pa rejected ang proposal ko.
Ako: Gerard is special to you, right?Venice: Well, yeah…? I mean, he was my first love… Na-ggets mo ba kung gano ka-awkward sabihin un sa harap ng asawa ko? Ako: I’m not jealous. Besides, that just helps my point. He’s one of the main people who molded the person you are – including your flaws and everything. If it weren’t for him, you’d probably be a very different person, Venice, and I would never have found you as intriguing. At isa pa, kung hindi rin dahil sa kanya, baka hindi ka rin nagpakalasing nung gabing nagkakilala tayo. Venice: You really want to name your son after him?Ako: Yes. It’s the least I can do. I would have wanted to meet the guy and thank him for making you the most loving, most amazing, most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.Venice: Sige lang, bolahin mo pa ko. I was about to respond nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. I yelled for the person to come in. The door opened and pumasok sa loob sina Kuya Ralph, kasunod ung dalawang buntot nya. Hindi pa rin pala talaga sila umuwi.
Kuya Ralph: Hi. Sabi ng nurse, okay na raw na bumisita kami. We just wanted to make sure na okay lang ung mag-nanay.Ako: What? What about me? Di nyo ko kakamustahin?Kuya Greg: Bakit, ikaw ba ang nanganak?
Venice: Oo nga. Manahimik ka dyan.Ako: Why are you so mean?Venice: Yeah, yeah. Kuya, gusto nyong makita ang anak ko?Ako: “Naten”. Anak naten.Lumapit ung tatlo para tignan si Raymer. Syempre, they immediately started with the compliments. Lalaki raw na heartthrob ung bata.
Kuya Vince: Uh, kung okay lang, pwede bang makakuha ng picture ng anak nyo for the feature piece? I mean, kung gusto nyo lang naman na i-release na sa publiko na lalake ang anak nyo.Nagkatinginan kami ni Venice. She shrugged, as usual, basta business, ako nanaman ang mag-decide. Usually, I don’t mind, dahil ibig sabihin she trusts me, pero this time, parang ang bigat ng responsibility. This is our child we’re talking about. Kakapanganak nya pa lang, i-eexpose na namin sya?
Ako: Uh, I think we’ll withhold any photos of our son for now. He’s too young.Kuya Vince: Okay. We understand. No pressure. Kuya Ralph: Is it okay na i-publish namin kahit ung pangalan man lang?Venice: I don’t mind. People will know soon enough anyways.Ako: Are you sure?Venice: Yep. Nilabas kagad ni Kuya Greg ung notebook nya, tapos excitedly tumingin sa’kin.
Ako: This is our son, Raymer Santos.Kuya Greg: “Raymer”?
I spelled the name for him. Venice explained the reason kung bakit un ung pangalan nung baby. They thought it was clever. I think kailangan kong ibili si Jean ng regalo for coming up with a clever name.
Kuya Greg: Is that it? May second name ba sya?
Nagkatinginan ulit kami ni Venice. I would have told them yes, pero the decision is still Venice’s. I smiled at her, telling her na sya na ang bahala. It took a few more seconds bago sya ngumiti pabalik sa’kin.
Ako: Yeah, he has a second name.Kuya Greg: Oh, what is it?
I gently ran my fingers through Venice’s hair. Tumingin si Venice kay Raymer, and with a tender smile on her face, she answered,
Venice: Gerard. Raymer Gerard.The three journalists stayed for a few more minutes before they bid their goodbyes. Maya-maya, may dumating na rin na nurse to take Raymer to the nursery. Venice settled on the bed, feeling exhausted. I pulled a chair next to her bed, assuring her na paggising nya, nandun pa rin ako.
Venice: Sunshine?Ako: Hm?Venice: Thank you.Ako: For what?Venice: For showing me, na kahit anong mangyari, life goes on, and most of the time, it only gets better. So, thank you.Ako: You’re welcome.She yawned and then closed her eyes para matulog. I pulled the sheet up to her, and kissed her forehead. She gave me a small smile kahit na ayaw nang bumukas ng mata nya sa sobrang antok.
Venice: I love you, Sunshine.Ako: I love you too, Sardines.I settled back on my seat, and for about the thousandth time and most certainly not the last, I started to sing “You Are My Sunshine” hanggang sa makatulog na ang asawa ko.
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The End
