Intoxicated

Special Chapter 4

Warren Carlos A. Feledrico.

The second I laid my eyes on him, nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang init sa aking puso. This is the kind of love even Tyrone couldn't make me feel. Nalimutan ko lahat ng sakit na naramdaman ko sa kabila ng paglalabor ko. Nalimutan ko lahat ng pinagdaanan ko mailabas lang ang baby ko. His cry was music to my ears. It made me thank God for all the good things I have now.

For all the good things I deserve.

"Baby Warren," namamalat ang boses ko pero napangiti ako nang inabot siya sa akin ni Tyrone.

"You ok, mommy?" May halong pag-aalala sa boses ni Tyrone pero naroon pa rin ang excitement at kasiyahan. Tulad ko ay masaya siyang makita ang anghel namin, tulad ko ay naramdaman niya ang kakaibang haplos sa mga puso namin.

Tumango ako kahit nanghihina. I held my baby with extreme gentleness, afraid I might hurt him. Nakapikit si baby at natigil na sa pag-iyak. Parang pati siya ay napagod rin.

"He looks like an angel," napangiti ako at tuluyang nakalimutan lahat ng sakit na pinagdaanan ko. I can picture the three of us together, I can picture a happy family and a loving son. Heck, I can also picture me and Tyrone both with grey hair surrounded by children and their laughter. Natawa ako dahil sobrang advance ko mag-isip.

"Nagmana sa akin," Tyrone gave me a quick kiss on my cheeks. He fished for his phone in his pocket and before I knew it, he was taking a picture of me and newborn Warren.

Napakunot ako ng noo. "Dad naman, ang pangit ko!"

"No, mommy. You look perfect." Ngumisi siya habang tinitignan ang picture naming dalawa. Pinakita niya iyon sa akin at kahit na napakatamlay ng itsura ko at halatang pagod ay naroon pa rin ang kasiyahan sa mga mata ko. What could I ever ask for? This is perfection. What I'm feeling now is surreal, but this is the reality. I am just too overwhelmed. Everything has paid off, and I am very glad of the outcome.

Muling itinaas ni Tyrone ang cellphone niya at napangiti na lang ako nang makita ang sarili sa screen. Inangat ko ng kaunti si Baby Warren, and when he clicked the capture ay muli kong naramdaman ang tila mainit na kamay na humaplos sa puso ko.

Sabay namin iyon tinitigan at kahit na napakagulo ng itsura ko samantalang napakagwapo niya ay nakunento na ako.

"Our first family picture." He declared at muling pinasok ang phone niya sa bulsa niya. "You need to rest, mommy." Kinuha na niya muli sa akin ang baby namin. Ayoko pa sana ibigay pero tama siya, masyado akong napagod. Tyrone looked at Warren with awe, kumikinang ang kan'yang mata habang tinititigan ang anak namin. He was unconsciously smiling habang karga karga siya. This is the perfect sight—seeing the two boys of my life happy together, like they were really meant to happen.

Hindi nakalagpas sa akin ang luha na tumulo sa mga mata ni Tyrone. "Damn, I can't believe this. I can't believe I'm finally holding my child. Ako ba talaga ang gumawa nito?" He chuckled harmoniously  "Hey, uhm... Baby. I'm your daddy. And daddy loves you." Napangiti ako. "And the beautiful woman over there is your mommy. And I love her too. So much."

 Humiga ako ng maayos at pinikit ang mga mata ko.

"Take care of him while I'm asleep." Bilin ko sa kan'ya.

"Of course, mommy."

Naramdaman ko ang pagdampi ng labi ni Tyrone sa labi ko. "Thank you for giving me this life. Thank you for this angel."

It was already blurry since I was half-asleep, but with those words, I felt like I was being held up in heaven. This is heaven on earth—this is my place, and yes, I do belong.