Aya's Confusion(Book 1)[Gxg]

Epilogue

AYA ENTERED her daughter’s room. Nagtaka siya sa nadatnang itsura ng anak. Alexis was seated at the corner of the bed, holding a picture of Alexa and looking intently at it. Nilapitan ni Aya ang anak at tinabihan ito. "Is something wrong, sweety?"

Siya namang pagpasok ni Yuna.

"Mama... can I cut my hair like Mommy Alexa's?" biglang tanong ng anak.

Aya didn't expect that. Noon niya nakita si Yuna na nakalapit na rin sa kanila. She gave Yuna a look, and turned to her daughter again. "Why would you want to cut your hair like hers?"

Alexis might have gotten her hair from her biological father— it was long and silky black. Almost like Yuna. Kaya naman kapag ipinapakilala nilang ina nito si Yuna ay ang magkaparehong buhok ng mga ito ang kaagad na napapansin ng mga tao. Wala namang kaso kay Aya kung gusto ng anak na magpagupit kagaya ng kay Alexa, ngunit ang iniisip niya ay ang mararamdaman ng asawa. Oo nga at wala na si Alexa ngunit alam niyang may kaunti pa rin itong insecurity na natitira.

"I just want to look like her," kibit-balikat na tugon ni Alexis.

"But you already look like her. You and Mommy Alexa's face are almost identical," ani Aya.

"But my hair is boring. I like her hair," pangangatwiran ng bata.

Tiningnan muli ni Aya ang asawa, na parang humihingi ng permiso dito. Lumuhod naman ang huli sa harapan ng anak. "Do you really want to cut your hair just like Mommy Alexa's?"

"Puwede po ba, Mommy?" tanong naman nito kay Yuna.

"It was fine by me," agad na sagot ng ina, "sasamahan pa kita sa salon kung gusto mo talaga."

"Really?" Namilog ang mata ni Alexis dahil sa tuwa.

"But of course," nakangiti pang tugon ni Yuna, "anything for my princess."

Bumaling naman si Alexis kay Aya. "Mama, payag na si Mommy... ikaw din po..." ungot nito.

Tiningnan ng makahulugan ni Aya si Yuna. Ngumiti at tumango naman ang huli. "All right. Kung 'yan ba ang magpapasaya sa prinsesa namin… sige, payag na 'ko," ani Aya.

"Yehey!" Alexis jumped in joy. Tumakbo na ito palabas ng kuwarto.

Tumayo si Aya at tinabihan ang asawa. “Are you really okay with that?”

“Course. No problem at all.” Nakangiting inakbayan nito si Aya.

ILANG ARAW matapos magpagupit ang anak ay dinalaw sila ni Daniella.

"My goodness... I was really surprised when I saw Alexis. Pakiramdam ko ay nagbalik si Alexa," Daniella stated, a mixture of longing and joy can be seen in her eyes while watching her granddaughter. She was holding a small cup of tea, sipping. Kasalukuyan silang nasa patio. Tanaw nila mula roon sina Yuna at Alexis na naglalaro ng soccer sa garden.

“Same here, Tita.  Nagulat talaga kami nang magupitan na siya. Lalong lumitaw ang pagiging magkamukha nila ni Alexa,” tugon ni Aya. “It was both thrilling and nostalgic.”

Daniella smiled knowingly. “How are things with you and Yuna?”

“We’re doing great, Tita. She has been a very good wife, and a very good mother to Alexis. Wala ho akong masabi sa kaniya.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” Daniella said solemnly. “We were truly grateful for the both of you, for fulfilling Alexa’s wish. To Yuna, especially. Alam kong hindi ito naging madali para sa kaniya.”

Aya also turned to look at her wife. “It wasn’t.” Napabalik-tanaw si Aya nung mga panahong nagsisimula palang silang mag-asawa, at nang mga panahong dinadala niya sa sinapupunan si Alexis. A bitter, yet grateful smile crossed her lips.