JB3: The Governor's Secret[ PUBLISHED UNDER ETLUX OC PUBLISHING INC]

38

Narcido Jonas Juariz

Tahimik akong umakyat sa itaas. It's still 3 in the morning nang makarating ako dito sa kasalukuyang tinitirhan nila Denisse kasama ang mga tauhan ko. Dahil sa labis na excitement, hindi ko maiwasang mapaaga ang pagpunta dito. Stanley didn't told me specific time to come anyway. Kanina ko pa inutusan ang mga tauhan kong pumwesto sa paligid nitong bahay.

"Kinakabahan ka ba?"

Napalingon ako sa tabi ko at tumango. The excitement since yesterday didn't die down kaya wala akong sapat  na tulog. And now I'm getting nervous. Sobrang daming tanong ang pumapasok isipan ko.

"You'll be fine. Hindi man sabihin ng anak at mga apo ko, alam kong nangungulila rin sila sa iyo. Lalong-lalo na si Janisse. He always talks about you," Ang nakangiting pagkwe-kwento ng papa ni Denisse.

Compared to Stanley, wala akong masasabing masama sa asawa niya. He was the one who talked to me properly. Siya rin ang nagbigay sa akin sa notebook ni Denisse. The notebook where he wrote down all his plans for our wedding.

"Thank you for taking care of them, tito." Bago kami tuluyang makapasok niyakap ko muna ito.

"Walang ano man. I'm just glad you're here, ijo." aniya.

He patted my back before opening the door. Agad na bumungad sa akin ang kama kung saan natutulog ang mag-aama ko. There was a huge crib placed beside them. Nilingon ko ang papa ni Denisse at nakita siyang dahan-dahang isinara ang pintuan.

I walked towards the crib slowly, careful not to wake them up. I leaned down in front of the crib and saw not just one, but three little angels. I felt the biggest surge of excitement and happiness as I watch my kids sleeping silently. They look so fucking perfect.

And I felt so bad not being able to help Denisse throughout his pregnancy. Alam kong nahirapan siya and I couldn't even do anything about it.

I sucked my breath when the one with the blue onesie blinked his eyes open. It didn't take too long before he started crying.

I got this. Pinag-aralan ko to. Naglagay muna ako ng alcohol before I picked him up gently. Dahan-dahan akong umupo sa tabi ni Denisse saka siya hinalikan sa noo at labi. "Hon, wake up. I think the baby's hungry."

I don't think he woke up from my voice. Mas lumamang kasi ang malakas na iyak ng bulilit kesa sa boses ko. Dahan-dahan siyang tumango bago bumangon sa pagkakahiga. His eyes are still shut kaya sigurado akong hindi pa niya ako napapansin.

"Akin na si J—JONAS?!" Ang kaninsng namumungay ang mata ay namilog sa gulat. Mahina akong natawa before dipping my lips on his..

"I wanna kiss you hard but our baby needs you," I said before giving him our baby. Nahihiya niyang binuksan ang butones ng kanyang damit but he failed to open the last button because he was holding our infant.

I raised my hand at tinulungan itong kalasin ang huling butones ng kanyang damit.  He freed his slightly enlarged breast from his shirt and placed his nipples against our baby's lips.

"Anong pangalan niya?" Ang tanong ko habang pinagmamasdan ang anak namin.

Instead of giving me an answer, he looked up and tried to wipe his eyes. He's crying. Tahimik lang itong umiiyak.