CHAPTER FIVE

Hindi ako mapakali habang papalapit na kami nang papalapit sa ob-gyne. Marahil ay nahalata ni Philos ang kaba ko kaya't hinawakan niya ang nanlalamig kong kamay. "It's okay, cariño," he assured me. I smiled at him and squeezed his hand back. "I'm fine, love."

Pinilig niya ang ulo ko sa balikat niya at tinapik-tapik ang balikat ko. "I'm here. You will be fine. Our child will be fine." I feel assured and safe when I'm in his arms. And when he's telling me that everything will be okay, that he will be there for me, I am rest assured that he'll be with me until the end, he will protect me and our child.

"I love you," I mumbled. I smiled when he kissed my hair.

"I love you, cariño."

"Ms. Sanchez?" the nurse called out. Philos held my hand until we got inside the clinic. The ob-gyne greeted us with a smile. "What a young and lovely couple," komento ng doktor. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Philos at nangiti sa isa't isa. Tiningnan ng doktor ang mga tests na ginawa sa akin at pagkatapos noon ay pinapunta niya ako sa isang lugar sa loob ng clinic niya. She took out a wand and told me to relax before she inserted it inside me. It was a transvaginal ultrasound to look for the little life inside me. After that, she proceeded with the normal ultrasound and let Philos be with me. She smiled. "Congratulations! You will be having a twin."

Philos' eyes widened. He seemed suprised now than the day when I told him about my pregnancy. This time, his eyes told me another story. He was beyond happy to the point of elation. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa akin at sa screen na kaharap namin. "Totoo ba ito? Hindi ba ako nanaginip?" Kinusot-kusot pa niya ang kaniyang mga mata para masigurong hindi siya nananaginip.

"Yes, Mr. Ignacio. You and Ms. Sanchez will be having a twin. See that little zygotes there? That's your babies."

Philos reached for my hands and kissed it repeatedly. "Oh my god! How can I stop loving you, mio cariño?" He kissed my forehead and stared at the screen. "My children. Our children, Leigh. I love you and your surprises. I love you and I don't know how not to love you." My eyes brimmed with tears as he kept on saying those words like we didn't say it to each other every day. Like we didn't get tired of those three words.

"Thank you, Phil."

He shook his head and kissed my hand again. "No, cariño. Thank you for giving me the greatest blessing of all, and you being in my life is also a great blessing." He secured me in his arms, not wanting to let go. His smiles didn't fade since we discovered that I was pregnant with twins.

He kissed my nape while we are watching television and it tickled me, making me giggle. "Phil, nakikiliti ako," hagikhik ko nang 'di niya tinigilan ang pag-iwan ng mumunting mga halik sa batok ko. "I'm so happy today, Leigh. Pakiramdam ko, hindi ako makakatulog nito at tititigan ko lang ang first baby pictures ng mga baby natin."

I can't help but to laugh at his words. "Phil, nagugutom na kami. Gusto ko ng strawberry at chocolate." I pouted.

I heard him chuckle. "You're starting with your cravings, Leigh." He tapped my nose with his finger. "I'll get you what you want. Stay here." Tumango ako at hinayaan siyang pumunta sa kusina. I can't help but to marvel at the man I love. He's so perfect that I can't believe we're living together and will be having a family soon.

"Phil," pagtawag ko sa kaniya. I heard his 'hmm' while he was doing his things in the kitchen. "Will your family agree with this? Hindi ba't ayaw nila sa akin? Will they accept our children?" Natigil siya sa ginagawa niya nang panandalian na para bang nag-iisip. Ilang minutong katahimikan ang namayani sa paligid namin bago siyang nagsalitang muli.

"Oo naman, they should accept you or they'll need to forget they have a son."

I heaved a sigh with what he said. He's really that steadfast with his decision. He will really defy his parents just for love. "Paano kung pareho mo sila na hindi matitinag?" patuloy kong pagtatanong. He smiled at me and ruffled my hair as he placed my strawberries and chocolates on the coffee table.

"Then that means they have chosen the latter. I don't care what they'll say as long as I have you, I can defy all odds." Umupo siya sa tabi ko at sinuklay ang buhok ko gamit ang kamay niya. He braided my hair lightly and tied it. "Don't bring up such topics, cariño. I don't want you to be stressed out with this kind of topic. The problem between me and my family is ours and you're not to get involved with it."

"But I'm the problem, Phil."

Umiling siya. He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. "You are never a problem to me, Leigh. You're the greatest blessing I ever had." He touched my flat tummy and smiled. "And now, I have these two angels. I have more reasons to hold on to you." When I was about to say something again, he popped a strawberry in my mouth. "Akala ko ba, nagugutom ka? Bakit ngayon, ayaw mo nang kumain?" I playfully pushed him and chew on my strawberry. Iniangat niyang muli ang isang daliri na may chocolate at isinubo ito sa akin. "Kumain ka muna, gutom na mga anak ko." I giggled. When I asked him to stop feeding me, he insisted that he needs to feed me and his children.

Ngayon pa lang ay nararamdaman ko na ang pagmamahal niya sa mga anak namin. Paano pa kaya kapag sinilang na sila? I can't wait to see him carrying them in his arms while singing them a lullaby. I can't wait to see him changing their diapers. He's so ideal. I can't believe he even exists. He's smart, talented, a good cook. He also has the looks and the body. He was the type of man you can only imagine in fiction. And I love him. I'm so in love with him.

Nang maubos ko na ang strawberry at chocolate na inihanda niya ay nahiga ako sa kaniyang hita. I can't help but to stare at his perfect face. "I hope our children will have your looks," I unconsciously said.

Yumuko siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa labi. "Bakit ganoon? Ako naman, hinihiling ko na sana ay makuha nila ang ganda mo?" Mahina kong tinampal ang dibdib niya. He just laughed at me. "I'm serious, Leigh. I hope they are girls so they can get the beauty of their mother."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Sa ganiyan mo ako nakuha, Phil. Bolero ka talaga." Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong buhatin.

"Mahal na mahal mo naman itong bolero na ito." He laughed and kissed me.

I answered his warm and passionate kisses with equal intensity as I hooked my arms on his nape. "I'm so whipped by you, Phil. I can't love other man than you."

He gently placed me to our bed and lay beside me.

"Likewise, Leigh. I can't imagine myself loving another woman than you." He kissed my forehead and hugged me tight. We stayed in that position, talking, kissing, cuddling and being all that sweet until I feel tired. I fell asleep eventually in his arms and can only feel at home in his arms ever since I was caught by him.

Can we always be this close? Can I stay in his arms forever? If I were to be given forever, I'll choose to spend my forever loving this man.