SWEETEST REDEMPTION

       "I NOW pronounce you husband and wife," the priest looked at both of us, half smiling. "You may now kiss the bride," he declared.

I looked at the man in front of me, wearing a dark blue suit, inside his coat was a gray-plated waistcoat and a blue necktie. He slowly pulled up my veil, uncovering my face. I saw how emotional is him by noticing his eyes clouded in tears while staring at me.

He held my chin, and his other hand snaked my back as he leaned closer, and before I could shut my eyes, he murmured the three words to me. "I love you." I smiled as his lips claimed mine.

"LOVE, hindi ka ba nagsasawa panoorin ang wedding video natin? It's been three years since we got married, and you still love watching that video?"  I asked, curiously.

He glanced at me, smiling before he planted a soft kiss to my baby bump. "Hinding-hindi magsasawa at walang balak magsawa, love." He caressed my hair and kiss the side of my head. "Gutom na ba ang baby namin? Hmm? What does my superman wants to eat?" Kinakausap niya ang tiyan ko.

May ngiti sa aking labi. "I want ube champorado, Oreo mcflurry, ube turon, and egg tart, please, love..." I puckered my lips and even twinkled my eyes.

His eyes flickered before he leaned and kissed my lips. "As you wish, my love."

It's been three years...

Three years had passed since we married on a private island in Palawan. That island is owned by Zachariah, my husband. We had a beach wedding at imbitado ang mga kaibigan namin, my college friends, ang mga dati at bago kong katrabaho ko, ang mga Altamirano.

My bridesmaid are Khrizanta, Hazel, Kate, Jansen, Pearl, Dustin's wife, Ate Kelsea, and Architect Montesilva. Zachariah's groomsmen are Dwight, Duke, Dustin, Hunter, Leoniel, Captain Echavez, and his cousin. His best man is no other than his brother, Croisx.

Guess who caught the bouquet? It's no other than Khrizanta!

For our honeymoon, we decided to explore all countries in Europe. Kasama namin sina Mama at Paopao sa trip namin sa Europe dahil ang private airplane naman ni Zachariah ang ginamit namin. The one who gifted us a trip to Europe is no other than Zachariah's parents, my in-laws.

Ang sarap talaga maging Mrs. Silvestre.

Napangiti ako habang sinisipat ang mga nakadisplay na painting sa living room. Every canvas displayed in the living room was made by Zachariah. The three small canvases made by the Twins, of course, I made one, too. They were both art-inclined, just like their father.

"I'm home na po, Mama! Daddy!" I heard Zhara's voice from the living room.

"I'm home! What's for lunch?!" Zacki's voice echoed, too.

Zachariah and I glanced at each other. "Nandyan na ang kambal, love," I muttered, and he carefully helped me to stand up.

He intertwined our hands before he planted a soft kiss on the back of my hand. "Let's welcome our kids, my wife," he uttered, smiling.

The twins ran towards us, and when they reached us, they immediately kissed my baby bump before they held our hands and placed them on their foreheads. Nasa likuran nila ang nanny nilang si Micha. 

I flashed a smile. "Hi, babies. How's school, anak?"

Zhara squealed in excitement. "Mama, I got a perfect score on our English quiz!" she showed me her test paper.

I exaggeratedly gasped. "Oh my! Ang galing talaga ng anak ko! Very good, Ate Zhara," I patted her head.

Her eyes twinkled. "Thanks, Mama! Zacki also got a perfect score not just in English but also in Math and Spelling quizzes!" She proudly announced his brother's achievements.

I looked at Zacki and smiled. "Good job, baby. I'm so proud of you, kuya. Both of you made me so proud," sabi ko.

"Thank you, Mama. Since I did a good job, can I play with Ashiro and Killian po?" Zacki asked politely.

Zachariah cleared his throat. "Of course, you can play with them. But first, we need to know where are you playing, son? Dito lang ba sa village?" he asked softly.

"Sa bahay po nila,"

Zach breathe. "All right. You can play, but you know the rules, right? Before six pm, you need to be home," he reminded the rules I made.

Nakangiti ako habang pinapanood ang mag-ama. Bumaba ang tingin ko kay Zhara nang haplusin niya ang tiyan ko. "Mama, kailan po ba lalabas si baby?"

"Ilang tulog na lang, baby." Hinaplos ko ang buhok niya. "Teka, wala ka bang practice ngayon sa skating?" Tanong ko.

 Zhara took skating class because she wanted to be a figure skater just like 'Barbie', but she also wanted to be a ballerina, so we enrolled her in ballet class. Next week, she definitely wants to be a gymnast, too.

She shook her head. "None po. But I have ballet class later at three, Mama," Then she started to form her toes like a ballerina.

Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan ang kambal. They were growing so fast because they were turning seven years old six months from now. They were in 1st grade studying at Brent International School.

Kaklase ng kambal ang anak ni Dustin, habang ang lalaking anak ng ate ni Khriz ay nasa parehong paaralan din, mas matanda nga lang siya ng isang taon.

"SMILE, love!" Mabilis akong napasimangot nang makitang sa akin na naman nakatutok ang bagong biling film camera ni Zachariah.

Siyam na buwan na ang tiyan ko at mga ilang araw na lang ay isisilang ko na sa mundo ang pangatlo naming anak ni Zachariah... But this time, Zachariah is here. Hindi siya umalis sa tabi ko simula noong malaman naming nagdadalang tao ako. Hanggang sa paglilihi, sa pagbili ng gamit ni baby, sa lahat. He even almost bought the entire clothing store for babies because he was excited to buy baby things.

He didn't leave my side. He stayed by my side even though I was like a devil in disguise with Angel's face when my pregnancy started.

"So beautiful," he muttered, staring at the screen of his camera. "You're so beautiful, love. Look," He showed me the photo he just took. "Diba? Ang ganda mo. Ang swerte ko talaga," he bit his lips and grinned like a teenager.

My face crumpled. "Sus, if I know ang haggard ko na! Tignan mo nga, 'oh! Ang laki ng tiyan ko! Saka jusko naman, medyo nangamatis 'yong ilong ko!" Pagrereklamo ko na parang bata.

"No," he quickly responded. "Sobrang ganda mo dati at mas gumanda pa ngayon, love." Aniya sabay haplos sa ibabaw ng malaki kong tiyan.

My mouth parted, and my face turned pale when I felt a liquid gushing down my legs. "Z-Zach..." I murmured as my lips quivered.

"Hmm? Yes, love? Are you hungry? Sleepy? Tell me," malambing na tanong niya.

Mabilis kong dinaklot ang suot niyang t-shirt habang nakangiwi. "Ihanda mo na ang sasakyan!" I said, trying not to panic, but my voice became shaky.

He looked at me, confused. "Hmm? Why, love? Aalis ba tayo?"

"M-My water broke! Manganganak na ako!"

His face immediately paled, and his Adam's apple moved when he heard what I stated. "A-Are you okay, love?" His eyes darted at my legs, trickling with water and a bit of blood.

Mabilis kong sinabunutan ang buhok ni Zachariah at doon kumuha ng pwersa nang naging tulala siya. "Ginagago mo ba ako?! Malamang hindi! Manganganak na ako, Zach!" Halos lumabas na ang litid sa leeg ko dahil sa pagsigaw.

"Fuck!" Bigla siyang nahimasmasan at walang sabing binuhat ako na parang bagong kasal. "Twins! Yaya Micha! Manganganak na si Ariella!" He yelled and the twins quickly rushed down the stairs, panicking.

Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang hawak ni Zhara na camera, Zacki's holding his dad's key habang ang nanny nila ay bitbit ang dalawang bag na naglalaman ng mga gamit ni baby.

"You can do this, love." Zach's whispered in my ears as he slowly put me inside his car. "Kids, seatbelt," paalala niya sa kambal bago pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi mapasigaw sa sakit habang nasa loob ng sasakyan. Gusto kong sabunutan si Zachariah pero pinipigilan ko lang dahil nasa likuran ang Kambal. Si Zhara ay kinukuhanan ako ng video. Ang sabi raw kasi ng magaling niyang ama ay kailangan naka-document lahat ng mga mangyayari ngayong araw, since, wala siya noong unang nanganak ako sa kambal.

Nang marating namin ang hospital ay mabilis na umikot patungo sa passenger side door si Zachariah at binuhat ako. Gladly, some nurses immediately helped me transfer to the wheeled stretcher. 

"Hi, Ariella," Doctora Altamirano, Khrizanta's mom, our ninang in our wedding came. "I'll check your cervical dilation first," aniya at sinimulan gawin ang kailangan gawin sa aking gitna.

"N-Ninang, manganganak na ang asawa ko," Zachariah's voice trembled.

"I know," Mahinahon na sabi ng doctor. "Congratulations to both of you, especially to you, anak," She looked at me. "Your cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimeters. Mukhang excited lumabas si baby number 3," she jokingly stated.

I breathe so deeply. "T-Tita, can I give birth now through normal delivery?" I asked breathily.

"Yes, you can now give birth through normal delivery," sabi niya at ngumiti pa sa akin. "Nurse Erika, Nurse Rainah bring Mrs. Silvestre to the delivery room," Mabilis na tinapik ni Tita Karina ang balikat ni Zach.

"Can I go inside the delivery room?" Zachariah followed us until we reached the door of the delivery room. "I-I want to support my wife, please... Let me go inside," he pleaded.

MY TEARS descended as I watched my husband supporting me while giving birth to our son. He let me hold his hand as I cried and grunted painfully.

"I love you, wife. I love you so much." I heard Zachariah utter as I held his hand tightly. "You're doing a great job, love," he said emotionally.

"Two more pushes, Ariella. The baby's about to come out, push!"

Halos himatayin na ako sa sobrang pagod pero nang marinig ko ang iyak ng sanggol ay parang biglang nawala ang nararamdaman kong pagod. Kahit hinang-hina ay nagawa ko pa rin lumingon kay Zachariah na umiiyak habang nakatitig sa anak namin.

"It's a healthy baby boy," The doctor informed us.

Kahit may kaunti pang dugo ang anak namin ay dahan-dahan ko pa rin itong kinalong sa aking bisig. Nagkatinginan kami ni Zachariah, parehong liham ng luha ang mga mata. He slowly looked down at our son. "Hello, superman. I'm your daddy Zach, Welcome to the world, Son."

NAKANGITI ako habang nakatingin kay Zachariah na kalong-kalong sa bisig ang anak namin. Nandito na kami sa private room pagkatapos ng successful delivery ko sa aming baby. It's been two hours ago, and I was able to rest somehow.

Our baby looked so tiny in his arms.

He's verge in crying while looking at him again. Hindi ba siya nauubusan ng luha?

"Thank you, love. Thank you for bringing another Silvestre into this world. I'm so proud of you, my wife. You were so strong and brave earlier," he uttered, teary-eyed.

"N-Namumula na 'yong ilong at mata mo..." I uttered, still recovering my strength. "Mas malakas pa iyak mo kay baby, 'ah?" Tudyo ko sa kanya.

"Sinabayan ko lang si baby, love. Baka sabihin hindi ako supportive dad, 'eh." He joked. Mahina akong natawa at napailing.

"Zach, Ikaw na ang bahala sa pangalan ni baby, 'ah? Tutal ako naman ang nagbigay ng pangalan sa Kambal," ani ko.

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya. "Are you sure, love? Ayos lang naman sa akin kung ikaw ulit—" I shook my head, and caressed his cheeks.

"Ikaw na, love. It's your time to shine," biro ko.

He chuckled softly and slowly kissed me on the forehead as he carefully laid our baby in my arms. "Thank you, love. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a beautiful, loving, understanding wife." We smiled at each other full of love.

After 4 years....

NAKANGITI ako habang pinapalibot ang mga mata sa kabuuan ng Aella's. It was a three-story establishment with a Coffee shop on the first floor that I named Deja Brew. The second floor is a restaurant, and the top floor is a bar that I named Sugar 'n Spice.

The whole building was designed by two architects: Architect Montesilva and Architect Silvestre, my husband. Ang Engineer namin ay walang iba kundi si Engineer Leoniel. Supposedly, Croisx was the one we planned to hire as an Engineer, but he's busy studying in law school. Yep, after studying Engineering, nagproceed si Croisx sa Harvard Law school. Dalawang taon na lang at magiging ganap na siyang Lawyer.

Ni sa panaginip ay hindi ko akalain na makakapagpatayo ako ng sarili kong building. Syempre, tinulungan ako ng pinakamamahal kong asawa. Thanks to his connection, my businesses were immediately recognized. Salamat rin sa mga kaibigan ko na walang sawang sumusuporta sa'kin. I'm so lucky to have them.

"Our sales is doing well po, Miss Ariella. Mas lumaki po ang sale natin ngayon buwan simula nang malaman nilang dito kumain ang Kpop group na Enhypen at GOT7 nang pumunta sila dito sa Pilipinas." My most trusted secretary said while showing our journal entry.

Malawak akong ngumiti at magsasalita pa sana nang tumunog ang chimes. Sabay kaming lumingon sa pinto at napangiti ako nang makita ang mga anak ko kasama ang dalawang nanny nila at isang body guard.

"Mama!" Sabay-sabay na tawag sa'kin ng tatlo at tumakbo palapit at niyakap ako. "I miss you, Mama!" Paglalambing ni Zhara.

"I miss you, Mama. Is your business doing well?" Tanong naman ni Zacki.

"Mama ko! Zarech misses you!" Paglalambing naman ng tatlong taong gulang kong anak na si Zarech Marquise.

Ngumiti ako at niyakap sila ng sabay-sabay. "I miss you more, my babies. How's your ballet and skating class, Zhara? My Zacki, How's your camping trip with Ashiro and Killian? Did you enjoy it?" Tanong ko at tumingin naman sa bunso kong anak. "How's my baby doing? Nag-enjoy ka ba sa swimming class mo, baby?"

"Swimming class is fun, Mama! I like H20 so much, Mama!" Zarech uttered gleefully.

I smiled and kissed his cheeks. "What about you ate at kuya?" Tanong ko sa kambal.

"I'm enjoying both figure skating and ballet, Ma!" Zhara answered happily.

"Camping is fun, Ma. I enjoyed camping with my friends po." Zacki answered politely.

"I'm glad that y'all had fun." Ngumiti ako. "Anyway, next week is the start of your taekwondo class, and you have soccer practice on Friday, don't forget that, okay?"

"Opo, Mama." Zacki nodded.

"Nasaan na pala ang daddy niyo?" And as if on cue, Zachariah Silvestre just entered the restaurant wearing his suit.

"Daddy! Buhat, please!" Zarech gleefully shouted when he saw his father.

"Hi, love," He went near me and kissed me on the lips before carrying up Zarech. "Kumain kana?" He looked at our kids. "Hi, superman. Hi, my princess, hey buddy, have you eaten y'all?" Tanong niya sa mga anak.

Zhara shook her head. "We ate po sa jollibee, Dad. Did you know that they didn't let us pay?! Kahit marami kaming inorder hindi nila kami pinagbayad!"  Zhara exclaimed.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Zach at patagong natawa. Of course, that branch of jollibee is owned by their father.

"Kumain na rin ba kayo?" Tanong ko sa dalawang nanny at bodyguard nila.

"Opo. Ma'am. Kasabay po namin sila kumain kanina," sagot ni Yaya Micha.

"And because they didn't let us pay, I told the crew I'm going to order 100 pieces of Kiddie meal!" Zacki exclaimed.

I gasped. "What? A hundred pieces, Zacki? Mauubos mo ba 'yon anak?" Takang tanong ko.

He shook his head. "It's not for me, Mama. It's for the kids and the family living on the side of the road," he stated reasonably.

"He's right, Mama! Ang dami pong bata kanina. I feel bad for them kasi wala silang house at halos hindi na sila kumakain," Zhara answered.

I enveloped them with a hug. "That's so nice of you, babies. I'm so lucky to have you both," I said, smiling.

"I'm so proud of you both, twins. Because you both did a good job, what about a trip to Disneyland?" Zachariah announced and as if on cue, the three kids squealed in happiness.

Zhara immediately jumped out for bliss. "Me, Daddy! I want to go to Disneyland!"

"Can we go to Tokyo Disneyland instead, Dad? That's the only Disneyland we haven't visited," Zacki uttered like an adult man.

"Me! I want to go to Disneyland!" Hiyaw ni Zarech.

Bumaling sa'kin si Zach. "Is Tokyo Disneyland okay for you, love?" Tanong niya.

I shrugged, smiling. "Kahit saan. Ikaw naman ang gagastos," Tumatawang ani ko at hinalikan siya labi.

Happiness and contentment filled my heart as I watched Zhara, Zacki, Zachariah, and of course, the newest member of our family Zarech Marquise, bond with each other. 

MY BREATHING became ragged when Zach's hand slipped inside my wet underwear. He parted my labia using his fingers, and I couldn't hold but moan in pleasure when he started thrusting his fingers inside.

"Oh!" My back arched when he got deeper and faster inside me. I felt him curling his two fingers inside, making me cry in pleasure. "Zach! Sige pa!" I cried.

Napasabunot ako sa buhok ni Zach nang palitan nang dila niya ang daliri niya sa loob ko. Halos mabaliw ako sa sarap ng ginagawa niya sa pagkakababae ko.

"Oh! Zach, malapit na ako! I'm coming!" 

I clutched tightly to the bedsheet cover, and my toes curled as I felt my release erupt inside his mouth. He wouldn't stop eating me, instead, he ates me until he can't see any drop of my juices.

"Oh, Ariella," he moaned sexily, and before I could even react, he entered me without warning.

"Ah! Faster, Love! Ohh! Ang sarap!" Napasigaw ako sa sobrang sarap nang mas bilisan at isagad pa niya ang kahabaan sa loob ko. He's hitting my G-spot and I'm loving it.

Thank Goodness our bedroom is soundproof!

Zach seized my hands and pinned them over my head. He kissed my lips before his kisses went down my jaw and neck. "I love you, Ariella," he whispered raggedly. "So fucking much," he said breathly. I felt his hot semen penetrate me.

"I love you, Zach," tugon ko habang hinahabol pa rin ang hininga. He kissed me on the lips before he pulled out and lay beside me, cuddling me.

"Let's take a shower, love? Hmm?"

I looked at him, and my lips twitched. "Love, ipagluto mo naman ako ng ube turon with langka saka banana cue, 'oh. Gusto ko rin ng ube Ice cream at taro milktea pero gusto ko 'yong may leche flan sa taas, please." I suddenly craved Purple foods.

He frowned. "But it's almost midnight, love?" Mabilis namasa ang sulok ng mga mata ko kaya nataranta naman siya kaagad. "Joke lang, love! Walang midnight, midnight kapag asawa ko ang nagugutom!" He uttered, halatang inuuto ako.

I pouted. "Go na, love. I'm hungry na," 

"Eto na po mahal na reyna," he replied, scratching his head.

Nang makaalis na si Zachariah ay dumiretso kaagad ako sa walking closet namin para maghanda ng pantulog at para hanapin ang pregnancy test na tinago ko doon. Nang mahanap ko kaagad 'yon ay mabilis akong dumiretso sa banyo para magshower. Ilang araw ko nang napapansin ang kakaiba sa katawan ko. Bigla-bigla na lang ako nagkecrave ng mga pagkain na hindi ko naman kinakain noon.

Tulad na lang ng ampalaya na sinasawsaw ko sa mayonaise. Ayoko sa amoy ng isda at ayokong nakakakita ng egg shell na kulay puti dahil nagiging emosyonal ako. I have a hunch that I am pregnant again for the third time.

Mabilis akong nagshower bago ginawa ang kailangan gawin sa pregnancy test. Kagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko habang hinihintay ang resulta. Nang makita ang dalawang guhit sa test ay naluha ako at nagtatalon na halos tumili na ako sa sobrang saya.

Nang bumalik si Zachariah ay hindi ko na pinatagal at pinakita ko na sa kanya ang test. "Zach, I'm pregnant!" I announced and embraced him quickly. "Buntis ulit ako..." I sobbed.

His eyes are instantly coated in tears, and as if on cue, they cascade down. "Thank you for another blessing, God! Thank you, love! You're the best wife ever, Ariella. Matutupad na sa wakas ang wish ni Zarech na magkaroon ng baby sister," He cupped my face and attached our forehead together.

"I'm the best wife because I have the best husband, and that's you, Zachariah. I love you so much, hubby ko." I smiled and stroked his cheeks. "Paano mo pala nasabi na babae 'tong baby natin? Hindi ko nga alam kung ilang weeks na ito!" I slapped his hard chest.

He chuckled softly and gave me a fiery kiss on my lips. "Ariella, my wife... I never dream about other women to be my wife, only you. And seven years ago, you made me the happiest man for letting me change your last name with mine," I shut my eyes when his fingers caressed my lips until they reached my chin, slightly pinching it before tilting it up. "God knows how much I love you, Ariella,"

"Mahal rin kita, Zachariah," I uttered, smiling, getting emotional again.

"Will you marry me again? This time, the newest member of our family will be the ring barrier of us," he uttered while caressing my invisible baby bump.

A continuous tear fell from my eyes as I nodded repeatedly. "Tinatanong pa 'yan?! Yes, I will marry you again and again and again! I can't wait to be a Mrs. Silvestre for the second time," I smiled when he claimed my lips passionately.

I can't picture myself enjoying my life with anyone else but Zachariah. With him, and our kids, I could never ask for more. I will always love him. If I could have a chance to replace my husband, anyone in this world: it would still be him. I will not get tired of choosing him.

ENDING.

:(