The Gold-digging Mastermind

Kabanata 35

Naalimpungatan ako ng bahagya, wala si Daxiel sa aking tabi sa kama.

I looked at the clock, it was already dawn. Bumangon naman ako upang hanapin siya, agad ko naman siyang natunton sa crib ng mga anak namin. He was feeding both our twins.

At night, he was the one on duty. Hindi na niya ako ginigising sa tuwing umiiyak ang mga anak namin at kaya naman niyang patahanin ang mga ito. Ayaw niyang naantala ang pagtulog ko.

I already prepared the milk bottles ready to use on the fridge. But I still wake up to pump more milk.

Our furbaby was sat next to his side watching the babies as well.

Gustav the Third loves watching the babies. Tuwing natutulog ang mga ito, nakabantay lang siya sa mga anak namin. Whenever they go, they will follow. I find it the sweetest.

“Daxiel…” Kinublit ko siya. “Mahal, take a rest. I’ll take care of our twins.”

Tumingin naman siya sa akin at ngumiti. Halata ang pagod at walang tulog sa kanyang ekspresyon, g’wapo pa rin ang roommate ko. Hinaplos ko ang kanyang mukha at hinalikan ang kanyang pisngi.

Daxiel’s such a good dad.

“No, I can handle it, baby. Take more sleep, it’s not morning yet.”

Hindi naman ako nakinig sa kanya. Naupo ako sa kanyang tabi.

“Did they cry last night?” I asked him.

He nodded.

“You’re surely tired, mahal. I had enough sleep, why don’t you take a rest?” Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay.

Sometimes, it was overwhelming to hear two babies crying all at once. Minsan may sistema silang kapag umiyak ang isa, susunod ang isa pa. Good thing that I’m getting all the help from the people around me.

And’yan sina Maricel at Jemaima para tulungan akong mag-alaga ng bata. Most of all, I have Daxiel in my support system. He would do anything to uplift my burden. He’s with me every step of the way.

The first months were hard. I was also recovering from my cesarean wound.

Nangangapa kaming dalawa pareho pero nairaos din namin at unti – unting mas natututo sa paglipas ng araw.

“I think they don’t like me. They are always behave when they are with you while they always cry when they are with me.” He pouted.

Tumawa naman ako at napailing.

“Hindi naman ganoon iyon, mahal. ‘Wag mong isipin iyon.” I caressed his shoulder. “You’re a good father, Daxiel. Thank you for all the things you’re doing to us.”

“Para sa mag-iina ko…”

“Thank you, roommate.” I teased.

Nagsalubong naman ang kanyang kilay kaya natawa ako. It alerted our babies, they both started crying. Kinuha ko naman si Baby Miller at pinatahan sa aking mga bisig. Daxiel picked up our Baby Oliver.

“Good morning, mga anak.” They suddenly stopped crying.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Daxiel. Mas lalong humaba ang pagnguso niya.

I laughed again.

Their features were already defined. Magkamukhang – magkamukha ang anak namin. They got their father’s features while having my eyes. My babies are so handsome. Minsan nalilito na rin ako sa kanilang dalawa.

We put bracelet on the two of them to identify them easily. Bukod sa bracelet, palatandaan ko ang nunal malapit sa labi ni Miller. It’s what sets them apart for me in physical look.

“Mahal, magpahinga ka muna, please…” I pouted. “Hindi rin maganda masyadong sobra kang napupuyat, okay? Ayoko namang magkasakit ka. Don’t worry, Maricel and Jemaima will help me. Gigisingin din kita mamaya para kumain naman.”

Wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi sundin ang aking hiling. Pinahiga ko naman siya at kinumutan.

Hinalikan ko ang kanyang noo.

Within a few minutes, he was already asleep.

Binalikan ko naman ang baby namin. Gising na gising sila sa kanilang crib kaya naman inaliw ko ang mga ito.

I heard the doorbell rang. Binuksan ko naman ang pinto para kay Maricel na agad na tumungo sa dalawang bata. Tinulungan niya akong buhatin patungo sa kusina ang dalawang baby.

“Gustav the Third, let’s go!”

Maricel already prepared my breakfast. She was making sure I was eating delicious and healthy food to produce more milk for my two babies. Every part of the house has crib for the babies.

Nakipaglaro sila sa dalawang baby namin habang kumakain naman ako ng agahan. It had been our routine. I always have a heavy meal for the day to nourish my sons. I’m lucky to have a great support.

My babies are growing up in a household full of love just like what I’m dreaming.

***

“Happy birthday, Miller – Oliver! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!” Everyone sang with us. “Blow the candle, my loves.”

Tig-isang cake ang hawak namin ni Daxiel. Tinuruan namin silang dalawa kung paanong mag-blow ng candle. With several attempts, they successfully did and everyone cheered.

Hinalikan ko naman si pisngi si Oliver. At nagpalit kaming dalawa ni Daxiel para bigyan nang masuyong halik sa pisngi si Miller. Parehas nila kaming niyakap na dalawa.

Right after they blew their candles, they went back playing with Gustav the Third.

Ang furbaby namin ang paborito nilang kapamilya. They love him so much as much as we do.

We entertained the guests, mainly our friends. Naglaro naman ang mga bata kasama ang one-year old double trouble namin. Sobrang bilis ng panahon, nairaos namin ang unang taon ng mga bata.

I think we are doing great jobs as parents of two, energetic twins.

“We celebrated birthdays and other occasions, when are we going to celebrate wedding?” Umubo si Jandro.

Natawa naman ako.

Wedding is a constant topic to me and Daxiel. Hindi naman sa wala siyang balak akong pakasalan, ako lang itong humihindi dahil nasa mga bata ang oras naming dalawa.

I want our wedding not to be rushed just because we have kids.

Kaya kailangan muna namin iyong pagplanuhang mabuti. I kept teasing Daxiel as my roommate, he didn’t like it one bit.

“We’re going to get there,” I replied. “It’s my personal decision not to get married yet. Kung si Daxiel ang tatanungin, gustong – gusto na niya akong itali sa kanya,” biro ko naman.

I kissed his cheeks. Pinisil ko ang kanyang kamay na hawak ko.

“Now the kids can walk, it would be easy planning the wedding.” Daxiel smiled at me.

Tumango ako.

“For now, we’re just roommates…”

“Baby naman…” Sumimangot ang aking katabi.

“Baby!” The real babies ran toward us accompanied by our furbaby.

Our little runners.

Agad na nagpabuhat ang dalawa ng sabay kay Daxiel. Both of them tried to reach my face. Binigyan ko naman sila pareho ng halik sa pisngi. I even acted I was biting their cheeks, they laughed.

“Are you enjoying your birthday celebration, my loves?”

“Mimi!” They both spoke in unison.

Pinaulanan nila ng halik ang kabuuan ng aking mukha. I was smiling at their sweetness. My twins can already say a few words including Mimi and Didi. That’s how they called us.

Short for mommy and daddy.

Sunod naman nilang ki-niss ang kanilang ama.

Ramdam ko ang saya ni Daxiel sa tuwing nagpapakita ng pagmamahal ang mga bata sa aming dalawa. After a few minutes of giving us kisses, they wanted to play with our furbaby again.

Sinundan lang namin sila ng paningin.

Hinahayaan namin ang mga batang maglaro at mag-explore. Paminsan – minsan silang nadadapa.

It was making my heart drop for a second, but I didn’t want to be overprotective. Ayos lang ang madapa sila paminsan – minsan para malaman nila kung paanong bumangon.

Lately, they had been fascinated with dirt and playing outdoors.

Hindi naman daw masama ang konting dumi sa mga bata. Pero hindi kami p’wedeng lumingat ng tingin sa dalawa, may isang beses na muntikan nang sumubo ng putik ang mga anak ko.

Mabuti na lang naagapan namin ni Daxiel. Ipinahid na lang ni Oliver ang putik sa ama sabay tawa.

My roommate is a full time daddy and boyfriend, and a part-time business owner.

He didn’t want to miss our babies growing. Isang pikit lang malalaki na raw ang mga anak namin.

Somehow, it was true.

Ang bilis nilang lumaki.

The more they grow, the more sweet they become sweet with us.

***

Umaga pa lang may makulit nang humahalik sa aking pisngi.

My two boys were giggling.

“M-moning, Mimi.” The kids greeted me in unison.

I automatically smiled hearing their voices, it was like music to my ears being greeted by my babies.

“Good morning, my loves. Where’s daddy? Gutom na ba ang mga anak ko?”

“Didi’s cooking, Mimi!” Oliver answered me.

“Let’s see daddy! But can mommy go to the bathroom first?”

Sinundan naman nila ako hanggang banyo. They were following me around. Napailing na lang ako.

Naghilamos muna ako at nagsepilyo.

Nang tumingin ako sa salamin, nangakyat na ang aking anak.

“Miller, don’t! You’re going to injure yourself,” suway ko naman.

“But Mimi, I’m Miller!” His twin raised a hand.

Then, he grinned. “Jokjokjok!”

Tumawa naman ako.

My kids were growing really fast.

They even knew how to joke around. Hindi ko alam kung paano at saan nila natutunan iyon pero kapag nakahanap sila ng pagkakataon niloloko nila kaming dalawa ni Daxiel.

They would pretend one is the other twin.

It was funny.

Saan pa ba magmamana ang mga anak ko pagdating sa kalokohan? Eh, ganoon din naman ako. Bakit pa ako magtataka?

But honestly, I could tell them apart now that they are already grown a bit. Mukha lang nila ang magkapareho pero hindi ang manerismo at paraan nang pakikipag-usap. So, I just knew who’s most likely to climb a wall.

Pinababa ko si Miller na siyang nangakyat talaga sa sink. Nagpabuhat naman siya sa akin pati na rin si Oliver.

Sinalubong naman kami ni Daxiel na pabalik sa kuwarto upang tingnan ang dalawang bata. Kasama niya si Gustav the Third na kumakawag ang buntot pagkakita sa makulit naming mga anak.

The two wanted to be put on the floor to play with our furbaby. They are the best buddies. They are gentle with Gustav the Third, at the same time, he is as gentle with our two kids.

“Good morning, baby.” Kinabig naman ako ng roommate ko upang bigyan nang masuyong halik sa labi.

“Good morning, roommate.” I winked at him after the kiss.

Tumawa naman ako nang ngumuso siya.

“What? We’re roommates, mahal. Hindi pa tayo kasal,” pabiro kong saad.

Matagal lang niya akong tiningnan at hinaplos ang aking mukha. He planted a kiss on my head.

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m the one saying no for the past couple of months.” I smiled.

Iyong unang tinanong niya ako, sa kama. Iyong pangalawa, kapapanganak ko pa lang at wala ako sa wisyo at isip kong magpakasal. Itong sumunod naman ay hindi pa nakakapaglakad ang mga bata.

Sometimes, I was asking him if he was getting tired of me after I kept rejecting his proposals.

Kung pagod na siya, ako naman ang magtatanong sa kanya.

Handa na ako.

Handa na akong i-level up ang relasyon namin mula sa roommates sa pagiging maybahay niya.

The answer is never.

Because he asked again together with the twins.

They all knelt in front of me with box of three different rings asking me the same question.

“Mimi, will you marry our Didi, please po?” The two asked with synchronization.

It was just a normal night, but Daxiel prepared something for me and the kids. Hindi naman iyon bago sa akin. Madalas naman niya kaming surpresahing mag-iina.

He prepared the dinner for us in the gazebo.

Isinayaw niya ako sa saliw nang masamyong musika. Our twins are partnered with each other in dancing. Kasali pa nilang dalawa si Gustav the Third.

Drones started forming different objects above. They lit the whole place with their colorful lights.

I couldn’t help but stare and admire the beauty.

Then, they became letters asking me the question.

Will you marry me, Millaray?

When I looked back to see them, I saw my boys kneeling. Lahat naman ng mga sumunod na proposal ni Daxiel may pasabog pero hindi ko mapigilang hindi maiyak na makitang pati ang mga bata kasama sa proposal niya.

Even without the kids, I would answer yes.

I’m ready to marry him. I’m ready to be his wife. I’m ready to be his partner in life.

Mahal na mahal ko si Daxiel.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang ang dating lokohan, nauwi sa totohanan. Mayroon pang mga munti kaming blessings na dalawa.

Isinuot na agad ng mga bata ang singsing sa akin kahit wala pang sagot na lumalabas sa aking bibig.

“I will marry you, mahal. Yes na yes ang kiffy ko!” Pinahid ko ang aking luha.

Humalakhak naman si Daxiel.

“Finally, baby.”

“What’s kiffy?” sabay pang tanong ng dalawang bata.

“I think Yaya Maricel is calling you two,” Daxiel tried to avoid their question.

“Okay, Didi.” Oliver answered. “I’m asking again tomorrow!”

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng kakambal at tumakbo naman patungo ang mga ito kay Maricel at Jemaima. They left us in the gazebo to have our special moment with just the two of us.

“Are you sure, Millaray? Baka napipilitan ka lang dahil sa mga bata.” Mahinahon niyang tanong.

Umiling naman ako.

“It was cute that you involved our sons, wala namang kinalaman ang mga bata sa pagsagot ko ng oo. I answered yes because I’m ready…” Ngumiti ako. “I’m ready to takeover your company.”

He chuckled.

Akala ba niya nagbibiro ako? This is the plan, afterall.

I succeeded.

Kinuha niya ang aking kamay at inilagay sa akin ang singsing. Hindi pa kami kinakasal na dalawa pero ubos na ang mga daliri ko sa singsing at mga alahas niyang bigay sa akin.

“You’re mine now, Millaray.” He smirked.

“I’m yours.” Hinalikan ko siya sa labi. “You’re mine. All your money. I’m the gold-digger and you’re the gold.”

“And I’m the mastermind. I orchestrated the whole thing for you to be mine.” Hindi siya nagpaawat.

“No, I’m the gold-digging mastermind.”

“Fine, you win.” He sighed. “I love you most, baby.”

“Mahal din kita, Daxiel.”

I literally won in life.

Hindi man ako tumaya sa lotto, panalo pa rin ako. Higit pa ang isang Daxiel Gustav Jr. sa mga papremyo. In both literal and figurative sense.

Mayroon pang pasobrang dalawang tsikiting…

I’m the happiest, most successful gold-digger having my most prized treasures in life. My twins and my lover… soon-to-be husband. I’m finally contented and fulfilled.

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