Chapter 32: Epilogue

“Bochog.”

Rackhie glared at West. West is smirking, obviously teasing her. “No. I don’t want Bochog.”

“Barbie!” Suhestiyon ni Sandy.

“Baby, you’re having a brother. A boy, Sandy.”

“Ken!” Pilit pa ni Sandy. “Mommy! Ken! I want Ken please mommy.”

“Baby…” Napahilot si Rackhie ng sintido. Stress na stress na sa mag-ama niya.

“Oo nga, Barbie na!” Panggagago pa ni West.

“Tarantado ka ba? Tumahimik ka na nga! Lalaki, Barbie? Hay nako. Bakit nga ba ako nagtanong?” Labas sa litid na sigaw niya sa asawang parang tanga. Mariin siyang napapikit. “Jusmeyo ka naman, inday, 2023 na tapos simpleng pangalan lang ipapangalan mo sa anak mo?”

“I think it’s fine. Ken. Parang chicken lang.” Bali walang sabi nito na para bang may sense iyon. “Tsaka suggestion ‘yon ni Sandy. Kaya mo bang tanggihan?” Tanong niya pa kay Rackhie. Nangongonsensya ang luko-luko.

“Pwede ba? Kung wala kang matinong sasabihin, lumayas ka sa harapan ko. Baka masampal kita nang wala sa oras.” Inis niya itong tinulak.

West looked at Sandy. She’s now nine years old. Seryoso itong nakatingin sa ceiling. Nag-iisip ito.

“Mommy, bakit niyo po ako pinangalang Sandy?” She asked. She’s now fluent in Tagalog. Hindi tulad noon na halos bumaliktad na ang dila niya kakasabi ng mga salita. “I have a name in my mind. A serious one.”

Their girl kissed her mama's tummy.

“We were on a beach when I found out I’m pregnant. I liked the sand there. It’s satisfying to my feet so I called you Sandy.” Rackhie answered. “So what’s the name you’re thinking about, baby?” Hinaplos niya ang buhok ng panganay niyang nakayakap na ngayon sa tyan niya.

“Oh… So that’s the reason why you named me Sandy.” Tumango-tango ito. “The name I’m thinking is…”

“Is..?” Sabay na naghihintay ang mag asawa. Sabay pa silang nagtatanong dito at parehong nakatingin sa anak nilang dalawa. Seryoso silang tatlo habang nagtitingininan.

“Malou… wang. Maluwang.” Proud na sabi ni Sandy sabay ngiti sa mga magulang niya.

Napapikit sa inis si Rackhie. “Oh my,” nakahawak siya sa ulo niya at hindi malaman ang gagawin sa mag ama niyang puro kalokohan ang nasa isip.

Rackhie is sixteen weeks pregnant. Sinabi na ng doktor ang magiging gender ng anak nila kanina. Kanina pa siya stress na stress kakaisip nang pangalan ng pangalawang anak nilang magiging lalaki. Pero ang mag ama niya ay ito, hindi manlang magseryoso.

Namumura na ang isip ni Rackhie ngunit hindi niya iyon masabi nang malakas dahil nandoon ang anak niya. Kaya ang paghawak na lamang sa ulo ang nagagawa niya.

Nagseryoso ang mukha ni West. Sandali itong natahimik para mag isip. “Stryker? It’s similar to pebbles since you named our daughter Sandy, after the sand which is you said is a part of your pregnancy. So why don’t we name him Stryker…” Seryoso itong nakatingin sa kanya.

Sa isang libong suhestiyon ng asawa at anak niya ay iyon lang ang nagustuhan niya. Napatingin din siya sa ceiling at tumango tango habang pinag-iisipan kung tatanggapin ba niya ang pangalang iyon para sa pangalawang anak nilang dalawa ni West. “Stryker…” Ngumiti siya.

“O kaya naman Stroke na lang kasi---”

“Stryker,” pigil niya agad sa walang kwentang suhestiyon na naman ng asawa niya. “I think it’s a good name. What about the second name? Ang nasa isip ko kasi, pagsamahin natin ang pangalan nating tatlo. Kaso puro pambabae naiisip ko.” Seryosong sabi niya sa dalawang bata na nasa harapan niya. Si West at Sandy.

“What’s that name, mommy?”

“Oo nga po, ano ‘yon?” Tanong naman ni West na naghihintay sa idudugtong niya.

“Tulungan niyo na lang ako mag isip ulit. Tapos kapag wala pa rin kayong matinong suhestiyon ay iyon na lang ang ilalagay ko.”

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Parehas pa itong naghihimas ng baba na aakalain mo talagang seryoso itong nag-iisip.

“Stryker Jairus,” suhestiyon ni Sandy ulit. Kumikinang pa ang mga mata nito na para bang nakahanap siya ng isang gintong lalagyan na puno ng diyamante at mga alahas. “Mommy! Stryker Jairus.”

Ang hindi alam ng mag-asawa, iyong pangalan na iyon ay nakuha niya sa crush niya sa school. Paboritong paborito ni Sandy ang pangalang iyon kaya iyon ang ginamit niyang suhestiyon.

“Good job, Sandy,” puri ng ina sa kanya. “Mabuti naman at hindi mo na ako pinagt-trip-an. Iyang anak ko.” Dagdag pa nito at dagling pumalakpak.

“Stryker Rafiel.” Suhestiyon naman ni West.

“Eh nakapili na ako! Kaso ang ganda rin…” Napakamot ng ilong si Rackhie. “Ganito na lang… Stryker Jairus Rafiel. Tatlo na para marami.”

“Hindi kaya mahihirapan si Stryk roon, mommy?” Tanong ni Sandy sa ina. “Ang haba kasi kapag isusulat sa test paper. Baka ma-occupy niyon lahat ng space. Stryker Jairus Rafiel Mendiola Mendoza.” Sabi nito pagkatapos ay sinabi ang magiging buong pangalan ng kapatid kung sakali.

“Yeah… That’s right.” West agreed too. Ginulo niya ang buhok ng anak niya.

“But I want it…” Rackhie whispered.

“Then we’ll use that. Kakayanin naman siguro iyon ni Stryk.” Bawi agad ni West sa sinabi kanina nang makitang sumimangot ang asawa. “Okay! The name is now decided. Just tell me if you still want to change it, okay? We still have a quite… plenty of time.” He added so his wife wouldn’t feel guilty.

“Okay, daddy, you’re switching up so… fast.” Sandy sighed.

Matalinong bata si Sandy. Sa edad na siyam na taong gulang ay nasa ika-anim na baitang na ito dahil sa talino nito sa eskwelahan. Kasama rin ito palagi sa honor list. Laging ang titulong ‘with Highest honors’ ang nakukuha nito kaya proud na proud ang dalawa sa anak.

Sandy also likes to sing. She has everything. But her parents found out that she doesn’t make friends anymore and she always chose to study. They’re not pressuring her but Sandy keep pressuring herself. Iyon ang alam ng mga magulang niya. Ang hindi nila alam, ayaw niya lang ng gulo dahil nabiktima ito noon ng bullying sa dating school nito. Hindi niya iyon sinabi sa mga magulang pero natuwa siya at nailipat siya ng school dahil sa pagbalik nila sa Pilipinas.

Rackhie is still working on the modeling industry. She’s a well known actress and model in the US, she and West also got a lot of awards because of their good acting. She’s almost twenty nine but she’s still slaying.

West opened a clothing business. So he became more inactive on acting because he focused on new things. He got a lot happier.

After Stryker was born, everyone celebrated it. They were so happy. Even though there’s a lot of times Rackhie got to put her son first to take care of, she never failed to assure Sandy that she’s still their baby. They always assure her. She saw Wendy struggling for that so she makes sure that Sandy will not get jealous. She loves both of them equally. Stryker just need more attention for now.

Sandy is also happy. She never felt jealous to her brother. But her classmates won’t stop bullying her and telling her that she’s a nerd. Jairus keeps bullying her when he’s with his friends but when they’re gone, he always helps her so she have a crush on him now.

One day when Sandy forgot about a school project and her parents noticed it, they immediately went to school just to see their daughter get bullied. Rackhie gasped when she saw her daughter on the floor. Grabbed by her collar.

“You’re a brown asian, you don’t belong here,” the kid said while angrily looking at her. No. The kid is glaring at her.

Binelatan ni Sandy ang mukha nito. Napatahimik si Rackhie sa ginawa ng anak niya. Gusto niya sana itong tulungan pero pinanood niya lang ang ginagawa nito para makita niya kung paano ito nakikipag usap sa bullies.

“Why? You’re also an asian too, right? You’re from Malaysia so you’re also an asian. I saw you there, in a pharmacy, you’re asking your mom to buy you whitening products. Uh, a white washed asian.” Sandy smirked.

When the girl was about to grab Sandy’s hair, that’s when Rackhie interferes. “Hey, what are you doing to my daughter?” Rackhie raised her brow. Inilagay niya sa kabilang kamay niya ang handbag niya para mahawakan ang anak niyang masama ang tingin sa babaeng punong puno ang makeup sa mukha. Bawal iyon, ah? Elementary pa lang sila.

The kid looks terrified but she still managed to look at Rackhie. “She’s cheating with my boyfriend!” Halos maiyak na ang bata tsaka tinuro si Sandy na nakakunot ang nuo sa kanya.

“Boyfriend? First of all, I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend. Second, I don’t need your boyfriend.” Pinagpagan nito ang uniform niya. “Isaksak mo ‘yan sa baga mo.” Bulong ni Sandy rito. Mas lalong nag init ang ulo ng bata kaya tumakbo na lang ito palayo.

Rackhie looked at her daughter. “What did they do to you, baby? Are you okay? Are they bullying you? Do you want to transfer to another school?” Sunod sunod na tanong nito sa kanya. Puno ng pag aalala ang mukha ng ina niya habang hinahaplos ang ulo niya.

“No mom! I don’t want to.” Sagot agad ni Sandy. “I’m fine mom and I can handle them by myself. Don’t worry about me. What are you doing here?”

“Oh,” kinuha ni Rackhie sa bag niya ang gawa ng anak niyang drawing na nakalagay sa maliit na papel. Nasa 1/8 paper pa iyon. Nang maibigay niya na ito ay bumaba siya nang kaunti para maka-level ang anak niya. Hinawakan niya ito sa magkabilang balikat. “Are you sure?” She asked and Sandy nodded.

“Anyways mom, half day lang kami. Sinadya kong iwan kanina kasi I found out na half day lang kami. I was about to tell you but you’re in a call with Aunt Kat. When I was about to go home when that bitc—girl grabbed my collar. “ Sandy answered and hugged Rackhie. “But still, thank you for bringing it, mom. I appreciate it so much. Mahal po kita.”

Rackhie smiled and stood up. “Let’s go?”

“Let’s go mom!” Yumakap ito sa bewang niya. “Where’s dad, by the way?”

Tumingin si Rackhie sa paligid para hanapin ang asawa niya. “He’s in the car, he’s waiting for us so we should be there—”

Nang lumingon siya sa kaliwang direksyon, lumabas sa isang kwarto si West na nakataas pa ang buhok. Galing ito sa isang kwarto may nakalagay na ‘Guidance Room’. Sunod-sunod pa ang paglalabas ng mga cellphone ng mga hayskul tsaka kinuhanan ito ng picture. Napakagwapo naman kasi nito sa blue dress shirt at black slacks. Hindi mo aakalain na trenta anyos na ito dahil mukha pa rin siyang nasa kolehiyo.

Proud na nakangisi si Sandy sa ama niya. Si Rackhie naman ay akala mo, nahulugan ng panty. Bahagyang nakabukas ang bibig nito. Nagulat pa kahit nakita niya na ang suot nito kanina.

“Where the hell did you go?” Rackhie asked. “May fashion show ka?” Kinunutan niya ito ng nuo. Nagseselos pa sa mga estudyante.

“What?” Bali walang tanong nito. “Hi baby, don’t worry about them, okay? We already talked in the Guidance office. Just tell me when they do it again.” Tumingin ito sa anak niya.

“Ganoon kabilis?” Both Rackhie and Sandy asked.

West nodded. “Let’s go home.” Hinawakan nito ang kabilang kamay ni Sandy at sa kabila naman si Rackhie.

Naglakad sila papunta sa sasakyan. “It’s Friday so… Where do you want to go?” West asked while guiding them inside. He took the driver’s seat and started the engine.

When Sandy got inside, she saw that there’s Farrah, on the back seat, with Stryker.

Nang makita siya ni Farrah ay agad itong bumaba ng kotse. “Buti mabilis lang kayo. Paano ba ‘yan, aalis na ako. May schedule pa ako ngayon. Cute ng mga anak niyo, by the way.” Farrah winked at Sandy and then left them.

“Let’s go to the nearest park, dy,”

West just nodded.

Sandy remembered when her aunt Kat told her that her mother used to go to that park when she was pregnant with her. She saw her mom smile secretly when she said that phrase. Her plan is working now.

Wala pang ilang minuto ay dumating na agad sila sa parke. Walang masyadong tao roon dahil ang school lang naman nila ang half day ngayon. Halos puro estudyante lang kasi ang tumatambay roon.

Buhat-buhat ni Rackhie si Stryke samantalang si Sandy naman ay hawak ni West.

“Teka babe, nagugutom ako,” tumunog bigla ang sikmura ni Rackhie tsaka tumawa. “Kain muna tayo. Nakalimutan ko magbreakfast.”

Tumango naman si West. Malapit lang naman ang parkeng iyon sa mga restaurant kaya nilakad na lang nila iyon. Sobrang saya nila habang nag-uusap sa loob ng restaurant ay halos hinapon na sila roon ay kumakain pa rin sila at nagtatawanan. Pinagtitinginan na nga sila ng mga tao at pini-picture-an.

Palubog na ang araw ng makabalik sila sa parke. Napakaganda nitong tingnan.

“Thank you for everything, Rackhie,” West whispered under his breath.

Rackhie acted like she never heard it. She just smiled while kissing her son’s forehead. Buhat din ni West si Sandy habang naglalakad sila. Ang isang kamay ni West ay hinanap ang kamay ni Rackhie para iyon naman ang kapitan.

“It’s so beautiful, mom,” Sandy smiled joyfully. It was her first time seeing a beautiful sunset like that. She just saw them on Pinterest whenever she sneaks out to her mom’s room to open her laptop. “No wonder you liked it here…”

“Still do, baby,” Rackhie looked at her daughter and kissed her. “I just know that Kat told you about this.”

Sandy chuckled. “Thank you for giving birth to me, mom. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for supporting me for every thing I do, daddy,” Biglang sabi nito dahilan para mapatingin ang mag asawa sa kanya. “I’m so blessed to have a family like this.” She did not look at her parents. She’s just directly staring at the sun even she almost shut her eyes because of it’s light.

Rackhie almost cried hearing that. She just smiled. “I’m more thankful that I have all of you. You’re the greatest blessings of my life…”

West sighed. “It’s getting emotional here…” Maging ito ay nagpipigil ng iyak pero idinadaan na lang iyon sa tawa.

Their family Is not perfect. There’s time they get mad to each other, fight, and shout… many other things. They stick together even their life is fucked up. They’re all trying to be the best version of themselves. They’re trying to be the best mom, dad, daughter and son.

“I’m happy…” Rackhie whispered to Stryker and kissed her son’s ears.

“Ha-ppy…”

Nanlalaki ang mga mata nilang tatlo nang marinig nila ang kauna-unahang salita ni Stryker.

“Did I hear it right? Did he just say the word ‘happy’?” Gulat na sabi ni Rackhie tsaka hinalikan ang pisngi ni Stryker. “Can you say it again, baby?”

“Ha-ppy…” Stryker repeated and smiled at her mother. Tinatamaan ng araw ang mukha nito kaya kitang kita ang maganda nitong mata. Tinakpan iyon ni Rackhie dahil mainit.

“Oh my gosh…” Rackhie smiled. “He said his first word.” Hindi makapaniwalang wika niya.

West laughed and kissed the baby on the forehead too. “Well… He’s telling us that he’s happy too.”

“So we’re all happy?” Sandy asked.

Her parents both laughed. “I guess.” Rackhie answered.

“We are happy.” West smiled.

They continued walking under the sunset… with a smile on their faces.

Rackhie used to walk alone… She met West, then later on, gave birth to Sandy… and now, they’re with their son Stryker.

“Walang mas sasaya pa rito,” halos maiyak na si Rackhie habang binubulong ito.

There, they created another core memory.

She used to walk alone… but now… they walk together.

Like a song, season may change. Love will make you grow. Deaths can make you hard. Everything is temporary and everything will slide.

-Birds, Imagine Dragons

And she continued walking.

She’s now walking with them with her head held high in the darkest sky… She felt alive.

-Walk With Me, Bella Thorne

Continue walking… until you reach your dreams. Fly freely like a bird when you need your freedom.

Sandy remembered what her dad told her when she asked what do he think when he’s with her mom… West said:

“With her, I realized things I could do for someone you love. We can always chase our dreams with our loved ones. We always have a choice, not just always smart enough to know what we need to do to find those choices.”

And when she asked the same question to her mom, she answered it too. Rackhie smiled at her and said:

“After all what happened, I finally realized that all things are possible when you’re alive. He’s our West. No matter what happens, I’ll keep coming back to him. I’m now closing the gap between our… Callous Indifference.”

She believed that her parents found their soulmates… It’s true love… and she’ll wait for that kind of love when she got older.

She’s willing to find her own…

Callous Indifference.

-Wakas –