#DTGEpilogue Epilogue (Part 5)

"Assia—"

My lips parted when I saw who my Dad sitting beside my wife. I immediately went there and wanted to pull her and hide her behind me.

"Vito..." she softly called.

I cupped her face. "Are you okay?" I asked. She nodded. "Are you sure?" I just had to ask again as I inspected her face. She smiled at me and held my hand.

"Do you seriously think that I'll do anything to her?"

I drew a deep breath as I stood up. I checked Assia once again. There's no visible sign of anything... but I can never be too sure. We'd just have to go to the clinic later—shit, it's already night time! One thing I hated here in the probinsya was how everything's closed when the clock strikes at 7!

I looked at Assia who was looking at us. I smiled at my wife before I walked out of the house. I didn't want to talk to my Dad in front of my wife. I was very much aware of how he didn't approve of her for me. But I seriously didn't give a shit. I knew he's my Dad. I knew he loves me. I knew he wanted the best for me.

But Assia's the best for me.

I know that.

"What are you doing here, Dad?" I asked.

"I wanted to see you," he replied. "And Assia."

I continued to stare at him. I told him I was marrying her. My dad and I... we didn't agree on a lot of things, but I thought that this? This, at least, he'd understand. He loved my mom... I thought he'd want that for me. I thought he'd be happy for me.

"And my grandchild," he continued. "Do you know the gender?"

"Why? So that you can be disappointed if it's a girl?"

"Vito—"

"I told you I'm getting married. You didn't even bother to show up," I said. I didn't tell Assia, but I felt really embarrassed when my own family didn't show up the night I was going to formally ask for her hand... But I was so thankful that my friends showed up.

That's when I realized that family's not only the one you're born into—it's also who you choose to be your family.

And my friends? They're my family.

Through thick and thin.

Through trials.

And disbarment.

And a whole lot of fucking disappointment.

"Why now?" I asked.

He just smiled at me. Sadly. But I didn't know if he's sad... because he always smiles like that. Ever since Mom died, that's how he usually looked. Like he's just tired and he wanted to rest.

"I don't know, Vito. I tried to go, but I couldn't. Maybe it's the pride. Maybe it was me still thinking that I thought I knew better and that you're about to make a mistake. I did a lot of things wrong. When your mom died, I didn't know how to raise you. It scared me. I had to get married to give you a mother."

"That's so unfair."

"I know..." he said. "I care about Eloisa. But I don't love her the way I loved your mother. I believe that you only get that kind of love once in your life... and I already got mine."

I remained silent as I looked at him.

I was really a hypocrite.

Through and through.

I dated Trini.

And Shanelle.

All whilst knowing that I didn't love them—at least not the way I knew how love's supposed to feel.

Maybe I thought it was okay because that's what my father did. But I wasn't a child. I knew what was wrong. I was just a real hypocrite who couldn't be bothered.

"But you..." he said with a proud smile on his face. "You seriously scare me, Vito. You scare me at the lengths you're willing to go through just to get to her."

I remained silent.

Maybe I should thank my Dad. It's because I grew up seeing the kind of marriage he has—that's the very reason I never wanted to settle down if it's not with Assia. I would never settle for that kind of marriage. I would never want to wake up every fucking day knowing that I only settled because I didn't want to be alone. That I settled because I needed to have a family.

No fucking way.

"Assia told me she's due next month," he said.

"Yes."

"Have you picked a name already?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Can I see her... or him?"

I looked at him. Assia and our kid, they're my family. I love my Dad... but he did a lot of things that hurt me before. It was okay... it was just me. But I couldn't let him do the same things to my family.

Maybe we're really alike.

He did unbelievably infuriating things in the guise of protecting me. And I knew that if it were me in his stead, I'd do anything to protect my family, too.

"Fine," I said. "But you have to tell me first why—" I said and then drew a deep breath. "Why did you turn a blind eye with what's happening with Trini and I back then?" I asked.

He averted his gaze.

Just like before.

I tried to make sense of it—I even tried to defend him from myself. Because why? Why would he just let his son—his prized son—go through that shit? Was it because it was too emasculating? Because no one's supposed to know? It was embarrassing?

There were lots of reasons.

I just wanted to know what his reason was.

I just needed to know.

Because what he did affected me. I didn't realize that before, but it affected me in lots of ways I never noticed before Assia pointed it out. How my first instinct when someone would get mad at me was to flinch. How I was so relieved when Assia didn't throw a fucking chair at my face when we had our first fight—no matter how ridiculous the reason was.

It was the little things.

But they were results of what happened in the past.

"I'm better now," I said, looking at him, because I knew that he didn't want to answer. But his lack of answer was already my answer. "Assia and I—we go to therapy," I continued. "She's going to therapy because of the case. I'm going to therapy because of Trini. If it were before, I'd never tell you about this because it's embarrassing that I have to ask for help. Me? A man? Asking for help? Fucking ridiculous. But you know what, Dad? I don't care anymore. I live in a fucking hut. I have chickens as my pet. I go to therapy twice a week. It's just life. You have to deal with this if you want to be in our life."

Slowly, he nodded.

And then smiled.

"What?" I asked.

"Your mom would've been proud, Vito," he said with a smile on his face. "You're exactly the man she told me she wanted you to become."

My lips parted when I saw tears forming around his eyes. It kinda freaked me out a little. I didn't know what to do. He turned around and wiped the tears before they could even fall.

He's still my Dad—afraid to show vulnerability.

"Dad," I called.

"Yes?"

"Haniel," I said. "Mom's favorite angel. That's the name of your grandkid," I continued as a huge smile appeared on his face. And he was tearing up again. "You can visit. You can bring Tita Eloisa and my sisters, too," I added before we awkwardly stared at each other.

* * *

I was just really thankful that my Dad ate whatever was in front of the table. Tatay picked his prized pig and cooked adobo. I knew that if there was enough time, he'd make lechon for my Dad.

"Ayos ka lang ba?" my very pregnant wife asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Sabi ng tatay mo babalik daw siya sa susunod na linggo... Tapos nagtatanong kung may kulang pa ba tayo na gamit para sa baby."

I looked at her. "I told him he could visit. And I told him Tita Eloisa and my sisters can also come visit the baby. Is that okay?"

She quickly nodded. "Oo naman. Pero bibisita rin sila Niko. Magsabi kaya tayo kina Tatay na maghanda na lang tayo? Kasi parang pupunta ata lahat ng kaibigan natin..."

"You tell Tatay. And please stay away from the chickens."

Assia frowned. "Vito, mamamatay din iyong mga manok kahit hindi mo sila katayin."

"Then let them die a natural death."

"Sayang."

"Assia, I love you, but this is not up for discussion."

She glared at me. I laughed. My angel-like wife's glaring at me. I'll always find this hilarious.

"Pero kapag namatay 'yan, sa 'kin ka rin naman magpapa-tulong na ilibing 'yan."

"I can ask Alec or Tatay."

"Sasabihin ko 'wag kang tulungan."

"I don't think so—your family adores me."

"Mas mahal nila ako."

"Nah," I said and then she frowned. I cupped her face and kissed her on the lips. "Aren't you tired already?" I asked. Now that she's on her 8th month of pregnancy, she barely could walk. I was always carrying her around. I felt sorry because Assia looked so fragile. She's a small woman, but she's carrying our huge baby.

I was so proud of my wife.

"Hindi naman... Nanood lang ako ng TV buong araw... Tapos dumating nga iyong tatay mo."

"Yeah... can I ask what you two talked about?"

"Wala naman masyado. Tinanong niya lang iyong sa kasal natin saka iyong sa baby. Pinakita ko sa kanya iyong mga litrato sa kasal. Mukhang nanghihinayang siya na hindi siya naka-punta."

I nodded.

"Sabi ko, okay lang kasi umulan naman nung kasal natin."

I frowned. "So, are you saying that our wedding was a disaster?"

She laughed. "Vito, alam mo na mahal din kita, pero buma-bagyo nung kasal natin, halos tangayin iyong tent, ginawang pulutan ni Jersey at Rory iyong handa natin, na-stranded sila Sancho kaya imbes na honeymoon natin, magkakasama tayong magkakaibigan ng tatlong araw."

I frowned.

I frowned real hard.

It was our honeymoon, but it seemed like Jersey and Niko's honeymoon—the way those two go at each other. In front of us. It's cringey.

"Yeah, but we did get our honeymoon the moment they left," I replied and her face reddened quickly. I laughed and wrapped my arms around my pregnant wife. "I can't hug you anymore," I said and she pushed me.

"Buntis nga kasi ako."

"I know—that's my baby inside you."

"Baby natin. Ako 'yung nahihirapan."

"I'll make bawi once the baby is out. I promise I'll do everything. I'll change diapers. I'll put the baby to sleep. You know what? If I can breastfeed Haniel, I definitely would give it a go," I said, and she laughed.

"May trabaho ka kaya."

"Already submitted my paternity leave."

"Sandali lang 'yun, e."

"Do you want me to resign?" I asked. I mean, I definitely love my job... but Assia carried our child for 9 months. I saw her struggle. I saw her vomit every morning during the first few weeks. I saw her face contort in pain.

And she has a job, too.

Both our jobs are important.

So, if she needed me to be a stay at home dad, then sure why not...

I'd give it a go.

But if it's not for me, I'll talk to my wife. Assia's a very reasonable person. She wouldn't force me to do things I don't like. The only thing we really argue about was the chickens. She's really keen on making them our food. I remember when she was still in the early weeks of her pregnancy, she'd always look at the chicken like she's starving! I was always worried that she'd ask me if she could eat them.

Thankfully, she didn't.

Up to this point, I still didn't know if I'd give in if my pregnant wife asked for the chickens.

But Assia shook her head. "Basta dapat kasama kita kapag manganganak na ako..."

I nodded. "Definitely," I said, kissing the top of her head. "I already took a leave the week you're due. I already made arrangements for our stay in Manila."

"Dito na lang ako manganganak..."

"I know the doctors here are great, but please, let's do it in Manila. With big hospitals. For my peace of mind."

"May kumadrona naman dito... Saka nandito 'yung OB ko."

"Please, Assia Sartori," I said. I felt her chuckle. She always chuckles whenever I'd call her with my name attached to hers. She kept her name. It's fine. She just told me she'd like to keep her name. I didn't even ask her if she'd change her name. It wasn't important to me. What's important is that she's my wife—may she be known as Assia dela Serna or Assia Sartori.

"Okay..."

"Thank you," I said, kissing the top of her head. "I already talked to the OB and mentioned that and she said she'll coordinate. Also, I asked Tatay if they wanted to come, but they're busy because it's harvest season."

For Tatay's birthday, I bought the land they'd been renting. Tatay didn't want to accept it at first, but I told them that the sale was already final, and there's nothing he could do. He was loss for words... but I could see the gratefulness in his eyes. I just told him happy birthday, but truth was, he deserved every inch of that land. Living here, seeing him work every day, I respect him so much. Tilling the land? I tried doing that... and no, thanks. It was so hard. The backache was insane. And the putik? Not for me.

"Oo nga, e."

"Do you need them with us?"

"Uuwi naman tayo agad pagka-panganak ko, 'di ba?"

"Yes," I replied. "Once you and Haniel are okay, we'll go home so that his lolo and tito can hold him. Plus our friends have to visit us here."

"Grabe ka. 'Di mo ba sinabi sa kanila na sa Maynila ako manganganak?"

"No," I replied. She hit my arm. I laughed. "I'll tell them!"

"Isang linggo tayo doon tapos 'di mo sasabihin sa kanila? Sabihin mo na rin sa tatay mo baka gusto nilang bumisita."

"Are you sure?"

I felt her nodded.

We're still hugging.

I just love hugging her.

I think she loves hugging me especially now that she's pregnant because I was kinda supporting her from falling flat on her face. Sometimes, she looks like a walking penguin. But of course I'd never tell her that.

"Oo naman," she said. "Magkaka-anak na tayo. Ready na ako na magpatawad sa lahat nung nangyari dati. Maayos naman na tayo ngayon, Vito. Gusto ko na maging masaya tapos maging mabuting nanay kay Haniel."

I just nodded but I wasn't sure I was as nice as my wife. I'd forever hate Villamontes and his clan for everything they put Assia through. They weren't even sorry—they were just sorry they got caught. All those public statements they released? Bunch of bullshits. They're doing that to save face—because Italia wasn't kidding when she said she'd drag them through the mud.

"Alam ko mahirap magpatawad, Vito, pero sana subukan mo."

"I'm trying."

"Subukan mo pa."

"Are you... okay?" I asked. "With Villamontes?"

"Tuwing iniisip ko, syempre hindi... pero ayoko na kasi siyang isipin, Vito. Marami pang mangyayari sa buhay ko, sa buhay natin. Ayoko na buong buhay kong dalhin 'yun," she said, smiling at me. "Sobrang hirap nung nangyari sa 'tin dati... pero sobrang saya ko naman ngayon. Na kasal na tayo. Na magkaka-anak na tayo. Gusto ko na doon na lang ilaan iyong atensyon ko."

I just hugged her tighter.

It took quite a while...

She wasn't okay for a while...

She used to flinch even at the sound of the door.

I waited.

And waited.

Her therapist said that there's nothing I could do but to wait... to wait for her to be okay... because she'd deal with her problems in her own timeline and all I could do was to wait and support her.

And now, she doesn't flinch anymore.

She could talk to guys now. Before, she wouldn't even look at them. But our work requires talking to people. My wife really worked hard to be where she is now.

"I promise I'll try hard," I whispered.

"Okay," she said as she broke the hug. I was about to hold her steady because sometimes, she really just loses her balance. "Assia—" I said when she held my hand and then placed my palm against her belly. My lips parted.

"Baka soccer player iyong anak natin, Vito, ang sakit niya manipa."

I laughed as I kneeled so that I could be face to face with Haniel. "Hey, kid," I said. "I know you're excited, but stop kicking your mom."

"Hindi, okay lang."

"See? She's very nice. You have to stop kicking her because she won't ask you to. It's my duty to step in when people are being mean to her." Then Haniel stopped kicking. I laughed in delight. I looked at Assia. "See? Our son listens to me," I said proudly.

Assia was laughing as she shook her head. "Nagugutom na ko..."

"We just finished eating," I said.

"Hindi naman ako nakakain nang maayos," she replied, but I stopped myself before I could even point out that I saw her have a second serving of rice.

"I can cook sinigang," I said. Assia taught me how to cook. I mean, it wasn't Rocket Science. I was literally just boiling the pork and putting all the veggies in the pot.

"Wala tayong gulay," she said.

"I can go to Tatay and ask for ulam," I volunteered.

"Punta na lang tayo ng bayan."

"Now?" I asked because it's already 11pm!

"Oo."

"Are you sure?" I just had to ask again. Her ankles were all swollen and she didn't even like walking at this point. I asked the OB like a thousand times if Assia's carrying twins or even triplets because she's really big! But of course I wouldn't tell my wife that she's big.

"Gusto ko ng Jollibee."

"But—"

"Jollibee," she said... but it sounded like a threat. Regular Assia's nice, but Pregnant Assia's all bossy and mean—in all aspects.

"Okay," I said as I grabbed the key and we drove through the quiet roads. Assia rolled down the windows and she was just smiling while we're driving.

But when we arrived at the Jollibee branch in the bayan...

"I told you—" I said, but stopped when I saw her tearing up. "Are you... crying?" I asked, confused, because she never cried about food. She'd literally eat anything. I once saw her eat goat! And the tinalinunan—or the fighting cocks who lost the battle. Apparently, if you lose, you'll be food. I swear, life here in province was never boring. There's discovery every day.

"Gusto ko ng Jollibee..." she whispered.

"Okay, stop crying. We'll go to the next bayan," I said as I started to drive again.

"Punta tayo kila Niko..." she said. I frowned. Niko again. The number of times Niko went to Isabela during the beginning of Assia's pregnancy. I wouldn't be surprised if our son looked like Niko, of all fucking people.

"What?"

"May Jollibee rin sa Maynila... Tapos 24 hours pa na bukas..."

"Are you serious?"

She nodded. "Friday naman ngayon. Wala kang pasok bukas... May Jollibee naman sa Maynila, Vito..."

My lips parted. "Assia, Jollibee, in Manila, right now?" I asked just to be sure because that's at least 7 hours drive! But my wife just nodded. I looked at her and I was uncertain of what I'd feel. But I ended up just laughing because this was so fucking random.

"Fine," I said.

"Salamat!" she replied, grinning. I smiled to myself. It's so easy to make her happy.

"But you call Tatay and tell them that we're going to Manila and—"

"Oo na, oo na. Ibibilin ko 'yung mga manok mo," she said in a pissed off voice. "Sinasabi ko sa 'yo, Vito, kapag lumabas na iyong anak natin, kailangan mas mahal mo si Haniel kaysa d'yan kay Missy," she continued before angrily dialing Tatay's number. I laughed as I continued to drive to Manila.

With Assia, life's calm but never boring.