Nasa likod pa rin ng bahay ang tent, pero hindi na iyon nakasarado. Nakita niya ang pamilya nila ni Aston na masayang nagkukuwentuhan habang nag-aalmusal. Parang siya na lang din ang wala dahil kagigising lang niya.

Last night, she asked their family to stay and bond with them. Ikinagulat pa niyang nandito pa rin pala sina Yeza at Kalev, pero sinabi ni Manang Tess na nasa labas na ang chopper at mukhang aalis na rin ang mga ito.

"Good morning po," bati niya sa lahat. "Sorry po, late na 'kong nagising."

"Kami rin kaya!" sagot ni Luana. "Promise, Ate. Halos kalalabas lang naming lahat. Everyone had fun last night."

"That's good to hear." Ngumiti siya at tinanggap ang kapeng ibinigay sa kaniya ng isang server. "Thank you."

Laureen observed the place. Everyone greeted her good morning, and Aston walked towards her. Buhat nito si Alistair na kaagad ngumiti nang makita siya. Panay pa ang galaw ng mga binti at kamay nito habang humahagikgik.

"Good morning, Ali." Laureen kissed her son's cheek and smiled at Aston. "Good morning, love. Kanina pa kayo gising?"

Aston nodded and kissed the side of her forehead. "Yup. Ang agang nagising ni Ali kaya bumaba na kami para hindi ka magising. Gusto mo muna siyang buhatin sandali para makakuha ako ng breakfast natin? I waited for you."

She immediately took Ali. Lumapit siya sa long table kung saan nakaupo ang parents nila ni Aston. Pati ang grandparents nito ay nandoon at kinumusta siya. Tinanong kung masakit ba ang paa niya at kung nakapagpahinga ba siya nang maayos dahil halos almost four na rin sila nakatulog.

The oldies left first, of course, pero sila . . . nagkaroon pa ng inuman at sawayan. Late na rin kasi silang nagsimula dahil pinatulog muna ang mga bata.

"Ate! Hindi ba kayo aalis ni Aston . . . you know," Luana squinted, and everyone waited, "honeymoon?"

Laureen shook her head and chuckled. "Hindi. Wala sa plano. We'll be staying here muna. Sa susunod na lang. We have lots of time naman. Magbabawi kami ng work kasi one month na kaming absent."

Her sister frowned and pouted. "Ano ba naman 'yan! Dapat after the wedding, relax and have a honeymoon! Mag-tour nga kayo. Lilibre kayo ni Mamshie Hellery!"

Nagtawanan lahat sa sinabi ni Luana, pati siya, ganoon din si Aston na papalapit at mayroong hawak na pinggan. Even her parents agreed, nag-offer pang bibigyan sila ng pocket money kahit na kaya naman daw nila. As wedding gift.

"Right! Kahit saan n'yo gusto, all expense paid!" Naningkit ang mga mata ng lola ni Aston. "Saan n'yo ba gusto, ha?"

Kaagad na umiling si Laureen kahit na puro kantyawan na dahil sigurado siyang hindi ito nagbibiro. She was aware that Aston's family would really do it, especially his grandmother. Sinabi na iyon ni Aston sa kaniya.

"As much as I'd love to accept your offer po, we have lots of work to do now. Maybe next time po?" Laureen smiled just to stop everyone from talking about it. "Maybe after a month or two?"

Aston's grandmother pouted. "Fine. Just tell me when, Aston, okay? I'll pay for everything."

Um-oo na lang si Aston at saka tumabi sa kaniya. Hinalikan nito ang pisngi niya ngunit bumulong din.

"Mag-agree ka na lang nang mag-agree. Hindi ka titigilan niyan ni Mama," sabi ni Aston at inayos ang pagkain nila. "Fried rice, scrambled egg, and sausages. Gusto mo ng soup?"

Tumango siya at hinawakan ang kamay ni Alistair. Amoy na amoy niya ang shampoo ng anak. Nakaipit din ang buhok nito at sigurado siyang si Luana ang may gawa dahil ponytail nito ang nakasuot sa anak niya. Ang kapal din naman kasi ng buhok, medyo wavy pa tulad sa kaniya.

While eating, Audi took Alistair from them so they could focus on eating. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang mga ito at nakita ang ibang pinsan ni Aston na nakikipaglaro sa anak nila. Pati sina Yeza at Kalev ay nasa kaparehong table, nakangiti.

Laureen observed everyone. Her parents were happily talking to Aston's parents and grandparents. They were both thankful that their family blended so well. Malaking factor din siguro na hindi na strangers dahil kina Julien at Asia.

Nagsabi na rin sa kanila ang lahat na pagkatapos kumain ng breakfast, aalis na ang mga ito para mabigyan sila ng privacy. Even her parents decided to go back to Baesa with her Tita Amira's family. Even Koa and Mariam said their congratulations and goodbyes.

Gustuhin man nila ni Aston na mag-stay pa ang mga ito sa Baesa, hindi na nila napilit dahil ilang araw na rin ang inilaan para sa kanila.

Hours later, after everyone left, the entire place was quiet. Tapos na ring magligpit ang catering at ang nagpa-rent ng mga gamit sa kanila. Pinasalamatan nila ang events organizers at nagsimula na ring maglinis ang mga tauhan sa hacienda.

Sa balcony ng kuwarto ni Laureen, nakatingin siya sa buong hacienda. Pinakawalan na ulit ang mga kabayo at hinayaang tumakbo nang tumakbo.

"Ali's sleeping," sabi ni Aston na tumabi sa kaniya. "Masakit pa rin ba ang paa mo?"

Umiling siya at inihilig ang ulo sa balikat ni Aston. "Hindi naman na. I enjoyed our wedding, love. I love the after party and watching everyone enjoy. I think we should do that again."

"We should." Natawa si Aston at ipinagsaklop ang kamay nila. "Hindi nga ako makapaniwalang sumama pa rin sa overnight party natin si Ate Yeza. It's so rare na lahat kami, hindi sanay."

"She's really nice naman, ha? Baka naman kasi hindi n'yo siya inaaya? Okay naman siya noong tinanong ko last night," sabi niya at nilingon si Aston.

Tumango ito. "Yup, kasi gusto ka niya. Mahirap ayain at ma-please si Ate, but I realized na maybe . . . hindi nga talaga namin siya inaaya noon kasi we're assuming na hindi naman siya pupunta o hindi siya papayag."

"Or baka iniisip n'yong masisira ang party n'yo kasi feeling n'yo ang higpit niya?" tanong ni Laureen dahil iyon ang napansin niya. "By the way, I'm really sorry that we didn't get to invite the other members of your family."

Natawa si Aston at hinalikan ang likod ng kamay niya. "They understood, love. You don't have to say sorry. Bawi na lang tayo sa kanila ng lunch or dinner. Okay na sa kanila 'yon."

She nodded. "I'm sorry that we . . . you didn't have Suri here. Alam kong sobrang close kayo. I know she's your best friend and one of your favorite cousins. I'm sorry she's not here."

"She disrespected you and she knew that. Hindi siya magtatampo kasi wala siyang right. If only she's not mean, she'd be here. Wala tayong dapat ika-sorry," Aston assured. "The wedding proceeded without her and her lousy opinions. We're good. Alam naman niya sa sarili niyang siya ang may mali."

Laureen didn't respond, but she almost considered inviting Suri to their wedding for Aston. But it would only make her uncomfortable; for once, she wanted it to be her day. She wanted to relax during her wedding without minding other people.

Habang tulog din si Alistair, binuksan nila ang mga regalo sa kanila. Hindi na sila nagulat na puro envelope ang natanggap nila at puro iyon cheque. Some gifted them hotel reservations from different countries, restaurant reservations, and Solice Airlines ticket.

"No country?" Laureen frowned.

Aston chuckled. "We'll call kung saan mo gusto, and they'll process," he said, staring at a confidential black envelope. "This is from Ate Yeza and Kalev."

Ibinaba ni Laureen ang ibang envelop na hawak nila at hinintay si Aston na mabuksan ang envelope na hawak nito. Malaki, parang document. Sabay nilang tiningnan ang laman at nagkatinginan.

It was Alistair's birth certificate and Aston was named as father. Ang buong akala nila, may process ng adoption sa part ni Aston, pero inayos na nina Yeza at Kalev ang bagong record.

Alistair Emilio Legaspi-Mathias.

"That's a nice name." Aston sniffed and gazed at Laureen. "Ang ganda ng pangalan niya."

Laureen didn't say a word and brushed Aston's hair using her fingertips. Nakatingin lang siya sa mga document na inilalabas ni Aston mula kay Yeza.

Birth certificate, new passports, and a cheque with a yellow sticky note.

"For honeymoon," pagbasa ni Aston sa nakausap. "Everyone's looking forward to the honeymoon. If they only knew we've been celibate since we broke up."

Malakas na natawa si Laureen dahil kahit nagkabalikan na sila, walang nangyayari sa kanilang dalawa. Celibacy became their contraceptive. Wala na rin kasi siyang IUD at napag-usapan nilang hindi na muna hangga't hindi sila kasal.

It was hard, especially since they were sleeping on the same bed. They almost lost it once but decided to wait again.

"I also have a gift for you." Laureen smiled widely. "Hindi naman tayo nag-over sa budget and I have my own budget for the wedding, remember?"

"Hmm." Aston stared at her. "Yup."

"So, I decided to get you a gift. Actually, it's for us, e. Not just for you lang." Laureen chuckled and stood up.

Aston waited. He also had a gift for his wife, but he would wait. Nakita kasi niya ang excitement sa mukha nito nang sabihing mayroong regalo sa kaniya. Curiousity kicked. Wala siyang idea sa regalo ng asawa niya.

"Here." Laureen gave her a folder.

"W-What's this?" Aston opened the folder and frowned. "You got a unit at Zothas?"

Zothas, a family—owned corporation, had a building. The floors below were office buildings, but the upper floors were residential condominium units.

Laureen proudly smiled. "I got the penthouse unit para 'pag working ka sa Manila, we can stay there. I understand na you also have a life in Manila. I decided to get one sa mismong building para no more travel time. Kalev helped me. Meron pala siyang unit doon?"

Tumango si Aston. "Yup. May unit sila ni Ate Yeza roon," aniya. "What do you mean we'll stay there?"

"Kung okay ka sa setup, I am planning to stay here in Baesa from Thursday night to Sunday . . . and we'll be in the Metro from Monday to Thursday the whole day. I am talking to Hannah about my job here, it's doable, naman."

Nakatingin lang si Aston kay Laureen.

"What do you think? I still want to live here in Baesa kasi. I want to raise Alistair here, but I also want him to live in the city. Alam mo 'y—" Laureen couldn't finish what she was about to say when Aston pulled her for a hug. "Why?"

"Are you sure you're okay with the setup? Love, you hate the city." Aston kissed her shoulder.

She smiled and nodded. "I love you, though. We'll still be here naman sa hacienda, e. It's gonna be a win-win for me. I still see you daily, kahit na you're working."

Aston had no words. He knew it was a big step for Laureen to do this, to even decide to stay in Manila. Nabibigla rin siya na gusto siya nitong makita at makasama sa araw-araw, pero naalala niyang kasal na nga pala sila.

"We'll try this," sabi niya kay Laureen. "If it doesn't work, we'll stay here in Baesa. Kapag nahihirapan ka sa city life, we can try other things, okay?"

Laureen nodded. "Okay. We'll try and we'll see what works."

Bumalik sila sa pagbukas ng mga regalo. Laureen wasn't expecting anything from Aston. Binigyan na siya nito ng diamond ring at ng bagong relo. Bukod rin naman sa condo unit para sa kanila, relo rin ang iniregalo niya na ginamit sa kasal.

She was busy opening envelopes when she received an email. It was from Aston who was sitting beside her. Hawak nito ang phone at nang magkatinginan sila, sinabi nitong buksan niya ang phone niya.

Sinunod niya ang sinabi ni Aston at binuksan ang email.

From: Aston Brien Mathias

Subject: I love you

Attachment: For LJAL.pdf

The message was empty. It was just an attachment, a PDF file. She gazed at Aston who was busy with his phone. She opened the file and saw its header. It was Zothas' logo and all the information about the company.

Laureen read the entirety of the document, and to her shock, Aston gifted her a share from the company. Her mouth dropped open, and she didn't stop reading. It was a hefty document with all the information about the company shares.

"I got that idea from Cale. He gifted Keanna with shares, so why not do the same?" Aston smiled. "I hope you like it."

"This is too much," she murmured. "Love, thi—love, this is too much!"

Aston shook his head and stuck his tongue out, teasing her. "I love you."

She pouted. "Now I'm thinking of a better gift na."

"What?" Aston laughed and his eyes squinted. "What if mamayang gabi, sa guest room muna matulog si Ali with Ate Pola 'tapos you'll give me that gift."

"What? I planned that already!" Laureen scrunched her nose. "Okay. Later, then." She read the document again. "Laureen Juliana Legaspi. You won't change it to Mathias, ba?"

Tumingin sa kaniya si Aston. "Are you gonna use my last name ba or you'll use your maiden name?"

Napaisip si Laureen. "I don't know yet. I'll think about it. Are you okay lang ba if I'll retain my maiden name?"

"Oo naman." Tumaas ang dalawang balikat ni Aston. "No problem. You're still married to me regardless."

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T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com