June 26, 2019, is a Wednesday. Ashleigh is arranging all the giveaways for her son's christening tomorrow. The venue is ready, and everything is prepared.

Umupo siya at pinagmasdan ang kaniyang anak na mahimbing na natutulog. Wala man si Aziel ay nandiyan naman ang anak nilang kamukha talaga ni Aziel. Napangiti si Ashleigh at hinalikan ang anak.

Napalingon siya sa pinto ng biglang may kumatok dito. “Pasok ka, bukas ’yan.” saad  niya sa taong kumatok sa labas ng pintuan.

Pumasok ang kaniyang ina at lumapit ito sa kaniya, umupo sa kama. “Anak, handa ka na ba?” tanong ng kaniyang ina sa kaniya.

“Kailangan kong lumaban para sa anak ko, kahit umalis si Aziel na hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pinapatawad ko na siya.” pinunasan niya ang iilang butil ng luhang dumaloy sa kaniyang pisngi.

“Anak, palagi mong tandaan na nandito lang kami ng kapatid mo. Mahal ka namin.” niyakap niya si Ashleigh ng mahigpit.

“Alam mo ma, araw-araw, oras-oras umaasa akong babalik si Aziel na isang umaga paggising ko andito siya sa tabi namin ng anak ko.” hindi na niya mapigilan lang kaniyang mga luha. Hinayaan na lang niya itong dumaloy.

“Anak, sigurado akong may mabigat na dahilan kung bakit nawala na lang bigla si Aziel at hindi niya kayang sabihin sa ’yo o sa ating lahat.” hinaplos ng ina ang kaniyang balikat.

“Sana sa mga panahong palagi siyang humingi ng tawad sa akin ay....pinatawad ko siya kung alam ko lang na darating ang araw na ito.” humagulgol ito sa iyak. Niyakap siya ng kaniyang ina.

“Tahan na, baka nandiyan lang siya binabantayan kayo ng anak niyo.” humihikbi si Ashleigh.

“Kung alam ko lang....na darating ang araw na ito, Aziel.” mahinang sabi niya at patuloy na humihikbi.

********

In the hushed sanctuary of the church, Ashleigh cradled her son, Caleb, in her arms. The soft glow of stained glass windows bathed them in radiant light as the priest poured water over Caleb’s head, baptizing him into the Christian faith.

Five months had elapsed since Aziel, Caleb’s father, had vanished without a trace. Ashleigh had clung to the hope of hearing from him, but every day that passed brought more despair. Even his family had no knowledge of his whereabouts.

As the baptismal water cascaded down Caleb’s head, Ashleigh’s thoughts drifted to the man who was not there. She remembered their shared dreams and the love they had built together. Now, with Caleb in her arms, she was forced to confront the harsh reality that Aziel are not with them.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back, determined to keep her composure for Caleb’s sake. She would raise him to know the love and grace of God, and she would never speak ill of his father.

After the ceremony, Ashleigh carried Caleb out of the church and into the warm sunlight. The congregation greeted them with congratulations, but Ashleigh’s heart remained heavy. She knew that her life would never be the same.

As she walked home, she passed by the plaza where she and Aziel had shared so many happy moments. Memories of their laughter and stolen kisses filled her mind, making the pain of his absence almost unbearable. The place where Aziel give her a big flower bouquet.

But amidst the sorrow, there was also a flicker of hope. Ashleigh believed that God had a plan for Caleb, even if it was not the one she had envisioned. She would trust in, His wisdom and love and pray that one day her broken family would be made whole again.

Umalingawngaw ang hangin sa nasasabik na daldalan ng pamilya. Umalingawngaw sa maaliwalas na bahay ang tawa, na may bahid ng saya ng bagong buhay. Ang mahabang hapag-kainan ay puno ng mga pinggan, inihaw na karne, mabangong rice pilaf, at iba't ibang dessert na nawawala na sa nakababahala na bills. Ang bango ng kanela at cardamom ay bumalot sa loob ng bahay, isang patunay ng pagmamahal at pangangalaga na napunta sa paghahanda. Ito ay isang pagdiriwang ng binyag ni Caleb, isang araw na nakaukit sa kanilang mga puso.

Caleb, a rosy-cheeked cherub, slept peacefully in his crib, oblivious to the boisterous merriment surrounding him. His little fingers, still so small, were wrapped around a worn, knitted bunny – a gift from his Tito Alaric, who sat beside him, cooing softly. Aziel, Caleb’s father, his presence wandered around the house, his smile a touch strained, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd. His family, his brothers Asher, Alaric, Alex, and Adler, all present, their faces alight with warmth and affection. But the one person missing, the one he desperately wanted to share this moment with, was absent.

“Ashleigh, kumain ka roon, kami na magbabantay sa pamangkin namin.” presentar ni Adler.

“Tito, can you open this one?” tawag ni Fergus sa kaniyang Tito Alaric.

“Where did you get this?” tanong ni Alaric kay Fergus. “Mamo, give that to me.” sabay pa cute ni Fergus ka kaniyang Tito.

“Bakit ba puro lalaki mga pamangkin natin ko!” biglang sabi ni Alex kaya napunta sa kaniya ang atensyon ng kaniyang mga kapatid.

“Isa lang ibig sabihin niyan, tuloy pa rin ang apilyedong Villareal.” ngumingiting sabi ni Adler.

“Asher, buksan mo nga itong candy ng anak mo.” sabay bato ni Alaric sa hawak niyang candy kay Asher.

“No! Daddy! I want Tito Alaric to open it!” sumisigaw na sabi ni Fergus at umupo sa sahig tapos umiiyak.

Natatarantang kinuha ulit ni Alaric ang candy at mabilis itong binuksan tapos binigay sa kaniyang pamangkin para tumahimik na.

“Here, Fergus.” bigay niya at kinarga ito sa kaniyang bisig.

“Mukhang idol ka ng pamangkin natin, bro ah.” sabay-sabay na sabi ni Alex at Adler, halatang nagseselos ang dalawang Tito.

“Mainggit kayo.” Alaric smirk on his two brothers. “You want to play?” tanong ni Alaric kay Fergus. Tumanago naman ito.

Aziel’s mother walk towards Ashleigh, her eyes crinkled with worry, approached her, a plate of freshly baked cookies in her hand. “Ashleigh,” she said softly, “you should eat something. You haven’t touched a morsel since earlier.”

Ashleigh forced a smile. “I’m alright, Tita. I just… I’m a little preoccupied.”

“Just call me, Mommy o Mama.” sabay ngiti ni Carmina sa kaniya.

“He’ll be back, Ashleigh. He wouldn’t miss this,” Aziel’s father reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “He just needs a little time to… adjust. I know my son so well, Ashleigh.” Aziel’s father added.

His older brother, Asher, noticed the quiet desperation hanging in the air. He talk to Ashleigh, his voice hushed, “It’s okay, Ashleigh. He’ll be here. He just needs a little push.” He winked, “He’s not one to miss a good party, after all.”

“Balae, uuwi na kami.” paalam ni Carmina sa ina ni Ashleigh.

“Dito na tayo matulog.” Helen offered.

“Naku, sa susunod na lang may kailangan din kasi kaming aasikasuhin sa maynila. Teka, nasaan ang gwapo naming apo?” masiglang sambit ni Carmina.

“Nasa kwarto natutulog.” sagot ni Helen.

“O’siya hindi na kami magtatagal at magkikita pa tayo muli.” paalam ni Carmina.

Nagpaalam na rin ang magkapatid na sina Alex, Alaric at Adler. Una nang nagpaalam si Asher dahil inaantok na ang kaniyang anak na si Fergus, hindi ito makatulog kapag hindi yakap ang kaniyang unan.

Hours ticked by. The celebration slowly morphed into a somber silence, the laughter replaced by a heavy, uncomfortable stillness. Ashleigh found herself wandering outside, the cool evening air a stark contrast to the warmth of the house. She looked towards the horizon, a sliver of the moon peeking through the clouds.

She felt a presence beside her, a familiar scent of cedarwood and leather. Ashleigh turned to see her brother, Miguel, leaning against the porch railing, his eyes filled with a silent understanding.

“Onananana hehehe,” Miguel said, his voice low.

“I’m here,” he said, his voice raspy. “I’m here for Caleb, for you, for all of us.”

“Aziel!” nagising si Ashleigh, nakatulog pala ito sa labas ng bahay dahil sa pagod at matinding pangungulila kay Aziel.

Pumasok si Ashleigh sa loob ng bahay at naabutan niya ang kaniyang anak mahimbing itong natutulog yakap ang maliit na bunny, the silence of the night gave way to the joyous murmur of Ashleigh and her son Caleb rediscovering its strength and its love.

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