Aniesha’s POV

MAHALAGA ang buhay kaya hangga’t kayang lumaban ay dapat ilaban. Parang sa pagmamahal, kung tingin mo ay deserve pa ng second chance, bigyan pa. Pero if it is more than second chance, I’d rather not.

I was mentally suffocated most especially when I knew that I was pregnant by my boss. I thought my life would be easier. He has the wealth, power, and everything that everyone wants to have.

Pero hindi pala porke’t may pera ka ay magiging masaya ka na. I had everything when Jaxson’s Mother told me to hide the children from him. She gave me money, sobra pa nga kung tutuusin.

But time came where I feel like there is an emptiness inside my heart that can only be fulfilled by someone.

Israel came and I became more active in everything than before. He became my better half; the Father of my twins. I am so thankful that he came to my life and made me realized a lot of things.

Life is really unpredictable. We don’t know what will happen next. I woke up na wala na si Israel. I felt like my world collapse the moment I knew that he’s dead. He promised us that he will be coming back whatever happens.

I wiped the tears that are falling down my cheeks. Natigil lang ako sa pag-iisip ng maraming bagay nang biglang dumating si Jaxson at inakbayan ako.

“What are you think—are you crying?!” Nag-aalalang na tanong niya at agad na pinunasan ang aking pisngi na punong-puno ng mga luha.

“I just thought of Israel,” pilit na nakangiting wika ko.

I saw how his reaction changed. Umayos siya ng upo at nag dekwatro pagkatapos ay ibinaling sa iba ang kanyang paningin.

“Sorry, Jaxson.” Tanging nasabi ko.

Para kasi sa akin isang mabuting kaibigan si Israel at wala ng iba pa. Hindi ko masisisi si Jaxson kung bakit ganito ang reaksyon niya. Kahit ako rin naman siguro kung may malapit na kaibigan si Jaxson ay magseselos ako, hindi dahil wala akong tiwala kay Jaxson. Kun’di wala akong tiwala sa babae.

“It’s okay. Shall we go now?” Tanong niya ngunit ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya ay hindi nagbago.

“Kiss muna,” wika ko at ngumuso sa kaniyang harapan.

He rolled his eyes then spoke, “I might lose my control if I kiss you here, Aniesha. I will tear all your clothes and make love to you all day and night,” aniya at naunang maglakad papunta sa sasakyan.

Agad naman akong sumunod sa loob ng sasakyan. Habang nagmamaneho siya ay hinawakan ko siya sa kaniyang kamay dahilan para panandalian niyang tignan ang magkahawak naming kamay pagkatapos ay muling ibinaling ang paningin sa daan.

“Mahal kita, Jaxson. Mahal na mahal.” I uttered while smiling.

I heard him heaved a deep breath then looked at me directly in my eyes as he stopped the car and pushed the hazard button.

“You know, Aniesha. I’ve been feeling discombobulate these past few weeks by your actions. I was wondering if you really can reciprocate the feelings that I have for you. I’ve been very serious to you from the start and…—” natigil siya sa pagsasalita ng maraming bagay nang bigla ko siyang halikan sa kaniyang labi.

“When I say I love you, I mean it. Let’s go?” I spoke and looked at the road.

He then start the car and continue driving. Jaxson remain silent while we are on the road. Samantalang ako naman ay pinanatili ang tingin sa bintana habang hawak-hawak ang aking labi.

Did I just kissed him?!

When we arrived at the mansion, the kids immediately ran towards us. I kissed Artemis and ruffled her hair while the twins kissed us on our cheeks. The twins are already 10 years old while Artemis is 6 years old. Kaunting panahon na ang ay magkakaroon na kami ng dalaga at mga binata.

“How’s your date? Did you guys enjoy each other’s company?” Tanong ni Amari.

I really can’t believe it. Iba na ang boses ni Amari ngayon kumpara noon at grabe na siya kung mag-isip. Kung susumahin mayroon na talaga akong mga binata at dalaga. Ayaw ko lang tanggapin na kaunting panahon na lang ay 21 na sila at 18 na si Artemis.

“Of course we did. Wala namang oras na hindi ako nag-enjoy kasama ang Mama niyo,” Jaxson uttered then wink.

I looked at Artemis and Amaru then they playfully smiled at me as if they want to deliver something to me. I just shrugged then told them that I’m gonna go upstairs.

“Bye, Mom,” as if on cue, Amaru and Artemis waved at me.

Nang makarating na ako sa kwarto namin ni Jaxson ay agad akong humiga sa kama at muling inisip ang mga sinabi ko sa kaniya kanina. Bakit ba hanggang ngayon ay natatakot pa rin akong sabihin sa kaniya ang tunay kong pagmamahal para sa kaniya? Hindi naman siya nagkulang sa assurance sa ‘kin pero bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko?

“Babe,” ani Jaxson.

Naramdaman ko ang paglubog ng kama senyales na umupo siya sa aking tabi at nagsalita. “Why is it hard for you to tell that you love me? Mahal mo ba talaga ako?” Tanong niya na siyang ikinaupo ko mula sa pagkakahiga.

I smiled at him while my tears are flowing. “N-natatakot ako,” I spoke.

I caught his expression changed into being clueless. He didn’t speak. “Natatakot ako. Paano kung buhay ang asawa mo? Ako pa rin ba ang pipiliin mo?” Mangiyak-ngiyak na tanong ko.

He held my hands then forced a smile, “Let’s stop thinking about what ifs, instead, let’s think about what more we can do to make our family stronger. I love you, Aniesha. You’re my wife, my other half, and my partner. I love you and no matter how many times I need to assure you how much I love you, I will not get tired proving it everyday. I’m all yours.” Nakangiting aniya at hinalikan ako sa aking noo.

After all the trials and pain, we continue to be stronger. That no matter how many times we stumble and encounter different circumstances, we chose to be resilient and firm despite those things.

I, Maria Aniesha Zarzuela, Carried the Mafia’s Twins and now have a happy and contented family; signing off.

WAKAS