Chapter 54
(Arushi POV)
It’s been two days.
Two beautiful, quiet, love-filled days na nag-stay ako dito sa condo ni Celest sa Japan.
Ang bilis ng oras, parang kahapon lang ‘yung moment na hinawakan ko ulit siya sa hallway, at ngayon… I’m here, standing in front of the wide glass window, watching the city breathe under the sun habang may hawak akong cellphone sa tenga.
Narinig ko sa kabilang linya ang mabilis na sagot ng ever-efficient kong secretary, “Yes, Ms. Costa. Right away.”
I ended the call.
Then suddenly, I felt warm arms wrapping around my waist from behind. I smiled instantly even before I looked back. Nang lumingon ako, I saw her—Celest, still in her sleep shirt, her hair messy, her chin resting on my shoulder.
I laughed and turned around to face her, wrapping my arms around her waist too. “No, love. I don’t have a mistress, okay? That’s my secretary. I told her to book a flight—di ba we talked about it? You and Celestial are coming home with me.”
She paused for a moment, then smiled—one of those rare, genuine smiles she only gives when her heart’s full.
I nodded and leaned forward to kiss her lips gently. “Yes. Finally, uuwi na tayo… together.”
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Later that night, nasa airport na kami. The terminal lights were glowing, and the atmosphere was a mix of excitement and calm. Celestial? Aba, parang may full tank ng sugar sa katawan. She was hopping around like a bunny, jumping while walking, and talking non-stop.
Celest sighed beside me, holding her daughter's hand but obviously trying not to laugh. “Arushi… take your child. I can’t.”
Tumawa ako habang pinapanood silang dalawa. “She’s a bundle of energy, love. Good luck sa flight.”
Just beside me, Ms. Chua—my ever-loyal secretary—walked with a soft smile on her face.
I glanced at her and smiled back, sincerity filling my voice. “Thank you, Ms. Chua. For everything.”
---
After about an hour in the air, finally we landed in Korea. The city lights were glowing outside the car windows as we drove home. Nasa likod kami ni Celest ng kotse, holding hands, our fingers intertwined. Celestial, surprisingly, was still not asleep.
She was climbing around the back seat, singing, pointing at things outside.
Celest looked at me with dead eyes. “Arushi. Arguably, this is your fault.”
I laughed. “Sige na nga. Ako na ‘to.”
Minutes later, huminto na ang sasakyan sa harap ng penthouse ng parents ko. I stepped out first, then held the door open for Celest, helping her out. Celestial hopped out next and immediately clung to Celest’s leg, still talking and hopping around.
We walked to the front door. I held Celest’s hand tighter, calming her nerves. I could feel her heartbeat kahit hindi niya pinapakita. Celestial kept talking beside us. “Omg, this building is like… so tall! Dada do you live here talaga?!”
I rang the doorbell.
It opened seconds later—and there stood Mommy Auburn, smiling wide.
Behind her, sumilip si Mama Primo with the biggest smirk ever.
They both stared for a second—at Celest, at Celestial—and then at me.
I smiled, took a breath, and said, “Mommy Auburn, Mama Primo… this is Celest—my future wife. And this little devil here is our daughter.”
Celestial stepped forward like a tiny confident emcee, smiled at them, and said in the most cheerful voice ever: “Good evening po Mommy-la, Mama-la! I’m Aysu Celestial Costa!”
Mommy Auburn gasped and immediately crouched down to hug her tightly. “Oh my God! My granddaughter! You look like a bread!” She kept kissing Celestial’s cheeks repeatedly while Celestial squealed and laughed.
Then Mama Primo picked her up. “Woah! Our little monster! Ang bigat mo, anak! Pero ang cute cute mo!”
We all entered the living room. It was warm, familiar, and suddenly full of laughter and voices. Citrine came down the stairs in her pajamas, and the moment Celestial saw her, they clicked.
As in immediately.
Same energy. Same attitude. Same nonstop talking.
They sat on the floor with Celestial toys while we sat sa sofa.
Mommy Auburn looked at Celest, then smiled. “You’re beautiful, Celest. Kaya pala si Citrone baliw na baliw sa’yo noon pa.”
Celest blushed a little and bowed her head slightly. “Thank you po, Auntie Auburn.”
Mama Primo laughed loud. “Lakas mo Arushi ah! Matinik ka talaga. I’m so proud of you—mana ka sa akin e! Tignan mo, may anak na kayo agad.”
Mommy Auburn slapped Mama Primo’s arm. “Huy! Wala pa ngang kasal!”
I chuckled, putting an arm around Celest. “Kayo talaga. Pero soon… we’ll have a proper wedding. I promise.”
Celestial suddenly ran over and jumped on Celest’s lap. “Mommy! I want milk!”
I looked around. “Ako na!”
Everyone laughed.
That night, we stayed sa penthouse. We had hot chocolate, stories, tsismis. Celestial and Citrine didn’t stop talking until halos 1AM. Celest kept looking at me—like she was still not used to being surrounded by warmth, acceptance, family.
I leaned close to her and whispered, “They love you already.”
She replied softly, “I can feel it. And I love them, Arushi… because they raised you.”
I smiled and kissed her forehead.
That night, I realized something.
Home wasn’t just a place anymore. Home was where they are—Celest, Celestial… my family.
And finally, we’re where we belong.
---
Maaga akong nagising. For once, hindi dahil may meeting ako or deadline, pero dahil sobrang peaceful ng umaga na ‘to.
We stayed here sa penthouse ng parents ko kagabi, and right now, tahimik lang ang buong place. Wala masyadong ingay, wala ring chaos—well, except sa isang cute na batang natutulog pa sa room ni Citrine.
Si Celestial? Diyos ko, para siyang naging extension ni Citrine. Nag-click agad sila kahapon, and now she’s sleeping sa tabi ni twin as if si Citrine na ang nanay niya.
I swear, kung may mas maingay pa sa mga kaibigan ko, it’s definitely Celestial plus Citrine combined. What a duo.
Ako ngayon, nandito sa living room, naka-upo sa couch with my cup of hot coffee. Wearing my loose shirt and shorts. Waiting. Kasi my friends said pupunta sila today. May pa-welcome sila or whatever.
After a few minutes, I heard a car stop sa tapat ng gate. Tumayo ako sandali para silipin sa bintana, tapos ayun na nga—they’re here.
Pagkabukas ng pinto, bumungad agad sa akin ang tatlong paborito kong stress sa buhay.
Umirap ako agad, crossing my arms sa chest. “Wow, Raegan. No good morning to me? Talagang anak ko agad inuna mo?”
Forest followed behind her with a tray of drinks, chuckling. “Oh sorry, shi. Good morning to you, our newly upgraded friend na may jowa at anak.”
Si Min-Jae, of course, laging composed pero with that mischievous smile on her face. “So... you didn’t say to us that your woman is Professor Haneul,” she teased, smirking like a devil.
Raegan gasped. “Grabe yung standards mo, shi. Goddess ‘yon eh!”
Sumingit si Forest habang inaayos ang food sa table. “Syempre. Sinong hindi maiinlove kay Professor Haneul? Yung aura niya pa lang, she already owns the room.”
Tumawa lang ako habang tumatabi sa kanila. “Baliw kayo. Ayoko lang ng basic, alam n’yo ‘yan.”
But before I could say more, we heard soft footsteps approaching from the hallway. Lumingon kaming lahat toward the direction of the stairs.
And there she was.
Celest.
Wearing a loose white robe, her hair slightly messy from just waking up pero grabe, she still looked like a literal goddess. Yung tipong kahit bagong gising, she still walks like she’s on a runway.
Her eyes met mine as she stood in the living room doorway, composed and elegant as always.
Medyo natameme ang mga kaibigan ko. As in, lahat sila tumigil. Staring. Drooling.
Literal na parang nag-pause ang mundo nila.
Raegan whispered beside me, “Damn, Arushi…”
Si Forest halos mabulunan sa iniinom. “She’s literally hot. Like hot hot.”
Min-Jae, with her signature smirk, crossed her arms. “You’re so lucky, Arushi. What the hell.”
I laughed, walking towards Celest, wrapping an arm around her waist while looking back at my friends. “So guys, this is my future wife—Professor Haneul, aka Celest Carter.”
Biglang naging formal lahat.
Celest just nodded gently at them, still holding me close. “Nice to see you all again. Thank you for being kind to Arushi all these years.”
Lalo silang napanganga.
Raegan looked at me like I was a goddess too. “I never thought I’d see the day… that Professor Haneul would be thanking us.”
Forest leaned to whisper, “Damn, shi. She’s so graceful. Parang hindi ‘yung same prof na nagpapa-recitation ng walang warning.”
Min-Jae was just smiling smugly at me. “Yung dating crush ng buong university… magiging asawa mo na ngayon. Flex mo na ‘yan, shi.”
I couldn’t help but laugh hard at how suddenly well-behaved they became. As in, complete transformation. Galing sa chaos trio to shy honor students real quick.
Celest excused herself muna, probably heading to the kitchen. I watched her go and smiled to myself.
Raegan leaned in closer. “Okay, Arushi. Spill. When did this happen? And also—EXPLAIN THE CHILD.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Ano ‘to? Interrogation?”
She just grinned. “Well, valid question!”
I shook my head. “of course,It’s complicated. I’ll explain everything, but later. Basta right now, she’s back, and I’m not letting her go again.”
Tumahimik silang tatlo sandali. Then Min-Jae smiled and said, “I’m happy for you, shi. Like, genuinely. You deserve this.”
Raegan nodded. “Oo nga. Ang tagal mo nang malungkot. Ngayon parang... may light ka na ulit.”
I nodded slowly. “I feel whole. For the first time in years.”
Just then, Celestial came running from the hallway, wearing Citrine’s oversized shirt and her messy hair.
Raegan’s jaw dropped. “OH MY GOD. SHE’S A MINI YOU.”
Forest: “Wait lang. Ang cute niya. Pwede bang i-clone?”
Celestial stared at them all and smiled. “Hi po! I’m Aysu Celestial Costa! I’m three years old and I have two mommies!”
The three of them melted instantly. Like literal butter sa microwave.
Raegan: “I’m adopting her. Sorry Arushi.”
Forest: “No, ako muna. She’s too precious.”
Min-Jae just took a video discreetly.
That morning was full of laughter, teasing, tsismis, and soft glances.
And as I looked around—Celest in the kitchen preparing more drinks, Celestial talking to my friends like they were her barkada—I smiled.
This is it.
This is the life I’ve been dreaming of.
And finally… it’s real.
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