say."
They waited for many more agonizing minutes, which turned into agonizing hours. Eventually, Taruk's friend fell asleep on the couch, and even Taruk's eyes were drooping. But he immediately sat up when the door that led to the private corridors opened.
From there came Tilula's mother, a little bundle in her hands.
"Darling," she exclaimed as she stood before Taruk, "it's a boy!"
"A boy?" Indri asked as he stood up from his seat. His legs shook, his heart beat faster, and his hands turned clammy when he caught sight of the tiny bundle his mother-in-law was holding. There was his son, hidden from his view by the swaddling clothes that engulfed him.
"Come here, Son, and hold your little one in your arms." His mother-in-law carefully placed the bundle in his arms, and moved the cloth aside.
"Well?" Taruk asked.
His friend, groggy from his nap, stood up and approached them. "Who does he look like?"
Indri looked down and almost cried with delight. His newborn son was in his arms. He had soft baby skin and dazzling eyes. He had the most beautiful little fingers, pudgy and perfectly formed. Indri silently rejoiced. Now he had one more person to love and cherish all his life.
He laughed, and gave his little son a kiss on the crown before handing him over to Taruk. "You can see for yourselves. I must go and see Tilula."
He rushed out of the room, leaving the new grandparents to dote over their grandchild. The sprites quickly moved out of his way as he ran through the hall, until he reached the master quarters. He knocked at the door, unsure if Tilula was awake or resting, and carefully opened it so as not to make too much noise.
"Hmm. I was sure you would barge in any minute now. Did you see our son?" Tilula was lying on the bed, her brow being wiped by one of the three little girl sprites that helped during her labor. The other two were perched at the far end of the bed, sighing in relief.
"Aye, I did." Indri raised one brow to the three little sprites, which had them giggling and flying out the window as quickly as they could. Only after their departure did Indri lean down and kiss Tilula. "I love you."
"The grandfather's outside, isn't he? And Mother?"
"Yes," Indri took Tilula's hand in his and held it close to his heart.
Tilula raised her free hand to his face and brushed his cheeks with the pads of her fingers. The action erased the tears on Indri's face, ones he did not know were even there. "They must be so proud. You must be too."
"I'm happy mostly. I never imagined anything like this would come to me." Indri laughed and brushed them off as well. He looked at the woman that saw beyond his physical appearance and made his life complete. And he couldn't help thinking that only one person was missing from this happiest of occasions. "If Mother were here, she would be happy."
Little did they know, from the heavens above, a beautiful sprite was looking down upon the world. Her eyes twinkled with delight and her sparkles glowed with excitement upon beholding her first grandchild, and the family that would love him forevermore.
END
About the Author
Angelaine Espinosa is an incoming fourth year medical student and part-time writer. She presently lives on a little island region in the Philippines, with her parents and a younger brother. She enjoys reading, singing, drawing and, of course, writing. Follow her on Twitter via @AngieNovelist, or Visit espinosaangelaine.wix.com/officialsite.
About the Cover
Angelaine Espinosa would like to thank xusenru for providing the original photograph/picture/art for this book.
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