Rainbow After The Storm

     THE next morning I woke up naked under the sheets with Reeve. We had our make-up make love last night, and it was so deliciously spicy. We slept very late because we did several rounds. He became rough yestreen, but I like it.

My face crumpled because I was feeling sick. Medyo masakit ang ulo at mabigat ang pakiramdam 'ko. Wala tuloy akong nagawa kung hindi manatili sa bahay buong araw dahil ayaw ni Reeve na pumasok ako sa hospital dahil baka mas lumala lang ang nararamdaman 'ko. I just informed Nurse Eva and Mom about my absence for today.

Nagpumilit pa nga si Reeve na hindi rin papasok sa trabaho but I pushed him away. Hindi pwedeng kaming dalawa ang hindi papasok sa trabaho. Ilang pang-uuto ang ginawa 'ko para mapapayag siyang pumasok na. When he went to work, I just stayed in bed all day. Natulog lang ako at hindi kumain dahil wala akong gana. I just wanted to rest.

But in the middle of the day, I was awaken by a warm hand on my forehead. When I opened my eyes, bumungad kaagad sa akin si Reeve. Punong-puno nang pag-aalala ang mukha niya habang nakatuon sa'kin ang mga mata niya.

"W-Why are you here?" I asked softly. "Almost five hours pa lang simula noong pinilit kitang pumasok sa work,"

"I'm worried about you, wife. You don't reply to my messages and answer my calls." He took a deep sigh.

I smiled and gently caressed his cheeks. "I'm fine. It's just a mild headache."

"Have you taken your meds? Kumain kana? I'm going to reheat the food I cooked if you want," he says.

"Wala akong gana kumain kanina," sagot 'ko na ikinabigla niya.

"You have to eat before you take the medicine," he says. "No buts, Mrs Roschefort," he added with authority when he saw me disagreeing.

Napanguso ako. "Are you going to feed me?" I asked softly.

He looked at me and nodded, a cute smile forming on his lips. "Yes, I will feed you. Dito kana lang kakain?"

I nodded, still pouting. "Y-Yes. Hubby, can you make a cantaloupe shake for me, please?" Just thinking of cantaloupe shake makes me salivated. 

His brows creased. "Cantaloupe? Of course, I will. But I'll check the fridge first if we still have one," he says. 

My heart sank just thinking of not tasting cantaloupe shake. I felt like crying, but I tried not to shed a tear because I didn't want him to think I was being a brat for not getting what I wanted.

He gave me a peck on my forehead. "Rest and wait for me here, alright?"

"Hmm. . ." I weakly nodded at him.

My mouth watered as I stared at each food he prepared. There's water, four mini pancakes with chocolate syrup, some sliced apples on the side, a tablet for headache, and lastly, my cantaloupe shake! Unti-unti akong napangiti at niyakap siya. He still look worried about me, tho.

"Wow! Thanks for this, hubby!" I beamed and kissed him on his cheek.

He caressed my hair on the back. "You're welcome, wife. Let's see a doctor if you don't really feel well. Hmm?" he softly muttered with a very worried expression.

I nodded and bit the inside of my cheeks when I quickly thought of a silly prank on him. "Alright. Get my mirror, please."

Kunot noo niyang kinuha ang salamin na pinapakuha 'ko. Nang mahawakan 'ko ito, mabilis akong ngumiti at nagsalita.

"Hi, Dra! I'm Kelsea Roschefort. 32 years old. I'm your patient—"

Reeve cut me off by snorting. I chuckled halfheartedly while looking at him.

"What? You told me to see a doctor! Ayan, I'm looking right now at my reflection!" I jest.

He grumbled and gently bit my shoulder. "Silly girl," he mumbles, shaking his head. "Open your mouth, wife. I'll feed you."

"Ahhh," I opened my mouth to accept the food. Ngumisi ako habang nakatingin sa kaniya, pinapanood siyang pakainin ako.

My face crumpled after a moment of eating. Mabilis akong tumakbo papasok sa banyo nang maramdaman kong parang binabaligtad ang sikmura 'ko. Yumuko ako sa harapan ng lababo at kaagad na dumuwal. Nangilid ang mga luha 'ko nang makaramdam ako ng pagkahilo pagkatapos mailabas lahat ng kinain 'ko.

"Wife, what happened? You okay?" Reeve quickly followed me inside the bathroom.

Mabilis niyang hinimas ang likod 'ko at sininop ang aking buhok para hindi mabasa. I rinse my mouth and wipe it using a tissue, then I turned at him.

"I feel sick, hubby." I felt my eyes moistened.

Mabilis ngunit maingat niya akong binuhat na parang bagong kasal at dahan-dahan akong ibinalik sa kama. "Hush. . . You need to take a rest, wife," he says.

Nang mailapag niya ako sa kama ay napaupo siya kaagad sa aking gilid at mariin akong tinitigan. "What do you feel exactly? Hmm? Tell me," his voice shook.

"I-I feel dizzy. Then, I have a little headache." Halos bulong na ani 'ko.

He caressed my face as his eyes sliced with concern. "Lay down and rest, okay? I'll just wash these plates, and I'll get back to you. Hmm? Huwag kana kumilos, please. Just rest. I'll take care of you, alright?"

Nanghihina akong tumango sa kaniya.

Mabilis lumipas ang mga araw at nararamdaman 'ko ang mga pagbabago sa akin. Halos araw-araw akong dumuduwal at nahihilo. Sobrang bilis magbago ng mood 'ko. I was happy, then, after a few seconds, I felt the urge to cry.

Humugot ako ng isang malalim na buntong hininga nang maramdamang umiikot ang paningin 'ko. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata 'ko at napatakip sa bibig nang maramdaman na parang may humahalukay sa tiyan 'ko. I feel like I wanted to vomit again.

"Damn," I mumbled and quickly went to my office's bathroom to puke.

Napahawak ako sa gilid ng lababo para doon kumuha ng suporta habang inilalabas lahat ng mga kinain 'ko. Nang matapos sa pagsusuka ay nagmumog na ako at natulala nang may maalala.

I was fertile when we did it! And once sperm enters the reproductive system, it can only take about 30-45 minutes to reach the egg. My fucking egg! In addition, we don't use condoms because I am relying on pills. Shit!

Mabilis akong bumalik sa loob ng office 'ko at binuksan ang drawer para kumuha ng tatlong pregnancy test kits. I need to take a test just to make sure.

I did what I have to do. I sit on the toilet bowl and peed on the brandnew test kits. Halos hindi na ako humihinga habang hinihintay ang resulta.

Napatakip ako sa bibig nang lumabas ang dalawang linya. Mabilis na nanlabo ang mga mata 'ko dahil sa luha. The result came out positive!

Oh, God! I'm carrying Reeve's child!

The moment I set foot in our house, I saw my husband in his usual spot on the sofa. He was watching a documentary film with Beau and Scout who were sitting beside him.

My heart melted when our eyes met.

He quickly stood up and walked towards me with a warm smile on his face. Mabilis 'kong pinalibot ang mga braso ko sa beywang niya, nanlalambing.

"You're home," he says with a smile on his face.

"I love you," I mumble while staring back at him.

His eyes sparkled. "Oh, mukhang nanlalambing ang misis 'ko, 'ah? You missed me? Hmm?"

Tumango ako at mabilis na ibinaon ang mukha sa dibdib niya. I don't know what happened but I just find myself sobbing. Pregnancy hormones, damn it!

I felt him stiffen. Mabilis na hinawi ni Reeve ang buhok 'ko upang makita ang aking mukha. "Hey, what's the matter, wife? Why are you crying? Do you feel sick again? Hmm?" he says.

I stared at him and shook my head. "I-I just miss you," my voice cracked.

Reeve was too stunned to speak. His mouth fell open, and his eyes sliced with confusion and concern. He cupped my face and brushed my tears.

"Hmm?" he drawled. 

I pouted like a kid when he kissed my tears. "I-I'm hungry," I mutter when I hear my tummy growled. "I want green mangoes, hubby!" my voice suddenly became jauntily.

Napakunot noo siya. "Wow. Your mood change fast," naguguluhang aniya.

I almost spilt that it's because of pregnancy hormones, but I hold myself. Gusto 'ko kasi siyang sopresahin sa pagbubuntis 'ko. Nagpapacute na ngumiti na lang ako sa kaniya.

"I want green mangoes, please? Then, can you buy a bagoong na rin? I want the bagoong na mainit pa tapos maraming sili at matamis," I requested using my baby voice.

"H-Huh?" gulat na aniya.

My lips frowned when he didn't move.

He scratched the back of his head, still confused about my sudden mood. "Alright. I'll buy it right now," he gave me a skeptical look.

Napangiti kaagad ako at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. "Merci, hubby! Bili kana dali!"

Despite being confused, mabilis pa rin siyang umalis para sundin ang utos 'ko. Nang makaalis na siya ay mabilis akong dumiretso sa second floor para maglinis ng katawan. After almost half an hour, narinig 'ko na ang ugong ng sasakyan ni Reeve.

I went outside our room, and sauntered towards Scout and Beau, who were both lying on the floor. The only difference was that Scout was in a rolled-over position while Beau was on his left. I bent down and caressed Scout's tummy.

"Babies, can you bring this to your dad, please?" pakiusap 'ko sa dalawa na para bang maintidihan nila ako.

"Woof!"

Napangiti ako nang tumahol si Beau sabay lapit sa akin. He rested his face on my thighs, making me caressed his head, too. While Scout wiggled his tale as if he could understand my request.

When I heard the approaching Reeve's footsteps, I quickly let Beau bite the pregnancy test kits that I inserted inside the jewellery box with a ribbon as a design. Then, I made Scout wear the signage that I printed right after I took a shower.

"Show this to your dad, okay?" I smiled proudly when they both barked.

Mabilis akong tumayo at hinarap ang paparating na si Reeve. I spotted him holding two plastic bags in his hands, causing his veins to protrude.

"Wife, I got your mangoes and bagoong—"

Reeve looked confused when he saw his fur babies run towards him with a piece of paper on Scout's neck and a box in Beau's mouth. Naglakad ako papunta sa kaniya at pinanood ang magiging reaksiyon niya.

"Woof! Woof!"

Both dogs barked and wiggled their tails in front of him. Despite being confused, he kneels one of his knees, and accepts the box that Beau's giving him.

"What is this, buddy?" he asked the innocent dog.

"Open it," I urged.

His head raised, and his amber orbs lingered on mine. "What is this? I'm getting nervous, wife!"  he says.

I chuckled lightly. "Just open it."

He looked so confused, but he still opened it. He gasped when he saw the white small test kits inside. His eyes went down on Scout when he bark. He held the signage on Scout's neck and started reading it.

He slowly raised his head, lingering me with his confused and sparkling tears eyes."This is. . ." he whispered, palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa akin at sa pregnancy test kit. "You are pregnant?"

I smiled despite my trembling lips, and I spoke. "Yes, I'm pregnant, Reeve," sabi 'ko at tuluyan na ngang bumuhos ang luha sa akin.

"B-But how did you—"

I cut him off by cutting our space. I hugged him tight and immediately sobbed when he hugged me back.

"I'm a doctor, silly. I know when someone is pregnant, especially, if it was me," sabi ko at napasinghap nang marinig ang biglaan niyang paghikbi.

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya para silipin ang mukha niya. My mouth fell open when I saw tears coming out of his eyes like a waterfalls. Mabilis niyang pinunasan ang luha at niyakap ulit ako ng mahigpit.

He licked his lips before he shut his eyes, then the moment his eyes opened, amusement simmered in his eyes. Paulit-ulit siyang napamura. Hindi 'ko maiwasan ang hindi mapangiti nang bigla siyang tumalon sa sobrang saya.

"Fuck! Yes! I'm going to be a father!" He says, jumping in delight. "I love you! I love you so much, my wife! Oh, God. Thank you for this wonderful gift, Lord!" his voice suddenly cracked.

"Welcome to fatherhood, Lieutenant-colonel." I smiled between my sobs.

All my life, I've been dealing with babies and adults, but this is the first time I felt this. I felt excited and nervous at the same time. Even though I have an experience in pregnancy through my patients, iba pa rin 'yong ikaw mismo ang nagdadalang tao.

This was one of my dreams since I was in college before I even entered med school— to build a family and bare a child with the man I love. And now, It's happening. I will begin building a family with Reeve, the man I love.

Nahigit 'ko ang hininga nang mabilis bumaba ang mga tingin niya sa aking tiyan at nanigas ako nang dahan dahan niya 'to hinawakan.

"Salut, baby. . . I'm your papa, and I'm really excited to meet you," He says as he caresses my tummy.

My heart melted.  "I'm so happy I'll be building a family with you," malambing na ani 'ko.

He cupped my face and kisses my forehead a lot of times. "Thank you, wife. You didn't know how much you made me happy. You don't know how long I've waited for this to come. I am certain that I want you to be the mother of my children. Only you. And now, finally, my dreams come true." His voice sounds so sincere that it touches every part of my heart.

Ngumiti ako at hinaplos ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Basa 'to dahil sa luha kaya pinunasan 'ko ito nang marahan kahit patuloy lamang sa pagtulo ang luha sa mga mata niya. He smiled and brushed my tears, too. 

"Let's go to the OB this weekend," he muttered, caressing my tummy with his warm hand.

My lips frowned. "I work inside the hospital, Reeve. I can always go to OB every time I want. Ikaw lang ang inaalala 'ko." I pouted my lips and cupped his face. "I can schedule an appointment tomorrow if you aren't busy that much," I suggest.

"Tomorrow, then," he says, smiling wider this time.

Mabilis nanlaki ang mga mata 'ko nang maalala ang mangga at bagoong na pinabili 'ko. Hinampas 'ko siya sa braso.

"Teka! Ipagbalat mo muna ako ng mangga!"

He chuckled and grabbed the plastic bag he was holding a while ago. "Sure, wife! Let's go in the kitchen, or do you want your mangoes in our bedroom?"

"I want to eat them in the kitchen, hubby!" I responded.

Kinabukasan, halos ayaw akong pakawalan ni Reeve. He wanted to come with me to the hospital because he got worried since I'm pregnant. Ilang beses 'ko naman sinabi na ayos lang ako at hindi niya kailangan mag-alala. Saka, hapon pa ang schedule namin sa OB-GYN. Hindi naman siya pwede pumunta ng maaga sa hospital dahil hindi 'ko rin siya maasikaso dahil abala ako sa pagtulong sa mga pasyente.

Kaya pagsapit ng hapon, sabay kaming pumunta ni Reeve sa clinic ni Mommy. I was still wearing my long white coat; inside was a dark blue scrub suit. She gave me a peck on my cheeks while she tapped Reeve's arm. 

"So, what can I do for the both of you? Are you here for a new contraceptive? Maybe tips for good sex?" Mom asked right after we sat in front of his office table.

My cheeks quickly heated up.

"M-Mom, no." halos bulong na sagot 'ko dahil ang katabi 'kong si Reeve ay mabilis na napaubo sa pagiging straight forward ni Mommy.

Her eyes knotted in confusion. "No? So, what are you two doing here?"

Reeve and I glanced at each other. Then, he held my hand and gently squeezed it to give me support. Huminga ako ng malalim at ngumiti bago tumingin kay Mommy.

"Mommy, I am pregnant!" I announce.

Napasinghap si Mommy at napakahawak sa dibdib. "What?! You're pregnant? You're pregnant?! Seriously?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.

I bit my lips and nodded. "Yes, Mom."

I gasped when she squealed. She stood up to give me a long and tight hug. "Congratulations, sweetie! I can't believe that you're now going to be a mom! Oh, God!" Impit siyang napatili na ikinatawa 'ko.

I'm now lying on the hospital bed habang nakatayo sa gilid 'ko sina Mommy at Reeve. Pagkatapos ng ilang lab test para masiguradong buntis talaga ako, bumalik si Mommy bitbit ang results.

"Congratulations, anak. You are five weeks pregnant!" Mommy announced almost teary eyes. "I'm really going to be a grandmother! I can't believe it! Oh my God! I swear, sweetie, I'll be the badass and a cool grandma!"

I nodded, agreeing with her. "I know, Mom. I also can't believe that I am going to be a mother," Suddenly, my voice cracked, and the tears fell from my eyes like waterfalls.

"Hush, amour," Reeve brushes my tears, but his eyes were also teary.

Ngumiti na lang ako kahit panay ang pagbuhos ng luha sa mga mata 'ko. He continue brushing my tears and even smile at me, giving me more strength.

Mom is now applying gel on my tummy while gliding the transducer over my abdomen. I glanced at Reeve and caught him staring at the monitor where the images of our baby would appear.

"So, as you can see in the monitor, this is the baby or the embreyo. It still very small but growing quickly. At this stage, your little one could be between about 1/16 of an inch long. And your baby has the size of an orange seeds."

Reeve's eyes gleam. "Wow," he mumbles in astonishment. "Can't we know the sex of our baby?" he asked politely.

Mom shook her head. "Not yet. You'll know the sex of the baby at 18 to 21 weeks. But the sex may be determined by ultrasound as early as 14 weeks. However, it may vary."

Hindi 'ko maiwasan ang hindi ngumiti. I love watching Reeve, who's attentively listening to Mom.

"So, Daddy, ingatan mo si Mommy, alright? I'm not saying this just because I am her mother but also as her Ob-gyne. She's in her first trimester, and it was the most critical stage in pregnancy, so you better let her eat healthy foods."

Reeve nodded like an obedient kid. "Opo, Tita."

Mom nodded with a smile. "Avoid alcohol and coffee. You can change the coffee with hot-choco or milk. Be ready dahil magsisimula na ang mga pregnancy cravings at morning sickness ni Mommy. Marami pa akong gusto sabihin, but I will save my words since the patient also know what to do, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, dra."

I glanced at Reeve when he squeezed my hand. Ngumiti ako kaya ngumiti rin siya pabalik. 

"Habaan lang ang pasensya ha, Reeve? Dahil minsan, magulo at out of this world ang mga cravings ng buntis. And you can't do anything but to get it or else, bahala kang lumabas ang baby niyong nakasimangot," Mommy jested.

Mukhang paniwalang-paniwala naman si Reeve dahil kitang-kita 'ko ang paglunok niya. I bit the inside of my cheeks, stifling a chuckle.

Mom chuckled when he saw his reaction. "First time dads are really funny and cute at the same time," she says, and I quickly agree.

Reeve swallowed hard, and I can't control myself but to let out a soft chuckle because of his reaction. Kinagat 'ko ang pang-ibabang labi 'ko nang ngumuso siya. He's so damn cute!

"I will give you a list of vitamins that she needs to take. Also a list sa mga pagkain na kailangan iwasan ni Mommy. Although, alam ko naman na aware na si Dra. Kelsea doon, but since I can see that you're really passionate about taking care of her, then I'll give it to you," Mom says.

Reeve nodded, and then his gaze flew to me. "I love you," he mouthed.

Ngumiti ako at pinisil ang kamay niya dahil mabilis ako nakaramdam ng kilig. He's so sweet talaga! I wanted to kiss him right now!

Mommy handed us the papers with a smile on her face. "Congratulations again to both of you!"

"Thank you, Dra, I mean Tita," Reeve says, making Mom chuckle.

"Thank you, Mom." I smiled, getting emotional again. "Please, don't tell Dad yet. I wanted to make an official announcement about my pregnancy this weekend with all of our family,"

Tumango naman kaagad si Mom. "I'll keep my mouth, sweetie. Text me if you need my help, okay? "

Tumango ako at nagyakapan kami ni Mommy bago niya kami iniwan ni Reeve para asikasuhin ang susunod na pasyente na naghihintay sa labas. Hindi naalis ang malaking ngiti sa labi ni Reeve kahit nakalabas na kami sa clinic ni Mommy. His eyes were even sparkling in happiness while holding the sonogram.

"Let's put this on a frame and hang it in our bedroom," he says.

I just chuckled and nodded my head. "Sure, let's do that."

His smile grew wider. "I love you, Kelsea," he says.

Dinala niya ang aking kamay sa kaniyang labi at pinatakan 'yon ng isang magaan na halik. My heart jumped in an instant. 

"I love you, hubby!" sagot 'ko at kaagad sinandal ang aking ulo sa kaniyang braso, nanlalambing.

A storm can symbolize the challenges and problems in relationships or generally in our lives. . . And behind every storm, there is a rainbow. Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds and the fiercest winds there is still beauty in our life.

© Fushia