POV BUA

--Why hasn't she woken up yet?-- I hear whispering from not too far away.

"Ahy what a headache I have. It's so bad I can't keep my eyes open."

--Pon?-- I manage to whisper with half-closed eyes.

--Bua! How are you?"--he asks me as I try to keep them open.

--I have a terrible headache! What happened? Where am I?-- I ask trying to sit up, but he stops me.

--Stop, stay lying down please...-- he whispers gently brushing my hair.

A pain in my lower abdomen instantly stops me, and I instinctively bring my hand to my abdomen.

--The baby!!! Tell me he's all right! Pon---I ask frightened.

--Bua calm down! The baby is facing a crisis, you have to stay calm. He's fine but it's important that you don't get upset.--she says trying to calm me down.

--Crisis? What crisis? Pon, tell me what's going on!-- I start crying.

--You just overcame a threat of abortion. You almost lost the baby, you have to try to stay calm. The doctor said no shock or worry otherwise there's still a risk it could happen.--he whispers caressing my face---you'll see it'll be fine, but if you get agitated you'll worsen your condition.--

--I don't want to lose it,-- I say as I try to build up my strength.

Pon is right, the more I fret, the worse it is for the baby.

I stroke my belly with my hand, cuddling it in an attempt to calm myself.

Pon rests his hand on mine tenderly, squeezing it.

-It will be all right.-- he assures me, nailing me with his gaze.

--My mother-in-law...-- I start thinking about what brought me to be here in the hospital.

--Mew is taking care of it, but rest assured because no one can take our baby away from us. He is ours! He has our blood and we can prove it if it will help!-- she states.

--I like it when you say the word 'ours'.-- I whisper touched.

--Well...it's the truth...-- he also whispers, resting his forehead on mine for a moment and then losing ourselves in each other's gaze.

I don't know how much time passes before someone knocks on the door, bringing us back to reality.

POV MEW.

To say I am angry is an understatement! After leaving Gulf at the office and Pon at the hospital with Bua, I head to my parents' house.

This time my mother really crossed the line!

Bua has risked losing the baby because of her actions and this is very serious.

I park in their driveway and enter the house.

Greeting me is my father. Mortified by his wife's behavior, he explains that she went behind his back. She knew that my father would stop her if he found out.

--Dad, Bua risked losing his baby because of Mom's actions! I would never have forgiven her if that had happened!--I yell going up and down.

--Mew I know you are right to be angry, but believe me your mother loves you! She loves Bua and would never want to hurt her. Because of her actions you were about to lose your baby and --

--It is not my baby she is expecting.-- I confess to my father.

I see him whiten and immediately become angry.

--What, did Bua betray you? Who is the bastard?--he asks me getting up from the sofa.

--Pa, no one has betrayed anyone! Bua and I have never been together in that sense because there has always been only a good friendship between us. We were forced to get married because of your pressure. We never consummated our marriage! Now I am really happy to have recovered part of my memory, remembering my love for Gulf. Yes Pa, I never stopped loving him, and it is only right that Bua is happy too. So, tell your wife what I told you and tell her to stop meddling in our lives. She will not be able to have that grandson, because he is not of my blood.--I conclude.

--Yes, but she slept with someone else while still married to you! In everyone's eyes she is an adulteress!-- my father rejoins.

--Well, if we put it on that level, I'm the one who cheated on her first! So let's stop hindering the happiness of Bua and her child. If he needs me I'll always be there, but a father that child already has and he's going to contest those papers and custody if your wife doesn't withdraw the application. I don't think a scandal is what you seek for your and our future, do you?-- I ask.

--Mew stop saying " my wife!" She's your mother!-- she accuses me.

--I'm sorry Pa, but she's going too far! She's in danger of losing me as a son if she doesn't tone it down!-- I affirm turning toward the door. --Ah! Also report to her that I will marry Gulf as soon as my lawyer delivers me the divorce from Bua.-- I conclude by leaving my parents' house.

POV PON

It has been five days since Bua was hospitalized and she is finally getting out of the hospital today.

When she came close to losing the baby I felt helpless, if that had happened I would not have known what to do. I will never forget in sense of suffocation at the thought of the pain the loss would have entailed.

Bua was very strong and tenacious, following step by step all the necessary precautions so that we would avert the abortion.

I in my small way tried to always be there for her and her needs.

Now I am finally taking her home and there I will try to make her as peaceful as possible.

Mew gave an ultimatum to her mother, who seems to have finally understood. In fact, she withdrew her application regarding custody.

--Are we going? --Bua asked.

--Yes. Let's go! Mew and Gulf can't wait to have you back home!-- I tell her.

--And you? Are you glad to have me back home?-- she asks looking straight into my eyes.

--Yes Bua. You really scared me when you fainted. Obviously it will be easier for me to keep an eye on you and safe once you come back.--I reply by brushing her face with my hand.

I can't help but notice her barely-there smile.

--Let's leave now. I don't want to stay here anymore!-- she exclaims.

--Wait--there's something I have to tell you! When you fainted, I felt as if the earth swallowed me. Now, I don't know if this relationship of ours will go any further, but I certainly promise to protect you. You and our baby will have priority over everything.--I conclude by brushing her arms.

Bua looks at me for a moment with emotion, which prompts me to hug her.

POV MEW

--Gulf, come on let's hurry or Bua won't find us at home waiting for her!--I say, inciting him to conclude the negotiation.

--Hang on! I'm coming!--he shouts as he leaves the jewelry store.

Today Bua finally returns home and Gulf wanted to buy her a welcome home gift.

--If you had helped me choose, perhaps, I would have done it much sooner!-- she concludes with disappointment.

--You know I have no patience in these things!--I tell him as I call the light.

I had to park a little farther away today, but it was worth it. This jewelry store is very expensive but at the same time the best.

--Yes--I know! Come on let's go home!--

As I admire him walking, a car speeds full speed straight towards him.

--Gulf look out!-- I yell running toward him.

I manage to push him away, both of us falling to the ground and rolling for a few meters as the car continues its run without stopping. Anyway, it looked like a familiar car, I've seen it somewhere before.

I get up a tad so as not to crush Gulf underneath me.

--Gulf!-- I shake him --Their please stay awake! Gulf wake up for God's sake, don't scare me!--I shout as I stroke his head.

A feeling of dread pervades me as soon as I feel something sticky on my hand, I turn it over and see it bloody.