Nawalan ng kulay ang aking mukha sa narinig. I am two weeks pregnant!

"I'll be frank, Ms. Ramuro. Hindi ganoon kalakas ang kapit ng bata. You should watch what you eat and drink. Be healthier for your child."

Tulala akong tumango. I was left alone as the doctor talked to Reni. Biglang tumulo ang luha sa aking mata. It's a tear of happiness because it fell on my left eye.

"I-I'm sorry, baby... Mommy will take care of herself starting now," I murmured while caressing my stomach.

I've been reckless for the past weeks. Umiinom ako ng alak gabi gabi at nakakasinghot ng sigarilyo kada punta ko sa club. Kung hindi ko pa nalaman na buntis ako ay baka napatay ko na ang sarili kong anak.

The idea of losing my child because of my recklessness scares me. I'm not ready to bear a child but losing my child is scarier than anything else.

Siya ang magiging yaman ko sa lahat. Siya ang magiging saya ko sa lungkot ng aking nakaraan. Siya ang tanging panatag sa takot na haharapin. My child will be my consolation In distress.

"Hello, baby. Ninong Dada is here. Be strong for Mommy, okay?"

I laughed quietly. Ninong Dada, really? May naisip agad siyang itatawag ng anak ko sa kan'ya.

"I'm so excited, Ace! I will spoil her with makeup and dresses!"

"We don't know yet the gender of my baby, Reni."

"I'm sure she's a girl. Believe me."

Sana ay kambal. But I think that will be impossible. Wala kaming lahing kambal, si Dawn kaya? Does he have twin cousins? Speaking of him...

How am I going to tell him this news?

Tila nabasa ni Reni ang nasa isip ko, "Are you going to tell him?"

"H-he deserves to know the truth but I don't know how am I going to tell him?"

I'm not sure what will be his reaction. But one thing is for sure, he will be surprised. Baka isipin n'ya na gumagawa lang ako ng kuwento. I don't know. Kinakabahan ako baka hindi n'ya tanggapin ang anak ko.

"Don't worry about it. Ako ang bahala. For now, you should follow what the doctor said."

Kahit hindi n'ya sabihin ay gagawin ko talaga ang mabuti. I'll be a better mother for my baby.

Isang linggo na nang malaman kong buntis ako. I haven't told my family about it yet. I don't know how to tell them. They will surely be disappointed with me, again. Especially my father, given the fact that he is a pastor. Of course, he doesn't agree with teenage pregnancy. It will be another shame on his name. Ayokong dagdagan pa ang nagawa kong rumi sa pangalan n'ya.

I'm keeping this a secret because I won't let society insult or hurt my child. Kahit insultihin nila ako, ayos lang sa akin. But not this precious treasure. I will protect my baby at all costs. I will sacrifice everything just to provide her peace and happiness.

Isang linggo na rin nang tumigil akong uminom at imbes na sa club tumambay, sa bahay nila Reni nalang ako namalagi. Quitting alcohol was a hard challenge for me since it is my coping mechanism but every time I feel my stomach, it motivated me to be better. Hindi lang ang sarili ko ang inaalagan ko, may anak na ako. My baby's health is more important than my addiction.

"I want to go to the beach..."

I've been craving the sound of the waves, the flashes of fish, the sunrise, the cold atmosphere, and the sound of a bird flapping its wings. Pakiramdam ko ay makakapag isip ako kapag nasa dagat ako.

"Ngayon na?"

"Yes?" I said cutely.

Reni heaved a heavy sigh before closing his laptop, "Alright. Pupunta tayong dagat."

Palihim akong napangiti.

There's a beach near his place but I told him I wanted to go to a specific beach that is very special to me.

"Ace! Jusko, don't run!" stress na sigaw ni Reni.

I didn't listen to him and continued jogging. Hindi naman masama sa akin ito dahil hindi pa naman mabigat ang tiyan ko.

Hinihingal akong huminto nang malapit na ako sa dagat. I spread my arms and closed my eyes. I wasn't wrong when I say that being here will make me feel better.

"I miss you..." bulong ko sa mga hangin, hoping that the wind will deliver my words to someone I missed.

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw is his familiar back. Hindi ako magkakamali na likod ng taong mahal ko ang nakikita ko ngayon. I know every part of him. Kilalang kilala ko siya.

Dawn is facing the beach. Shaira's arms are clinging around his neck while his palms are resting on her waist. Shaira's long dress got wet because of the waves. Nakatayo sila malapit sa mga alon kaya hindi imposible na mabasa siya lalo na't hanggang ilalim ng tuhod n'ya pa iyon.

Napalunok ako sa aking nakita. They look like a real couple.

This is our favorite place. This is where our love started. The waves witnessed our kisses. The birds and fishes have heard our heartbeats. This is the place where everything started.

Seeing Shaira with him breaks my heart but what breaks me more is he brought her to our place. Amin ito, eh. This is Solace and Dawn's place. This is our territory.

Saksi ang mga alon at buwan noon sa aming pagmamahalan.

"Maaga akong mamamatay sa 'yo, bruha ka! Alam mo namang delikado sa 'yo~"

Napatigil si Reni sa pagsasalita nang makitang nakatulala lang ako. He slowly diverted his gaze to where I am looking. He cursed when he realized why I got stunned.

Shaira's eyes widened when she saw us. I thought she'll let go of Dawn but I didn't expect what she did next. Shaira kissed Dawn. Hindi iyon ganoon katagal ngunit parang sinaksak ako nang ilang beses sa sobrang sakit ng aking puso.

"She's a bitch!" may kalakasang wika ni Reni.

A tear streamed down my cheeks. Hinawakan ni Reni ang nanginginig kong kamay at pilit akong hinihila ngunit napako na ang paa ko sa kinatatayuan. I wanted to run to them and pushed Shaira. I wanted to slap her for kissing my man in front of me. But who am I kidding? Wala na akong karapatan. I broke his heart.

"This is not healthy for you. Umalis na tayo~"

Nagulat ako ng biglang tumahol si Console at tumakbo palapit sa akin. I didn't notice that he was with them. Tumahol siya nang paulit ulit at kinagat ang suot kong bestida. Natatarantang sinuway ni Reni si Console yet the dog didn't even get scared.

Nang dahil doon ay naagaw ang attention ni Dawn. He slowly moved his body at his back. Nakatutok ang mata n'ya kay Console pero unti unti n'yang tinignan kung sino ang kinaaabalahan ng aso n'ya. I was expecting something will twinkle in his eyes but he only gave me a cold glance.

"Console, go back here!" si Shaira.

Kahit anong tawag ng babae kay Console ay hindi pa rin ito bumitaw sa akin. I was left with no choice but to bring Console to them. I saw fear in Shaira's eyes. Mahigpit n'yang hinawakan ang kamay ni Dawn. Iniwas ko ang tingin doon at nilapat sa mga mata ni Dawn.

"I'm sorry about Console..." I whispered.

Ngumiti ng peke si Shaira, "That's fine. Gan'yan talaga siya minsan. I-I've known him already"

My eyebrows raised. Talaga, Shai? Ilang linggo mo palang kasama ang aso namin, kilala mo na agad siya? But it's not what I'm seeing. Umiiwas si Console sa mga haplos mo at pilit na lumalapit sa akin.

"He must have missed me," I smirked.

Shaira's smile faded and gritted her teeth, "Why would he miss you? You left him... Let's go home. I don't want to stay here anymore."

Dawn nodded and pulled Console because if Shaira did it, for sure Console will not come with them and will choose to stay with me.

"Dawn," tawag ko bago pa sila makalayo.

He stopped walking. Mas humigpit naman ang hawak ni Shaira sa kan'ya.

"C-can we talk?"

"Why do you want to talk to him? Wala na kayo. You broke with him!"

"I need to talk to him kaya nakikiusap ako, leave us alone."

She faced me and laughed insultingly, "Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo. I won't leave Dawn with you, Ace."

"Why won't you let her talk to him? Are you his girlfriend, huh? Ikaw ang makapal ang mukha, Shaira. You're acting like a possessive girlfriend but you're not even together. How disgusting this version of you," sabat ni Reni.

Inawat ko si Reni nang makitang nasaktan si Shaira sa sinabi n'ya

"No, Ace! She should know how shameful she is... Nakakahiya ka dahil ginawa mo ito sa taong tinuring ka ng pamilya. Ace always defends you from your parents. Palagi n'yang pinapalabas na siya ang may kasalanan sa mga bagay na Ikaw naman ang may gawa! Do you realize that you're worse than her? Ano'ng nangyari sa 'yo, Shaira? Pinainom ka ba ni Athena ng gayuma kaya ka nagiging halimaw?"

"S-stop it..." awat ko.

"Why are you afraid to leave Dawn with her? Ano, threatened ka? Baka sa isang pakiusap lang ni Ace, babalikan agad siya ng lalaking mahal mo? Are you scared, Shai? Are you that desperate bitch?"

Pilit na nilalabanan ni Shaira na hindi kumawala ang kan'yang luha sa mga mata n'ya but she failed to do it. A tear dropped down her eyes. Mabilis n'ya iyong pinunasan at tumalikod ulit sa amin.

"D-dawn, umuwi na tayo."

"Hindi siya uuwi. Ace needs to talk to him. This is more important than your drama, Shaira."

"Dawn, please..."

"Uuwi na kami~"

"Shai, leave us alone."

Hindi matutumbasan ang saya ko sa narinig. Shaira walked out with heavy steps. Sinundan naman siya ni Reni.

"What is it?"

Nakaharap na ngayon si Dawn sa akin. God knows how much I wanted to be in his arms again.

"How are you?" naiiyak kong tanong.

"That's what you want us to talk about?"

I shook my head. Yumuko ako nang bahagya at kinagat ang labi. Medyo napahiya sa sinagot n'ya.

"Go straight to the point, Ace. Hindi ko pinaalis si Shai para lang dito."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Of course, he cares about her. He wouldn't bring her here if he doesn't care about Shaira. She might be very special to him.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago binuksan ang bibig.

"I-I am pregnant."

"Okay~ What?! You're what?"

Hindi maitago ang pagkagulat sa mga mata n'ya.

"You heard it right. We're pregnant, Dawn."

"H-how? I mean, when? Oh God."

"M-masaya ka ba?"

Nanlalaki ang mata n'yang tumango. He bit his lips and look at my stomach. Ang saya ng mga mata n'ya habang nakatitig sa tiyan ko.

"W-what should we do?"

I smiled. Lumapit ako sa kan'ya at kinuha ang mga kamay upang dalhin iyon sa tiyan ko.

"Do you feel our child?"

Naluluha siyang tumango. He embrace me carefully, afraid that I'll get hurt.

"M-magiging ama na ako... Thank you."

"Yes, Dawn. You'll be a father after eight months."

"I promise you I will protect the two of you. I will not give you stress, baby. This time, babawi ako. I will take care of you, sa inyong dalawa ng anak natin. Hindi ko kayo pababayaan."

Hindi ko na mapigilang hindi maiyak. A part of me is happy because of his reaction. He's happy that I'm carrying his child despite what I did to him. I'm happy because I know that after this, he will be with me throughout my pregnancy journey. I'm happy that there's no regret in his eyes. I'm happy that my child will not experience a broken family. I'm just happy. Masayang masaya.

But there's also a part of me that is scared. Natatakot ako na baka hindi n'ya makayanan ang mga pagbabago sa sarili ko. Simula noong nalaman kong buntis ako, I became too emotional. Madali akong mairita kahit sa mga maliliit na bagay. I get sad for no reason. Sometimes I get too clingy out of nowhere. Natatakot ako na baka mapagod siya sa akin. I'm afraid he'll leave me for getting tired of handling my emotions.

"Shaira! Come back here!"

"You're a liar, Ace!"

Napadaing ako nang may sumabunot sa akin. Sa sobrang pagkabigla ko ay naupo ako sa buhangin. She took that as an opportunity to pull my hair more.

"Shaira! Inggrata ka! Bitawan mo ang kaibigan ko!" si Reni.

Dawn pulled Shaira away from me while Reni kneeled in front of me. Inayos n'ya ang buhok ko at inalalayan na makatayo.

"What are you doing? Are you insane?!"

Galit na sigaw ni Dawn sa kan'ya. He was about to reach for me when Shaira pulled his arms.

"She's lying to you! Niloloko ka n'ya, Dawn!"

"Damn it! Stop talking nonsense. Can't you see she's pregnant?"

"Yes, she's pregnant pero hindi Ikaw ang ama!"

Nabigla kaming tatlo sa sinabi n'ya. What is she talking about? Nasisiraan na ba siya ng bait? Of course, I am pregnant with Dawn's child!

"You're the one who's lying, Shaira! You bitch."

"Right, Ace? Nagpabuntis ka sa ibang lalaki?"

"Of course, not! Hindi 'yan totoo!"

She laughed sarcastically, "Oh please, don't lie. You're seen in a club every night after you broke up with Dawn. Hindi ka na nga pumapasok para lang makapag club ka, 'di ba? You skipped class just to have sex in the club?"

"H-Hindi 'yan totoo," I defended myself, still thinking about the last sentence she said. "P-please, Dawn... Don't listen to her. This is your child."

Gulong gulo ang mukha ni Dawn ngunit tumango pa rin siya at lumapit sa akin. He hugged me and fixed my hair. I smiled because of that.

"What about this? How can you explain this shit?"

Hinagis ni Shaira ang cellphone n'ya sa buhangin. Kitang kita roon na nakayakap si Stan sa akin. My throat went dry. Tinapakan ni Reni ang cellphone ni Shaira pero huli na ang lahat.

My hopes faded when Dawn removed his arms around me. His eyes are full of betrayal and anger.

"Y-you're thinking wrong, Dawn."

Umigting ang panga n'ya. His fist closed, "Y-you're lying..."

Umiling ako at pilit na hinahawakan ang mga kamay n'ya.

Here he is again. Concluding without hearing my explanation.

"Huling huli ka na, Ace! Stop lying."

Galit na galit akong tumingin kay Shaira.

"Yes! You're right! I'm in the club every night because I was hurt and heartbroken. But I didn't have sex! Stan was there to comfort me. Dawn was the last man whom I had sex with!"

I closed my eyes firmly when my stomach ache. I caressed it. I'm sorry, baby. Your father is giving me a hard time.

"Ace! Are you fine?" nagaalalang tanong ni Reni.

I was waiting for Dawn to ask how I feel pero kagaya ng dati ay nabigo na naman n'ya ako. My expectation leads to disappointment and pain, again.

"Si Dawn ang huli ko. Kahit itanong mo pa si Stan. I-I can call him now to clarify your doubts, Dawn..."

I desperately dialed Stan's number but Shaira only grabbed my phone and throw it on the sand. Napaawang ako sa ginawa n'ya.

"Of course, kakampihan ka n'ya at magsisinungaling! We're not stupid."

Umiling ako, desperadang makuha ang loob ni Dawn

"I calculated the day we did it and I should be two weeks pregnant the day I went to the doctor and it is correct. I'm three weeks pregnant now which means the last time I had sex was three weeks ago,  it was you. Believe me, baby... P-please. Buntis ako sa anak mo."

"I-I don't know anymore..." he said.

He looks tired and suddenly I also felt tired of explaining to him. Napagod na rin akong mabigo at masaktan n'ya. All of a sudden, I felt sorry for my child.

"D-do you believe her?"

He didn't answer. Tumango nalang ako at ngumiti habang may luha sa aking mata. Kung ayaw n'ya akong paniwalaan, hindi ko na siya pipilitin. I can raise my child alone.

"T-this is your child."

"I-I don't think that's my child. You have lots of boys... Ang hirap mo paniwalaan."

My mouth fell open. Pagod akong tumingin sa mga mata n'ya. That's it. I'm giving up on him.

"I had lots of boys before I met you. Pero ikaw lang ang lalaking minahal ko sa nakalipas na buwan. You should know that..."

I'm sorry, baby. Your father rejected you. You don't deserve this.

Until now, I can't still handle him. He's too much for me. Maybe we're not really for each other. We're just meant to meet but not to stay.

At least, he has a beautiful gift for me before ending our book. And that's you, baby. Pangako, gagawin ko ang lahat para sa 'yo. Mommy will do everything so you won't have to ask for a father's love.

"I'm saying this for the last time... You're the father of my child."

I look straight into his eyes.

"When the time comes, I will not let you touch my child. You choose to believe her lies than my truth. Hinding hindi mo mahahawakan ang anak mo. You don't deserve us. You don't deserve her."

Tumingin naman ako kay Shaira at sinampal siya.

"That is for betraying me. I treated you as my family, Shai. Pinaglaban ko ang pangalan mo sa mga taong pinagsalitaan ka ng masama. I loved you because I thought you love me! I didn't expect you'll go this far. This isn't you. You broke us. Pinagsisihan ko na naging kaibigan kita."

I slapped her again.

"That is for hurting my child. I will blame you for not letting my child experience a father's love. Hinding hindi kita mapapatawad. I will make sure that this scene will visit you every night until you're dead, my child will call his father's name in your mind."

Habang inaalala ang nangyari sa mga nakalipas na buwan ay hindi ko maiwasang malungkot. I've realized a lot. I am not healed from everything that has happened pero sa tuwing iniisip ko ang anak ko ay parang napapatawad ko na sila. I don't want to live with anger however it doesn't mean that I will let them enter my life. Hinding hindi na. I won't give them another chance to hurt my family.

Reni brought us to his ancestral's house in Iloilo together with Jerly. I can't stop laughing while remembering how we end up in this situation. Nasa airport na kaming dalawa ni Reni nang may umupo nalang bigla sa gitna namin. We thought it was only her but a little boy is sitting in her lap. That's when she said she wanted to come with us. We don't have a choice but to bring her with us.

It was unexpected. Who would've imagined na ang pinagseselosan noon ni Reni ay magiging tapat na kaibigan namin?

"Reni, I want to eat fried chicken..."

Kasalukuyang kumakain si Reni ng fried chicken nang kalabitin ko siya.

"This isn't healthy for you."

I pouted, "Please?"

He sighed and gave in, "Fine. There's still one piece of chicken in the fridge. Iinitin nalang... Jerly!"

"Ano ba? Natutulog ang anak ko, bigla bigla kang sumisigaw diyan!"

Reni rolled his eyes at Jerly, "Ace wants to eat fried chicken. Initin~"

"No! Gusto kong lutuin mo sa harapan ko."

Napaawang ang bibig ni Reni sa sinabi ko. Malakas na tumawa si Jerly at pumalakpak pa.

"Go, Daddy!" she cheerfully cheered.

I didn't wait for Reni's response and just went to the living room where Jerly's son is sleeping. Tanghaling tapat at sobrang init kaya rito siya sa sala natutulog.

Hindi ganoon kalakihan ang bahay ni Reni ngunit hindi rin naman maliit para sa amin. We only have two rooms, one room is air-conditioned which I occupied. Ang isang kuwarto naman ay kay Jerly at sa anak n'ya habang si Reni ay sa sala natutulog. There's a sofa bed kaya medyo komportable naman daw siya. I told him we can sleep together in my room but I wasn't convincing enough to convince him. Aniya mas comfortable raw siya sa sala.

We didn't know Jerly's story. Hindi namin pinipilit na ikuwento iyon sa amin dahil alam naman naming nasaktan siya sa nakaraan. All I know is she was hiding his son for a long time now. Dahil ni Isa ay walang nakaalam sa pagbubuntis n'ya. Sa mga nakaraang taon na nakikita ko siya sa club ay may anak na pala siya.

"Tita Ninang, you woke me up," biglang salita ang anak n'ya.

My eyes widened. I forgot that he doesn't like someone watching him while he's sleeping. Ika n'ya ay nararamdaman daw n'ya kasi ang titig at nagsasanhi kung bakit nagigising siya.

"I'm sorry, baby. Go back to sleep, I won't watch you."

Imbes na sundin ang sinabi ko ay umupo nalang siya.

"Can I marry your daughter when we're older po?"

I wasn't surprised at all. Palagi n'yang tinatanong iyon sa akin na kadalasan ay tinatawanan ko nalang.

"Why did you want to marry my daughter, hmm?"

"Because I know that she'll be beautiful and kind as you."

Tumawa nalang ako ulit at ginulo ang buhak n'ya.

"You're too young to ask for marriage."

"I want to ask for it so she'll not end up like you and Nanay," malungkot n'yang tugon.

My heart races a bit, "We have your Tito Reni. We need no man."

"You also have me! I'm a man, too."

I nodded and hugged him. Nakakatawa talaga ang batang ito.

"Ang mahal na talaga ng manok ngayon!" reklamo ni Reni.

I agree. I was shocked when he said the native chicken costs 500 pesos!

"Inflation nga naman..." si Jerly, "Bakit ba kasi buhay ang binili mo? You can just buy one piece of chicken. Isang fried chicken lang naman ang hinihingi ng buntis."

"Para hindi na sayang ang pinunta ko roon. Kung bibili nalang din ako, buo na agad."

"Well, you have a point. Pero bakit buhay? May tinitinda namang walang buhay!"

Palipat lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawa. I was just sitting on the countertop while they are arguing. Kung hindi ko lang alam ang pagkatao ni Reni at kung hindi lang mahal ni Jerly ang lalaki sa nakaraan n'ya ay baka iisipin kong sila ang para sa isat Isa.

"Hawakan mo kasi ang leeg para hindi magwala!" sigaw ni Reni.

"Wait nga lang. Kinakabahan ako, gago."

I was curiously observing them. May hawak si Reni na kutsilyo habang hirap na hirap si Jerly sa tamang pag hawak sa manok.

"What are you doing?" kinakabahang tanong ko.

I think they didn't hear me because they didn't respond.

I saw the chicken getting weaker because Reni bled its neck. Bigla akong naawa sa manok at nagalit nang makita ang tuwa sa mukha ni Reni nang tuluyan ng nawalan ng malay ang manok.

"Ang sama mo, Reni!"

Natigil siya sa ginagawa, "H-huh?"

"Look what you've done! Namumuhay ang manok na 'yan tapos pinatay mo lang."

Gulong gulo siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Don't touch me! Wala kang awa sa manok," humikbi ako.

Before he can touch me, I walked away and run inside my room. Nakatakip lang ang mukha ko sa unan nang marinig ang pag bukas ng pinto.

"Ace..."

Mas lalo akong umiyak. I will never forget his happiness while he killed a living organism!

"I-I am sorry."

"Ang sama mo..." I whispered between my pillows.

"You said you wanted to eat~"

"But I didn't tell you to kill!"

"Okay. Kasalanan ko na. Huwag ka ng umiyak."

"Gusto mo ba Ace na humingi ng tawad si Reni sa harapan ng manok?" si Jerly na hindi ko namalayang nakapasok na rin.

"Really? He'll do that?"

Bumangon ako and faced them. She's holding a plate with the dead chicken on it. Tumulo na naman ang luha ko sa sinapit ng manok.

Malaki ang ngisi ni Jerly, kabaliktaran naman si Reni na puno ng pagkamuhi.

"Of course! He'll do that. He killed someone who just want to live. Ngayon, wala ng buhay. Kawawa talaga. Walang awang pinatay ni Reni."

"Tang~"

Umiyak ulit ako nang malakas. Ang sama ni Reni! Tama si Jerly. Walang awa siyang pinatay ni Reni.

"Here's the dead chicken, Daddy. Mag sorry ka na."

He looks hesitant but when he saw that I'm waiting, he took a deep sigh and close his eyes for a while.

"Fine... I-I am sorry."

"Sincere ba 'yon, Ace? Parang hindi, 'no?"

I glared at Reni, "You're not sincere at all!"

"Mamaya ka sa akin. Bruha ka talaga..." he whispered to Jerly.

"Bilis na. Naghihintay ang buntis," tumatawang wika ni Jerly.

"I'm sorry for killing you. Even though you're an animal, you still deserve to be alive and not make you our food because you were supposed to live. Dapat ay hindi kita pinatay."

Marami pang pagkakataon na si Reni ang sumasalo sa pagiging emotional ko but he never complained even for a second. He willingly followed whatever I say.  I'm just blessed that he's with me. Hindi naging ganoon kahirap ang pagbubuntis ko.

May pagkakataon na sumasakit ang tiyan ko and he was there, trying to make me feel better. I feel like no one care hurt me as long as I'm with him.

He was with me from day 1 until my first daughter's cry.

"Hingang malalim sabay iri. Isa, dalawa, tatlo!"

"Ahh!" I screamed.

I tightened my grip on Reni's hand. Umiri ulit ako at sumigaw nang napakalakas.

"H-hindi ko na kaya... Ang sakit," I cried.

"You can do it. Your daughter is almost there."

Pumikit ako at biglang naalala ang ama ng aking anak. He should be the one holding my hands. I should be gaining strength from him. Dapat siya ang kasama ko ngayon.

Because of my thought, It gives me the energy to see my child. Kahit wala siya, nakayanan ko ang lahat. I don't need him in my life. We don't need him.

"Ahh! Dawn!"

And finally, my daughter's first cry.

"Congratulations, Ms. Ramuro. Your daughter got your genes. She's very beautiful," the doctor said before I fell asleep.