Chapter 30

I was looking at nowhere when my husband lightly nudged at me. I looked at him and even checked him out. Nakasuot kasi siya ng panglabas. “Are you going somewhere today, baby?”

Kumunot ang noo nito. “Wife, did you forget? Today’s your check-up.”

“Huh?” naguguluhan kong tanong sa kanya. “Friday ba ngayon?” When he nodded at me, I looked at my phone’s calendar and it is indeed Friday today.

“You did forget. Akala ko ay alam mo’t ayaw mo pang maligo kaya nauna na ako kanina,” sambit niya. “Go upstairs and take a bath. I’ll just inform Doc. Jacqueline that we’ll be late today.” Tumango na lamang ako’t umakyat na ako ng kwarto. Hindi ko kasi alam.

Nitong mga nagdaang araw, si Rhian lagi ang naiisip ko. Kahit ilang linggo na ang nagdaan noong mailibing si Tito Francis ay nag-aalala pa rin ako sa kanya. Hindi naman kasi gano’n kadaling makalimot sa sakit, lalo na sa pinagdaanan niya dahil magkasunod na nawala sa kanya ang mga taong mahal niya.

“Sorry, Doc. We came late,” said Ellie when we came inside Doc. Jacqueline’s office. She told us it’s okay because like what Ellie said before we arrived here, he already informed her. Nang tignan ako nito’y nginitian namin ang isa’t isa.

Our today’s session went on and Doc. Jacqueline has to check my weight first as well as my blood pressure. Matapos ma-check ang mga ’yon sa akin, kinuhanan din ako nito ng urine sample para i-check ang sugar at protein levels ko. Nang masigurong okay naman ang lahat sa akin, saka nito ni-check ang heart rate ng bata.

I was grateful because the baby is strong. I’m planning that my next check-up, we’ll do the ultrasound to know what is our baby’s gender.

“Come back on your next prenatal visit.” We thanked Doc. Jacqueline and nodded to what she reminded us.

Ellie was holding me on my shoulder as we left that office. Pagkarating namin sa parking lot ay saka kaming pumasok dalawa sa kotse. We both buckled our seatbelts before Ellie operated the car. Bumaba kami nito sa isang cafe saka kami nagmiryenda.

“Baby, can we drop at Olsen Tower later? I just want to check Rhian.”

“Sure, sure. After we eat, we’ll go there.” I smiled at Ellie.

I kept sending messages to Rhian the past few weeks to check on her. Nagrereply naman ito pero bihira lamang, ngunit sa ganoong paraan ay masaya ako kasi nalalaman kong maayos naman siya. As her best friend, it pains me to see her hurting that’s why, regardless of my condition, or my pregnancy, I still try to reach her out.

Matapos nga naming kumain ni Ellie sa cafe na ’yon ay pinasibad na niya ’yung kotse papuntang Olsen Tower. I’m aware that they’re living in the penthouse so I tapped the top floor when we got inside the elevator.

Pagkarating naming dalawa ni Ellie sa itaas ay kaagad akong nagdoorbell. I also texted Rhian that we’re here outside Klein’s pad. Kaso ay wala akong natanggap na mensahe sa kanya’t wala ring nagbubukas ng pintuan sa amin. Because we couldn’t ask anyone about them since this floor is exclusive for Klein, we went down and asked someone on the information table about them.

“Yes, Ma’am? Do you need anything?” the girl on the information post inquired.

“Do you know where Klein is? Or even Rhian? We checked them in the penthouse pero wala yatang tao,” pagbibigay-alam ko sa kanya.

“Umalis po sina Sir Klein at Ma’am Rhian, Ma’am. Kahapon pa po.” Tumango ako’t tinanong kung kailan sila babalik dito. “I am not sure po, Ma’am, but according to our head, Mr. Klein went abroad with Ma’am Rhian and they will be staying there for the time being.”

“I see. Thanks for the information.” Nginitian kami nito saka kami nagpaalam.

Pabalik na kami ngayon sa bahay. Habang kasalukuyang nagmamaneho si Ellie ay tahimik lang ako. I once tried to message Rhian. I even called her but I can’t reach her anymore. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako habang nakatingin sa labas. Based on what the receptionist mentioned, I knew they went somewhere far, maybe for Rhian to move on.

Nagdaan ang mga araw at panay pa rin ang pag-contact ko sa kanya pero walang nangyari. Unavailable na ang phone number nito. Her social media accounts were my last resort but all of those were already deactivated.

Naiintidihan ko naman ’yung biglaan niyang pag-alis pero nalulungkot lang ako dahil hindi man lang siya nagpaalam sa akin. But I know she did that to save herself, to move on, to forget what happened, and I can’t blame her for that. I am just hoping that when she comes back, she’s all okay now. She’s with Klein anyway and I’m sure he will take good care of her.

My life continued having no news about Rhian. Right now, I’m focusing on my top priorities. That is to take good care of myself, by being a good wife to my husband and a good mother to our baby that is going to come out after a month.

I’m already in my last trimester. My bump is so big now and from time to time, I can feel my baby kicking. Excited na rin yatang lumabas upang masilayan ang mundo.

Nakapagleave na rin ako sa trabaho. My co-workers even congratulated me and gave me luck especially when I’m going to give birth soon.

During the 24th week or 6 months of my pregnancy, I had an ultrasound and we found out that our first baby is going to be a boy. I seek Aira and Jennica’s help to organize a simple gender reveal party. Nanood pa kami ng mga videos sa YouTube upang magkaroon kami ng mga ideya.

On that day, they set a small stage. Half of which was decorated with blue balloons and the other half is pink. Lahat din ng mga bisita ay pinagsuot ng pink na damit kung sa tingin nila ay babae ang baby at blue naman kung lalaki. Tuwang-tuwa ako no’n kasi iba-iba talaga sila ng hula.

When that simple party has started, ang daming thrill ang inilagay nina Jennica at Aira doon. Katulad ng mga madalas kong mapanood ay gumawa ang mga ito ng malaking box at kada bukas mo roon ay may maliit ulit na box. Sobrang daming kahon ang binuksan ni Ellie at sa pinakamaliit na box, may nakasulat na naman doon.

“Are you wasting this night without letting me know my baby’s gender?” asik ni Ellie at pinagtawanan namin siya. Sobrang excited kasi nito pero ang dami talagang pakana nina Aira at Jennica.

“No. Last na ’yan, promise!” they told us.

From that letter, they ordered us to get the biggest balloon on our side. Kinuha ko ’yung pink at ’yung blue naman kay Ellie. We are going to pop that balloon together and that will tell us our baby’s gender.

“Are you sure this will be the last?” Ellie assured, letting a deep breath. He looked tired from what these ladies did.

“Oo nga. Kuya, ang atat mo!” Aira Faye let out.

“Ikaw kaya pagurin ko,” he fired back and that made everyone laugh furthermore.

Kung anu-ano kasing mga ipinag-utos nila kay Ellie kanina pero ni hindi naman ito nabigyan ng kaunting clue. He already cut the cake, counted the cupcake displayed because according to them, the highest number of colors will be the result yet the numbers of pink and blue cupcakes were just the same.

Aira and Jennica, being the headmaster of this event, said this will be the last. Both counted one to three and when they reached the last number, we popped our balloons. Mine only showed white confetti and Ellie’s balloon popped blue confetti. Tinignan pa nito ang hawak kong lobo. Huli na nitong mapagtanto ang naging resulta.

“Fuck! It’s a boy!” he merrily screamed. That night, aside from me, Ellie was the happiest.

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit at hinalikan ako nito, hindi inintindi ang mga bisitang nakapaligid lamang sa amin. Everyone congratulated us and those who guessed it right were given souvenirs. Undoubtedly, this night is one of the best nights of my life.

“Nanay Corsing, umalis na si Ellie?” tanong ko sa kasambahay na ipinadala ng Mama ni Ellie dito sa bahay.

“Oo, anak. Pumasok sa office nila. May aasikasuhin daw siya. Hindi na nakapagpaalam sa’yo, ang sarap daw kasi ng tulog mo,” tugon nito’t napangiti lamang ako.

After noong gender reveal party siya pinadala rito sa bahay. Sabi nila Tita ay para daw may mag-asikaso, magbantay, at umalalay sa akin kapag nagkataong wala si Ellie. Katulad na lang ngayon. Kahit papaano ay may nakakausap naman ako.

Mabait si Nanay Corsing at kahit ilang buwan pa lamang siya rito ay sobrang gaan na ng pakiramdam ko sa kanya. Maalaga rin kasi siya at kulang na lang ay gawin niya ang lahat para sa akin pati ’yung mga bagay na kaya ko namang gawin.

“Magluluto ako ng pakbet, anak. Maiwan ka muna rito.”

“Sige po.”

Nang maiwan akong mag-isa ay pinagmasdan ko lamang ’yung album kung saan nakalagay ’yung mga larawan ko sa maternity photoshoot na ginawa namin kamakailan lang.

As I flipped each page, I caressed my belly. “Once you get out, huwag mong pahirapan si Mommy, ha?” pagkausap ko rito.

Thinking that someone will call me Mommy soon gave me excitement. One month. Just one month and I’m now going to be a real mom.

Sabay kaming nananghalian ni Nanay Corsing at pinagsaluhan namin ’yung pakbet na niluto niya. Sa tuwing naghahain ito ay hindi talaga nawawala ang gulay. Anya’y para daw maging si healthy si baby.

If not for Nanay Corsing, I might get stuck being so bored inside this house. Her presence is a saving grace.

Ellie already stopped accepting clients in the meantime. He wanted to focus on me because anytime, I might give birth. Dumadalaw rin sila Mama rito o kaya ay sila Tita at Tito at lagi nila kaming kinukumusta.

Kada dalaw nga nila ay may bitbit silang regalo kaya kahit hindi pa lumalabas ’yung sanggol ay puno na kaagad ng gamit ’yung nursery room niya. Toys, cribs, clothes, pajamas, towels, socks, milk, and other food for the baby, as well as pampers, were all completed. Ang pagdating na lang talaga ni baby ang hinihintay namin.

Dahil malapit na ’yung due date ko, nakahanda na ang lahat at inihanda ko na rin ang sarili ko sa posibleng mangyari. One afternoon, I saw water dripping down my legs and I knew my water bag had just broken. I didn’t feel a thing, just a trickle in between my thighs.

When Ellie saw it, he’s being hysterical in so much worry. I told him to not fear it too much because it felt painless at all.

I called Doc. Jacqueline to ask what should we do and she said that I stay at home for a day or two because my labor is yet to start.

As I wait for my labor to progress, she recommended that I just calm down, take slow walks or any other movements if possible. Iyon ay para daw hindi ako mahirapan kapag manganganak na ako. Once contraction happens, she notified me to head to the hospital immediately.

A day passed and as I walked downstairs, I felt an unusual feeling on my body. It happened in just a second so I thought it was okay. But when I stopped in the living room, contractions arose.

“Ellie!” sigaw ko sa pangalan nito.

“What is it, wife?” he asked. Nasa bar stool siya sa kusina’t kasalukuyang kumakain kaya nang tawagin ko siya’y nilingon niya lamang ako.

“Baby!” I shouted again and held on to my waist. I felt like my tummy’s going to burst. The baby’s kicking off and the more he moves inside me, the contraction is getting more and more painful.

“What?” hindi pa rin nito nakukuha ang pinupunto ko. Akala niya siguro’y siya ang tinutukoy ko nang banggitin ko ang salitang baby.

“Gagi, Ellie! ’Yung baby kako! Manganganak na yata ako!” I screamed for the third time as the pain doubled.

Seconds after he realized what I meant, he quickly stood. Nasagi pa ang paa nito sa paa ng isang bar stool. Rinig ko ang pagmura nito sa sakit pero ininda niya lang iyon hanggang sa makalapit siya sa akin.

“Nanay Corsing! Nanay Corsing! Manganganak na si Jana!” sigaw nito’t kaagad akong binuhat at mabilis na dinala sa kotse.

Hawak pa rin ang tagiliran ay ininda ko ’yung sakit. Eksaktong pagkaandar ni Ellie ng kotse’y dumating si Nanay Corsing. Pagkapasok nito ay kulang na lang na paliparin ng asawa ko ang kotse papuntang hospital.

Reaching our destination, the nurses pushing a collapsible stretcher came near us and immediately transferred me to that. Hawak lang ni Ellie ang kamay ko habang itinutulak na nila ako sa loob.

I heard them stop Nanay Corsing and they let Ellie in since he is my husband. Kaagad akong inasikaso ng mga ’yon. Nagsidatingan na rin ang doctor, midwife, at ibang medical practitioners na siyang magpapaanak sa akin.

I was in labor for almost 24 hours. Inside the room, I did what I was told until I found out myself pushing heavily to let the baby out.

“One more push, Mommy,” they cheered for me and I again pushed.

“Aaaaah!” kasabay ng pagsigaw ko sa hapdi at sakit ay ang tagaktak na paglabas ng pawis ko. Ramdam ko ang paghalik ni Ellie sa kamay kong hawak-hawak niya ngayon.

“You can do it, baby. You can do it,” anya sa akin, nilalakasan ang loob ko. Sa pagkakataong ito, hinigpitan ko ang kapit ko sa kanya upang sa kanya ako kumuha ng lakas.

I gave one last push and with tears that poured out my eyes, I heard my baby’s very first cry. Mas naging sunod-sunod ang luha ko at ni hindi ko inalis ang paningin ko sa sanggol hanggang sa ilagay na nila ito sa dibdib ko.

“Congratulations, Mister and Misis. You have a healthy handsome baby.” Nginitian ko ’yung nagpaanak sa akin at pinasalamatan siya pati ang kanyang mga kasamahan.

Habang nasa dibdib ko ang sanggol ay tinuyo at pinunasan nila ito saka siya ibinalot sa malambot na tela. Then they left us for a while to have time with our baby.

I looked up at Ellie when he caressed my face and thumbed my tears. I stifled a soft laugh when I saw him being teary-eyed too. Maya-maya pa’y hinalikan ako nito’t malugod ko iyong tinugunan. “I love you and thank you,” he uttered.

“I love you too.”

We concentrated our attention on our baby. Pikit lamang ang mga mata nito habang ikinakawag niya ’yung mga paa at kamay niya. When I stroked his face, using his tiny fingers, he caught my hand. Natatawa pa kami nang dede-in niya iyong thumb ko.

“Gosh, he’s so cute,” kumento ko at hindi ko mapigilang umiyak dahil sa kanya.

I carried him for nine months, was in labor for almost 24 hours, and finally, he’s here now. Having the chance to carry him, to kiss him, and just by staring at his face swept away those pains. Lahat ng ’yon ay naglaho dahil sa kanya, dahil sa presensya niya.

Parehong titig lamang sa kanya, inilapit din ni Ellie ang kamay niya rito’t kaagad siyang hinawakan ng bata. He leaned on the baby and kissed his forehead gently. “Do you have any names on your mind now?” My husband asked me. “Name him, baby.”

Hinaplos ko ’yung namumula at may katabaang pisngi ng bata. “Ethan Jace. How does that sound?” I just thought of that just now. It wasn’t after our names pero medyo kalapit pa rin naman iyon ng mga pangalan namin.

“That sounds handsome and that suits him.” Hinarap ni Ellie ang bata saka niya itong muling hinalikan. “Hey, handsome Ethan Jace. I’m your Dad. This beautiful woman here is your Mom. Thank you. Thank you for making our lives more meaningful.”

“Ethan Jace,” pag-uulit ko. Sa isang iglap ay bigla itong umiyak. Nagtawanan kami ni Ellie dahil sa reaksyon niya, batid naming gusto niya rin ’yung pangalang ibinigay namin sa kanya.

My baby Ethan Jace. Your Dad and I will do our very best to be the best and loving parents you could have. Papalakihin ka namin ng maayos at may takot sa Diyos, at papalakihin ka namin ng puno ng pagmamahal.