Chapter Fifteen

Genuine

Ganoon pa rin ang ginagawa ni Aaron. Palagi pa rin niya akong pinupuntahan sa bahay man o sa hospital. Sinasamahan niya rin ako sa check ups ko sa doctor para sa baby namin. While I was just silent at all times we were together. Alam kong nakikita at nararamdaman na rin iyon ni Aaron sa akin. But he doesn't say anything as well. As long as I let him be with me throughout my pregnancy ay parang tama na muna iyon sa kaniya.

"Are you all right?" Madalas niya rin akong tanungin nito. Galing lang kami sa doctor ko. The first time we heard the baby's heartbeat we were both really amazed by it. Lalo kong naramdaman na magkakaanak na nga talaga ako. And that I am going to be a Mom! Nakakatakot hindi ko alam ang mangyayari but at the same time I'm also assured because I have my family with me. "Do you want to eat out first?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi na. Ihatid mo nalang ako sa bahay at doon na ako kakain. Siguradong nagluto naman sina manang."

Aaron sighed. Palagi ko siyang tinatanggihan. Kung hindi lang siya mapilit ay kaya ko naman pumunta sa doctor kahit mag-isa. Although he was also helpful because he listens very well to all the doctor has to say to us. While sometimes nawawala rin ako lalo kapag naiisip ko lang ang anak ko at ang nangyaring pag-check sa kaniya sa loob ng tiyan ko.

My stomach got bigger now in my second trimester where I start really looking and feeling more pregnant. Lalo kapag nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. Halos puro dress nalang din ang isuot ko or malaking T-shirt at workout bottom. Workout bra na rin ang sinusuot ko as I felt my breasts got heavy, too. Dala na rin siguro ng pagbubuntis ko. I find it more comfortable to wear than regular bras. Mas may support kasi sa chest area ko. Ayaw na rin akong payagan ni daddy at tumigil na nga muna ako sa med school. Although nasasayangan din talaga ako dahil konti nalang sana. But aminado rin ako na nahihirapan na nga rin ako minsan dahil sa pagbubuntis. Being pregnant wasn't easy. May mga changes sa katawan ko at sa sarili ko. I'm just thankful for the people around me right now especially my family who does their best to take care of me in my condition right now.

Walang nagawa si Aaron kung 'di ihatid ako sa bahay. He even wanted to stay pero pinaalis ko na rin siya by showing him that his presence was kind of annoying or irritating to me, too. Pakiramdam ko ay frustrated na rin si Aaron sa akin pero pinagbibigyan niya pa rin ako sa gusto ko.

Dahil palagi lang akong nasa bahay and I wanted it that way, too, dahil parang palagi rin akong tinatamad. Ava visited me at home when she had the time. "I miss you at our duties!" she said.

"Mauuna kang magtapos ng med school sa akin."

Bahagyang sumimangot si Ava. "Excited mo naman kasing magbuntis."

I just laughed at her face. I feel like she's looking funny right now. Ewan ko ba. Wala namang ginagawa talaga si Ava. Siguro dala pa rin ng pagbubuntis ko.

"Halata na ang tiyan mo." She said as she watched my stomach.

I nodded and touched my a little protruding belly now. "Oo nga..."

"Nalaman n'yo na ba ang gender? Ninang ako, ha!"

Tumango ako. "Of course. Hmm. Pwede nang malaman, but Mommy and Tita Eris wanted me to have a gender reveal party. Kaya hinayaan ko nalang sila. And I think it's good, too. I want to keep pictures for memories for my baby!"

I saw Ava smiled gently at me. "You look happy and excited to have your baby, Teen."

Ngumiti rin ako. "Oo nga, e... Sometimes I feel like I still can't believe it. But I'm really pregnant, you know..." I gasped and I sighed as I caressed my stomach again.

Nakangiti pa rin si Ava. "You're really pregnant. You'll become a Mom, Teen."

Tumango lang ako habang nakangiti at nakahawak pa rin sa tiyan ko.

So we had the gender reveal party for me and my baby. It was intimate for I wanted it that way. Ang family ko lang at family din ni Aaron and few close relatives and friends. I appreciate Mommy and Tita Eris' efforts and I was really happy for the small but pretty party. "Thank you, Mommy." I hugged mommy. "Thank you, tita." I also thanked Tita Eris. Niyakap din nila ako and joined me in what I felt like one of my happy days.

"What do you think would be the gender of our baby?" Aaron looked nervous.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya at bahagya ko siyang napagmasdan. I was all relaxed here while he seemed uncomfortable or nervous. I can't help it but grin at his reaction. "I don't know... Malalaman na rin naman natin mayamaya." I just said.

Tumango naman si Aaron.

I was so excited to buy my baby things kaya nakapag-shopping na rin kami nina mommy at daddy ng gamit para sa baby ko. Puro white or yellow nga lang muna iyong pinili at pinamili ko na gamit dahil hindi pa namin alam noon ang gender ni baby. After this I think I can buy my baby's things properly. It it's a girl then I'd buy her all the shade of pink. I think it's cute. I'm really excited now for my baby no doubt.

"You will just slice this cake. It's either blue or pink ang nasa loob and that will determine your baby's gender." We were instructed.

Pinahawak sa akin ang cake knife. In front of us was a beautifully decorated cake and it was even big. Pero kahit naman ang sa babang parte lang hiwaan namin. Aaron helped and guided my hand as we sliced the cake. Until slowly it revealed to us that we're having a girl! I laughed out of happiness. I think I really wanted a girl so that we can do dress up or make up and even nail arts together! Hindi na mawala ang ngiti ko. I was just so happy and an excited mom-to-be!

I turned to Aaron and I saw that he looked happy, too. My eyes remained to him for more while. I was watching his reaction. He looked really happy and his smile was precious. Parang may mainit na kamay ang humawak sa puso ko.

Sunudsunod na binati si Aaron ng mga kaibigan niya at ganoon din ako. Everyone also looked happy and excited for us who were soon to be parents. Especially our family.

I held my tummy. It's going to be all right, baby... Just stay healthy there for now for your Mommy and Daddy, okay? We love you very much. I felt emotional as I silently talked to my child. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay nakita kong nasa akin na rin muli ang atensyon ni Aaron. I gave him a genuine smile while he watched me.