Champagne Problems

Chapter 3

"I need to go out for a while. Lia, I cooked food and it's all in the fridge. Limang ulam iyon kaya mamili ka nalang kung anong gusto mo. Feel free to call me when you're craving for something, alright?" Elli kept on reminding as she scrambled around the apartment.

Tango nalang ako ng tango sa lahat ng sinasabi niya. When we found out I was pregnant last night, Elli began fussing over me and my condition. She began making checklists of what I should eat, what time I should sleep, and even what activities I should do.

"Don't forget, Lia! We have a schedule with the ob-gyn tomorrow!" She shouted from her room.

Umirap nalang ako sa ere habang nakikinig sa mga paalala niya. How could I forget when she makes it a point to remind me every single minute?

Nang lumabas siya sa kuwarto niya ay nakasuot na siya ng vintage tweed blazer and skirt set, coupled with stiletto heels. She was putting on her pearl earings while she approached me. Inilahad niya sa akin ang isang phone at isang checklist.

"Lia, make sure to follow the schedule I set for you! Kailangan mong kumain on time," sermon niya ulit sa akin. "Also, here's a spare phone. Use this for the mean time. I saved my number there, as well as my manager's. Call me when you need anything! Medyo luma na iyan pero wag kang mag-alala. We'll go shopping tomorrow!" She continued hanggang sa makalabas siya sa apartment.

If I was grateful for Ellize a couple of days ago, now I think she's my guardian angel. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko o kung paano ko makakaya kung wala siya sa tabi ko. Now, she's not just taking care of me, but my baby too.

Tumayo ako at nagtungo sa kitchen para tignan kung ano ang niluto niya. Inside, I saw chicken cordon bleu, miso soup, baked salmon, sauted vegetables, and sweet potato fries. I also saw freshly-squeezed orange juice on the side. May nakadikit na note sa baso which says "Make sure to drink this, Amelia!" kaya natawa na naman ako.

Kinuha ko ang sweet potato fries at orange juice na hinanda para sa akin ni Elli. Must've taken her a while to cook for me, huh? Naupo ulit ako sa couch at tiningnan kung anong oras na sa wall clock. It's 9 am in the morning and I feel strange. Napatingin ulit ako sa labas ng bintana at muli ay nagmasid sa mga taong dumadaan.

"Do you think you'd look like me?" Bulong ko habang nakahawak sa tiyan ko. Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko nang makita sa alaala ang mukha ni Dash.

"I hope you take after your dad... I hope you'd be as great as him," I swallowed the lump in my throat as I spoke.

Nang matapos sa kinakain ay naisipan kong magligpit. I feel so drained physically and mentally pero pinilit kong kumilos para mawaglit sa isip ko ang mga naiisip ko. If I allow myself to feel sadness, I'd only drown in it.

I began cleaning the kitchen. I washed the dishes I used and proceeded to the fridge. Ininspect ko ito at nakitang malinis ito. Elli probably always cleans it up dahil iyon ang hilig niyang gawin. Sunod ko namang tiningnan ay ang living room. Sinubukan kong itulak ang isang sofa chair ngunit mabigat ito kaya hindi ko nalang itinuloy.

Pumasok nalang ako ng kwarto ko at muling nahiga sa kama. Wala naman akong ginawa pero pakiramdam ko'y isang buong apartment na ang nalinis ko. Niligpit ko nalang ang kama ko at nagtingin ako ng mga kailangan kong bilhin. Elli promised to take me shopping so might as well get the best out of it.

For the rest of the day, I made lists of what I should buy and where to shop. I also made it a point to create a CV and find jobs I can apply for. I only took breaks during meal times. Masyado akong focused sa ginagawa ko kaya hindi ko napansin nang pumasok si Elli sa apartment. Nagulat nalang ako ng maglahad siya ng isang paper bag sa harap ko.