Flames of the Night (Flames Series #1)

CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17

“Lalaki nga. Paulit-ulit ka naman, e,” naiinis kong saad kay Jana nang tanungin nito ang gender ng baby ko.

I’ve been through a lot these past few weeks and it’s only now that we got to hang out together. Marami din kasing pinagkaka-abalahan ang babaeng ‘to kaya wala kaming connection nitong mga nakaraan. I was about to call her this morning and it so happened that she called me first. So right now, magkasama kaming dalawa.

“Five months na?”

“Almost,” I corrected.

“Girl, ayaw mong magmaternity photoshoot?” she suddenly asked making my forehead creased.

“Ilang buwan pa bago ako manganak, bakit magpapaphotoshoot kaagad? Saka between 28-36 weeks mas magandang magpaphotoshoot.”

“Wala lang. Ayaw mo ba no’n? Saka kita naman na bump mo, e. When you reach the usual week for a maternity shoot, e ‘di papaphotoshoot ka ulit.”

Bahagya naman akong napaisip sa sinabi nito. Pwede lang din naman, hindi ba? Paano nga kaya kung subukan ko? “Magpapaphotoshoot daw tayo, baby. Do you want to try it?” I asked, touching my tummy.

“Kapag ‘yan um-oo, ewan ko na lang sa’yo!” Napataas na lang ang sulok ng labi ko. Mga kalokohan talaga ni Jana.

We’re in the middle of our window shopping when she received a call. After that, she faced me and told me that she has to go first because of some errands she needs to do. She even asked if it’s okay with me. Tumango naman ako dahil sigurado akong importante kung anuman ‘yung itinawag nila sa kanya. Matapos lang magpaalam ay dali-dali itong umalis.

“Baliw talaga ‘yung ninang mo, baby,” muling pangungusap ko sa tyan ko.

Dahil ako na lang mag-isa, saglit lang akong nagtitingin sa mga kalapit na store. Ayaw ko rin namang maglibot-libot dahil ayaw kong mapagod. Nang makakita ako ng bench, balak ko sanang umupo roon upang saglit na magpahinga kung hindi lang sa taong humarang sa akin. Pinagmasdan nito ang kabuuan ko. Hindi naman masama ang paraan ng paninitig niya ngunit ayaw ko sa paraan ng pagngisi nito.

“You are really pregnant,” she stated and her eyes went down to my belly.

“I am,” tipid ko siyang nginitian. “If you have nothing to say, I should go.”

“Maganda ka naman that’s why I can’t blame, Klein,” bigla ay saad nito dahilan para matigil ako sa paghakbang. I faced her and that smirk was still on her lips. “But I’m sure, KJ is being kind to you because of the baby. You see pinakikisamahan ka lang niya dahil sa bata. If it wasn’t because of that child, I wonder if Klein will be this kind to you or if he will allow you to stay at his place,” she added.

While staring at her goddess-like face that once amused me, I didn’t realize I’m slowly balling my fist. But I restrained myself and smiled at her instead. “It’s nice meeting you, but I have to go now,” saka ko siya iniwan doon.

Ang balak kong pumunta sana sa bench, lumabas na lang tuloy ako sa mall at nagpara ng taxi hanggang sa makauwi ko. Auntie Sol and Auntie Yoli asked me if I have already eaten. Although late breakfast ‘yung ginawa namin ni Jana sa mall kanina, tumango na lang ako.

“Auntie Sol, doon po muna ako sa kwarto mo.” Ni hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot nito.

Pagkapasok ko ay agad akong nahiga. Ni hindi na inabalang alisin ‘yung flat sandals na suot ko. I closed my eyes but what Claire said kept playing on my mind. I know she’s Klein’s childhood friend but does she have to say those words to me?

Dulot ng inis ay nakatulog ako. Mga alas sais na ng gabi nang magising ako kung hindi pa sa taong mahinang tumapik sa braso ko.

“Why did you sleep here?” I don’t know why Klein is here.