Heaven On Fire

Eight

Francis Lopez was standing by in the fire hydrant that marked the front of our house. He was dressed in polo shirt, and beside him his luggage, ganun pa din mabango pa din manamit.

As we are going in the car, Francis turned quickly and moved closer crossing the road.

"You must be Francis," Dada said. "I'm her old man."
"Shall we go in?" He said welcoming our guest. "It's nice to see you, finally."

"You wanna come with us?" Unang phrase na sinabi ko.

"Pwede ba?" I nodded.

"Sige na, iwan mo na muna dito yung gamit mo sa loob." Kinuha ni dada ang gamit niya. He opened the door for me, while mommy go to the driver's seat.

Di ako makatingin sa mata niya going to the nearest hospital. Inaasahan kong magtatanong siya. Pero hindi, he didn't dare to say anything. I watch his shallow breathing. I want to place my hand on his cheek. But the truth was, I know what he was thinking of on his mind. That why were here. Why on a hospital. The day shaped around what we are so preoccupied by: our coldness. Today I would not have to pretend that I was the same girl years ago - whatever it is I don't care. At nearly three weeks ago, nagkita kami ni Benjamin. Wala pa siyang text or tawag man lang.

Mama led the way to the nurse's station.

"Where's the OB-Gyne?" My mother asked.

"Take the elevator, second floor. First door, ma'am." Kami lang dalawa ni mama ang pumasok sa loob.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yes. Sige na."

Sa loob, pinaupo muna kami ng assistant ng doktor. May pasyente pa kase na nauna sa'min. Binigyan niya kami ng papel to fill up the necessary informations.

"When was the last time you had sex?" Unang tanong nito.

"Last fourth week of October, doc." Di maipinta ang mukha ni Mama kahit hindi nagsasalita. Malamang. Kakarating palang ng long term boyfriend ko tapos last month lang ay may naka-sex ako.

Pinagtake na niya din ako ng Pregnancy Test and oral examinations. Makalipas lang ang ilang saglit, lumabas na kami. Naabutan naming nakatungo si Francis sa labas. There was a cup of coffee on his side. Di ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya ang balita. Most men are happy kapag nalaman nilang malapit na silang maging tatay. Andyan yung napapasigaw sa tuwa. Pero mukhang hindi ata ganun ang magiging scenario.

Kinalabit siya ni Mama at kaagad naman itong nagising.

"You eat naba, Hijo?"

"Not yet, Tita. Medyo natagalan po kayo ah. How is it naman, Loren?" Hinarap ako nito ng tanong.

"Ah, okay naman. Tara, sa downtown tayo."

*****

We took an italian resto in the Downtown. My cheeks blushed when I saw his messy hair. He noticed that I was starring. We sat down and called the waiter.

Hawak ang menu, nag-order na kami.

"One order of Insalata Di Manzo and Insalata Caesar for this young man." Pagturo ng nguso ni Mama kay Francis.

"Carpaccio Di Bue for me." I said.

"Me too." Pagsegunda ni Mama.

"For the drinks, ma'am?"

"One half-bottle of Dom. Gour De Chaule Gigondas Greenache, please." Umalis na ang waiter. Ang tahimik namin at nararamdaman yun ni mama.

"Oh darlings, what about you two talk while I take the comfort room?" Mama talaga. Tumayo na siya without saying anything more. Wala na tuloy akong takas ngayon.