Elegant Affair

III.IV

Esme didn't ask me anything... All this time, she didn't say anything. "You're probably curious."

"I am." Hinatid ng kasambahay niya ang snacks na pinapahanda niya. Nagpasalamat siya.

I wanted to grab some of the bread Anna prepared but I'm still deciding if I'm really feeling hungry or not.

"Imagine, all these months, wala akong sinabi sa iyo. Hinintay ko kasing ikaw magsabi sa akin."

"I'm sorry if I kept it a secret... Sasabihin ko naman talaga but- but I just needed to discuss some things with... someone." I suddenly couldn't look Esme in the eyes. Does she know? About Matteo and me?

"Kaya nga di ako nagtanong... Wala ka namang sinasabi sa akin. I just thought to myself that maybe, you're not ready or you're sorting things out." Esme reached out for my hand. "Ang gusto ko lang malaman is if you're okay... if he's is involved? "

Tumango naman ako. I wanted to be honest. "He is."

"But I thought you're not with anyone."

"We're not." I'm confident now that Esme doesn't know. This would be hard to explain. I knew even before that it would be challenging pero mas mabuti sigurong magka-usap kami para hindi siya mabibigla sa susunod. "We'll raise the kid together."

"Maasahan ba siya?"

I smiled. "I'm sure." If only I can end the conversation by telling her it's Matteo so she would lose her doubts.

"Do I get to meet this person soon?"

"Soon..." They'd all know everything soon.

***

Esme: Matteo will be leaving AGAIN soon. Who knows when he'll come back to the Philippines? Who knows if he'll attend the wedding?

"Anong drama nitong si Esmeralda?"

I was reading the group chat while staying in Matteo's room. He told me he brought me some clothes from Malaysia and I'm always in the mood to say yes to this kind of stuff.

"I don't know but I know I have to reply. Wait..."

I was looking at the clothes he brought. I think there were five dresses from designer brands. I hugged and felt the smooth silk against my skin. Ugh, Matteo and his good taste.

Matteo: I'm sorry. Promise, bawi ako next time.

Gio: Okay! Bawi ka this Sunday. Everyone, see you all at 7 pm here at our house. Yes, OUR house. The woman I'm dating finally agreed to live with me in exchange for closet space. I said yes immediately not thinking it meant two rooms full of clothes.

Steve: Sorry busy ako mamaya.

Steve: Joke. Game. Kita kitz! Dala ka ng surprise, Matteo. Lagi ka na lang pa-espesyal.

"Are they ganging up on me?"

I was holding a fitted but stretchable black knee-length dress while reading the messages. It's not a maternity dress but I think it would fit me. This would be perfect with pearl earrings and my Cartier bracelet.

"Should I wear this on Sunday?"

He looked at the dress I was holding. I know he got what I meant based on the expression on his face.

I know it's my body and I get to decide who and when I'll share the news with everyone. But Matteo's here and we decided to go through this together.

I want to let him know what I'm planning and to know if he agrees or not.

"Esme already knows," dagdag ko pa. "Matagal niya na palang alam. Matagal ka pang babalik. I was thinking now is-"

"It would look great on you."

"Pa-espesyal talaga! Bakit ka ba late?"

I heard Steve's voice inside. As I requested, I told Matteo to go inside first even if we came together. Hindi ko alam kung halata ba masyado sa suot ko but there's already a small bump in my stomach. It seems like the dress fitted me perfectly in a way that it would highlight the bump.

I'm really nervous kaya sinuot ko muna ang white coat blazer na dala ko.

"Saan na ang surprise?"

"Para kang bata, gago." Matteo said.

After a few breaths, I went inside.

"Hi, guys!"

"Late ka din, ah. Nahahawa ka na talaga dito kay Matteo, Lavender."

I threw Steve a glare then smiled at Gio. "Congrats, guys." Ibinagay ko sa kaniya ang dala kong wine, such a shame that I can't have some. It will probably taste a million times sweeter the next time I have a glass.

Esme also smiled at me. "Blooming, ah."

"As always," I told her.

"We should eat, guys. The table's ready."

"Esme?" I whispered then slowly removed the blazer. "Where can I hang this?"

"Oh, wow." Esme was staring at me with wide eyes. Specifically, staring at my belly. Alam kong alam niya na but she's probably surprised I'm telling everyone now."Lav..."

"Fuck." I heard Steve whisper.

Gio was just speechless but he looked shocked as well.

Everyone was surprised except Matteo. Alanganin kong tiningnan silang lahat. If only I could take a picture of them, just a remembrance of how speechless they look right now. Should I do that? Maybe I should've asked Matteo to take a video. It would be legendary and just funny to rewatch.

"Surprise?" I said... or more like asked.

I knew they'd be shocked but I didn't think it would be awkward. Maliban sa Buntis ka? At Congrats, Lav said with confusion, they haven't said much. They stared though... a lot, enough to make me wonder if I'm standing naked because of the attention.

I didn't introduce anyone to them and as much as they're concerned, I'm also not dating anyone. The look on Gio and Steve's faces really reflects these thoughts.

I took a peek at Matteo whose just amusingly looking at the two while trying not to laugh.

"This is great. Wow... I didn't think- wow. Uhm, so, how far along are you?"

"15 weeks," I answered Gio who looked like he's trying to lighten the mood.

"Can you know na ba if it's a boy or a girl?" Esme gleamed.

"Next ultrasound pa."

"Tingin ko lalake!" Steve cheerfully says.

"Team Girl!" Esme guessed. Siniko niya si Gio para humula din.

"Bo-girl!" he said, obviously changing his answer after Esme looked at him. When Esme looked away, he mouthed 'Boy' at me.

Parang bigla na lang nagbago ang simoy ng hangin. Everyone was suddenly excited that I can't help but be more excited. I'm very thankful that they didn't ask too many questions about how I ended up in this situation.

"Matteo, how about you? What's your guess?"

Still, I'm ready to let everyone know. Matteo and I are ready.

"He thinks it's a girl."

"Yey, team girl!" Esme cheered but paused. "But wait, Matteo knew already?"

"I'm the father so I got to give my guess earlier than anyone else's."