His Virgin Stripper

13

V

"Punyeta!" A silent scream woke me up.

I searched for the voice and saw mom walking back and forth. "You have been sleeping for almost 24 hours, Celestine. I let you because you need energy, but what the hell is happening right now huh?" She sat beside me trying to be calm and not slap me.

"Mom, I'm sorry but what is happening?" I answered in my sore voice. 24 hours of sleep is crazy.

"Tell me why Elijah Vega is downstairs demanding to see you? I thought you two only interacted for business purposes?"

Shit.

"It was a business purpose chat, mom. I don't know why he's here." lies.

"Huh, no. Something's not right" she stood up and walked more. She was blabbing while I sat on my bed trying my best not to cry.

"Celestine?" She walked closer to me. I guess she saw me crying.

"Is he the father of that child?" pumiyok siya.

I slowly nodded.

"Fuck it. He can be useful but I don't want my daughter's image to be destroyed by your foolishness."

"Send him away, mom. I have no plans of killing my baby for him." I sobbed.

I saw her smile. "That's my girl, Celestine. Okay, since you told me to do so, then I will" she hugged me and turned away to leave the room.

Hindi ako sanay sa ugali niya ngayon. Na para bang itinuturing ako na anak minsan. Like she wanted approval first so she won't feel guilt. A total psycho.

Napasapak na lang ako ng mukha pagkasara ng pinto.

Elijah was someone I had feelings for, but after the threats and everything that happened yesterday, I am not sure anymore. Mababaw pero ayokong maging rason siya sa pagkawala ng anak ko, kung sakali man.

Oras na pala para kumain. She said I was knocked out for almost 24 hours.

"Baby, are you hungry? Hmm, I'm sorry. Mommy's going to grab us food na." I held my tummy as I spoke.

Dumiretso na ako ng banyo upang maligo para na rin fresh na tignan at makapag-almusal na rin.

Today, I chose to wear a navy blue two piece fitted strapless top tied at the waist and wide leg trousers that flowed down my leg. It was simple but gave off a professional look.

Ayaw ko na ulit masermonan. Gagalingan ko para naman hindi mastress ang anak ko.

I took one last look in the mirror, fixing my top. Paglabas ko ng kwarto, si Mom agad ang sumalubong. Arms crossed, eyebrows raised. "Let's go. You have a doctor's appointment."

"Yes, Mom. I was about to leave," I said calmly, kahit halata namang kinakain ako ng kaba sa loob.

"I'm coming with you," she replied, matter-of-fact. "Hindi ako papayag na si Elijah na naman ang sasama sa'yo.

Napatahimik na lang ako. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako or maiinis.

This version of her was unfamiliar. A mother who suddenly cares too much.

We walked toward the stairs together. I braced myself expecting to see Elijah bursting into view. But the living room was empty.

"Umuwi na kaya?" I whispered.

Mom peeked through the curtains. "His car is still there. Yaya! Ano ba? Bakit hindi pa 'yan umaalis?!"

My heart sprinted inside my chest.

"Let's go before he pops out of nowhere," she said, grabbing my wrist harshly, almost killing me and I hated it when people touched my wrist. My wrist is sensitive and it hurts like hell.

Mom opened the car door, making sure to block me from the view of the street. "Hurry up and sit, Celestine."

I got inside quickly, and she shut the door louder than necessary. She circled to her side of the car, but before she entered, she stared out toward the end of the driveway.

Sinubukan kong kumalma pero nahagilap ko ang sarili sa salamin ng sasakyan. My shoulder-length hair was still damp from the shower, light brown eyes tired and my sharp German features made me look strong.

"Seatbelt," Mom ordered, eyes forward.

"Okay..." I clipped it on quickly.

She pulled out of the driveway with a little too much force. I flinched at the sudden movement, one hand instinctively holding my stomach.

"It's okay, baby," I whispered. "Mommy's got you."

Mom's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Stop talking to the baby out loud. Nakakadagdag sa problema ko."

The road was quiet for a moment, until a pair of headlights flashed in the rearview mirror. Same direction. Same speed.

My throat dried. "Mom..."

"I see it," she said before I could finish.

The car behind us kept its distance but didn't disappear.

"Elijah?" I breathed out, barely a sound.

We turned into the clinic's parking lot, and the car behind us slowed.
He was waiting.

Mom parked and looked me dead in the eyes. "Listen to me. You walk beside me. No stopping. No looking back. Naiintindihan mo?"

I swallowed hard and nodded.

She stepped out first, scanning the area then she opened my door, signaling me to get out.

I held onto my bag with one hand, and my stomach with the other. Mom locked the car and leaned closer.

"Don't you try to talk to him, that's too much stress. If people ask, tell them it's a normal monthly checkup. Kapag nalaman nila na ang anak ko ay may dinadala. You'll pay for ruining Celestine's reputation."

Her protectiveness was scary.

I stood up slowly, adjusting my top and picking up my bag. Mom went ahead, walking with confidence and a smile on her face. I followed as the nurse led us through the hallway.

White walls and the only sound I heard was my footsteps and the faint noise from other rooms. Mom stayed close, but not too close.
"Room 3 po," sabi ng nurse. Pinaupo niya ako sa isang single chair habang inaayos niya ang files.

Mom sat beside me this time."After this, we'll eat. Kailangan mong kumain," she said, trying to be the kindest mom in front of the nurse.
I nodded.

I held my stomach lightly. The doctor came in a minute later. "Good morning, Celestine."

She smiled softly. "Let's start with how you're feeling today."

"Pagod," I answered honestly.

Mom added, "She slept almost a whole day."

The doctor nodded, writing something down. "Normal yan. Your body is adjusting."

Mom leaned back slightly. Still stiff, but silent.

The doctor turned to me again. "Any pain? Dizziness? Anything unusual?"

"Medyo masakit ang pulsuhan ko," I said without thinking, remembering how Mom pulled me earlier, "pero okay lang."

Mom cleared her throat, pretending she didn't hear that.

The doctor smiled again. "We'll check everything."

"Celestine here is thankful," sabi ni Mom, "and she would like you to keep this baby a secret for now. Plano niyang gawing surprise, doctora." Tumango ang doktor bilang tugon.

Mukhang close naman silang dalawa, kaya pinagkatiwalaan ko na iingatan niya ang lihim na ito. Alam ko rin kung gaano kaimpluwensiya si Mom. Kaya niyang gawin ang lahat para maitago ang anak ko sa mundo, para hindi masira ang reputasyon ng tunay na Celestine.