All Is Not Lost

Chapter 21

Twins

Work became busier than ever. Nagsimula na rin akong magsuot ng dress sa work paunti-unti para makahinga ang tiyan ko. When I'm not wearing that, I wear flowy tops instead.

In my fifth month, the doctor still couldn't figure out the gender of my baby. At some time during check up, she thinks I'm having a girl. Sometimes, a boy.

Santi and I don't mind either gender. About the names, I guess we'll just have to think about both.

Sa lalaki, may naiisip na kami.

"Killian?" I smiled.

Santi nodded. "Yes. Isusunod natin sa pangalan mo."

"What if girl? Sa pangalan mo naman?"

"Hmm." He stopped for a second to think. "Puwede naman. O kaya Kalliope."

"Sa name ko ulit?" I laughed.

"Well." He raised his brows. "Ikaw naman ang mas nahihirapan sa pagbubuntis at mahihirapan sa panganganak."

He has a point. Saksi rin naman siya sa hirap ko dahil ang laki na ng tiyan ko.

I can't reach my toes, I can't tie my shoes, some of my clothes don't fit me, and I need to eat every hour because my body calls food.

"Well, perhaps you could think of a second name na hindi naman galing sa name ko?" I suggested.

"Okay, we'll think of a name."

True enough, lagi na ngang bumibisita si Kuya. He brings me food and essential things for a pregnant woman.

Hindi niya lang sinasabi pero alam kong nahihirapan siya sa sitwasyon ko tuwing hindi ko na maabot ang paa ko o kapag napapansin niyang ang bigat ng tiyan ko para sa maliit kong katawan.

"Your tummy is so big for you," hindi niya napigilang mag-kumento nang mahirapan ako sa pagtayo galing couch.

I smiled and went to the comfort room to pee.

"What are you going to do? Huy gago, samahan mo kapatid ko," untag niya kay Santi nang mapagtanto na iihi ako.

It's okay. My comfort room's floor is not wet and I have non-slippery slippers inside to protect myself from the cold of the tiles and from slipping just in case.

Kapag naman si Ate Cris ang bumibisita ay puro balanced meal ang dala at gamit ng baby. I find the toys and small clothes so amusing.

Puro white ang binili niya para masuot daw ng baby kahit anong gender.

She once visited with Tita Mylene and Tita Mylene was so thrilled. Binilinan niya ako ng ilang gawain kapag buntis at mga dapat kong iwasan. Sa pagkain man o sa aksyon.

I suddenly wondered if my Mother would do the same once I tell her.

Doon ako pinaka-excited sa clothes ng baby kaya dumaan kami ni Santi sa mall after work one time. I appreciate it so much that he's making time for this kind of things.

He picked up the dress that I've been eyeing for five minutes now. Umiling ako sa kaniya pero inilagay niya na sa cart 'yon.

"White lang, Santi."

"It's okay. Malalaman na rin naman natin ang gender ng baby next week."

"Kahit girl ang anak natin, ayaw kong magsusuot sila ng colored clothes nang wala pang isang taon."

"Why?"

"It's just a superstition. Masama suotan ang bata ng colored clothes kapag wala pang one year. Save it all na lang for the rest of their years."