In Love With Ms. Manoban

Part 43

As the days passed, Lisa's belly got bigger, her feet were more sore and her back ached with every movement, and along with that came the baby shower which was to take place the upcoming Saturday and the planning of her wedding. Unfortunately, she never got the courage to talk to her mother. However, she did send her an invitation through the mail.

Lisa sat at her desk, lost in her thoughts, absentmindedly twisting the engagement ring on her finger. The situation with her mother was still bringing a strain on her. She didn't want her baby growing up to witness that because it could influence her and her child's relationship. As she pondered upon a few things she could do, the chattering in the classroom brought her out of the trance she was in.

"I mean, she's literally dating a student. Why haven't they fired her already?" A female student said quietly to her friends. However, she was not as quiet as she thought she was.

"And the fact she's pregnant with his child too," Reuben, the young man she saw over the holidays, said.

"Isn't it obvious? Her father contributes to the University only because she's here. They would do anything to keep her here." Another replied, intending to look at the teacher in disgust but paused when she saw Lisa already looking in their direction. 

The two girls along with their three friends blushed in embarrassment. Lisa looked away without giving a reaction to the group. What could she say? Nothing. Because she herself kind of agreed with them.  But they were both adults though, so she wasn't so sure.

"I hope the five of you have finished answering the questions because God knows how much you need the extra grades," Lisa finally said as she got up from her seat before saying into her microphone, "Times up." The students' faces paled as they have never heard the teacher speak like that. Lisa collected all of the papers and each student left the room. As soon as the door closed, Lisa let out an exasperated sigh. When she was about to take her seat, a knock came from the door.

"Lili?" Jeremiah's voice followed, easing the pregnant woman a little.

"Come in," she replied and when he did, she gave him a forced smile. She didn't want to worry him and besides, it was no big deal. Just a bunch of gossipers. But she couldn't deny that their words hit a spot in her heart, not a good one either.

Jeremiah approached her and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. She loved it when he did that. She loved knowing that he also missed the way their lips felt against one another. And more importantly, she loved him.

"You're looking extra beautiful today, my Lady. Did you do something with your hair?" He asked her softly.

"I just curled it a little." She blushed. "Do you like it?" Jeremiah nodded in return.

"I love it, my beautiful Queen. You're literally glowing." The young man went to one of the student's furniture and took a chair to sit across from her. "So, what have you been up to?" Lisa's forced smile returned and it was immediately recognised by her fiancé.

"Nothing much. Just have a few, I mean, a lot of papers to grade." But as Jeremiah looked into her eyes he saw something else there. That's not what that smile is about.

"And what else?"

"Umm nothing." Lisa looked away and grabbed a pen from her drawer. Just as she was about to tick off something on a paper, Jeremiah stopped her hand.

"You know you can talk to me right?"

"Of course." Jeremiah decided to drop the topic for now. 

'When she's ready, she will talk.' He decided.

"Good." Now all he had to do was place a genuine smile on her face.

........................

"No, no, no. Put that over there," Lisa instructed the man as he tried to do his job. The worker picked up the large chair with a sigh and did as he was told. It was early October and in the end, Lisa decided to just keep the baby shower in her backyard since there was enough room and, if anything, she was always close to home. These past few days she had been attached to her house, hardly wanting to leave, even for school.

It was morning. Ten o'clock to be exact. The exact time for the baby shower was 12 pm. And Lisa was outside doing Jafhia's job for the last finishing touches instead of relaxing like they asked her to. However, her mother was coming so she wanted everything to be perfect. Lisa couldn't help but fear her mother's judgement when it came to, well, her whole life.

"Lisa, get your butt up those stairs and prepare yourself. And you know that isn't enough time for you. I've got this," Jafhia complained. Jeremiah then held her hand, leading her to the stairs.

"Come on, Lili. Don't worry about this. Everything is under control. You know my cousin is the big decorator," he said.

"I know. But... I just want everything to be perfect," she whined as the two walked upstairs towards her bedroom, a cute pout on her lips.

"And it will be. Jafhia's got this covered. You chose her for a reason." Jeremiah kissed her pout away as they stood in front of her room.

"I guess you're right." She couldn't help but agree, still lost in the kiss they just had.

"Of c-"

"Don't you dare say it," Lisa warned and Jeremiah raised his hand in surrender.

"I love you, Lili," he chuckled before placing a kiss on her cheek. "Now get in there and do what you got to do or else you'll face the consequences."

"Okay, okay." She opened her bedroom door and walked in. "Oh, by the way, I love you too." She gave him a sheepish smile before closing the door. 

"I'll be downstairs if you need me. Then I'll come upstairs to get dressed." She heard Jeremiah say through the door. She didn't really know what to do now. Her clothes were already taken out and ironed, along with her heels which Jeremiah had strongly disagreed with, but he eventually caved when she said she would change into flats afterwards. After double checking her shoes, clothes and makeup, Lisa decided to just go wash up.

Lisa grabbed a towel from her drawer and went to her bathroom. After stripping off her clothes, she hopped into the shower. When the water ran down her skin, she sighed in relief as a little tension left her shoulders. She then placed her hand on her belly and looked down at it.

"Today is your day, baby. Mommy can't wait to find out your sex. You want to tell me now and we can just send home all these people." Those words were followed by a kick and she wasn't sure if the baby liked the idea or not. 

After washing herself clean, Lisa carefully stepped out with a large body towel wrapped around her. She did the little necessities before picking up her clothes that was on a hanger. Lisa would be wearing a white halter dress today. The back flowed all the way to her ankle, but because of her belly, the front only reached her shin. She loved the look it gave though. See, her belly was making a style for her dress. It wasn't always a bad thing. When she was dressed, makeup on and all, she looked in her body mirror with her purse in hand.

"Dear Lord, please let today be a good day. I ask that everything goes smoothly, especially with my mother coming. Please touch her heart and everyone coming today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen." Just when she finished her prayer, their was a knock on her bedroom door. "Coming," she said.

"Hey, Lili, are you ready?" Her fiancé's voice sounded as soon as the door was opened.

"Yes. Can I come down now?" She had finished just in time.

"Yeah. Jafhia said all is set and everyone is just waiting for you."

"For us," Lisa corrected and Jeremiah beamed.

Lisa walked out of her bedroom and went down the stairs, walking close to her man. He held her hand and led her to the back door, which was pulled in. She took a deep breath in anticipation before opening the door. When she did, there Lisa saw her father and Jafhia with some neighbours and relatives. The place was decorated with balloons and a sign that said 'BABY SHOWER'. Everything and everyone was there, except her mother.