After Daylight

15. When Louise and Sandro Decided

CELESTINE

As much as I didn't wanna make it obvious that I was pregnant, my hormones were different. My cravings for spicy food, the naps I take and my morning sickness. Hindi naman halata sa katawan ko because I'm a bit voluptuous but I did not go to any clinic yet. I didn't know where I can have a check up without creating a scandal in the family. Worst, I couldn't tell my parents.

"Are you pregnant?" Yllak's voice suddenly echoed in the kitchen that three in the morning.

"No." I replied quietly as I wiped my mouth after vomiting.

He crossed his arms. "I notice every move you make, Celestine. You can't hide it from me." His voice was stern and it felt like I was talking to my dad.

I pressed my lips together while looking at him.

"I'm sorry." Was the only thing I could say.

Kuya Yllak breathed. "Does Gabriel know?" He asked calmly.

I shook my head. "It's not Gabriel's," I confessed. "And I haven't told the dad yet. He doesn't know."

"Who then?" He asked curiously.

"Promise me you won't hurt him."

"I promise I'll restrain myself." He said instead.

"Kuya naman eh." I laughed.

"Putangina. I'm supposed to protect you." He muttered.

I smiled. "I wasn't forced Kuya. Can we talk about this later? Inaantok na ako." I yawned.

"Gusto mo tabihan kita?' He asked.

I made a face. "I'm not five."

----

That same day while everyone was busy doing their own thing, Yllak and I sneaked out to see his obygyne friend. I was scared and excited at the same time. I had no plans of getting an abortion the moment I found out. I was just scared of my family's reaction specially my parents who has been very supportive of me since day one.

It was one of those kaba na nakakatakot harapin. I had dreams. I had a goal. I broke up with Gabriel to pursue them and not to get distracted but I ended up getting myself into a situation I can never run from.

The worst part is, the dad is not even my boyfriend. As cliche as it sounds, he's just someone I met in a bar.

"Where did you meet the guy if I may ask? Kilala ko ba?" Yllak asked as he drove.

I sighed. "Sa bar. I followed you guys when you got drunk back in Ilocos."

"I did not see you."

"Busy ako makipag-landian."

"You don't look the type to do that Celestine. That's Naomi." He replied.

I laughed. "Kuya lumalandi rin naman ako. Hindi nga lang halata."

He smiled. "Whatever really happened between you and Gabriel. Dad likes him. Mom likes him for you. He's so smitten with you."

"Alam mo yung may gusto kang habulin but you have to consider your significant other when you do that? That's what I had to think over and over when I received my acceptance letter in Harvard." I told him.

Kuya took a U-turn then stopped by the stop light and looked at me.

"Do you regret it? Breaking things with him to chase your dream." He asked.

"I don't. I am happy with my decision kuya. I just feel bad for Gabriel."

"He really loves you."

"But I love myself more."

Kuya laughed and reached out my hands and rubbed them gently.

---

Kuya's doctor friend looked nice and gentle. She asked me a lot of questions which I guess is needed for the check-up. Nabigla lang ako sa transvaginal ultrasound.

"You can look now Yllak." She told my brother.

Lumingon kapatid ko at dineretso yung tingin sa screen. I, too looked at the screen. It's a small blob.

"You're five weeks into pregnancy Celestine. Congratulations!" She chirped.

Napangiti ako.

"Is it a girl?" Tanong ng kuya.

"Wala pa Yllak. Huwag kang excited." Sagot niya.

"Oh."

The doctor advised me a lot of things like healthy diet and exercise. I was also advised not to stress myself. We thanked her then left the clinic afterwards.

"We need to tell mom and dad about your pregnancy bago nila malaman sa iba." He spoke.

"I know."

"Have you contacted the dad?"

I shook my head. "Actually I don't have his phone number or any contact."

"What?"

I chewed my lower lip. "That was the kind of landi I committed. I'm sorry kuya Yllak."

He sighed. "Do you at least know his name?"

I nodded.

"Sino?"

"Oliver Marquez." I confessed.

"Yung matanda?!" He exclaimed.

"No! Oliver Marquez IV."

"I know him. Dad knows his family."

"I don't. I just found out recently that he is from our hometown."

"We were in the same grade back in grade school and he even comes to my birthday party every year."

No wonder he knows me.

"What do we do then? I'm sorry for putting this on you kuya. I really don't know what to do." I told him.

Matalino ako but when it comes to things like these, I lose it.

"I'll try to communicate with him. Our alumni homecoming is coming up so I might talk to him there and see what I can do Celestine."

My face softened.

"Thank you kuya. I really appreciate it."

But before the planned meet up with Oliver, mama saw the sonogram copy in my table when she came inside my room to get the laundry while I was asleep.

I was left alone with them in papa's office. Kuya Yllak wasn't around so I felt nervous. Mas lalo na kay papa na nakatingin sa akin.

"Celestina," Mama spoke. It wasn't a gentle Celestina. "Talk."

I gulped.

"Is it Gabriel's?" Dad asked.

I shook my head.

"Sino?" Mama asked next.

"His name is Oliver Marquez IV." I confessed.

"The one from our hometown?" Papa asked.

"Opo."

"Is he your new boyfriend?" Tanong naman ni mama.

"Hindi po mama."

Papa sighed.

"What are you going to do Celestine? Does he know?"

I shook my head. "Hindi pa po. Si kuya Yllak at kayo lang ang nakaka-alam."

"Pack your things. We're going to Ilocos Norte tomorrow morning. Love, please have Yllak book a flight for us. He's coming too." Papa said and stood up then left.

I bit my lips and looked at mama.

"Are you disappointed mama?"

She smiled gently.

"No anak."

A tear rolled down my cheeks. I don't know. I felt emotional that time so mama hugged me tightly.

"Oh my Celestina is going to be a mama too."

---