Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 13

Isang buwan na mula noong umuwi kami galing bakasyon. Buong isang buwan ay wala akong maayos na kain at tulog. Kahit pumapasok ako ay hindi ako nakumbinsi na alagaan ang sarili ko. Lagi lang akong nakatutok sa cellphone ko, naghihintay ng tawag ni Jacob.

Bumaba muna ako para kumain. Bigla kasi akong nag-crave sa maasim. Naabutan ko si Kuya Jon na nagluluto.

Naduwal ako nang maamoy ang niluluto niya. Nakaramdam din ako ng hilo. Napatingin na lang ako kay kuya nang alalayan niya 'ko.

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked.

Saglit akong napatingin sa kanya. "I don't know." I said.

Noong mga nakaraang araw, nagduduwal na ako at nahihilo. Akala ko ay dahil lang 'yon sa pagpupuyat at pagpapalipas ng kain pero hindi pala.

"Who's the father, Emily?" my dad asked me.

Galing kami ng hospital para magpa-check up. Tama nga ang hinala ko. I'm six weeks pregnant.

I looked at him while crying, and I shook my head. "He... he left, dad. But he loved me, I know he has a reason why he left." I said.

"What!? He left you?" Kuya Jon said.

I nodded. "Yeah, but he didn't know. We thought we were safe." I said. "I'm sorry..."

Mom hugged me. "We're here, sweetie. We'll support you. Stop crying," she said while rubbing my back.

Nagpahinga ako sa kwarto ko pagtapos naming mag-usap. Tumingin ako sa sarili ko. I look so terrible. Pinapabayaan ko ang sarili ko without knowing na may baby palang lumalaki sa tiyan ko.

"I'm sorry, baby." I said. Humawak ako sa tiyan ko. "We'll wait for your daddy, okay?" sabi ko pa at tipid na ngumiti.

"Are you for real, Cali!?" Rana asked. "Holy shit. I'm gonna find that motherfucker! Your baby needs a daddy."

Fiona chuckled. "Calm down, Rana. Kung hindi man babalik si Jacob, may makikilala naman si Cali na p'wedeng ituring na tatay 'yon ng baby niya." she said.

Saglit na napaisip si Rana. "Sabagay, malakas naman ang charisma ni Cali, e." sabi niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Alam niyo, walang matutulong 'yang advice niyo. Kaya kong palakihin ang anak ko. Hindi rin ako maghahanap ng bago, 'no. I'd rather wait for Jacob."

"Push, Emily. I can see your baby's head." my doctor said.

Napakapit ako nang mahigpit kina Kuya Jon at Kuya Yuno. Nasa magkabilang gilid sila, hawak ang kamay ko.

"Ahh!" isang malakas na pag-ire ang pinakawalan ko. Halos mawalan ako ng malay nang mailabas ko ang anak ko.

I opened my eyes as I heard her crying. Ipinahawak sa 'kin 'yon ng midwife. Tumulo ang luha ko nang makita siya. She's so cute.

Limang buwan na magmula noong isinilang ko si Lope. Binyag niya ngayon kaya ang lahat ay inaasikaso kami.

"Emily, do you need anything? Where's Lope? Baka gutom na siya." Ate Lana said.

I laughed a bit. "Calm down, ate. She's sleeping." saad ko. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate your efforts, ate."

She tapped my shoulder. "No problem, Em. Parang kapatid na kita, e." sabi niya.

Pumunta ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Nilapitan ko silang apat habang nag-uusap-usap. Ngumiti sila sa 'kin nang makita nila ako.

"Where's Lope?" Fiona asked. "You look tired, Cali. You should get some rest." alalang sabi niya.

I smiled at her. "Don't worry, Fiona. I'm fine." sabi ko at ngumiti.

"Can I talk to you, Cali?" Ethan said. Tumango ako sa kanya kaya lumayo kami ng bahagya sa kanila. "It's about Jacob." he started.

Bigla akong kinabahan dahil doon. "What about him?"

"I know where he is right now," he said. "He's in States, Cali. He's pursuing the music industry. 'Yon ang gusto niya noon pa man." he added. "And their band is kind of popular in States. I guess his dream is coming true."

I'm disappointed and happy at the same time. I'm happy for him, not for me. "Oh... if that's the case, I won't bother him."

He sighed. "What about Lope? We all know she needs a dad, Cali."

I shrugged. "I'll take care of it, don't worry. Besides, my brothers are her dads too." I said. Tinapik ko siya sa balikat. "Stop worrying now, Ethan. I'll be fine."

Well the truth is I don't know kung magiging okay ako. I've waited for him for almost two years now. Tapos ito lang ang malalaman ko. I'm for him, though.

Lope is already ten months old now. Masyadong mabilis ang panahon. Nakangiti ako sa kanya habang nakikipaglaro. I really love to hear her laugh.

Matagal kong tinitigan ang buong mukha niya. She really has his eyes. She reminds me of Jacob every time.

I touched her cheeks. "Do you know that you have your dada's eyes?" I told her. "You'll meet him someday. Maybe just on the internet." I said.

Hinawakan ko ang kwintas na ibinigay sa 'kin ni Jacob. Ibibigay ko 'to sa kanya kapag malaki na siya. 'Wag muna ngayon dahil baby pa siya.