To Love the Dawn

17

"I still want to eat. Can we order a super cheesy pizza? And nuggets?" David looked at me. He was busy studying. I made a cute face. He sighed then nodded. "Yay! Thank you, love!"

"Here, use my account." I went to him and took his phone. He reached for my nape and pulled me to kiss my lips. "Buy some beer too."

"You're gonna drink? You're studying, beer won't help you focus-"

"Shh. Let me have a break." Natawa nalang ako nang pumasok sa shirt na suot ko ang mga kamay niya. "This will be quick. Baka dumating 'yung order natin."

David stopped kissing me when the doorbell rang. We both chuckled. On time naman kami natapos. Ang bilis nga. Hinihingal tuloy ako. Inayos ko ang damit ko nang pumasok si David. Dala-dala niya iyong boxes of pizza and nuggets and canned beers. I clasped my hands like a happy kid.

Inabot ko kaagad ang beer pero inilayo 'yon sa akin ni David. He shook his head, telling me to stop. Iyong nuggets at pizza nalang ang pinagdiskitahan ko. I felt so happy when I tasted the cheese on the pizza. Ang cheesy nung pizza! It was so yummy. 'Yung nuggets naman may cheese dip. Sinubuan ko si David ng isang nugget. Ganado na siyang mag-aral ngayon. Iyong session lang pala namin ang solusyon. At syempre, itong mga pagkain.

"Pagod na ako," hinihingal na usal ko. Napalingon sa akin ang isang professor. Nilapitan niya ako. "Pagod na po talaga ako."

"Mr. Alcalde, ihatid mo na si Ms. De Cardenas pabalik. Masyadong mainit kaya siguro nagkakaganito ka. Dumiretso ka na sa clinic, ha?" Tumango nalang ako. Inalalayan na ako ni Warren sa paglalakad.

Nang makarating kami sa clinic, chineck ang temperature at blood pressure ko. Wala naman daw problema. Tinanong ako kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. Nang sabihin kong nahihilo ako at nakakaramdam ng init, the doctor suggested that I should rest. Hindi nila ako pinainom kaagad ng gamot dahil kailangan pa nilang malaman kung ano ang cause ng pagkahilo ko. Instead, they gave me an oil-based formula to put on my temples. They couldn't just conclude that it was due to heat. Puwede rin daw kasing sa stress, pagod, or gutom.

"Did you have your breakfast?"

"Yes po, doc."

"Hindi ka naman nasusuka?" Napaisip ako sa tanong ni doc. Tumango ako dahil nasusuka na ako sa hilo kanina. "When was your last period?"

"Last month po, doc. Hindi pa naman ako dinadatnan ngayong buwan. Possible po ba 'yun na dahil sa period kaya ako nahilo?"

"Possible 'yun. Normal naman ang blood pressure mo, hindi rin masyadong mainit sa labas, kumain ka naman ng breakfast, at hindi ka pa naman nireregla. Solana, I'll be honest with you. You need to get a proper checkup. Consult a doctor about this. We cannot tell you if you're low on anything."

"Doc, possible po ba na dala 'to ng... pregnancy?" Warren looked so shocked when I asked that. The doctor nodded at me. "Pero hindi naman po kasi namin 'yon ginagawa kapag fertile ako."

"But in some cases it would still be possible. Mabuti pa magpatingin ka sa hospital, Sol."

Warren took me to the nearest hospital. I was nervous the whole time of waiting. Iniisip ko palang na buntis ako, naiiyak na ako. Wala pa 'to sa mga plano namin ni David.

The doctor gave me three pregnancy test kits to be sure. I took those three and waited for the results. When I went out of the comfort room, Warren looked at me. The doctor smiled and took the kits. I looked away to calm myself down. Whatever the results are, I'd gladly accept it. We didn't pray for this but we were behind this.