Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 40

“Nikah!” My bedroom door swung open and saw Joaquin crying at the door.

Napangiti ako. He walked towards me while sobbing and I can’t help but chuckle. He then sat beside my bed while I remained on my bed, seated. Tinabi ko muna ang binabasa kong libro.

“M-magiging ninang na pala ako!” He sobbed and pulled me carefully for a hug.

I patted his back and let go of him right after. He then carefully placed his hands on my small baby bump. It is quite visible now and it has been weeks since I was hospitalized.

Maayos naman na ang lahat and my baby was doing fine.

He held my cheeks and looked at me straight in the eyes. “Are you fine? May nararamdaman ka ba?”

Tumango ako. Joaquin wasn't able to come back right away because of his business and as well as for monitoring the case. Hindi pa ako nagtatanong sa abogado ko maging sa kanya dahil hindi pa masyadong maganda ang pakiramdam ko nitong nagdaang linggo. I need to distance myself for a moment.

Umiling ako sa kanya at ngumiti. “I’m fine, Joaquin.”

He wiped away his tears and nodded his head. “How about your check ups?”

“I’m fine and the baby is fine. I am monitored by my doctor and everything is going well.” I elaborated.

But his eyes suddenly squinted. “Then who’s the father, huh?” He then stood up and put his hands on his waist, while looking at me frustratingly.

I bit my lips and avoided his scrutinizing gaze. I am sure he already has an idea, just like Ervine, I am sure they already had the idea but Ervine chose to not talk about it. But Joaquin won’t be able to sleep well tonight not knowing who the father of my baby is.

I fidgeted my fingers beneath my duvet.

“Si El ba?” He asked accusingly.

I looked up to him and bit my lips more. He then closed his eyes for a second then looked down on me again.

“Nasaan siya ngayon? May nangyari sa inyo sa isla?!” He asked hysterically.

My feeling is much lighter now compared two to three weeks ago but I still feel a slight pang of pain whenever I hear his name. Hindi ko na ata maiiwasan iyon na maramdaman.

“Nikah…” He then sat again on the side of my bed. “Ipinaalam mo na ba sa kanya?” He asked worriedly.

Doon ulit tuluyang nanubig ang mga mata ko. I am confused at the moment, I know that he has the right to know about it but at the same time I am afraid. Afraid of not his rejection for me but for the baby.

Akala ko masakit na malaman na kasinungalingan lang lahat ng namagitan sa amin, pero mas masakit pa rin pala na isipin na baka itanggi niya ang dinadala ko. Natatakot ako at masasaktan lang ulit ako ng husto para sa anak ko. I do not want that to happen.

Umiling ako sa kanya at pinunasan ang mga namuo kong luha.

“H-hindi naman na kailangan, Joaquin. I am sure he doesn't like the idea of it.” I chuckled bitterly at myself.

His eyes pitied me. I playfully slapped his arms just to ease the tension that I am feeling.

"Pero okay lang. Mas mabuti na rin na ganito, it's not about me anymore…and you know my situation with his family."

Napababa siya ng tingin habang marahang hinahawakan ng tiyan ko.

"Then I'll always be here for you, hindi ako aalis sa tabi niyo."