Mr. Wrong (Mr. Series #1)

Chapter 42

"Paolo Rod? What are you doing here?" gulat kong tanong nang makita siya at mukhang hindi niya ring inaasahang makikita niya ako rito.

"Ahh, this is my father's house; that's why I'm here," sagot niya.

Napansin kong nakaputi siyang coat na mahaba at nakita niyang na-curious ako sa suot niya. "This is usually what I wear here when I do psychological stuff," he explained.

Napanganga naman ako. Ibig sabihin dito siya nagpa-practice ng pagiging psychologist? That's why he looks like a therapist. Sabagay, kung ang tatay mo ba naman ay isang doctor at may bahay na parang clinic, madali na para sa 'yo ang matuto dahil same field lang naman iba lang ng specialty.

Hindi naman maitatanggi na malaki nga ang bahay na ito at mukhang may parte ng bahay na may mga machine-related health practices. May mga napansin din akong ilang tao na naka-uniporme na naglalabas-masok sa iba't ibang kwarto.

"So, bakit ka nandito?" tanong niya.

"Ha? Ahh..."

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang sabihin sa kaniya.

"Miss Velasco, you're finally here," bati ng isang lalaki na may katangkaran at kamukha ni Paolo Rod. Hmmm... Tatay niya ba 'to?

"Oh, nagkita na pala kayo ng anak ko. Balak ko siyang ipakilala sa 'yo. Sandali, magkakilala na kayo?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Paolo Rod.

"Yes, dad, because of a common friend."

Tumango-tango ang tatay niya bago lumapit sa amin. "After our check-up, pwede kang pumunta sa kaniya. Graduating student na siya, but I can say na he's good pagdating sa counseling and mental support."

Muli akong napatingin kay Paolo Rod. Ngumiti naman siya, pero mukhang na-flutter dahil sa sinabi ng kaniyang ama.

"Anyway, Miss Velasco, if you're ready, let's start your checkup."

Anxiety rose in my chest before I followed him. I never imagined myself being in this place at such a young age. I also said goodbye to Paolo before walking away from him.

I entered a room surrounded by a cream interior. Paolo Rod's father's table was there, and the woody chair was in front of him.

"Have a seat, Miss Velasco."

Umupo siya sa upuan niya at ganoon din ako. Doon ko nakita ang name plate niya sa ibabaw ng table.

"I am Doctor Patricio Rod, and I have been an obstetrician and gynecologist for 20 years now," he introduced. "Your father is a long-time friend, and you may not remember me, but I met you before."

I smiled as I agreed that I seemed to not remember his face from my childhood.

"Is this your first time going to an OB/GYN, or have you talked to someone before?" he asked.

"This is my first time," I stated, trying to be natural, but my heart beats so fast. I am so nervous.

"How did you know you were pregnant? Do you feel any symptoms? Have you tried using a pregnancy test kit?"

"Yes, doc, but only once."

"I see, you're going to take a pregnancy test again so we can confirm your condition, but before that I want you to fill out this form." He gave me a folder where I can see now the forms I have to fill out.

"After you fill these out, we'll check your vital signs, then we'll also have a physical exam, AOG, LMP, and EDC."

Napanganga ako kasi hindi familiar sa akin 'yong mga acronyms.

"AOG means assessment of gestational age; dito i-checheck natin kung ilang weeks na ang fetus; LMP means last menstrual period; and EDC means expected date of confinement. Then, eventually, we'll check din yung FHT, fetal heart tone para makita natin kung ano ang position ni baby kung breech ba siya, malapit sa labasan yung paa imbes na ulo and need mag-undergo ng cesarean."

I never thought that there was so much going on when doing a prenatal exam. Of course, I wouldn't know since this is my first time.

I started filling out the form, and soon Doctor Patricio interviewed me. Somehow, I feel like I am now facing a new chapter of my life. I still can't quite accept my current situation, but there's nothing I can do about it. Mabuti na ring alam ko kung anong nangyayari sa loob ko. Sabi pa nila, marami daw magiging pagbabago sa katawan ko dahil magiging ina na ako. And I have to be ready for that. I also might have sudden mood changes, or what are called mood swings. And it looks like that's what's happening to me now. I am starting to feel extremely anxious because I can't imagine myself having a baby bump in this body. How can I face everyone when I'm like this?

"You're two weeks pregnant, Miss Velasco," said Doctor Patricio.

I couldn't be happy because, first of all, I didn't like it either. I understand why Jhon Rey is so angry with me. We are still young; tapos may kailangan na kaming kaharaping responsibilidad.

"It's better to eat healthy foods, especially fruits. Also, take prenatal vitamins, and avoid things that stress you out," advised Doctor Patricio before he said that our check-up session was over. He also advised me to come back after two weeks.

"And also, it's better if the father of your child is with you next time you visit, so he also knows how to support you."

I couldn't answer back. How can I be with this baby's father when he hates me?

I just smiled before saying thank you and leaving the room.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I feel like I'm going to cry any moment now. I want to break down and reflect on everything that happened these past few days. My decisions were completely wrong, even my choices in life; kaya narito ako sa sitwasyon na ito at maraming pagsisisi. I was even more helpless because I was trapped in the situation. I can't even abort the child, even if I want to, because my parents are stopping me. I am forced to carry this child for nine months without a father.

"Are you okay?"

I lost my momentum when someone spoke next to me. I saw Paolo Rod sitting on the steel chair on the side of the door. I straightened myself up before facing him again.

"You have time to talk now?" he asked again, and that's when I remembered that our conversation was interrupted last time.

"You seem to have a lot of trouble inside you. Do you want to share it with me?"

"I'm fine," I said, smiling.

"I know when it's fake, Miss Velasco. I told you before that if the culprit behind why you are in pain is my friend, I am willing to help you. Am I right in my suspicion as to why you are here? Is Jhon Rey the father?" he asked, and it felt like he was interrogating me, which I did not expect from a psychologist like him. Is that how he would approach me? "Is that why your father wants to kill Jhon Rey because he can't take responsibility for what he did?"

"Stop asking me questions," I stated. "It's none of your business."

"It is my concern. I don't want to see another woman become miserable because of him."