Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 44

Note: R18 content

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"Kinakabahan ako..."

"That's normal," Lulu tapped my shoulder as we entered the pharmacy.

I did a quick scan at their counter and saw what I was looking for. Pinulot ko ang pregnancy test at nahihiyang nagbayad.

For God's sake, Avery! Stop acting like a teenage girl buying her first PT instead of a married woman!

"Cash po o card?"

"Uhm, cash."

Naglabas ako ng pera at inabot sa babae. Lulu is behind me, smiling at me encouragingly.

Truth is, there are no other symptoms aside from the fact that I missed my period. But I've always been irregular! Ngayon ko lang siguro pinagtuonan ng pansin dahil sinusubukan namin ni Enrique na mabuntis.

Lulu had the nerve to order iced coffee on our way home, as if I wasn't nervous enough! Natatawa pa ito sa mukha ko nang inabot ang kape sa akin.

"Relax..."

I bit my lower lip. "Paano kung n-negative?"

"That's okay. Hindi pa kayo nagf-first wedding anniversary, Avery! Don't sweat it!"

I groaned out loud. But she's right. It's only been a couple of months since our wedding. Blackjack has grown now. Siya na ang palagi kong kasama tuwing hinihintay ko si Enrique na makabalik sa bawat deployment niya.

"Just follow the instructions," Lulu sipped on her iced coffee. "And then we'll wait."

I nodded and stepped inside the bathroom. Binasa ko muna ng ilang ulit ang instructions sa packaging bago ito sinunod. When I was done, I placed the PT atop the counter and stepped out anxiously.

"Five minutes."

She nodded and pulled me to the couch. Lulu reached for my arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You're going to be fine." She whispered.

Hindi ko alam, sa totoo lang. Baka kasi assuming lang ako na buntis o ano! Walang morning sickness o pagkadiri sa kahit na anumang pagkain akong nararamdaman. Nag-spotting lang ako noong nakaraang linggo but... that was it.

Enrique is coming home this week after his short deployment. I admit, goodbyes at the airport never get better. Lalo pa ngayon na sunod-sunod na ang combat operations niya.

Nababalitaan ko nalang sa telebisyon na napatay na ng platoon nila ang mga target na rebelde sa bundok. Each time I hear news about them, I always pray that they're not the ones killed.

Tumayo ako pagkalipas ng limang minuto pero naduwag din ako nang makarating sa pintuan ng bathroom. Sumaklolo ako ng tingin kay Lulu.

She chuckled and got up from her seat. Siya na mismo ang pumasok para tingnan ang resulta...

When she turned, her eyes are glassy with tears.

"You're pregnant, Avery!"

Nagtilian kaming dalawa at nagyakapan pagkatapos malaman ang resulta. Lulu hugged me tightly.

"Congratulations!"

My heart is racing wildly. Kahit nanginginig ang mga kamay ay kinuha ko ang PT at pinagmasdan iyon nang paulit-ulit.

"I'm really pregnant..." I whispered.

After the test, I really went to the hospital to confirm my pregnancy. I did a blood pregnancy test just to be sure. When it was confirmed that I was really pregnant, six weeks in, I nearly cried in joy.