Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 45

"Huwag ka kasing maingay! Baka magising na si Avery!"

"Oh, ako? Ako naman! Tangina, lagi nalang ako!"

"Eh ikaw lang naman kasi ang maingay, tanga!"

I fluttered my eyes open. I could see several shadows moving. Binigyan ko pa ng ilang segundo ang sarili bago ko tuluyang idinilat ang mga mata.

"Avery!"

Unang bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Lulu. She looks worried about me.

"My baby...?" I croaked.

"He's still in the nursery. You did so well, love..." she whispered and gently kissed my head.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. I could barely move my body. I am both numb and in so much pain. Hindi ko maintindihan! Buti at nakakapagsalita pa ako. My throat feels so dry.

"Si Enrique?"

"Kahapon pa siya dumating. He was the one who signed the consent form for your surgery."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Kahapon pa?"

She nodded. "Yeah..."

I could barely remember what happened yesterday. I just thought that I was going to die from all of it! Alam ko naman talagang hindi biro ang manganak pero hindi ko inaasahang magiging ganito kasakit!

"Okay ka na ba, Avery? Tubig, gusto mo?" Si Raya habang pinupunasan ang butil ng pawis sa noo ko.

Saka ko lang iginala ang paningin. My friends are all here. They even put some white and blue balloons and a huge tarp that congratulated us on our baby. Hindi ko alam kung paano sila pinayagan ng ospital na gawin iyon.

"Enrique's here!" Ani Yari pagkasilip sa pintuan.

I tried to sit up but I couldn't even do it. I sighed and waited for him to enter. He's still in his philarpat uniform. Ang tanging pinalitan lang ay ang pang-itaas. His usual army green shirt.

"Hey," kaagad siyang lumapit sa akin at hinalikan ang noo ko. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I want to see our baby..." I almost pleaded.

"I'll bring him here in a bit. Tita Eliza told me what happened. I'm sorry I wasn't there by your side, Avery..." he said regretfully.

"I'm fine..." I assured him.

Tumango si Enrique at pinatakan ulit ako ng halik bago ako iniwan para kunin ang anak namin.

When he came back, he was carrying our child gently in his hands. Dahan-dahan niya itong inabot sa akin.

Halos mapiyok ako nang makita ang anak namin sa unang pagkakataon. His lashes were long and his lips were a bit pale. Ang kutis ay kuhang-kuha sa ama. Pati na rin ang ilong at hugis ng mukha. When he slowly opened his eyes, I could tell he also got it from his father.

"Grabe, Avery, hindi man lang lumaban ang genes mo..." komento ni Yari habang sinisilip naming lahat ang bata.

I let out a strained chuckle, feeling so emotional.

"Enrique na Enrique talaga! Pati etits, sa kaniya na!"

Sinapak ni Lulu si Celeste dahil sa biro nito. Pinamulahan naman si Enrique sa sinabi niya. He cleared his throat and looked away. Tumawa lang din ako.

"Anong pangalan?"

"Henrik..." I glanced at Enrique. Matagal na naming napag-usapan ito. Kung babae, April. Kung lalaki, Henrik. We decided not to know the gender until it's time for me to give birth and now... he's really here.