Fatima Riarte only had one cardinal rule. And it's to never fall in love with her friend, Rigo Riorson.
Despite the meaningful glances and the silent pleas of the heart, their relationship never materialized.
Not until that one night.
But when a mis...
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Chapter 12
Waiting Game
Hindi alam ni Fatima kung nanaginip pa ba siya dahil sa dami ng ipinasok ni Rigo na gamit sa dorm niya. There were branded bottles, bottle warmers, pumps, breastfeeding pillow, a bassinet, mats, and so much more. Mayroon ding nakatabi na para kay Fatima, with the box labeled with her name. And that was not even the shocking thing—no. Rigo had to ask for the help of another security guard to haul two big boxes that looked like a car seat and a high chair.
By the time he closed the door, Fatima’s mouth was left hanging. “Binili mo lahat ‘to?”
Mabilis na natawa si Rigo at inangat ang isang box para maipatanong ito sa lamesa. “Ganyan din reaksyon ko nung sinabi sa ‘kin. Pero hindi. Bigay ni Mila lahat ‘to.”
“Mila?” Fatima had to ask twice if she heard the name right. Her best friend was a thousand miles away from her and Fatima had long accepted that they wouldn't have much time to talk between their work, school, and their own personal stuff.
“Yeah,” Rigo turned to her and smiled. “I mean, ako bumili lahat pero pera niya lahat ‘to. Sabi niya sa ‘kin advance gift daw lahat ‘to para sa lahat ng mga milestone na hindi niya mapupuntahan.”
Fatima struggled to swallow as her throat constricted. Mila couldn’t come at a greater time when just last night she was thinking about the baby essentials she needed to buy as early as now, and Mila had gone an extra mile to make sure that she had most of everything and that she wouldn’t have to think about where her money would go.
“‘Wag ka raw umiyak sabi ni Mila,” Rigo took a step closer to her and reached for her elbow. “Basta ang kapalit ay i-update mo siya palagi sa inaanak niya. Sa first word, first step, first solid food. Lahat ng una.”
Fatima wiped her tears with her free hand and nodded. “I will.”
“And,” Rigo gently pulled her towards her kitchen counter. Hindi niya napansin na meron pang nakapatong doon. “Bumili na rin akong prutas mo. Ayan, ako bumili.”
She gently touched the paperbag and reached inside for the small kiat kiat poking out, and then turned to look at Rigo. “Thank you for this. And for that too.” Fatima glanced at the amount of stuff sitting on her floor. It must not have been easy to buy all of it.
Umiling ito at kinuha ang kiat kiat mula sa kanya. He peeled it and made sure to remove the strings sticking on it before giving it back to her. “Sabi ko naman sa ‘yo dati, we’ll be here for you. Lahat kami.”
Rigo walked towards the kitchen area and lifted the lid of a random pot. It was her leftover chicken soup na hindi niya malaman kung ano ang lasa dahil kung ano ano na lang na ingredients ang itinapon niya sa kaldero at pinakuluan hanggang sa maluto. “Seryoso ka ba? Soup lang tanghalian mo?”
Fatima shrugged and put a hand on his chest to push him out of her kitchen. “Tinatamad na akong magluto, Rigo. ‘Wag mo nang pakialaman mga kaldero ko.”
