Nang tawagin ang pangalan ni Ara, sumama si Kanoa dahil gusto nilang sabay na makita ang gender ng anak nila. Isa pa, gusto niyang makausap ang doctor nito. Napapadalas kasi ang sipon ni Ara nitong mga nakaraan.
Habang nag-uusap sina Ara at ang doctor, nakatingin naman si Kanoa sa posters na nasa paligid ng clinic. Naroon ang stages ng baby sa loob ng sinapupunan.
Nasa sixth month na sila at base sa picture na tinitingnan niya, malaki na ang anak niya. Narinig din niyang sinabi ni Ara na madalas itong gumagalaw sa tiyan nitong mga nakaraan.
"I've been addicted to mango shake lately," natawa si Ara habang nag-e-explain sa doctor. "And our baby's really active!"
Ang inirereklamo lang ni Ara, kung kailan natutulog na sila at saka galaw nang galaw ang tiyan nito. Kahit si Kanoa mismo ay nagigising dahil bigla na lang din mapapaaray si Ara.
"I couldn't imagine when you were carrying the twins," sabi ng doctor.
Nakita ni Kanoa na ngumiti si Ara. "It was four times harder. One side's active, the other was a little . . . tamed. Maybe the active one was Antoinette."
Tinitigan ni Kanoa si Ara. Nakangiti itong nakikipag-usap sa doctor hanggang sa pahigain na ito sa kama. Sumunod siya at naupo sa tabi. Pareho silang nakatingin sa screen. Habang busy ang doctor sa pag-ayos, hinalikan niya ang likod ng kamay ng asawa.
"I'm nervous," Ara whispered, her voice cracked.
"Oo naman. Kain tayo sa Taco Bell mamaya pagkatapos. Nag-crave ka kagabi, 'di ba?" Kanoa changed the topic and started telling Ara the order.
Ara was startled when she felt the cold gel, and her doctor started moving the doppler. She could hear the familiar noises from the sonogram machine. She stared at the screen and immediately saw their baby's silhouette.
She gazed at Kanoa, who was also intently staring at the screen. His eyes were fixed on every movement, and he smiled when they heard that familiar heartbeat sound.
"It's a girl!" The doctor exclaimed and gazed at Kanoa. "Congratulations on being a girl dad!
Their eyes met and Ara immediately saw Kanoa's eyes glistened. He was trying not to tear up, but she sobbed. She had no plans on stopping even when the doctor was still around. Naramdaman pa nga niya ang paglinis nito sa tiyan niya, pero mas nag-focus siya sa kanila ni Kanoa.
Ara shut her eyes for minute and remembered the ultrasounds she had years ago. She was alone and this time, Kanoa beside her was a big deal. It was different. Way different because she get to cry and celebrate with the person she loved.
Habang nasa parking lot at pagtigil sa tapat ng sasakyan, niyakap siya ni Kanoa mula sa likuran. Pareho silang tahimik na nakatingin sa pinto ng clinic na pinanggalingan nila.
"Girl dad ka," natawa si Ara. "Antoinette is your major problem now 'tapos you're gonna have another baby girl."
"I love being a girl dad. Ang arte n'yo pa naman ni Antoinette 'tapos meron ulit bagong maarte." Humiwalay si Kanoa kay Ara at ipinihit ito paharap. "Mahal kita, sobra. Araw-araw hanggang ngayon, pinagsisisihan ko kung ano ang nangyari sa 'tin noon."
Nakatitig si Ara kay Kanoa na hinahaplos ang pisngi niya.
"Kung hindi ako sobrang gago noon, iba siguro ang takbo ng buhay natin ngayon. Hindi ka naging mag-isa at nasamahan kita noon. Hindi sana masakit, hindi ka sana nasaktan. Kahit ayaw mo na, paulit-ulit pa rin akong hihingi ng sorry, Ara."
Ara smiled and tiptoed to kiss Kanoa on the lips. "You were hurt, too. We both lost Antheia, we both neglected Antoinette. This time, let's just focus on our family. I know you'll still say sorry everytime, but please know that I already forgave you a long time ago. Let's just focus on Antoinette and this baby," she caressed her belly. "You have another brat in the making."
Kanoa encircled his arm around Ara and kissed her forehead. "Okay lang. Sana kamukha mo ulit."
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T H E X W H H Y S
www.thexwhys.com
