Until the Iris Blooms

First Iris

"Tongrak!?!?"

His mental thread was cut when he heard someone scream his name, he looked around and found himself in a small room. There were 2 more people except Mahasamut and him. He smiled in return after finding himself somewhere, where he didn't know how he reached.

"Khun Tongrak, please lie down on the bed. I am your doctor Bua and this is Dr. Joy. Please please lift your shirt" the lady in front of him said while wiping his lower abdomen with a soft, warm cloth. Tongrak complied, still distracted by his thoughts. The cool gel spread across his stomach sent a shiver down his spine, and he glanced at Mahasamut, who stood beside the bed with arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Dr. Bua smiled reassuringly. "We'll begin the ultrasound now. Let me know if you feel any discomfort."

As the probe moved across his abdomen, the room filled with the faint hum of the machine and soft murmurs from the two doctors. Tongrak, though nervous, found himself glancing again at Mahasamut, who was focused intently on the screen.

"Ah, here we are!" Dr. Joy exclaimed cheerfully, breaking the silence. "Your baby looks healthy and active."

The monitor displayed a tiny figure wriggling gently. Tongrak's breath caught. His heart swelled as he stared at the screen, captivated. It was real—this was his baby. His hands automatically fumbled in search of his partner's hands who immediately held his hands to calm him down.

He looked at Mahasamut, his eyes moist and a beautiful smile resting on his lips which felt contagious as a smile spread through his own lips.

"Would you like to know the gender?" Dr. Bua asked, her voice kind but professional.

Tongrak hesitated, his lips parting to answer when Mahasamut interjected softly, "Yes, please."

The doctors exchanged a glance before Dr. Joy turned the monitor slightly. "Congratulations, it's a girl."

"A girl..." Tongrak whispered, the word unfamiliar but warm on his tongue. His eyes stung, and he blinked quickly, trying to suppress the sudden rush of emotion. A tear slid down his cheek before he could stop it.

Mahasamut's hand instinctively reached out, brushing the tear away with his thumb. His touch was gentle but lingering, his expression softening for just a moment. "She'll be perfect," he murmured.

Tongrak turned his head away, feeling exposed. He didn't know if it was the hormones or the realization that he wasn't as alone in this as he thought.

The session concluded, and Dr. Bua handed them printouts of the ultrasound images. "We'll see you again in a few weeks," she said, her tone warm. "Take care, Khun Tongrak."

Tongrak smiled faintly and nodded, clutching the photos tightly. As they walked toward the gynecologist's office, Mahasamut stayed close behind, his silence steady but oddly comforting.

Dr. Sky, Tongrak's regular obstetrician and mate of his college friend Prapai, greeted them with a cheerful smile as they entered. "Ah, P'Rak, good to see you again. And this must be Mahasamut. Please, both of you, take a seat."

Mahasamut looked at Tongrak, a bit jealous of the intimacy he felt from the way the doctor called his Tongrak.

They settled into the chairs across from Dr. Sky, who began reviewing Tongrak's file. "The ultrasound looks excellent. Everything seems normal, but there are a few additional tests I'd like to run today. Just routine to ensure both you and the baby are in good health."

Tongrak nodded, trying to maintain his calm, but his thoughts lingered on the earlier ultrasound and Mahasamut's unexpected tenderness.

After the initial examination and some blood tests, Dr. Sky leaned back in his chair. "Now, I have to ask a few personal questions. Please bear with me." He glanced at them both with a knowing smile. "Are the two of you sexually active during the pregnancy?"