Hiding His Daughter

CHAPTER 32

Alagang-alaga ako ni Tita Andrea ngayon, kahit pagtaas ko ay dapat may nakaalalay sa akin.

"Here, eat this, and this too," saad niya, inaabot sa akin ang isang mangkok ng prutas at isang baso ng juice. Umiling ako.

"I'm full na po, Tita. Jaiden bought me my craving food which is sweet corn earlier," sambit ko.

"Sweet corn? Three in the morning?" tanong ni Tita Andrea, nakataas ang kilay.

"Opo, Tita," sagot ko, medyo nahihiya. "Nag-crave po kasi ako. Tapos nakabalik siya ng alas kwatro na. Inaway ko pa nga siya dahil ang tagal niya eh."

"That craving is good, good thing you are not that sensitive," sabi niya, tumango-tango. "Mostly pregnant women are sensitive."

Tumango ako. "Sa amoy lang po ako sensitive," saad ko, habang hinihimas ang maliit kong tiyan. Maliit pa pero halata na ang bump. "Pero okay lang naman po, kaya ko pa naman tiisin."

First day of school ngayon, hinihintay ko lang matapos si Jaiden. Wala pa silang pasok kaya ihahatid niya lang kami at papasok na siya sa café niya.

Nilingon ko si John na tahimik lang sa backseat. He changed and grew up a lot. He used to be naughty, but now he's a quiet kid. He changed ever since I told him I'm pregnant.

"Let's go?" aya ni Jaiden ng makababa.

Tumango ako at kinuha ang bag ko at ang bag ni John, ngunit mabilis na kinuha ni Jaiden sa kamay ko ang mga ito.

Umiling siya. "Pregnant women shouldn't carry heavy things," saad niya, bahagyang nakakunot ang noo. He placed the bags in the backseat.

I playfully slapped his face. "It's not that heavy! Binder at ballpen lang naman laman ng bag ko," anas ko, saka humawak sa balikat ni John.

John went to the back seat. I looked at Jaiden, who was waiting for me to get into the front seat. "Dito na ako sa likod," sambit ko, hindi na siya hinintay pang magsalita at sumakay na sa backseat.

Jaiden got in the driver's seat. "You should sit here, in front," he said, but I just shook my head and looked at John.

I poked him gently. He looked at me. "Are you okay, po?" I asked. He nodded, his eyes fixed on the window. He seemed a little quiet.

Napansin ko ang paglingon-lingon ni Jaiden sa review mirror.  He seemed distracted, his usual bright smile absent.

"Are you mad? Bakit hindi mo ako halos pansinin?" malambing na tanong ko, hinawakan ang kamay niya.

Dati, kapag pumupunta ako sa bahay nila, sasalubungin niya ako ng yakap. Pero ngayon… wala. Parang ang layo niya.

"I'm not mad, po," bulong niya, sapat na para marinig ko.  "I... I just have to distance myself, po, so I won't get hurt." His voice was thick with unshed tears.

Umusod ako palapit sa kanya. "Why do you need to distance yourself, po?" tanong ko, hinawakan ang kamay niya. Napansin ko ang pagtulo ng luha niya.

"I'm not your baby anymore… You have a baby in your tummy," he whispered, his voice trembling.

I chuckled, a warm, reassuring chuckle. "It doesn't matter if I have a baby in my tummy, po. You are still my number one baby. You are Ate Eliana's first baby," I said, gently pinching his cheek. "And you'll always be."

He hugged me tightly, burying his face in my shoulder. "Really, po?" he asked, his voice muffled.

I nodded, stroking his hair. "Really. And this little one in my tummy? He or she will have a big brother who loves him very much."