NAKAUPO SI ERNESTO sa gilid ng kama. Allyssa half-sat, propped up by piles of pillows between her back and the headboard. She was covered in blanket from the waist down. Tulog naman ang naka-swaddle na si Alwyn sa mga bisig ng honcho.
“I told you, we have maids here. Si Mona, p’wede mong tawagin para alagaan si Alwyn,” malumanay na sermon ni Ernesto sa asawa.
“Nakalilimutan ko lang uminom ng ferrous, that’s all, love,” mahinang tugon ni Allyssa na nasa harapan at sa kawalan ang tingin.
Ernesto glanced at the sleeping baby in his arms. “No worries. Ibinilin ko na kay Mona na mula ngayon, siya na ang magpapaalala sa ’yo.”
He heard her sigh. Napatingin tuloy ulit si Ernesto rito.
“Look.” Hindi niya napigilang higpitan ang boses. “You could have fallen on the stairs. With our baby. ’Buti at nakasabay mo si Feliciano no’ng hinimatay ka.”
Napayuko si Allyssa. Kumalat ang panlulumo sa mukha nito.
Napailing na lang si Ernesto. “I’m sorry.”
Tears rimmed on Allyssa’s eyes. “Love, do you think . . . do you think I can be a good mother?”
Nagsalubong ang kaniyang mga kilay. “What kind of question is that?”
“I almost put our child in danger. Akala ko, makakaya kong gawin ang lahat para sa anak ko. But look at me, I can’t even . . . I’m too weak.”
Malalim na huminga si Ernesto para ikalma ang sarili. Hindi makatutulong kung makikipagtalo siya sa asawa pero kailangan niyang iparating dito na mali ang iniisip nito. Kailangan niyang iparamdam kay Allyss na hindi ito mahina.
“Kapapanganak mo lang, Allyssa,” usod niya para mas makaharap dito at masalo ang mga mata nito. “And you’re not just a mother, you’re a human too. You still need plenty of rest. And you know what? You are fortunate, because there’s a lot of people here who can help you, who wants to help you.”
Hindi ito nakasagot kaagad.
“I know, you want to be the best mom to our child, but do not push yourself too hard. You have to take care of yourself too. You have to stay healthy because Alwyn will need us for a very, very long time.”
Dahil nanatiling walang-imik si Allyssa, inusig niya ito. He made sure his approach toward her will be as gentle as possible.
“Hmm?”
Ilang saglit din naghintay si Ernesto bago ito matamlay na tumango-tango.
“Ako na rin ang bahala kay Alwyn tuwing gabi. I will wake you up if Alwyn needs breastmilk. Pero kung madadaan itong gwapo nating bulilit—” He smiled at the sleeping baby lovingly. “—sa paghele ko at pag-ugoy sa kan’ya, hindi ko na iistorbohin ang pagtulog mo.”
Allyssa turned her head, facing the open balcony door. Naabutan ito ni Ernesto sa ganoong posisyon nang ibalik niya ang tingin dito.
“Love?” tawag niya rito.
Allyssa did not face him, but she replied, “Paano ang trabaho mo? Mapupuyat ka. Isa pa, magigising din naman ako agad kapag umiyak si Alwyn. Hindi ko matitiis ang anak natin.”
Ernesto smiled sadly at that. “Salitan na lang tayo, gusto mo? Kapag ayaw matulog sa akin ng anak natin, ikaw naman ang magpapatulog sa kan’ya?”
She gently shook her head, and returned her face to the front. “But it’s my responsibility as his mother, to do all these things.”
“Well, yes. Hindi ko naman inaagaw ’yon sa iyo pero makaluma na ang ganyan. Hindi nanay lang ang dapat na nag-aalaga sa anak. Just let me do my part because I am his father. Lalo na at bigla ka na lang hinihimatay sa sobrang fatigue—”
BINABASA MO ANG
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General FictionErnesto always wins--his father's favor, cock derbies, and his wife's heart. But when Joan arrived, he realizes that he's less likely to win if he's fighting against a love that always hides. © anathecowgirl -------- Baluarte Dela Fuente Book 1 Feat...
