The Gap

Chapter 9

Mackenzie Xochitl

Harriet's silence is killing me and I am not comfortable in my seat.

It's been like, two hours nang umalis kami sa bahay and went to this classic restaurant para makausap ako. We're eating silently at hindi nagkikibuan. I know that she's mad. I can sense it.

Ano bang klaseng bestfriend ako?

"The food is delicious," I broke the silence by complimenting the food we are eating. Pero sa totoo lang ay wala akong malasahan dahil sa kaba. I am even having a hard time in swallowing it.

"So, everything that happened between you and my brother is just an accident," she said as if she didn't heard me. I shut my eyes and think on how will I explain these things to my bestfriend.

"Why didn't you tell me? You've entrusted a secret to a stranger but not to your bestfriend? How could you do this to me, Zie? Akala ko ba there'll be no secrets between us?" that hit me. How could I?

"I'm really sorry Harriet," I said sincerely. What I did is a mistake and she had a point. Bakit nga ba ako nagsasabi ng sikreto sa isang tao na hindi ko naman kilala if I have a bestfriend already that is ready to lend her ears to me?

"Akala ko kasi you'll judge me because I am not pure anymore. And worst, I am devirginized by your brother na sampung taon ang agwat sa akin," I shook my head in disbelief. I admit na kahit kasal na kami ni Wyatt at may mutual feelings sa isat-isa, still I can't believe that this is happening. Hindi ko ineexpect na ganito ang magiging buhay ng isang inosenteng Zie Xochitl at the age of eighteen. Ni hindi ko man lang naranasan ang magkaboyfriend at maligawan tapos kasal na kaagad ako.

Her expression soften when I looked at her. She sighed and stood up from her seat. I was expecting that she'll slap me or be mad at me dahil sa katangahan ko, but nothing violent or harsh happened. She just hugged me and felt her shoulders shaking. I was dumbfoundingly sitting while Harriet is hugging me.

"You know I wont judge you no matter what. I'm just mad because you didn't told these things to me. Natulungan pa sana kita," kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at binigyan ng isang maliit na ngiti. Then I remembered na may problena nga pala siya.

"Anyway, you've told me earlier that you have a problem," saad ko. She just smiled and wagged her head.

"It's nothing. Don't mind me, I'm okay," she then raised her right arm.

"Ano pinag-usapan niyo kanina?" Wyatt asked while we're eating our meal for lunch.

"Nothing. Just a girl bonding," I said nonchalantly. Another lie, I guess.

"Anyway, today is our first appointment to your OB-gyne. Well go to the hospital right after lunch," he said. I just nodded my head and continued on eating. Pagkatapos ng lunch ay pumunta na nga kami sa ospital para sa first check-up ko. My baby bump is already showing at ngayon pa lang ako magpapacheck-up sa OB ko.

We're now sitting at the waiting area. Waiting for my name to be called. At habang naghihintay ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa tiyan ng ibang mga buntis dito sa waiting area. Parang any minute ay manganganak na sila. And just by staring at their tummies, hindi ko mapigilang ma-excite at matakot at the same time. Naeexcite because I am carrying our first child at natatakot dahil one of my 'teenage mom' friend told me na sobrang sakit daw na manganak.

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Wyatt sa tiyan ko.

"I hope our baby is okay," he lowered his face and talked to my tummy na para bang naririnig na siya ng anak namin. The scene is heart-warming lalo na ang sinabi niya. Our baby. Napakagandang pakinggan at para bang musika ito nang marinig ko. Gusto ko tuloy umiyak.

"Mrs. Mackenzie Fortalejo," tawag ng midwife. Tumayo na kami ni Wyatt at pumasok sa loob.

A middle-aged woman is sitting and writing something on a paper. Nang mag-angat siya nang tingin sa amin ay ngumiti ito, so I smiled back. Me and Wyatt sat on the chair infront of the doctor's table.

"I'm so glad to see you Mrs. Zie Fortalejo. I can't believe that you're a parent now. Parang kailan lang when your mother is still having her monthly check-up in here nang ipinagbubuntis ka pa niya," Doctor Reyes said with a smile. We chatted for almost thirty minutes. Kinakamusta ako and asking how are my brothers.

Then she motioned me to lie on the bed sa isang maliit na cubicle in her office. Itinaas din niya kaunti ang suot blouse and put some gelly on my tummy. Wyatt is standing beside me and holding my arm the whole time.

She then put a little machine on my tummy and started to move it. Pagkatingin ko sa screen sa harap ko ay may nakita akong kulay gray, black at white doon. Doctor Reyes typed something on the keyboard with her free hand and then itinuro niya ang nasa screen.

"That's your twelve-weeks-and-three-days-old-baby," she still wears her genuine smile. Hindi ko maiwasang mapaluha. Gods, I'm really pregnant.

When I looked at Wyatt, I saw him smile for the first time. Then he also looked at me. Napangiti nalang ako.

Nang matapos iyon ay lumabas na kami sa cubicle.

"The baby is fine and healthy. It's bigger than a normal size kaya naman I'm pretty sure that your baby is tall," then Doctor Reyes handed us the ultrasound pictures.

"But I have to warn you. You're still young to deliver a child kaya naman maselan itong pagbubuntis mo. I suggest you two to be aware and careful on everything. Don't get yourself stressed or be over-emotional dahil makakasama ito sa baby," then may isinulat si Doctor Reyes sa isang papel.

Tinanguan ko nalang si Doc at masayang niyakap si Wyatt. For the first time in history, I shed a tear because of joy.