Just like that

Chapter 22

"Congratulations, you are one month pregnant, Ms. Saite."

Pumatak ang luha ko sa narinig. I grip the hem of my dress for support.

I have a.. I have a child.. There is something living in my womb. I caress it.

"Mary Jane." Mahinang sambit ni Niccolo sa harap niya. Napaangat siya ng tingin at nakita niyang pati ito ay nagulat rin. Tinitigan siya nito at hinwakan ng mahigpit ang kamay niya.

They bid their goodbye to the OB but they will be back for the monthly check up on her first trimester. That they should be careful because it's risky on that time.

As they walk on the hall of the hospital she remained silent. Thinking alot of things.

How can I raise the child? I'm still not ready yet. I am still under my parents. What will my parents do if they will know? How can I say this to them when i'm still in line of graduating. My OJT. What will happen?

There are so many what if's in my mind right now.

And Remyr.. How can I tell him?

Napalunok siya. Last week nakita niya sa news na umattend ito sa isang charity ball na pinangunahan ng mga magulang nito at duon ipinagmalaki na ikakasal na sila ni Shaneia. Sa harap ng maraming tao, sa harap ng sariling magulang nito.

She halted on walking when they reached the car.

"I need to be alone." Sambit niya sabay angat ng tingin kay Niccolo.

Niccolo looked at her with full of worries.

"No, I won't let you." Sabi nito sabay iling. Hinawakan siya nito sa may balikat at tinignan ng diretso sa mata.

"You have to be strong because there's a little rascal living inside you. You have to brace yourself because it is not only you anymore, you have to think on your child too."

Tears stremed on her cheeks because all of those are true. This is not the time that I should be selfish. To think of nonsense things.

She nodded her head and cried.

That feeling when the pain that you are feeling has no end. The pain that you are feeling was staying in your heart that has no plans on coming out. That you are begging to stop, stop feeling like this. That this is awful, so awful.

Niccolo grabbed her for a hug.

She wished that time that just a simple hug can take all the pain away, that her feelings will go. But, no. It doesn't help a bit to ease the pain away.

"Ssshh, Andito ako. Andito lang." She heard Niccolo said.

Mas lalo lang siyang napaiyak.

I wished he was here too...

---

"Oh my god, dear! Congratulations! You've graduated!" Salubong sakanya ng Mama niya. Nasa Auditorium sila ngayon ng school nila. Kakatapos lang ng Graduation nila. At heto, nag tititili ang mama niya sa tuwa dahil nakapag tapos na siya.

Niyakap siya nito ng mahigpit at mula sa likod niya nakita niya ang Dad niya na napapailing nalang sa mama niya pero nakangiti.

Yumakap rin siya dito ng mahigpit at pumikit. Iniiwasang hindi umiyak sa harap ng magulang niya.

Yang mga ngiti kaya nila sa sasabihin ko, sa maririnig kaya nila andyan parin ba yang mga ngiti na yan?

Those sweet and loving smiles for me will change if  they hear that their loving child is pregnant?