MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL

Chapter 5- Wish Upon A Turtle

MEI'S POV

"I'm... I'm pregnant?!"

"You're pregnant."

"I'm pregnant!"

"Yes, you are."

"1-2 weeks?!"

"1-2 weeks."

"B-buntis ako?!"

"Buntis ka."

"B-binuntis mo ako!"

"Binuntis nga kita."

"L-lolobo ang...ang tiyan ko!"

"Lolobo ang tiyan mo."

"Oh my God! Buntis nga ako!"

"My fücking little buddy, buntis ka nga."

"Shutangina mo! Why you keep on repeating my words?!"

"Because I want to sink them into your mind."

I took a deep breath then look at the instructions that came with the test. Did I follow them properly?

I carefully compare the result on the test kit with the pregnancy test result on the instruction sheet.
Oh my God, buntis nga ako!
It seems a bit like a dream!

"Your pipe dream has suddenly become very real. It's normal to feel a little apprehensive."
Aniya. At biglang nawala sa paningin ko ang pregnancy test. Nang tignan ko si Henry, kinukuhanan niya ng picture ang kit.
I took that opportunity to watch his reaction.

He paints a ray of sunshine all over his face. His eyes sparkled. The corners of his eyes crinkled. His cheeks dimpled and the corners of his mouth slid upwards.

I saw his soul through his smile.
He captures joy with those beautiful eyes. Parang hinaplos niya ang puso ko sa klase ng ngiti niya. Hindi ko inaasahan na matutuwa siya ng ganito.

"Finding out that you are pregnant is one of those lump-in-the-throat moments. You know, I've been waiting this for a long time."
Muli siyang ngumiti.
He melts my wall when he shared that most captivating smile.
His eyes, his lips, and his spirit all at once smiled at me.

I think I can endure any pain as long as I see him happy, smiling.
He smile with his mouth, cheeks, eyes, all three.

"Your smile is really contagious, Henry. It looks real splendid to me. Please do smile always."
Tumawa siya sa tinuran ko.

"I will. Now, I have the reason to smile very often."
He kissed my temple and placed his hand on my stomach. Then rubbed it in a circular motion. Naalala ko tuloy ang kuwento ni Mommy sa akin noon. My Dad used to rub my mother's belly when she was pregnant with me. According to my mom, the stomach is a sensual and vulnerable part of a woman's body. So rubbing a woman's tummy is a means of expressing one's affection. Henry rubbed my belly in a very gentle manner and I really love it! I wish he do it more.

"I can't wait to inform your Dad."
I held my breath upon hearing his statement.

"W-what? Sasabihin mo kay Daddy?"

"Yes. Right away."
Bigla akong nabahala nang damputin niya ang mobile niya na nasa ibabaw ng bed.

"No! Don't tell him! Don't tell anyone!"
When he turned to face me, the laughter evaporated from his eyes.
His unmoving gaze was accompanied by deliberate slow breathing, like he was fighting something back and loosing.