Project: Karma

73 | My Parents

<Naki>
The days gradually went by and Momma's baby bump was becoming more and more visible. On most days she would cancel her tutoring and classes altogether to stay home. Papa would take a leave from work and stay home with her.

Momma and Papa usually sat in the living room and had conversations that's would last hours. At least that's what Papa tells me. I guess he's trying to make me jealous because, I still have school and was barely home in the mornings.

Momma obviously became more sluggish, just as she was when her legs were healing back then. Momma always has a confident expression on her face when she walks along, I'm proud of her.
Every now and then, she would cuddle along side me on the couch and run her hand through my hair.
She used to do it all the time...I kind of missed it.

Papa recently switched positions at work and got a raise a few weeks after. Papa would always brag that he's the greatest man alive and should be grateful that he's my papa. I would always stick out my tongue when he did and frown my face but, I was grateful.

Back then when I was with Mama, there were days when I couldn't make her stop crying. When she was hurt and I couldn't comfort her completely but now she can smile because of Papa.

"Naki? Are you hurt?"

I looked up to see Momma's face close to mine. She placed her hand along my face with an eye of concern. Her hands were wet and I flinched all of a sudden. Before I realized it, it wasn't that Momma's hands were wet, I was crying and she was trying to wipe them away.

"Momma..." I snuggled with embarrassment running through me, but I couldn't help this feeling. I was lonely.

"Naki..." Momma took me within her arms and embraced me tightly. I could feel the bump of her stomach on my chest and she kissed my forehead. Like she knew all a long.

There was no words. I didn't think there should be.
•••••
"Hey, Naki. Do you know if you're getting a sister or brother?" Daichi asked while hanging upside down on the couch.

"No, they don't even know yet." I replied.

"Sisters are icky, so hopefully it's another boy." Daichi commented.

Haruki looked up from his book and got up.

"Shhh! Nozomi will hear you." Haruki pulled on Daichi's ear, "remember what mom said."

"Ow?! Let go!" Daichi slapped his hand away. "Stop acting like mom." He crossed his arms displeased.

"It really doesn't matter to me." I spoke, "as long as I have another sister or brother, I won't be as lonely anymore." I confessed.

"Huh? Don't you have us?" Daichi pointed out.

Haruki nudged Daichi's arm and they both glared at each other. I couldn't intervene into their feud but, it made me realize the consequences of having another sibling. Will I get into fights with them, like how Haruki and Daichi do?

I fell into a gloom in front of them and they looked like they didn't know how to help me cope. It didn't matter really. I don't know how I'm really supposed to feel about the new baby.

"No matter what happens Naki, it'll be fine." Haruki patted my head and gleamed. His smile was as bright as Zuzu's and it felt warm. Daichi on the other hand kept the attitude and made every effort to make Haruki miserable.

I couldn't help but to watch in awe. Will I have a taste of sibling rivalry? Or will it be like the Tomohito twins? They get along just fine...I wonder why it's so different?
••••••
Back at home, I nestled closely to Momma. She seemed exhausted from correcting papers and those assignments she always talks about. I watched as he held the red pen in her hand and made marks on the paper.
Circles and lines, lines, and circles.

"Momma?"

"Hmm?" She didn't look up and still continued to grade the papers as we spoke.

"When will the baby come?" I asked.

"Around five more months." She replied and looked over me with a tender smile. "Are you growing anxious my dear?" She pressed her nose against mine and teased me.

I giggled along with her and that's when I heard the front door unlock. Papa was home. I jumped to my feet and stood idle. Why was I excited to greet him at the door all of a sudden? I looked back at Momma and she encouraged me to go.

I nodded my head and ran straight to the front door. Papa was taking off his shoes and looked up as I stopped, panting at the frame of the hall.

"Yo, what's up Nakaru." He waved.

"Papa..." I hesitantly stepped forward and then stopped all together. Papa grew confused at my movements and so did I.

"Well? This is supposed to be that father and son moment when you leap into my arms and I catch you." Papa opened his arms wide and had a blissful expression on his face.

This entire rush overwhelmed me. I leapt into Papa's arms and he did catch me. I could feel the tears about to slip out, but I made sure not to show my weak side in front of him.
I've always wanted this. There are so many things that I couldn't have done with a father before. I was always jealous of how Ichiro hugged his dad how Haruki and Daichi tackled his father down in the living room. I wanted to experience that too.

Even if I don't show it a lot, I'm happy.
Momma stood before us and I laughed from my sudden explosion of emotions. Momma and Papa are happy, so I'm happy. In addition, I'm going to be a big brother soon.

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" Momma smiled at me while I was on top of papa.

"Hey, don't ruin the mood." Papa hushed her.

"Of course of course." Momma reached her hand out for both of us. "Come on boys, let's get inside."

These loving hands that takes care of me. Papa and I glanced over at each other and had the same thing on our minds. These were the hands connecting to the angle that saved us.
Both Papa and I took one of her two hands and embraced her together. I guess we both read each other's mind.

"You boys are sure sensitive today." She pointed out, "I love you guys." Momma kissed me on my head and then Papa on the lips.

Then Papa looked down at me and stuck out his tongue, like he was competing with me.

"Papa, you're such a child." I shook my head.
Momma wheezed into laughter and patted my back. Papa didn't look appreciated and sighed.

"You're papa is very childish." Momma agreed.

"Oi, Nagisa." Papa looked slightly disappointed from her words.

"Karma, you know that I'm only kidding." Momma pinched his cheeks.

I stared at the both of them and let this moment sink in. These were my parents.