Young and Married

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXX

"You're planning to build a house?" gulat na tanong ni Alexa.

"Yes. Iyon ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Zack kaninang umaga." sagot ni Clinton.

"That's good to hear, Clinton." hindi ko napigilang magkomento.

"Thank you. I've been planning with Zack. I have a penthouse in Manila but I don't think it's design is ideal for a family with kids. Ipaparenovate ko muna 'yon pero uunahin ko na ang pagpapagawa ng bahay." he explained.

Alexa looked so pleased of what she heard from Clinton. Her tears are about to fall because of happiness.

"When I heard about your plan to go with us in our new house, I was really pleased. Thank you for accompanying Paige, Alexa. I was worried about Paige's condition. I was thinking about giving Paige to her family for a mean time to make sure she's going to fine because I know she can't be left alone. Salamat, Alexa." Zack said.

"There's no problem with that. I'm also worried about Paige's condition that why I suggested that even if it means that we'll be intruding to your privacy." Alexa said.

I smiled. Somehow, I can see that everything is slowly falling to its places. I'm glad that this is happening.

"The only thing I'm worried about is Clinton's work. Malayo ang trabaho mo." I said. Tumingin kaming lahat kay Clinton upang marinig ang sagot nito.

"I will talk to the director of our hospital to reassign me here. Baka lamang abutin ng isang buwan ang pag-aasikaso noon." sagot ni Clinton.

"I can take care of myself, naman." Alexa said.

"No. I take care for them for the mean time. You don't have to worry." sabi ni Zack.

"Thanks." tinapik ni Clinton ang balikat ni Zack. Zack nodded to his brother. Naputol ang pag-uusap namin nang dumating ang aming order.

Alexa and I ate happily. Sobrang sarap sa aking panlasa ang Korean foods. Samantalang nawalan naman ng gana si Alexa nang malanghap ang amoy ng seafood ramen na kanyang in-order. It turned out that she didn't like the smell.

Clinton ended up eating Alexa's food. Ayaw kasi ni Alexa na masayang ang pagkain. Pinaghatian iyon ni Zack at Clinton dahil pareho silang hindi mahilig sa spicy foods. Mahilig ako sa maanghang ngunit may sea shell's allergy ako kung kaya gusto ko man silang tulungan ay hindi pwede.

Nakiagaw sa Korean barbeque si Alexa. Lahat ng in-order ko ay nagustuhan niya. Mas madami siyang nakain sa akin. Natawa naman ako pagkatapos dahil naiiyak si Alexa sa dami niyang kinain.

"I'll be so fat!" she said.

"That's okay. You will still look beautiful." I assured her.

"No! I'll look like whale like those pregnant ladies on television!" she looked so sad.

"It's natural. Para iyon sa baby natin." Clinton said.

Alexa somehow calmed. She even blushed and it made me laugh hard. Nakaalalay sa akin si Zack dahil sa sobra kong pagtawa.

"You're laughing at me." Alexa looked so offended because I laughed at her blushing face.

"Because you look so cute. Look at you, you're blushing!" I teased her.

"I'm not!" she denied. Her eyes are wide while she's denying. I laughed even more and that made her blushed again.

We decided to part ways to rest. Natulog ako sa cottage for my siesta and to rest from exhaustion because of our bonding with Alexa and Clinton. Nang magising ako ay wala si Zack. Nang tanungin ko si Ate Stella ay sinabi niyang pumunta ito sa malapit na botika upang bilhin ang gatas na kailangan ko na wala sa ospital. Anito ay hindi ako maiwan kapag tuwing gising ako.

Nagpalit ako ng damit. May malaking salamin sa banyo ng room cottage namin ni Zack. Doon ko napansin ang pagbabago sa akin katawan. My chest is bigger and my hips were wider. Nang tumagilid ako ay napansin ko ang umbok sa aking tiyan. It's four months now but it's look five months already. The doctor said that my stomach will be bigger than those of normal pregnancy because I'm carrying twins.

I held and somehow, I felt scared and happy. I'm scared because I am not ready to be a mother but I am willing to do anything it would take to be a good one. I'm happy because I am able to take care of them despite the circumstances.

My pregnancy wasn't easy. It was unexpected. My father was furious, and Zack and I was surprised because we didn't exactly know what happened. Now, five more months and we are really going to be parents.

Lumabas ako suot ang maternal dress na ibinigay sa akin ni Mama. Nang isuot ko ay makikita mo na ng bahagya ang umbok sa aking tiyan. I really look pregnant! Mas malaki ang tiyan ni Alexa sa akin dahil magse-seven months na ang kanyang baby pero para sa apat na buwan, malaki itong aking baby bump.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Ate Stella na tingin ko ay pinakiusapan ni Zack na magbantay sa akin.

"I'll wait for Zack outside. Doon lamang po ako sa may duyan. You don't have to accompany me. I want to wait for him." I said.

"No, way. If you don't like the feeling of someone watching you, doon na lamang ako sun lounges. I need to keep an eye on you. We're worried." she said.

"Thank you, Ate." I said. She smiled at me.

I'm glad that they are concern to me. I'm just so blessed to end up with Zack. He have a kind, understanding, supportive and caring family. I'm just so glad that despite my early pregnancy, I received these kind of blessings.

Nanatili ako sa duyan habang nanunuod ng papalubog na araw. I really, really like the sunset. It gives me hope. Usually, the end of something is scary and sad. Like deaths. Pero the sunset gives me a new insight about endings. The day ends with this beautiful setting. It reminds me how great God is.

"I heard she's Sir Zack's wife." I heard a voice from a far. Mula sa hindi kalayuan ay dalawang waitress na nagseserve ng inumin sa guests na um-order ng inumin.

"She is. She's just eighteen! Grabe ang kapusukan ng mga kabataan ngayon, right?" the other waitress said.

"That's right. Maagang lumalandi. Akala yata masarap ang buhay ng maagang nag-asawa." sabi naman nang isang babae.

"Baka gold digger? Alam yatang mayaman at mabait ang pamilya nina Sir Pascual. Hindi muna nag-aral at nagtapos bago lumandi!" another waitress commented.

"Sayang. Inisip niya kaya ang pamilya niya? I heard na mahirap lang 'yong family ni girl." rinig kong sabi noong unang waitress na narinig kong masalita.

"Kaya nga nagpakasal sa mayaman para makaahon sa kahirapan." The other waitress said and they laugh together.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at pinilit ang sarili na huwag nang lingunin ang babaeng nag-uusap. That's the normal response of those people who encounter stories like mine. Madalas ko ng marinig ang ganyang mga komento mula sa mga kaklase ko dati tuwing may nababalitaan silang kakilala na maagang nag-asawa at nagbuntis.

I can't blame them though.

"Paige?" narinig ko ang boses ni Zack. Tumayo ako at nakita si Zack dala ang kanyang pinamili.

I smiled at him.

"You were waiting for me?" he asked while smiling.

"Yes."

Masakit mahusgahan lalo na at hindi naman nila alam ang buong kwento. Madami na akong narinig na mga panghuhusga. Now that I know the feeling of being judged, I will make sure that I won't do the same to anyone. I don't want to break anyone's heart.