Niko silently watched Riki. He loved her so much and loved her even more when she told him that they were having a baby despite their very short-lived courtship and relationship. But, like any normal couple, they began to fight regularly about little things; things that others would have found to be very petty like the toilet seat not being put down after Niko used it or the toothpaste tube not being squeezed from the bottom when Riki got some; they even argued about the way how one should disinfect or clean up after coming from outside especially now that the virus was still very much present.
After days of fighting over these little things (and then some), Niko woke up to find Riki's side of the bed empty. He thought that maybe she had just gotten up earlier than him and was making breakfast. Unfortunately, Niko found his apartment eerily quiet and still when he stepped out of the bedroom. When he looked out the window opposite his, he could see the familiar movement of Riki behind the lace curtains of her apartment.
"At least she's safe..." Niko thought. He was relieved to 'see' Riki even if from afar. They had been arguing for several days with Riki threatening to move out.
---
"Ma..."
"O, Kuykuy, napatawag ka? Kamusta ka dyan? Si Riki?"
"Ma..." Niko's voice quivered as his anxious expression became more prominent on screen as his eyes welled with tears.
"O anak, bakit?" Mama asked with concern.
For the first time in years after deciding to live on his own, Niko poured out his feeling to his mom.
"...naisip mo bang medyo masyadong mabilis ang lahat na nangyari sa yo...sa inyo?"
"...medyo nga..."
"Madaming pagbabago at adjustment ang nangyari sa buhay mo, sa buhay ni Riki, sa buhay nating lahat...kung hindi pa nagka-quarantine at nagka-lockdown, naisip mo ba kung anong klaseng buhay meron ka sana sa ngayon?"
Niko shook his head. Like many of us, he lived a rather carefree life prior to the lockdown and quarantine. He was used to living alone and thinking only for himself that he shocked himself with the spur of the moment decisions he made in hooking up with Riki and then having her move in with him. Although they would normally talk about their personal lives, Niko now realized that they were not really deep or detailed conversations.
"Pero Ma, mahal ko sya...at mamahalin ko yung magiging baby namin..."
"Ano?" Mama and Papa were not informed about Riki's pregnancy. Niko may have mentioned planning to settle down in one of their casual conversations but this was before the family knew Riki.
"...buntis po si Riki..."
"...at ikaw ang ama?"
