It was still rather early in the morning when Niko called home.
"O anak, napatawag ka? Kamusta?" Mama asked as soon as she recognized Niko's voice.
"Okay naman po ako...si Riki..."
"Anong nangyari kay Riki?"
Niko tells her his concerns, his voice quite sombre and serious.
"Ah ganun ba? Siguro mas mabuti kung kausapin mo yung duktor nya."
"Okay lang kaya yun?"
"Siguro naman okay yun. Tungkol sa...kay Riki yan e...wag ka mag-alala masyado. Sigurado akong inaalagaan mo naman ng husto yung maging Nanay ng anak mo..."
"Opo..."
"Kaya tawagan mo na yung duktor, okay? Balitaan mo nalang ako. Ipagdadasal ko din kayo."
"Thank you, Ma."
"You're welcome..."
---
"You have a teleconference at 11:15am?" Riki asked as she looked at Niko's planner which he kept beside his laptop. Even if they now both worked from home, he still put down his schedule in his planner.
"Yes...after my class..." Niko answered as he poured himself a cup of coffee and some juice for a very pregnant Riki.
"What are you doing with the class today? Can I sit in?"
"Of course! The kids always look forward to you being with us...but..."
"But what?"
"Uhm...do you think you'll still have the energy to join me for the teleconference after?"
"Ah..oo naman...bakit?"
"Kasi, yung doctor mo ang ka-teleconference ko" Niko said in one huff.
"Doctor ko? Si Dr. Lisa? Hindi ko pa naman schedule to have a check up ah" Riki replied with confusion and worry.
"Eh kasi..uhm...ang weird e..."
"Anong weird? DIba sabi ni Doc nung last check up na pumunta sya dito, everything is normal naman...the baby is growing steadily and my weight within range..."
"But you're already in your 18th week..."
"Ang laki na nga bigla ng tummy ko e. Pero, from what I've read, mga kasing laki palang ng pepper or avocado..."
