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Chapter 17

Kasalukuyang nasa mall si Katrina, picking out clothes for her baby. More than three months na ang dinadala niya and her baby bump is starting to show. Kaya naisipan niya na kailangan na niya talagang maghanda para sa baby na paparating.

She was already in the baby section for toiletries. Kumuha siya ng mga baby products na magagamit niya for the baby - some baby shampoo, liquid bath soap, baby bar soap, diapers at baby lotion.

"Ma'am, maganda po itong baby lotion na ito para kay baby. Touch is important for you to create bond with baby kaya perfect po ang lotion na ito for that," wika ng saleslady na nasa tabi niya ngayon.

"S-Salamat. Sige, I'll get this din." At inilagay na niya ang baby lotion sa pushcart niya.

She was scanning through different baby towels nang biglang tumunog ang phone niya. She quickly fished for it in her small purse ng mabasa niya kung sino ang tumatawag.

Aspen calling...

It has been a week and a half since they last saw each other from his birthday party. She didn't expect him calling or talking to her ever again. Bakit kaya tumatawag ito? Was it to strike an arrangement for their baby?

She nervously pressed the answer button. "H-Hello?"

"Hello. Where are you?" the other line asked.

Just hearing his voice after not seeing him for so long brought her so much joy. She misses him. Itinatanggi niya lamang iyon sa sarili the past few days but now, there is no doubt. Nasanay na siya na kasama ito during the times she lived with him in his condo at ng samahan siya nito sa Pampanga. He has always been around and she got used to him... and fell in love with him. But she can't tell him that.

"I'm shopping for the baby," tipid na sagot niya, trying to hide her feelings.

"Which mall?" he inquired again.

"Bakit? Why do you need to know?"

"Susunduin kita. And then we have to talk," seryosong wika nito.

"Talk about what?" she asked him back.

"About the baby. About us," he answered directly.

Well, he has a point. Kung maghihiwalay na sila ng tuluyan, they should at least strike a deal on how to take care of their child. Siya na ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa mga magulang niya sa probinsya kung bakit sila naghiwalay. She can just make up a random excuse.

"Are you still there?" untag ni Aspen sa kabilang linya. His voice was softer now.

"Y-Yes. Sunduin mo ko dito sa The 30th. I'll be done shopping in a bit," she said and ended the call.

And now na alam niyang magkikita sila ng binata, hindi na siya bigla mapakali. Why does he have that tremendous effect on her?

****

Sinundo siya ni Aspen, saying that they should talk. Pero nagulat si Katrina ng biglang pumasok ito sa condo building nito at magpark sa basement niyon.

"Why are we here in your condo? Hindi ba tayo pwedeng mag-usap somewhere else?" she inquired. Kanina pa siyang tahimik pagkasakay sa kotse nito at ngayon lang siya nagsalita muli.

"Why? Are you hungry?" Tumingin ito sa orasan nito. Wala pa namang dinner. Alas singko pa lamang ng hapon.

"H-Hindi naman. I jus thought maguusap tayo sa labas."

"Are you scared of me?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

Katrina didn't know why she was more mesmerized than ever with Aspen's eyes. She's woken up to those eyes every day the past few weeks kaya nagugulat siya kung bakit ganoon na lamang ang epekto nito sa kanya matapos nilang magkita muli.