Chapter 48
1123 Words
RIZ
I COULDN’T breathe. This is what it feels like to be valued. My whole life, I’ve been waiting for my parents to love me too.
The kind of love that’s unconditional.
The kind that doesn’t come with the expectation of being their child.
I don’t know if that day will ever come, but right now, I feel like I’m up in the clouds. Justin loves me not because I’m carrying his child. He loves me for no reason at all. I still can’t believe it, so even though Matet continues her story about her and Ryan, I can hardly understand anything. All I can think about is my husband and his love for me.
“Hey, are you listening? Come on.” Matet rolled her eyes at me in annoyance. Reysa would just meet us here at the mall later. She had an errand to run.
“Sorry. I’m just thinking.” I smiled at her. “I want a coconut shake. Let’s buy some.”
“The cravings of a pregnant woman shall be obeyed.” She smiled at me and linked her arm with mine as we walked towards the coconut stand. “I hope I look as beautiful as you when I get pregnant. You know, the kind that when people look at you from behind, they’d think you’re still single, then they’d be shocked when you turn around because it looks like you swallowed a watermelon.” My friend is really silly; she thinks of the craziest things.
“Why? Did Ryan get you pregnant and you suddenly started dreaming?” I asked her. They’ve been together for a while, and even though my friend can be moody, I know her boyfriend loves her.
She scratched her neck. “I’m a week late. But don’t tell him. I’m not sure yet.”
“Are you usually late? I thought you were on the pill?”
“I forgot to take it once. Then I took it, but it was past midnight. Then something happened. Just! I don’t want to think about it, but honestly, I’m nervous. What if he’s not ready to start a family and then the baby comes?”
“Are you ready?”
Matet pouted. “Even if I’m not ready, it’s okay with me. That’s our baby with Ryan. Besides, we’re graduating soon. It’s not like I got pregnant while we were in school. I don’t have any savings yet, but at least I didn’t disappoint my parents too much.” After her long rant, she sighed. “The truth is I’m scared, but I know I will be okay. Just trust.”
I squeezed her hand and gave her a smile. “Don’t think about it for now. We are here to relax and have a little bit of fun.”
We were fourth in line at the coconut stand when my cell phone suddenly rang. It was Justin.
“Hey, aren’t you in a meeting?” I asked him.
“I missed you.”
There was no background noise, so I wasn’t sure if he postponed the meeting or moved it to a different time. It could also be that it was over, but I doubted it. I knew they had a lot of agendas.
I felt like my insides melted. Handsome and so sweet.
“Where are you?”
“I’m in the washroom. I excused myself from the meeting so I could call you.” He sounded like it was such a normal thing to do.
“Are you usually like that? I mean, when you’re in a relationship, do you excuse yourself from a meeting to call your woman?” I didn’t want to ask, but how would I know if he was like this with Veronica? When that thought crossed my mind, I felt irritated.
He laughed a little. “Of course not. Only for you.”
I smiled at his answer. That meant I was special. Silly, he really loves you. Doubt it?
“So what are you doing now?”
I cleared my throat. “I’m in line. Baby wants coconut.”
“Really? Do you want me to buy some coconut to bring back to the penthouse? You might crave it later, and we won’t be able to find any right away.”
Although I knew he’d go to the ends of the earth to find what I was craving, I wasn’t that dramatic like some pregnant women who cry if they don’t get what they want. My husband was tired from work, and if I acted spoiled, that would be too much. Maybe I’d save it for the weekend. I laughed at my mischievous idea. Right. I would shower him with affection on the weekend.
“No need. This is fine,” I assured him.
“Sure?”
“Very sure. Go back to the meeting. It would be embarrassing for your colleagues if you’re not there.”
I heard his little whine. I knew he was really reluctant to attend after we confessed to each other earlier in the closet. I really had to push him.
“We are going out for dinner tonight. Make sure you’re home before six. Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’ll be home before then. I love you.”
There was a brief silence on the other end. I checked my phone to see if the call had dropped, but it was still connected. What happened there?
“I love you more,” he replied. My cheeks flushed. I still wasn’t used to it. “Damn, I’m getting butterflies.” I laughed at his last remark before we ended the call.
When I turned to Matet, she had a playful grin on her face. “So you two have confessed to each other?” She suddenly burst into laughter, almost squirming like a worm. “I’m so giddy for you! It’s really something! Ah! Love really is something.” She even hummed a love song and teased me, so I rolled my eyes at her.
We only bought a small coconut shake. I was so thirsty that I finished mine in no time. While waiting for Matet, I spotted a boutique. There was a nice floral dress on display.
“That’s a pretty dress.” I pointed to the dress a few meters away from us.
“It is pretty. It would look good on you. Let’s check it out.” She finished her drink and threw it in the recycling bin.
When we arrived at the boutique, we were immediately greeted by the saleslady. I pointed at the dress on display and asked for my size. The saleslady immediately complied to get the dress for me.
- Writer
