The Babymaker

Chapter Four

I went out of Maya’s room, her operation will start on 3pm. She will be fine soon.

I took a deep breath and walk around the hospital.

I was surprised to the man standing few inches away from me. He’s leaning on the wall and looks like he’s waiting for someone. He looked up at me when he noticed I’m staring at him. He forcefully smiled at me.

I sighed. “What are you doing here?” I asked him.

He stood up straight from leaning on the wall to face me. His hands on his pocket.

“Granny ordered me fetch you.” My forehead creased. That fast? Why so fast?

I shyly bowed my head while playing my fingers. How will I tell him?

“Are you quitting on this?” I looked up at him, surprised with his question. I met his eyes, I can’t read his mind. This is a different Jonas, I am facing right now. He’s not the Jonas I know, he is Jonas Monteverde right now.

I quickly shook my head. “No.” I can’t quit anymore. If I do, they will stop the operation of Maya. “Maya’s operation will be later on 3pm, can I just leave tomorrow or after the operation?” I hope they will agree. Cross-finger! I usually does that when I was a kid, sometimes it’s effective I hope it worked this time.

He nodded. “Ok. I’ll talk to Grandma.”

I forcedly smiled at him as a respond. “Thanks.”

Why we end up in this kind of awkward situation? Jonas is actually my closest friend of mine even he’s not usually around. He lives in Manila, his life is Manila yet we became close friend. I can open up myself on him, he knew the story and drama of my life.

I even planning to tell him about this but I’m more surprise he’s actually part of this. He’s connected on this and the biggest surprise, he’s actually a Monteverde.

~

I felt so good when I heard the operation is successful. She’s alive. All I know right now is everything is worth it.

Am I supposed to run now and abandon all the plans? Of course I can’t. Even Maya’s operation is done, there’s a lot of bills must be paid first and maintenance she needs.

This is a situation we you can call, a life for a life.

A life that has been save for a new life that needs to be born.

I heard the door opened and all of most looked to the person who entered the room.

“Sir Jonas” My Uncle and Auntie are both surprised with his presence.

“Good evening po.” He greeted them and my uncle greeted him back.

He walked near me. “Sir” I said out of surprise but they are calling him ‘Sir’, I think I should call him that also.

He smiled a bit. “What’s up with the Sir, Mansanas?” then smirked. “Your things are ready?” he asked.

I gasped. Ready? Am I ready? What if I’m not?

“May I at least wait for Maya to wake up, Sir?” I shyly asked.

“It’s Jonas, Mansanas. Did you forget about it?” he frowned.

I gulped upon mentioning his name. “Jonas. Jonas then.”

He nodded. “It’s ok. I’ll just tell Granny to go first.” My eyes grew big. Madam Celia is here?

“Is Madam Celia here?” I asked.

He smirked at me. “You looked surprised. Yes, they are here. In the parking lot, waiting for us.”

“Oh My!” Auntie blurted out. “Apple, it’s humiliating to make Madam Celia wait.  We’re fine here. We’ll take care of Maya.”

Even I don’t want, I don’t have any choice but to stand up already. I just want to have chat with Maya even a bit. I want to say my goodbye. I don’t have siblings and Maya is more than just a cousin for me. She’s my little sister.

“It’s fine. I’ll just call Granny and tell them to go in first. I’ll wait for Mansanas.” Jonas said.

Both Uncle and Auntie shook their heads. Even I’m against it, they are right. It’s embarrassing to make them wait for me.

“It’s ok, Jonas.” I took my bag and walked beside Maya’s bed. I caressed her head. I will miss this kid.

I’m shocked when her eyes slowly opened. She’s awake now.

“Ate” she called me.

I smiled and almost cry. I caressed her head again. “Hello there kiddo.”

My Uncle and Auntie quickly sat up when they heard Maya spoke. They are really happy, Maya is fine now. Even me, I’m so happy. Just therapy and maintenance and soon Maya will be totally be fine. Even the doctor said, there’s no assurance in her health even Maya is already been operated but still, she can live her life like a normal kids with a little caution of course.

“Ate, are you leaving?” Maya asked when she noticed the bag I’m currently holding.

I nodded. “Ate Apple need to leave for a while.”

She smiled at me. “You’ll be back tomorrow?” she innocently asked.

I wanted to cry. I will miss this kid. I shook my head. “It will take a while before Ate comes back. So you need to take care of yourself ok? You need to be healthy when I come back. You will obey Tatay* and Nanay*, ok?

Her faced turned sad. “Where are you going, Ate?”

“Ate needs to work.” Work? This is work, right? This is my job. “I will miss you. When I comeback, you’re supposed to be fat again.” I hugged her, really tight.

“I will miss you too, Ate. Take care po. Bring me some gifts when you comeback.” She forcedly smile at me.

I kissed her forehead and nodded. I stand up and bid my goodbye to my Uncle and Auntie.

“You take care of yourself, Apple. The Monteverde will look after you. Be a good girl there.” Aunt Matet reminded me.  I just nodded. “You little girl! I will miss you, I’m sorry if I treated you so bad.” I can’t help but to hug Aunt Matet. Even she’s always mad at me, I can still feel I’m important for her. She’s nice and mindful Auntie for me even she doesn’t show it.  She always checks on me, sometimes if I went home late she will get mad but still waited for me. Her anger is her way to show that she cares for me after all.

Uncle Albert joined and hugged me also. “I’m sorry, my dear Apple.” I know Uncle will cry, I quickly shook my head.

“Don’t you dare cry, Uncle. This is for Maya.” She caress my hair.

“You’re exactly your Mom, a very strong woman. You always take care of yourself, Apple. Sorry for not being a good Uncle but always remember that I love you, my dear niece. You always remind me of your Mom.” I felt tears for what I heard from Uncle. It’s my first time hearing it from him.

“Uncle!” I cried more and hugged them tighter before I parted myself.

“Let’s go?” Jonas asked me. I nodded. He took my bag from me.

One last glance, one last wave and one last smile before I totally leave and left them.

Why I’m so dramatic? I’ll be gone just for one year, I think, because that’s what they said. After I get pregnant and give birth to the baby I’m done here. I’m done with my obligation with the Monteverde.

One year. In one year, one life is must come.

I looked at Jonas who smiles a little bit for me. I know he’s against with this. But this is reality. This is the life of poor people. We’re willing to risk anything for the people we love. Is this bad? I just help someone to be alive and help someone to make a life.

*Tatay – tagalong word for Father/Daddy/Papa

Nanay – tagalong word for Mother/Mommy/Mama