Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 27

Stirring happily, Isma was over the moon when she heard about Rachele’s pregnancy. She didn’t know that this chance would come into her life. Witnessing another human growing inside one. She had wished for it for a very long time, but it was part of her punishment. She was not given a chance. Now, she was witnessing it first hand, so she was very happy.

Isma heard footsteps going towards her. She looked behind her and saw Janus in a sweatshirt and carrying some heavy plastic bags.

“Cleo, did you get the bananas?” She asked.

him.

“Loads.” Cleo raised his hands to show her a whole bunch of bananas in a plastic bag.

“We only need one type, Cleo. That’s too much.” Isma smiled at how innocent Janus looked at the moment.

“Well, we can share them with the neighbors.” Janus tried to smile at his embarrassment. Isma could only shake her head.

“Place some on the table and you can call Carding outside to distribute the others. Can you check on Rachele too, after that? This is almost done.”

Janus nodded and did as he said. He placed some bananas on the table and looked outside the window. He saw Carding tinkering with something in front of their house. Janus called him. When Carding left with a huge thanks, Janus then proceeded to go inside their room.

His wife was still sleeping peacefully. He was already standing at the side of their bed and hesitated. Xandriel looked like a baby and seeing her in that state made him want to stop the clock just to stare at her.

But she needed to eat. The food would get cold, so he gently placed his knees on the bed and leaned down on her.

“Rachele.” He whispered.

He gently shook her shoulder and whispered in her ear. He saw Xandriel’s eyebrows furrowed and she swatted Janus’ hand away. She turned her body so her back was now facing her smiling husband. He was really finding her cute.

He repeated his actions but Xandriel was still persistent about being asleep. Janus eventually gave up and sat down beside her. He sighed. His eyes wandered to her stomach.

It was still flat since it was just two weeks old. But just knowing that there was a human being growing there amazed him. It was a special child, the child that would bring peace to the world. The child that will save all humanity. Most of all, it was their child, Xandriel and his.

His hand moved on its own and found its spot on Xandriel’s tummy. A surge of warmth covered his whole body, most specifically his heart. He didn’t know what it was or where it came from. But he welcomed it and drowned himself in that feeling.

“Janus? What are you doing?” He then heard Xandriel’s hoarse voice, which made him look at her.

+++

“Janus? What are you doing?”

I woke up when I felt a warm hand gently caressing my stomach. I opened my eyes to see Janus smiling at himself while his hands were roaming on my tummy.

“I was just… there is a baby inside, right? Is this how being a father feels like?” There was a gleam in his eyes and his face was masked with excitement. I chuckled.

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t know, since I would not experience it.” I joked.

Janus laughed wholeheartedly and I was happy seeing him in his current state. It seems like I have been seeing him happier as the days go by. Maybe it was because of this little gift we had. Who wouldn’t be happy? This blessing was a special one. I was even beyond happy.

“You should really get up now. Lola Isma was almost done with the sinigang.”

Janus surprised me when he leaned down to put his lips on my forehead. He smiled at me before leaving the room. Moments later, I was still dumbfounded.

What just happened?

Janus had just kissed my forehead. A small gesture. A gesture of love and respect. He had done it. Now, calm down, Xandy. You really need to do a lot of coming down these days.

I felt stupid for being so worked up over a kiss. A kiss on the forehead. Just on the forehead. And yet… my heart welled up. My world stopped. And my mind kept on replaying that particular scene. And the smile, oh goodness, the smile.

I shook my head to clear it. Just in time, my stomach rumbled. Yes, I can hear you little one. I’m famished. Maybe the reason why I’m being silly.

I stood up from bed. A delicious smell wafted through my nose and triggered another rumble in my stomach. I quickly dressed and tidied myself. The smell was more prominent in the hallways and when I entered the kitchen, a freshly cooked sinigang was already set on the table.

Janus was arranging the utensils and Lola Isma was still scooping the rice into a large bowl. I noticed the banana at the center of the table.

“What is going on? Is today a special day?” I asked as I took my usual place on the table.

I don’t remember today being a special one. Lola Isma placed the rice beside the sinigang and smiled at me excitedly. Janus also pulled the chair so he could sit in front of me. Lola Isma took the seat at the head part of the table.

“Nothing, dear. We are just celebrating a piece of great news. Go on, let’s eat while it is still hot.” She gestured towards the food.

Janus picked up my plate and he did the honor of serving me the rice. I watched him do his work diligently, asking me if it was too much or too little. When I glanced at Lola Isma, her weird smile was back. I’m going to speculate that she might be in love or something.

“Rachele, do you want bananas? There were plenty of those earlier and we shared some with the neighbors. If it’s not enough for you, I can go and get some.”

My thoughts went back to reality when Janus spoke. My plate was already placed in front of me with plenty of soup that almost drowned the rice, just like how I like it.

“I haven’t eaten my food yet, Cleo. I’ll tell you when I need more.”

It was as if that was what he was waiting for. He then got his own food. He offered to serve Lola Isma some but she refused, saying that she could handle herself.

+++

“Are you going to take a bath now, Rachele?” I heard Lola Isma’s voice behind me.

I was carrying the soap holder in one hand and there was a towel on my shoulder. I was also carrying a pail that contained some laundry. I have yet to wash the clothes I used when cleaning the house, so I figured I could do it while taking a bath. Plus, I’m already going there, so I might as well save some travel.

“I will also wash these.”

Just as I was showing Lola Isma the pail, Janus appeared at the front door. His hair was damped with sweat and his clothes were also soaked in sweat. He looked at me and at the things that I was carrying.

“Are you going to do the laundry? I will go with you. I’ll wash mine too.” Janus didn’t wait for a response as he dashed inside and into our bedroom. A moment later, he emerged with his laundry in hand.

“Let’s go,” Janus said.

He was the first to leave the house, so I had no other choice but to follow him. We crossed the road and went down the steep stairs of stone that were now slippery because of the mud. A huge part of the stairs was already covered in mud and soil because it was always used by people and one can’t help but walk with water dripping on them. Janus held out his hand to me.

“Hold my hand and walk slowly. You might trip.” He said with seriousness.

“I can manage, Janus.” I rolled my eyes and answered him, but nevertheless placed my hand atop of his.

Janus tightened his hold on my hand as we ascended. He was doing his assisting job very well. He would lead me to the right when he didn’t trust the left path he was taking and vice versa. When we reached the bottom, I saw Manang Lileth besting her laundry with a *palupalo. He looked up to see us.

“How sweet the two of you this early in the morning,” Manang Lineth said with excitement and a loud voice, making everybody there look at us.

A blush crept out of my cheeks. I pulled my hand at Janus’ hold and was thankful when he did not protest. He was actually smiling and was puffing his chest. A thing he’d been doing since earlier.

“I really admire your husband, Rachele. He was so sweet and caring towards you.” Manang Lineth continued her compliment.

“I do too. But sometimes he makes me feel like a paralyzed woman.” I joked and the people around us followed.

Janus gave me a shrug as he put down the laundry he was holding on one of the rocks. He also got mine, which I gladly let him as my hand was getting tired of holding that small metal. It was biting my palm.

“My wife here needs to be more extra since she’s not alone anymore.” That earned some gasps and another set of blushes on my cheeks.

“We are pregnant.” Janus proudly said.

I now finally understand why he always puffs his chest. He was actually proud that we were expecting a baby. I chuckled at his silliness. Janus would always surprise me.