ESTHER was lying peacefully on the bed. Her one hand was protectively resting over the curve of her stomach. The doctor was bent over, checking her pulse, then quietly adjusting the chart on his clipboard.
Nakatayo naman si Ciaran malapit sa may bintana at nakatingin kay Esther. In the soft light of the morning, Esther looked fragile yet resilient, as though every scar in her life had shaped her into something stronger. Watching her sleep had become a quiet habit of his.
“Her vitals are stable.” Sabi ng doktor. “The baby’s heartbeat is strong. She just needs to rest.”
Tumango si Ciaran. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa baso ng tubig na hawak niya. Relief washed through him, though he kept his expression unreadable.
Nang makaalis ang doktor, naglakad siya palapit kay Esther. Inilapa
