You're Mine!

Chapter 8 pt.1

Althea’s P.O.V

“Well, the baby is very healthy, but that doesn’t mean you will neglect yourself. Dear, you’re too skinny. It would be best if you ate more,” sabi ni doktora. Hindi ko alam kung ngingiti ako o sisimangot.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” sabi ko sa kaniya. Ngumiti siya at tumingin kay Rafael.

“Daddy, take care of mommy. Also, wala munang nightly duties for a while,” nakangiting sabi ni doktora. Nightly duties? Napatingin ako kay Rafael. Kita ko sa mukha niya ang alanganing ngiti. I sighed. Para namang may ginagawa kaming nightly duties!

"Yes, I am aware, Doc." Ngumiti lang si doktora Carol. Tumayo si doktora sa kinauupuan niya.

“Want to see your baby?” Napakurap ako. Is she talking about ultrasound?

“Can we?” Narinig kong tanong ni Rafael. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Kahit na seryoso ang mukha niya nakita ko sa mata niya inaabangan niya ‘to. I sighed.

“I want to see my baby,” I said. Tumayo ako at ini-slide niya yung kurtina. May higaan at  untrasound machine sa tabi ng higaan. Lumapit kami dun at pinahiga ako ni doktora sa kama. Nakasunod naman samin si Rafael. Umupo siya sa upuan na malapit sakin. Itinaas ko yung blouse ko na na ma-access yung tyan ko.  Ipinatong niya yung transducer sa puson ko. Then ipinakita niya sakin ang nasa screen at itinuro niya yung parang small bean sa screen. From this, it will developed into a baby.

“This is your baby, and they are cute.” Nakita ko na nakangiti si doktora. I looked at Rafael seryoso man mukha niya pero makikita mo pa rin na amazed siya sa nakikita. I smiled.  “Also, you can hear their hearbeat.” May pinindot siya and we heard a heartbeat. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko. Punung-puno ang puso ko ng kasiyahan seeing and hearing my baby’s heartbeat for the first time. I felt someone held my hand and looked at Rafael. He’s smiling right now. Of course, this child is also his. Hearing your child’s heartbeat for the first time is something to feel happy. She printed a sonogram for us, and we both have our copies.

“We’ll come back next month for a check-up, Dr. Carol,” I said. Ngumiti siya at tumango.

“Take care and don’t forget the supplements I gave you, okay?” Pagpapalala niya. Tumango ako. Lumabas kami ng ospital na dala pa rin ang kasiyahan sa puso ko.

“I never knew a baby starts from a bean-like,” nakangising sabi ni Rafael. Napailing na lang ako.

“Okay. Saan ang next destination natin?” Tanong ko sa kaniya. Naglakad kami papuntang parking. Sumakay kami sa kotse at agad na umalis sa parking ng ospital.

“We’re going to the mall to buy some items of furniture,” he said. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Furniture? Papalitan niya ba lahat ng gamit niya sa bahay niya?

“So, you’ll change all your house items?” Tanong ko sa kaniya. Tinignan niya ako saglit at tumingin kaagad sa daan.

“No, I won’t change the items on the condo. I bought a house a few days ago,” sagot niya. Wait? WHAT?! Bumili siya ng bahay? Para saan? Okay naman yung condo niya. Baka doon na siya titigil imbis na sa condo since sa sofa lang siya natutulog this past few days.

“You can choose the items you’ll need on your new house, and it’s not like I will live there.” Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana.

“Althea, of course, you’ll live there too. Alangan naman na magisa ka sa condo,” sabi niya. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Seryoso siya?

“You seriously want to live with me? I can stay sa condo. Also, I think you should live in a different house. That house might be the place you’ll live with the person you love. It will not give a good feeling for the woman who you choose to live in a place where your ex-wife already lived,”  I said. I heard him frustratedly sighed.

“Can you stop saying that? It’s not like I will annul our marriage! I’m not that heartless!” He said firmly. Sumandal ako sa sandalan ng shotgun seat.

“I’m thinking for the future,” I said. I saw Rafael clutched the car wheel tightly.

“Think what’s happening right now, not the future.” Napahilot ako ng sintido ko. Nawala ang masayang pakiramdam kanina. What? I said what will most likely happen in the future. “Just help me to choose some items to put inside the house.”

“Okay,” sabi ko para matapos lang ‘to. I know that these things will change after the child gets born. I already anticipated it. Maya maya ay nakarating na kami sa mall. Bumaba na ako kaagad mula sa kotse. Naglakad na kaagad ako papunta sa elevator. Naramdaman ko na may tumabi ako kaya napatingin ako. Nakita ko na humihingal si Rafael.

“For a pregnant woman… you walk so fast! It won’t hurt if you… wait for me!” he said. Napataas ang kilay ko. Siguro dahil naka flats ako kaya mabilis ako maglakad.

“If you told me to wait for you, I will wait for you.” Siyang bukas ng elevator kaya pumasok na kami. Nakita ko ang pagikot ng mata ni Rafael.

“I told you that we’re going to choose items for the house, but you refuse! You make me crazy!” Sabi ni Rafael na sinuklay ang buhok niya gamit ang kamay niya. Ngumisi ako.

“I always makes man crazy,” I said. Nakita ko ang pagtingin niya sakin at pagtaas ng kilay niya. I rolled my eyes. Damn it! Why do I still see him as handsome as fudge! Dahil maaga pa para kumain ng dinner nagpunta muna kami sa furniture store. Madaming magagandang gamit sa place na ‘yon. May lumapit na magandang babae samin. Parang mala Elleina ang aura niya.

“Good evening, Ma’am, Sir!” Bati niya. Ganitong babae ang type ni Rafael. Napailing na lang ako at pumasok sa store. Madaming items ang nakakuha ng atensyon ko. If only I bought a house for myself, I already bought those things! Why didn’t I think about it? If I bought a house, kaya pa ba ng pera ko? I don’t think so. Also, I am thinking of giving my saving to Ate Aliyah to help our parents. So, it will not be enough for my child and me in the future.

“Is there some items that caught your attention?” Napalingon ako at nakita ko si Rafael sa likod ko na naka-cross arms. I sighed.

“Anything is fine,” sabi ko sa kaniya. At nagikot-ikot pa ako hanggang sa mapansin ko na paisa-isang nawawala yung items na gustong gusto ko.