Escaping Strings

Chapter 24: The P Word

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Martina at hinawakan ang mukha niya. Still, in shock.

“Yes, Mr. Mondragon, she is pregnant.”

Unti-unti akong napangiti sa sinabi ng doctor. Humarap ako sa kaniya at muling tumayo.

“Talaga, doc?!” tuwang-tuwang tanong ko.

“Yes, actually, she is carrying your baby for four weeks.” Four weeks?

Bigla kong naalala 'yung mga nangyari nitong mga nakaraang araw at hindi ko lalo mapigilan ang mapangiti.

“Kaya pala....” I look at the doctor once again. “Ah, doc....” I read his name written on his coat. “Dr. Capistrano, how about the baby? Are there any problem? We've been drinking these past few weeks. Will it affect the baby?” My smile faded as I asked.

I also remembered, we were drinking alcohol. Fuck!

“It won't, unless she drunk too much. Was the alcohol content of what you drunk were high?”

It wasn't high... 6% lang naman ang alcohol content noon. And the last time I remember, she just got one tiny bottle that time. But still, she got some of it! Fuck!

“Don't worry, Mr. Mondragon, Miss Fortalejo and your baby are both fine. She just need some rest and take her medicine daily,” he assured.

“Thanks, Dr. Capistrano,” he patted my shoulder again before he go.

I sat on the chair beside Martina's bed as the door closes. I held her hand and kiss it.

“I will be a father,” I whispered to myself.

Hinawakan ko ang tiyan niya at hindi mapigilang ngumiti sa idea na may nabubuhay na sa loob nito.

I lean forward onto the bed to get closer to her belly, “Hello, my baby,” I uttered. “Daddy is here.”

Para akong baliw sa kakangiti. Hindi ko mapigilan. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

“I am so sorry about what happened. I am sorry because I let mommy drank alcohol. We didn't know that you were already there. But thank you for stopping your mom by letting her feel like vomiting that time kahit na hindi pa siya masyadong nakakainom.” I stand up to kiss Martina's head again and the door opens.

“Matt,” pagtawag ni Iris.

Pumasok siya kasunod sina Diane at Jacob na nakangiti.

“Oh, my God, Matty! Magiging tito na ako! I told you, she is pregnant!” Tuwang-tuwa siyang lumapit sa akin at inalog-alog ako.

“'Wag kang masyadong maingay. Baka magising si Martina,” I said still flashing my smile.

“Tito?” tanong naman ni Diane sa kaniya. “Hindi ba dapat ay tita?”

Jacob glares at her, “Bakla ako, Diane pero bihis lalaki ako.” Nag-make face lang si Diane at umirap si Jacob.

Natatawa na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa. Syempre, may halong kilig. May baby na kami!

“Ninang ako, Matthew ah,” Diane said.

“Why not.”

“Matthew,” Iris called me. “Can we have a word?”

“Yeah.”

Lumayo kami ng kaunti sa kanila para makapag usap.

“Martina is my twin,” she said as soon as she faced me. “Her pain and sorrows are mine too. Yes, I am happy for the both of you and the baby. I can also see your love for her is true but temptations were fucking scattered, Matt. I just don't want to see my sister crying over again just because some jerk and a trash hurt her,” she directly said.

“She's the only temptation I can see.” I don't know what to say but it's true. “I may not be perfect but I can give her everything and do anything just to make her happy. Especially, now... we are having a baby.”

“I know.” She looked at Martina, “One more thing, Matt.”

“What is it?”

She sighs before she looks back at me, “Be good to her. Tame her. Understand and accept everything no matter what happens. Do whatever it takes, but do never lose her. I trust you.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Hindi ko maintindihan. Bakit niya sinasabi 'to?

“You'll see, Matt. You'll see.” Her phone rang. “I need to take this call.”

“Sure.”

What does she meant?

“Mumsh! Oh, my God!!!” sigaw ni Diane at agad naman akong napatingin.

She's awake. My smile flashed again. I can't help it.

“OMG!!!! I'm so excited, Jac!” she hugs him as he hugs her back.

“Matthew, ano ba? Lumapit ka nga rito. Dali!” pagtawag ni Jacob sa akin.

“Where are we?” Martina asked. “Why do I have this thing on my hand?” She felt irritated as she get up.

“Whoa... stay still, babe. You need to rest.” Pinigilan ko siyang tumayo.

“We're at the hospital, mumsh,” Diane said. “Ikaw kasi... ang sipag mo pumasok nang maaga. 'Yan tuloy...,” natatawang sabi niya. “Ayaw mo kasi akong gayahin eh.”

“Seriously?” Lumayo si Jacob sa kaniya at umirap.

“How do you feel? Are you okay?” Umupo ako at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

“I... I'm good. You don't need to worry. What happened? Why am I here?” She looks at us, asking.

“As what I've said, you're here at the hospital because you are such a hard-working boss. Dapat nagsabi kang inaantok ka pa para nakapagpa-deliver ako ng bed sa office mo nang hindi ka sa sahig natulog, ano?” she uttered, laughing.

“Shh!” Pinitik ni Jacob ang noo niya.

“Eh?” Diane pouted. “Natawa ka rin naman,” she muttered.

“You fainted, Martina,” he said as he sat beside Martina on the other side of the bed. “Sabihin mo na, Matty!”

I cleared my throat, “Babe....” Inilapit ko ang upuan ko mula sa puwesto niya.

“What is it? I'm fine now. Can't we just go home? I'm not comfortable in here.”

“Ah, just rest for now,” I said.

Umurong yata ang dila ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko uumpisahan. Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksiyon niya. Natatakot ako.

“Matt! Sabihin mo na!” pagpupumilit na naman ni Jacob.

“Excited? Ikaw na kaya? Ikaw ang ama eh,” said Diane, full of sarcasm.

“Ama?”

Fuck! I glared at Diane and she made a peace sign on her hand.

“What do you mean? Anong ama? Anong sasabihin?” Martina faced me, “Babe, what's happening?” she asked, confusedly.

“Bwisit ka, Diane,” Jacob said, firmly.

I expressed a sigh before facing her confusion. Bahala na. Sooner or later, alam ko namang magiging maayos ang lahat.

“Babe....” I kiss her hand. “You're pregnant.”