Make It Without You

Chapter Four: A Fresh Start

A/N: Please excuse the sudden change in tense used. Rookie mistake. Ieedit ko yung naunang chapters pag may oras. Hope you're enjoying the story so far!

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Maingay. Amoy rubbing alcohol. Billy slowly opened her eyes and found herself lying in an uncomfortable bed enclosed in a small space by curtains. Hindi niya maalalang nahimatay o nakatulog siya papunta sa ospital.

She heard Sputnik's voice nearby in a hushed conversation with someone she doesn't recognize, pero wala siyang maintindihan. Sinubukan niyang gumalaw. Gingerly, Billy touched her stomach. Hindi na masakit, pero hindi rin niya alam kung anong nangyari.

Parang on cue naman na bumukas ang kurtina na nagtatago sa kanya at pumasok si Sputnik at isang doctor. "Good, you're awake," the doctor said. "I'm Dr. Toledo." Billy nodded at him in acknowledgement.

Sputnik went to her bedside immediately. "Tinakot mo ako dun ha," he said, trying to keep his tone light even if he was still very concerned.

"Sorry," Billy said to Sputnik, although her eyes remained on the doctor, her hand still on her stomach.

Mukhang naintindihan naman agad ng doktor ang iniisip ni Billy. "Don't worry, Ms. Dimagiba. The baby's fine. Pero kailangan mong mag-ingat. The first trimester's usually a very delicate time," sabi ng doktor. "Sabi ni Mr. Perez, baka daw may nakastress sa'yo kaya sumakit ang tiyan mo. Hindi maganda sa buntis ang nasestress."

Nakatitig lang si Sputnik kay Billy, pinipigilang magtanong. Billy had a lot of explaining to do, but her baby comes first.

"You lost consciousness because of the pain," Dr. Toledo continued to explain. "It's very early in your pregnancy kaya hindi maganda kung mangyayari 'to ulit. I suggest you take things slow. Nakapagpacheck-up ka na ba para sa baby?" Umiling si Billy. "I suggest you set an appointment with an OB-GYN as soon as possible. The first months are vital for the baby's development."

Akala yata ng doktor si Sputnik ang tatay ng baby niya. Pero hindi na lang siya pumalag. Matapos ang ilan pang bilin, nagpasalamat si Billy kay Dr. Toledo na nagpaalam na sa magkaibigan.

Naupo si Sputnik sa maliit na upuan sa tabi ng kama ni Billy. Naghihintayan sila kung sinong unang magsasalita. Sputnik had a million questions in his head, but he didn't want to stress Billy even more, especially with her in this condition.

"Sputnik..." panimula ni Billy. "Thank you ha."

Sputnik shook his head. "Buti walang nangyaring masama sa inyo..." Nanibago siya sa tawag sa kaibigan.

Billy turned to him. "Ano kasi..."

"Shhh. Wag mo na munang isipin yun. Saka mo na lang sabihin sa'kin pag okay ka na dyan," sabi ni Sputnik sabay turo sa puso ni Billy. "Seriously though, Billy. It's not just you now. You have to think of your little one. Wag mong ipapahamak yang inaanak ko ha." He added the last bit to lighten the mood.

Ngumiti naman si Billy. "Talaga, gusto mong maging ninong?"

Napaismid si Sputnik. "Aba, wala kang balak gawin akong ninong ng unang baby mo?" Tinawanan lang siya ni Billy. At least okay na ang mood niya. "Ninong-Daddy din kung gusto mo."

Billy looked at her best friend with a smile on her face. She grew up with Sputnik kaya minsan, akala niya bata pa rin 'to. Pero ang mature na pala talaga ng kaibigan niya. Talagang willing pa itong tulungan siya sa magiging anak niya. "Thank you. Buti na lang may napakabait akong best friend," sabi ni Billy.

"Buti alam mo." Pareho silang natawa. "Pero Billy. I know it's not my place pero... ipapaalam mo ba sa pamilya mo na buntis ka?" Sputnik asked.

Touching her still flat tummy, Billy nodded. "Oo naman. I'm not planning to hide anything. Pero..." Tumingin siya sa kaibigan niya. "Pwede bang sa'tin na lang muna na yung lalaking yun ang tatay ng baby ko?"