"Based sa monitoring ko po ay dapat kahapon pa ako dinatnan. Pero hindi naman po ito ang unang beses na na-delay ako. Noong nakaraan ay dalawang araw po akong delayed, pero sa ikatlong araw ay nagkaroon na rin po ako," mabilis na paliwanag ni Pretzhel. As much as she wanted to hope, she doesn't want to be disappointed.
Again.
Tumango si Leticia. "Any unusual changes on your body? Were your breast sensitive and swollen?"
"Opo. Pero usual po iyon sa tuwing magkakaroon ako." Kaya nga hindi niya pinuna ang komento ni Clifford kanina tungkol sa dibdib niya. Usual namang bahagyang nalaki at magiging sensitive ang nipples niya basta magkakaroon siya.
"Mood swings? Were you emotional these past few days?"
Marahang umiling si Pretzhel. Moody siya nitong mga nakaraang buwan, pero dahil sa frustration niya na hindi pa siya nabubuntis. And yes, she became pretty emotional and touchy-feely because of her inability to get pregnant.
Even her appetite was affected.
"Nausea?"
Muling umiling si Pretzhel.
"Vomiting?"
Muling iling ang naging tugon niya. At sa bawat iling niya ay nasakit lang ang puso ni Pretzhel.
"Frequent trip to the bathroom to pee?"
Natigilan si Pretzhel. She did notice the frequent trip to the bathroom. Even at night where she experienced sleep interruption just to pee. For a couple of days now, actually.
She looked at Clifford's mother unsure of what to say. Pretzhel's heartbeat increased. She didn't even notice her hands went to her still flat tummy.
Pero sapat ba ang nag-iisang kakaibang nararamdaman niya para umasa?
A hopeful smile curved Leticia's lips, even the excitement in her eyes intensified. "Nahilo ka. You breasts were swollen and sensitive and you frequently pee. Palagay ko'y buntis ka na, hija."
Pretzhel's heartbeat is now off the chart. "Ayaw ko po munang umasa. I'd been hoping for a couple of months now and I don't want to..." huminga ng malalim si Pretzhel saka nagpatuloy. "I don't want to cry again when my period starts."
Hindi inaasahan ni Pretzhel ang kasunod na ginawa ni Leticia. May nakikisimpatyang ngiti ang gumuhit sa mga labi nito. Mahigpit din nitong hinawakan ang kamay niya. "You know what, para makasigurado tayo kung buntis ka na, mas mabuting magpa-check-up ka na bukas, hija. I'm sure Clifford would want to confirm if you're pregnant, too."
Sunod-sunod ang ginawa niyang pag-iling. "Magpapacheck-up po ako bukas, pero ayaw ko pong malaman ni Clifford." Humina ang boses niya nang muling magsalita. "We'd been trying so hard and I know how much Cliff wanted to get me pregnant. And I can't bear to see the disappointment in his face once we found out I'm not..." Hindi man intensyon ni Pretzhel pero may namuong luha sa mga mata niya.
What an awful time to be an emotional train wreck!
Yumuko si Pretzhel at dagling pinunasan ang gilid ng mga mata.
Pinisil ni Leticia ang kamay niya. "Okay. I completely understand. Hindi muna natin sasabihin kay Clifford. We'll keep it a secret between the two of us. For the meantime, ako na lang muna ang sasama sa pagpapacheck-up mo bukas, anak."
Anak.
Pretzhel was rendered speechless. She just gaped at her future mother-in-law. Her tear-filled eyes searching Leticia's face, checking if she heard her correctly.
Ngumiti si Leticia. Sincerity and respect in her eyes. "We started on the wrong foot and that was all on me. You always treated me with utmost respect even if I haven't been the nicest person to be around. And for that, I wanted to say 'Thank you' and 'I'm sorry'. And I want to ask if we can just leave the past behind and move forward. We both love Clifford unconditionally. I hope we can start a good relationship on that same ground."
Pretzhel nodded. No need for long speeches. The sincerity and genuine apology in Leticia's eyes were enough for Pretzhel.
Ngumiti si Leticia. "Now, back to what we were discussing. I knew an OB-Gynecologist. I'll call her later para mag-book ng appointment mo. Doon tayo magpapa check-up bukas. Then as soon as we confirmed your pregnancy, we will buy supplements and milk and other things you and my grandchild might need."
May parte sa pagkatao ni Pretzhel na gusto na lang sumang-ayon sa gusto ng ina ni Clifford, pero mas malaki ang bahagi na nagsasabing kailangan niyang mag-set ng ground rules as early as now.
Pretzhel really appreciate Leticia looking out for her, but she certainly wasn't looking forward to Leticia dictating her what to do or eat, or much worst, take control over how she run her life just because she got pregnant with her grandchild.
Of course, hahayaan niyang maging parte at i-spoil nito ang mga magiging anak nila ni Clifford. But being a part of her children's life is way different that meddling in raising their kids. Cliff and her would listen to her advice, she would even seek Leticia's help from time to time, but Pretzhel can't let Letty dictate her on how she'll raise her own children. Ang pamamaraan ng pagpapalaki at pagdidisiplina sa mga anak nila ay gusto niyang kontrolado nila ni Clifford.
And as much as Pretzhel wanted to have a good relationship with her mother-in-law, it won't be as harmonious as she hoped it would be, if Leticia will meddle and decide things that she and Clifford must decide for themselves.
Pretzhel drew a deep breath. She anticipated that as soon as she spoke what's on her mind, the friendly atmosphere they just built will crash in an instant.
"I appreciate the help to book an appointment po, pero may OB-Gynecologist din po akong kilala. In fact, sa kanya ako nagpapa check-up nitong mga nakaraang mga buwan pa. Sa kanya po ako sanay at confident naman po ako sa kakayahan ng OB- Gyne ko," maayos na paliwanag ni Pretzhel.
Leticia stared at her for a couple of seconds.
Pretzhel anticipated the animosity and disappointment in Leticia's face, but she was surprised that instead of frowning, Leticia actually smiled at her.
"Of course. Kung saan mo gusto ay irerespeto ko, hija. Doon tayo sa OB-Gyne mo magpapa-check-up bukas," nakangiting sang-ayon nito.
"Thank you, po," wika niya, nakahinga nang maluwag.
Leticia kept staring at her with that little smile on her lips. And it started to unsettle Pretzhel.
Was she wrong? Was the friendly atmosphere fake? Was Leticia's apology a pretense?
Tumikhim si Pretzhel. "May gusto pa po ba kayong sabihin, Tita?"
"Tinawag na kitang anak kanina, Pretzhel. At sa pagkakaalam ko'y Mama at Papa ang tawag ni Clifford sa mga magulang mo kahit noon pa. I suggest you start calling me and Renzo Mommy and Daddy, too." The sincere smile was back in Leticia's lips.
Pretzhel lost her voice. She just nodded.
"I'd been closely observing you for a couple of months now, hija. And I can clearly see why my son fell hopelessly in love with you. You really are something else. And I meant that as a compliment this time, Pretzhel."
Pretzhel smiled. "Thank you po."
"You are beautiful, hija. You and my son make a good looking couple. I'm sure my grandchildren will be good looking kids, too. But then again, hindi lang panlabas ang maganda sa iyo, hija."
Leticia smiled before she continued, "There's an edge behind your angelic beauty - an honest, unpretentious and frank lady. Hidden behind that soft, feminine smile is a strong, steadfast, confident and courageous woman. You're a beautiful, sparkly, extremely tough gem, Pretzhel. A polished diamond. Just the perfect addition to the family."
Pretzhel rarely gotten speechless, but she is now. She just stared at Leticia, stupefied, unsure of what to say. All she know was she appreciated all the comments made by her future mother-in-law.
Pretzhel's lips moved but she couldn't find the right words to say.
Silence befall them.
The dead air was a little awkward, but also comforting. Definitely a weird but at the same time, an amazing feeling.
"Well... I hope that clears the air between us, hija," basag ni Leticia sa katahimikan. Tinapik nito ang kamay niya saka tumayo. "Lalabas lang ako saglit at magpapaalam kay Renzo na may lakad tayo bukas. Maiwan muna kita rito."
"There you are! Hinahanap ka na ni Abby, magpapaalam na raw sila," wika ni Clifford bago pa man siya makasagot. He is smiling but his eyes were guarded. He looked at her befuddled expression before he looked at his mother warily.
"I'll leave you two for a while but I'll come back later, hija. Ipapaalam ko lang sa Daddy Renzo ninyo na may... little bonding trip tayo bukas," nakangiting paalam ni Leticia bago tumalikod.
Si Pretzhel naman ay walang nasabing kahit ano. Sinundan lang ito ng tingin.
"What's that all about, sweetheart?" kunot-noong tanong ni Clifford, nakasunod din ang tingin sa ina.
Huminga nang malalim si Pretzhel. May ngiting unti-unting gumuhit sa labi niya. Nang hindi siya sumagot ay bumaling sa kanya si Clifford.
"Sweetheart?" untag nito na naupo pa sa tabi niya. Ang fiancé naman niya ang humawak sa kamay na ang ina nito ang may hawak kanina.
Imbes na sumagot ay tumayo si Pretzhel. Pero hindi pa siya nakakahakbang man lang nang higitin ni Clifford ang kamay niya.
"Hey, sweetheart. What happened? Okay ka lang ba?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.
"Yes, I am. I'm more than okay, actually," nakangiting sagot niya. Hiningit niya ang kamay ni Clifford. "Tara na. Magpapaalam na sina Abby, di ba?"
Tumayo si Clifford pero yumakap sa bewang niya. "Care to share what happened back here? Anong pinag-usapan ninyo ni Mommy." Nasa mata pa rin nito ang pag-aalala.
Pretzhel gave Clifford a huge grin. Her eyes twinkled. "Nothing much. We just planned our little bonding trip."
"Where?" Clifford asked, unsure whether to believe her.
Pretzhel smiled reassuringly. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before she answered, "Just around the corner. Don't ask. It's a girls' trip and you're not invited."