CHAPTER 39
ALONE IN the kitchen, Fashie is staring at the ingredients above the table. She decided to cook for Timothy. Mukhang madali namang magluto, hindi niya lang sinusubukan dati. Might as well give it a try.
Her finger is tapping to her chin, ano nga ba ang pwedeng lutuin?
"I think, adobo is easier?" Pagkausap niya sa sarili. "Okay, adobo it is."
She went to YouTube and watch a tutorial. It looks easier. Hinugasan niya muna ang chicken drumstick saka ang vegetables na ihahalo niya, the potato and carrot. The next thing she did was to cut the spices.
Mangiyak-ngiyak siya nang matapos mahiwa ang sibuyas. She didn't it hurts the eyes! Masakit at pipikit-pikit siyang ipinagpatuloy ang paghihiwa. Natapos na siya sa garlic at luya. Sinunod naman niya ang patatas.
Wait... How to peel this off?
Fashie bit her lower lips. Naghanap siya sa lalagyanan ng utensils ng gaya sa kaniyang pinapanood. When she finally saw it, Fashie exclaimed.
"What do you call this?" Nagkibit-balikat siya dahil hindi niya masagot. She doesn't know its name. Mula sa taas ay sinubukan niyang gamitin ang utensil na iyon. Ngunit isang slide palang ay nasugatan na ang palad niya. Maliit lang naman 'yon at hindi masakit kaya ipinagpatuloy niya.
Natapos siya sa pagbabalat ng patatas at carrots, ang pisngi ng palad niya ay puno ng gasgas at sugat but she didn't mind it. Sa paghiwa naman ngayon, naghanap siya ng may kaliitang kutsilyo at iyon ang ginamit.
"Aw..." Napakagat siya ng ibabang labi nang mahiwa niya ang daliri. Blood came out from that small cut. She get the emergency kit at the bathroom. Spray some alcohol and used a cotton to stop it from bleeding then she put a band aid.
Pinagpatuloy niya ang ginagawa habang nakikinig sa malamyos na tugtog mula sa bluetooth speaker. She finished cutting the vegetables, and she got five cuts.
Bago niya sinimulan ang pagluluto ay nagluto siya ng kanin sa rice cooker. Of course, she watched a YouTube tutorial to avoid from making mistake.
It says she has to fry a bit the chicken, so she did. What she didn't know is, tumatalsik iyon. Natalsikan ng mainit na mantika ang braso at kamay niya, at mahapdi iyon. Pinahinaan niya ang stove at tinakpan ang pan.
She went to the sink and wash off her hands and arms to lessen the pain. Saka niya binalikan ang piniprito at binaliktad iyon. Fashie set aside the fried chicken drumstick and sauté the garlic, onion and ginger. Kailangan daw ng ginger to lessen the lansa.
Then she pour the soy sauce and vinegar and seasoned it with garlic powder, black pepper, and bay leaf.
"Hmm, smells good." She return the chicken drumstick to the pan, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay pinahinaan niya ang apoy at tinakpan ito. Nakakatakam ang amoy niyon, mukhang succesful siya sa pagluluto niya!
Nilagay na rin niya ang patatas at carrots saka hinintay itong tuluyang maluto. Couple of minutes later, her Adobo is ready to serve. Fashie cut a small piece of the chicken and taste it. Napatango-tango siya dahil pasado iyon sa kaniyang panlasa. Then she tried the carrot and potato dahil baka na-overcook, it turns out na sakto lang.
"Gosh, i'm excited. Hope he would like this." Kumuha siya ng tupperware saka inilipat do'n ang niluto niyang adobo. Saka nilagay rin sa separated na tupperware ang brown rice na niluto niya.
Madali naman palang magluto, nakaka-enjoy. She will do this more often, para siya na lagi ang taga-luto sa future asawa niya. Napahagikgik siya sa naiisip.
Fashie goes upstairs to freshen up and change her clothes. She wore a simple black sleeveless dress that reaches half of her legs then a flat sandals. Hindi niya alam pero bigla atang nag-iba ang taste niya sa pananamit.
Pang-misis na pang-misis na ang mga damitan niya. Napahawak sa pisngi si Fashie, kinikilig sa realization niya. Well, she's going to be Mrs.Degustare soon, there's nothing wrong of changing her wardrobe style. Nagustuhan din naman niya ang mahahabang bestida and its simplicity.
Ipinusod niya ang natural niyang wavy na buhok, medyo naiinitan kasi siya. Pagkatapos ay nag-light make-up lang siya at lip gloss. When she felt satisfied with her looks, bumaba na siya.
She manuevered her car out to the garage and drove to Timothy's company.
Holding a brown paper bag, Fashie entered the place. People were looking at her, maybe some of them knew her. Dumiretso si Fashie sa elevator, mabuti nalang at wala siyang kasabayan. Timothy's office is at the last floor of the building.
Sa pinakahuling building ay may tatlo lang na pintuan. Nakita niya ang sekretarya nito, if she knows his name is Jason. How did she know? Naririnig niya ang boses nito tuwing tumatawag ito kay Timothy.
Fashie walk towards the man. "Hi, good morning. Is Timothy inside?" Malawak ang kaniyang ngiti at maganda ang pag-approach niya rito, kaya naman nagtaka siya nang kinunutan siya nito ng noo.
"He is, how may i help you?" Seryoso ang boses nito, medyo natakot tuloy siya.
She raise her hand holding the brown paper bag, "i'm here to bring him lunch. Is he busy?"
Jason crossed his arms, "my boss said i must not let any woman enter his office. I'm sorry, miss."
Fashie blinked, did Timothy really say that? Lihim siyang napangiti. Ipinakita niya ang kaliwang kamay, where the rings he gave are.
"I'm his fianceé." She said, making the man gasped. "I'm here to surprise him, so may i come inside?"
He gulped and sign his hand to the door.
She beamed, "thank you, and yes, don't let any woman enter inside." Aniya saka binuksan ang pintuan. Mukhang busy na busy si Timothy habang nakaupo sa swivel chair nito. Tambak ang mga papel at tutok na tutok ang mata sa laptop nito. Sa sobrang kabusy-han ay hindi siya nito napansin.
Dahan-dahan niyang sinarado ang pintuan at walang ingay na naglakad palapit dito.
"Ang busy naman ng fiancé ko." May bahid ng ngiti ang kaniyang boses. Natigilan ito at mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin. Surprise is visible on his handsome face.
"Sweetheart..." Agad itong tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya. His arm automatically wrapped around her waist and kissed her lips. "Hey, pretty. What made you come here?"
Itinaas niya ang kamay na hawak-hawak ang paper bag. "I cooked your lunch!" Buong pagmamalaki niyang sabi.
"Really?" Mangha nitong sabi saka kinuha sa kaniya ang paper bag. Pero kumunot ang nuo nito nang mapansin ang may band aid niyang mga daliri at namumula niyang braso at kama. "What happened with this?" His face is serious and dark.
"Natalsikan lang ng mantika at nahiwa, pero hindi naman malala. Don't mind it." Nakangiting sabi niya rito saka hinaplos ang nakakunot na noo. "Hindi bagay sa'yo ang nakakunot ang noo."
"If this is what will happen to you when you cook, i would never let you."
She smiled at him, "i'm fine, okay?"
He sighed, "pinahidan mo na ng ointment?" May pag-aalala ang mukha nito.
Tumango siya, "yup, don't worry na, okay?"
"What made you cook then, mm?"
"I'm gonna be your mrs. soon kaya i'm learning to cook para ako na ang magluluto ng food mo everyday." Masaya niyang sabi.
A radiant smile appeared from his lips. Ibinaba nito sa lamesa ang paper bag saka yumakap ang isa pa nitong braso sa kaniya. Her hands went to his shoulder.
"Thank you so much, sweetheart. Take care next time, okay? I don't wanna see you injured just because you want to cook for me."
Fashie giggled, "gusto kong pagsilbihan ang mister ko." Aniya saka humagikgik.
Timothy pour her face with kisses. "I love you."
"I love you more." She replied.
Bumaba ang tingin nito sa suot niyang damit saka umangat ang kilay. "I'm still shock seeing you with long dresses. You used to wear fitted and short dresses. You change your style?" He asked.
Fashie pursed her lips, "wala lang. Pang-misis na pang-misis kasi kaya nagustuhan ko. Hindi ko ba bagay ang mga long dress?"
He wet his lips, "you don't know how beautiful you are in my eyes. Kasi sako pa ang suot mo, you're still the most beautiful woman in my eyes."
Pinisil niya ang tungki ng ilong nito. "Anggwapo."
He smirked, "get use to it."
"I will," she giggles. "Lunch time na, rest your eyes from your laptop."
He nodded and let go of her. Kinuha nito ang paper bag sa ibabaw ng lamesa at iginiya siya patungo sa gilid kung saan ang dining area nito.
"Let me serve you, lagi nalang ako ang pinagsisilbihan mo." Aniya saka pinaupo ito.
Timothy pursed his lips to supressed a smile. "I'm happy to serve you."
She give him a peck, "let me serve you this time."
He chuckled, "yes, wife."
Inilabas niya ang dalawang tupperware mula sa paper bag. "It's chicken adobo." She get a plate and a low bowl. Kumuha na rin siya ng kutsara at tinidor sa cabinet saka bumalik sa lamesa. Pinanuod lang siya ni Timothy habang pinagsisilbihan niya ito.
Binuksan niya ang tupperware at nalanghap ang masarap na aroma ng niluto niyang adobo.
"Mm, smells good. I'm sure it taste good as well." He commented.
Nilagyan niya ng kanin at manok ang pinggan nito. Then she sit beside him and feed him.
"So, what does it taste? Okay lang ba?" Medyo kabado siya dahil baka hindi nito magustuhan ang lasa.
Umangat ang makapal nitong kilay, "are you really the one who cooked this, sweetheart?" He looked at her.
She nodded, "yes. Bakit? Hindi ba masarap?" Fashie bit her lower lips.
Mabilis nitong ipinilig ang ulo, "it actually tastes good. Taste like it was cook by a chef." Humalik ito sa labi niya. "Masarap, i want to eat more of your dish."
Nagliwanag ang mukha ni Fashie, "talaga? Mag-aaral pa akong magluto ng ibang putahe."
Tumango ito sa kaniya at ngumanga. Agad naman niya itong sinubuan.
Hinaplos nito ang mga daliri niya at braso, "just be careful next time, okay? H'wag mo na ulit hayaan na masaktan ang sarili mo."
"Opo, asawa ko."
Napailing-iling ito sa kapilyahan niya. They ate their lunch together, talking about their wedding at syempre may konting landian.
Umalis din siya pagkatapos nilang kumaing dalawa. May ilan pa itong papel na asikasuhin habang siya ay may pupuntahan pa.
She planned to visit an obgyne. Para kasing may kakaiba sa katawan niya. Irregular siya kaya hindi niya alam kung buntis ba siya o hindi at nadagdagan ang timbang niya. Pero kung buntis man siya ay dapat may umbok na ang tiyan niya ngunit wala naman.
Naging busy kasi si Fashie nang mga nagdaang linggo, nagbukas na kasi ang branch sa Visayas kaya pabalik-balik siya do'n. Kaya nakalimutan niya nang magpakonsulta sa doctor.
Namamawis at kinakabahan siyang naglakad papasok sa clinic ni Dra.Sanchez. Kilala itong obgynecologist sa bansa at talagang magaling sa larangan nito. She have receive many awards from the country and even in Asia.
"Good afternoon, Ms.Guerrero." The doctora is in smile face. She has a heart shape face and a perfect smile. Dra.Sanchez' is indeed a deity in personal.
Fashie beamed, "good afternoon, doktora. Nice to meet you." They shake hands.
"Have a seat." Imimuwestra nito palad sa visitor's chair na inupuan niya naman. "How are you?"
"I'm good, doc."
"I can see. Why are you here?"
Nginitian niya ito, "i want to have an ultrasound. I am not sure if i'm pregnant or not. I want to confirm it."
Napatango-tango ito, "let me ask you few questions, i need it for your record. Is that okay?" May papel itong sinusulatan.
"It's okay."
"Name?"
"Fashie Marquez Guerrero."
"How old are you?"
"I'm 24."
"Married?"
"Engage."
"Last intercourse?"
Her cheeks heated, "uhm, last night."
The doctor smiled at her, "don't be shy, it's fine. Active sex?"
"Yes."
"Do you get your period every month?"
She shook her head, "i'm irregular."
"Alright," the dra. stand up. "I'll let you take the pregnancy test first. Wait me here." Tumango siya sa doktora at umalis na ito.
Her hands are cold, she's nervous. Kung ano-ano ang pumapasok sa isip niya, dahil do'n ay hindi niya namalayang nakabalik na pala su Dra.Sanchez.
She hand her three pregnancy tests, "there is the cr." Dra. pointed the left side when the cr is.
Fashie accept it and went to the comfort room. Kabado siya habang ginagawa ang proseso sa pregnancy tests. She has to wait for 3-5 minutes to see the result.
She stared at herself in the mirror. Kinakabahan siyang hinintay lumipas ang limang minuto. She closed her eyes, afraid to see the result of the pregnancy test. Nang magkaroon siya ng lakas ng loob, iminulat niya ang mga mata at ibinaba ang tingin sa tatlong pregnancy test na ginamit niya.
Fashie gasped and then she heard her sobs. It was... negative. Umasa siya na buntis siya, pero hindi pala. Sa labis na pagkabigo ay naiiyak siya. Gano'n pala 'yon, angsakit para sa kaniya na negative ang lumabas sa result, kasi umasa siya.
Excited pa man din siyang i-surprise si Timothy. Siguradong magiging masaya ito kung iyon ang ibabalita niya. Pero tinatagan niya ang loob, marami pa naman silang oras para gumawa ng baby.
Inayos niya muna ang sarili bago lumabas sa comfort room. Nadatnan niya ang doktora na mukhang hinihintay siyang lumabas.
"Sorry, natagalan po ako." Paghingi niya ng tawad.
The doctor started at her, siguro ay halatang umiyak siya. "What's the result?"
Maliit siyang ngumiti rito, "it's negative."
Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya, "there's a possibility that it's just a false-negative. Let's have an ultrasound." Nabuhayan ng pag-asa si Fashie dahil sa narinig.
Sinundan niya ito na pumasok sa isang pintuan, mayroon doong kama at monitor. Maybe that's ultrasound monitor?
"Wear that," itinuri nito ang isang hospital gown. "Lalabas ako saglit." Anito saka sinarado ang pinto. Huminga siya ng malalim at hinubad ang damit saka sinuit ang damit na sinabi nito.
"I'm done," medyo nilakasan ni Fashie ang boses upang marinig siya nito.
Muli itong pumasok sa loob. "Lay on the bed."
Agad na sinunod ni Fashie ang utos nito. The doctor pulled up her dress saka naglagay ito ng gel sa tiyan niya at malamig iyon. May bagay na ipinatong sa tiyan ni si Dra m Sanchez, hindi niya alam ang tawag do'n.
"As what i can see in the monitor, you're not pregnant."
Huminga ng malalim si Fashie. It's okay, Fashie. May next time pa.
"Don't lose hope," anito.
Pinagbihis siya ng doktora saka muling bumalik silang dalawa sa table nito.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Uhm, i just wanna ask, why did i not get pregnant? I mean, i and my partner is very active in sex."
Sumandal ito sa swivel chair, "there is no guarantee to get pregnant in any single type of sexual intercourse. However, either one of you are infertile or you have polycystic ovary syndrome or pcos. But you can get pregnant with pcos, mahihirapan lang because women with pcos have irregular periods which means that they don't ovulate every month "
Her eyebrows met, "pcos?"
The doctora nodded, "yes. It is a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age."
Fashie had a hard time to breathe, iba ang pakiramdam niya. "What... are the symptoms of pcos?"
"Weight gain, irregular period, excessive body hair and few more. Pero may mga cases na hindi nila pansin ang symptoms or totally wala silang naramdaman sa mga sintomas na sinabi ko but confirmed to have pcos."
"Is there a possibility of me to have pcos?"
"We have to run tests to confirm. You said you are irregular and experiencing weight gain. When did it begin?".
"I was already irregular ever since i started my menstruation. While i experience weight gain around five months ago." Aniya.
"If that's so, it's often begins soon after the first menstrual period, as young as age 11 or 12 but it can also develop in the 20s or 30s. Commonly saka lang nalalaman ng mga affected ng pcos kapag nahihirapan silang magbuntis. Do you have a close relative whom diagnose with pcos? Mother? Sister?"
Umiling siya, "i don't know our family's background. But i am an only child."
"Maybe ask your mother? Pcos sometimes runs in families, it's genetic." The doctor looked at her, "do you want us to run some tests? Just to make sure."
Fashie has to be sure. Tumango siya, just to be sure. Kailangan niya 'yon dahil parang may mali sa katawan niya.
MATAMLAY na pumasok sa kaniyang bahay si Fashie. She throw her bag in the couch and sit in it. She undergo with so many lab test, inabot na siya ng hapon dahil hindi madali ang tests.
Kinuha niya ang kaniyang cellphone sa bag at nagtungo sa Google. She tried to brows about pcos and a lot of articles showed up. Inisa-isa niyang binasa ang mga article, hindi niya napansing oras na ang lumipas simula nang umupo siya sa couch.
Fashie stopped from browsing and went upstairs to get change and have a shower. Nagpalit lang siya ng komportableng pantulog at nagpatuyo ng buhok.
She observe herself in the mirror, nagkakalaman na siya. Hindi naman siya payat dahil, she's sexy, but compare today, para siyang buntis. But the truth is, she's not.
"Do i have pcos...?" 'Yon ang tanong niya kanina pa. Posible bang may pcos siya? Gabi-gabing may nangyayari sa kanila ng kasintahan, bihira na lumipas ang gabing walang nangyayari sa kanila.
Napatingin siya sa cellphone na nasa ibabaw ng kama niya nang tumunog ito. She saw Dra.Sanchez' name as the caller. She automatically answered the call.
"Good evening, doktora."
"Good evening, Ms.Guerrero. I have the result now. Like what you ask, i made sure to have the result within this day.
Fashie gulped, "w-what's the result, dra.?" She even stutter. Nanlamig ang kaniyang katawan at nanghihinang nabitawan ang kaniyang cellphone sa narinig mula sa doktora.
"You're diagnose with polycystic ovary syndrome."
....
A/N: PLEASE READ. The informations above are based on my research. You can talk with me in private if ever may mali sa information na ibinigay ko, i won't mind. Thank you!
PRETTYINDARK|PID