SPECIAL CHAPTER
“SWEETHEART, I told you, ako na. Baka mapagod ka.” Saway sa kaniya ni Timothy nang madatnan siyang nagpupunas ng lamesa. Inalalayan siya nitong umupo sa malapad na couch at inilagay ang dalawang unan sa likod niya.
Sinimangutan niya ang asawa, “just let me atleast do some simple house chores. I need excercise, remember?”
“Yes and you do yoga so you don't need to move around the house.” Nanlalambing siya nitong niyakap mula sa gilid at hinalikan ang sentido niya. “Let me take care of you, wife.” Anito.
She's now near to 6 months pregnant kaya todo alaga ito sa kaniya. Nag-leave na nga ito sa trabaho upang maalagaan siya dahil napakaselan niyang magbuntis. Samahan pa na she has anxiety and emotional unstable.
Hindi niya alam na ganito pala kahirap magbuntis pero kakayanin niya. Her baby is inside of her, doon siya kumukuha ng lakas at siyempre sa suporta rin ni Timothy.
Wala nang nagawa si Fashie kung'di ang panuorin ito na naglilinis ng bahay. Mula sa pagva-vacuum, sa pagpupunas ng glass wall, table and furnitures, pagpapalit ng kurtina at punda ng mga throw pillow at pag-spray ng perfume ay ginawa nito.
Timothy didn't forget to change the lavender flower in a vase. Naging paborito niya kasi ang amoy nito. It's scientifically proven that it calms mind whenever you smell it at iyon ang nararamdaman ni Fashie tuwing naaamoy niya ang lavender scent. Si Matthew mismo ang nag-recommend sa kanila no'n.
Fashie stood up making Timothy alarmed.
“Where are you going? Ihahatid na kita.” He stopped immediately what he was doing and jog towards her.
Ipinaikot niya ang mata, “sa kusina lang. I can walk, Timothy, okay? Ituloy mo na ang ginagawa mo.”
“No.” His arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand hold her arm. Her husband is seriously being oa but Fashie understand him. Kaya hindi na siya nagsalita pa.
Pinaalis niya na ito kaagad upang ipagpatuloy nito ang paglilinis. Habang siya ay dahan-dahan ang kilos na gumawa ng miryenda ng asawa. That's the least she could do for his hardwork today.
Fashie put the juice and sandwich she made on the glass table and call for her husband outside. Nasa garden ito at nagti-trim ng mga tanim nila.
“Hubby, i've prepare your snack!” Aniya sa asawang nasa initan at busy sa ginagawa. Timothy automatically stopped and follow her inside.
“What's for merienda?” He asked.
“Fresh pineapple juice and sandwich. I used the lettuce and tomato we harvested yesterday.” Aniya. Since Fashie's pregnancy is very sensitive accompanied with her pcos, Timothy is very strict with the foods she's eating. Kaya ang garden nila dati na bulaklak lang ang laman, napalitan na ng mga gulay at prutas.
“Oh, really. Angsipag naman ng asawa ko.” He pinched her nose.
“Ikaw kaya ang masipag, malapit mo ng matapos lahat ng gawaing bahay.” Sagot niya rito habang naglalakad sila patungo sa living room.
“I'm just taking good care of you and i have nothing to do other than house chores. It's fun actually, wife.”
”Okay, fine, wala na akong sinabi.” Pagsuko niya, wala talaga siyang masasagot kapag asawa na niya ang nagsalita.
IT'S VERY LATE in the night and Fashie is waking Timothy up. She craved for dragon fruit and she won't sleep unless she have eaten it. Meron sila no'n sa baba pero tinatamad siyang maglakad kaya kailangan niyang gisingin ang asawa.
“Yes, wife? What is it?” Halata sa boses nito na inaantok pa ito.
Fashie pouted her lips, “i want dragon fruit, please.”
Timothy get up and caress her big stomach. Para siyang nakalulon ng pakwan o hindi kaya miracle fruit. “My babies are craving for dragon fruit, mm? Papà will get it for you.” Humalik ito sa tiyan niya saka sa kaniya bago sa kaniya saka bumangon upang kuhanin ang gusto niya.
While waiting, Fashie opened her cellphone and took a picture and my day it in her Instagram with a caption ‘can't sleep 'cause of late night cravings’. She used to story her everyday life and cravings. Pero ngayon, totoong cravings na talaga.
It took Timothy a while before he came back with a bowl of sliced dragon fruit. Naglaway ang bagang niya at agad iyong kinuha sa asawa nang iabot nito iyon sa kaniya. Tinusok niya iyon gamit ang tinidor at napaungol pa sa sarap.
She heard him chuckled, “is my pregnant wife satisfied?” Tanong nito sa kaniya. Fashie thumbs up as she happily eat her dragon fruit.
Pagkatapos niyang kumain ay nahiga na ulit silang dalawa. Pero maya-maya ang papalit-palit niya ng posisyon dahilan upang hindi maayos na makatulog si Timothy.
“What's the problem?” Malambing nitong tanong sa kaniya.
“It's so hot.” Reklamo niya rito. It's not new, simula 1st trimester ay initin na niya, sobra.
“Oh, wait.” Bumangon ito saka pinalaksan ang temperature ng aircon at binuksan ang tatlong electric fan na nakatapat sa kaniya. “Is that fine now? You can't remove your nighties, baka pasukan ka ng lamig.” Anito nang makabalik sa kama.
Umiling siya, sapat na ang lamig para hindi na siya initin. Timothy put her pregnancy pillow which is an oval shape to make her feel comfortable.
He kissed her forehead, “comfortable?” She nodded, “that's good. Let's sleep, hindi ka pwedeng mapuyat. I love you, sweetheart.” Bulong nito sa kaniya.
Lihim siyang napangiti saka yumakap dito pabalik. “I love you, thank you for taking care of me.”
“I'm willingly doing it for my pregnant wife.”
UMIIYAK SI Fashie na nanunuod ng Titanic. Halos ubos na niya ang kabubukas palang niyang tissue dahil kanina pa siya umiiyak. She's being very emotional and she couldn't help it.
“Wife! What the— why are you crying hard?” Agad siyang inalo ng asawa na kagagaling lamang sa kusina dahil nagluluto ito ng tanghalian nila.
Fashie pointed the big screen TV, “nakakaiyak kasi, diyan na mamamatay si Jack.” Mas lalong lumakas ang hagulgol niya dahil sa pag-aalo ni Timothy.
”Hush, do you want me to turn off the TV?”
“No! I'm watching!” Masama niya itong tinignan.
“Oh... Okay, okay. Then stop crying now. How are you going to watch it if you're crying, mm? Tahan na.”
Suminghot-singhot siya saka tumango. Ilang minuto pa itong nanatili sa tabi niya upang siguraduhin na ayos siya bago bumalik sa kusina.
Siya naman ay pinagpatuloy ang panunuod. While watching, Fashie taste something salty and taste like rust inside her mouth. Kumuha siya ng tissue at inilapat iyon kung saan niya nalasahan ang lasang dugo at napagtanto niyang dugo nga iyon.
She pulled more tissue paper and use to tap it gently to the side of her lips which feels swolen and so as her gums. It's too much blood... Aniya sa isip nang hindi tumigil ang pagdurugo sa gilid ng labi niya at sa gums niya.
Blood fall down to her white dress which leaves a stain on it. Iyon ang nadatnan ni Timothy.
Worry filled his handsome face. His face become paled when he saw her in that situation.
“W-What happened? Why are you bleeding?” Agarang tanong nito saka lumapit sa kaniya.
She shakes her head, “i don't know. Bigla nalang dumugo, kumakain lang naman ako ng popcorn eh.” Sagot niya habang patuloy parin pinupunasan iyon from time to time.
“I have to call Dra.” Kita niya ang panginginig ng kamay nito at pagkataranta habang tinatawagan si Dra.Sanchez. “Let me see it.”
Ibinuka niya ang bibig upang makita nito kung anong nangyayari sa loob ng bibig niya at sinuri nito ang namamaga na gilid ng labi niya.
After few rings, Dra.Sanchez answered it.
“Hello— ano ba! Go away!” Rinig niya mula sa kabilang linya. Nagkatinginan sila ni Fashie.
“Dra., are you busy? Tanong ng asawa niya.
“— no, no. There's just a pest here in my office. Anyway why did you call? I hope nothing serious happened.”
“My wife is bleeding from the side of her lips which is swollen and her gums.”
“I think i know—don't annoy me, maglilipat talaga ako ng hospital!— i need to check her. But that maybe a gingivitis or pregnancy tumor– ptyalism and pyogenic granuloma.”
Bumakas ang takot sa mata ni Timothy. “Pregnancy tumor?”
“Yes, don't worry it's benigh, it's not cancerous. I need you both to come here.”
“Okay, we're going.”
At iyon ang ginawa nila. Timothy changed her maternity dress and so as he. Pagkatapos ay inalalayan siya nitong bumaba sa hagdan at sumakay sa kotse upang tumungo sa Hospital.
“According to my diagnosis, it is ptyalism and pyogenic granuloma. It's an increasing estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy exacerbate the condition. It's a pregnancy tumor like what i told you earlier. But don't be afraid, mag-eend din siya after delivery. Some pregnancy women experience this, however, Fashie's condition is more severe. Labis na paglalaway at labis na pagdurugo. You have to endure it until delivery.” Ani Dra. sa kanila.
“What? Don't tell me hahayaan nalang ang pagdurugo?”
Umiling ang doktora. “Sadly, you both need to endure it. It's traumatic and hard but someone it's part for pregnancy women. I've already expected this since she's very sensitive.”
Ilang saglit pa silang nagtagal doon at napagdesiyonan na umuwi na. Fashie held Timothy's hand while his other hand is driving.
“You okay?” Tanong niya rito.
He looked at her, “yes, sweetheart. Ikaw?”
Malungkot siya ritong ngumiti, “s-sorry, pahirap na naman sa'yo—” Pinisil nito ang palad niya.
“Don't ever think of that, sweetheart. We will face this together, okay?” His eyes are telling her that there's no need for guilt.
Tumango siya, tama. They will face this together.
Days passed like a blurr, anothey day has come na nagpahirap na naman sa kanilang dalawa.
Fashie is sitting on the bed while Timothy is hugging her from the side. She's brushing his hair while her other hand is holding a tissue paper to clean from time to time her bleeding gums and side lips.
“Are you okay?” She asked Timothy, kanina pa kasi ito nakayukyok sa hita niya at hindi bumabangon.
Naramdaman niyang mas humigpit ang yakap nito sa kaniya at mas nadepino ang natural na maugat nitong braso, tanda na parang nagtitimpi ito o galit.
“I'm fine, sweetheart.” He answered.
But she's not satisfied.
“Look up, i wanna see your face.” It took for seconds before her he showed his face to her. Naawa siya sa itsura ng asawa. His eyes are red, looks like he'd been silently crying. She caress his cheeks, “are you crying?”
Umayos ito ng upo at yumakap ulit sa kaniya. He put his head over her shoulder. “I... I feel bad. You're experiencing too much for this pregnancy and i cannot do anything to remove it. I'm sorry—”
“Hubby...” Fashie hold his hand. “I'm fine. You don't have to feel that way, okay? I'm good, and this is for our baby.”
He bit his lips and nuzzle his face to the hollow of her neck. “Hindi ko lang kayang makita kang ganito.” Timothy caress her big stomach.
Napangiti siya sa sinabi nito, “i know. Konting tiis nalang, lalabas na si baby natin. Hmm?” Tumango ito at hindi na nagsalita pa. Marahil ay tahimik na sinisisi ang sarili dahil sa nangyayari sa kaniya ngayon pero para sa Fashie, kung mauulit man na mabuntis siya at ganito ang mangyayari, gagawin niya itong muli.
FASHIE IS comfortably lying on the couch with kuya Jacob, Hector and Warren at the living room, watching a barbie movie. Alam niyang ayaw ng mga ito na manuod no'n ngunit dahil buntis siya ay hindi na nakipag-argumento pa'.
She's 7 months pregnant, 2 months from now, makikita na nila ang baby girl nila. She feels so excited and nervous as well, hindi naman mawawala 'yon.
Her husband is not present today. May emergency sa company at kahit naka-leave ito ay kailangan nitong magpunta ro'n para sa isang board meeting. Dahilan kung bakita narito ang mga pinsan. Hindi ito papayag na maiwan siyang mag-isa rito sa bahay at walang kasama.
When the barbie movie ended, the three look at her. “What?” Tinaasan siya ng mga ito ng kilay.
“Can i borrow the remote, baby girl? Your barbie is done.” Mahinahon na tanong ni kuya Warren.
Itinago niya ang remote sa likod niya, “no. May next pa oh, si Tinkerbell naman.”
“Fuck, i feel like my dignity has been crushed.” Kuya Jacob whispered, pero rinig niya naman.
Sinamaan niya ito ng mga tingin, “no complaints!”
Malalim ang mga itong napabuga nh hangin at walang nagawa kung'di ang tumingin sa tv at panuorin ang pinapanood niya.
Sa kalagitnaan ng panunuod ng Tinkerbell ay nakaramdam siya ng sakit sa kaniyang tiyan. Sa pag-aakalang natural na sakit lamang iyon dahil lagi iyong nangyayari sa kaniya ay hindi iyon pinansin ni Fashie at nanatiling komportableng nanunuod.
Ngunit nang kumirot ulit ang tiyan ay napa-ayos na siya ng upo. Hanggang sa sunod-sunod na dahilan para mapaigik siya sa sakit at um-aray.
With worries on their face, they went to her.
“Anong nangyayari? Are you okay?” Kinakabahang tanong ni kuya Hector.
Pero hindi siya nakasagot dahil isang malakas na sakit ang kumain sa sistema niya na nagpahiyaw sa kaniya ng malakas.
Is she going to give birth? Pero 7 months palang ang baby niya. Labis na takot ang naramdaman ni Fashie. No... their baby will be premature kapag ngayon siya manganganak. But the pain is no longer bearable, malalakas na igik at aray na ang naririnig sa kaniya ng mga pinsan niya na hindi mapakali at taranta kung ano ang gagawin.
She saw is her sight na may tinatawagan si kuya Jacob which she heard is her husband.
Mahigpit siyang napahawak sa tiyan, “manganganak na yata ako!” Sigaw niya at sinundan ng malakas na igik.
“What? Oh fuck. Hector, ready the car at the garage. We're gonna bring her to the hospital.” Kumpara sa mga pinsan niya ay medyo kalmado ang kuya Warren niya.
“Timothy will follow us at the hospital. Let's go.” Kuya Jacob informed them.
Kuya Warren carried her outside of the house and carefully put her inside the backseat when kuya Hector went out from the garage.
Fashie gripped at her kuya Warren's arm, doon siya kumukha ng lakas upang kahit papaano ay makaya ang sakit. Her eyes widened when she felt a liquid coming out from her vagina. Her waterbag was broke!
Habang patungo sila sa hospital ay panay ang igik, aray at sigaw niya dahil sa sakit. Parang ata na ata na lumabas ang anak niya. Goodness, baby, bakit ngayon ka lalabas?
They arrived at the hospital safely. Nandoon na ang asawa niya naghihintay at ilang nurses kasama na si Dra.Sanchez.
They made her sit on the wheelchair. Hinalikan siya sa noo ni Timothy habang mahigpit ang hawak sa kaniyang kamay.
“You'll be fine, she'll be fine, sweetheart. Do you believe in me?”
Sunod-sunod siyang tumango sa asawa. They have to be positive. Negativity won't do any good to their situation right now.
Then reached the delivery room and nurses are pushing Timothy out of the room.
“Please, just for this one, let me be with my wife. It's my wife and my child, please.” He pleaded to Dra.Sanchez. Huminga ng malalim ang doktora bago sumenyas sa mga nurses na papasukin.
“Fuck. Thank you.” Agad itong lumapit sa kaniya at hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay.
They all wear their ppe's including Timothy and her. Pagkatapos ay pinahiga siya ng mga ito sa isang higaan, definitely made for delivery.
“Okay, i need you to push when i said push. You understand?” Dra.Sanchez dictate her. Fashie can only do is to nod because her mouth is busy screaming and complaining.
“Take a breath then push.” Fashie obliged then push hard. Ilang beses na malakas siyang umire tuwing sinasabi iyon ng doktora.
She's sweating hard and breathless. Hindi pa lumalabas ang baby nila ngunit pagod na pagod na siya. Her husband is on her side, holding her hand so tight and kissing her from time to time.
“You can do this, sweetheart. I trust you. I love you.” He keeps on whispering those words too.
“I could already see the head. I need you to push harder for the last time. You hear me? Okay. One, two, three and push!”
“Ahhhh!”
“Uwahhh!” The first time the baby cried, is the time Fashie collapsed due to exhaustion.
FASHIE WOKE up in the hospital bedroom. Nakita niya ang asawa na nasa gilid at nagbabalat ng mansanas. Dahan-dahan siyang umupo sa kama at tinawag ito.
“Timothy...” She called him.
Agad na lumingon sa kaniya ang asawa at bakas ang kasiyahan sa mukha nito. “Wife! You're awake.” He kissed her forehead and lips. “How do you feel?”
“Okay lang ako.” Hinawakan niya ang dalawang braso ng asawa. “Where's our baby? Nasaan siya?” Excitement grew inside of her, she's excited to see their baby girl.
Timothy brush her hair, “she's at the NICU. She needs to stay in the incubator for 2 months and she need specialized care in the unit. But, doctora assured us that nothing will be a problem. Our baby will be healthy and let's pray that there will be no complications. So, what you need right now is to rest and get back your strength.”
Nakahinga siya ng maluwag sa sinabi ng asawa.
“Thank you for staying with me at the delivery room, hubby.” She smiled at him.
Timothy kissed her lips and caress her cheek, “i love you. I've seen how hard it is to deliver a child, i think it left me with trauma.”
“That's why husbands should stay outside the delivery room. Pero nagpumilit ka.” Aniya.
“Of course i'm very worried. You can't erase it to me, wife.” Malambing na anito saka siya niyakap.
How she missed her husband. “I love you.”
He kissed her shoulder, “i love you more. Thank you for pursuing on giving me a beautiful healthy girl.”
She chuckled, “yes, thank you to your wonderful sperm.” Napatawa rin ito sa kaniya at pinisil ang ilong niya.
PRETTY IN DARK|PID