How does someone so small
Hold my heart so tightly
I don't even know you
I love you completely
~I Get to be the One by JJ Heller~
After an hour or two of spending my time watching youtube tutorial on how to bake a simple chocolate cake when I decided texting my bestfriend, Jhoana.
To: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Beh, I need your help. 🥺
In just a snap, I got a response from her.
From: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Yes, my preggy bestfriend. How can I help you?
To: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Send help naman paano mag bake ng chocolate cake. I wanna surprise Thirdy, di kasi ako nakabili ng gift for our first Valentine together.
From: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Do you have all the ingredients needed ba?
To: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Please list it down so that I can go to supermarket na.
From: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Arg. Isabel Beatriz! Gaga ka ba? Huwag ka na mag-bake. For sure maiintindihan ng husband mo kung wala kang gift sakanya. Kabuwanan mo na so wag matigas ulo. Walang lalabas ng bahay.
To: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
But baby and I are craving for chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. 🥺
From: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Papadeliver na lang tayo. Utang na loob, huwag mong i-stress-in beauty ko.
I did not respond to her anymore just to annoy my bestfriend. But in just a minute, I got another message from her.
From: Jhoana Louisse 👩🏻🤝👩🏽
Your wife is craving for a chocolate cake and a vanilla ice cream. Anyway, I'll drop yung pinaluto mo at 5PM para sakto sa candle light garden dinner nyo.
Napangiti ako pagkatapos kong mabasa ang message. These two talaga, always magkasabwat to surprise me. I was so happy when I got Jho's approval for Thirdy nung bago pa lamang kami. She was always kontra-bida kasi to my lovelife ever since, palagi syang may pintas sa lahat ng manliligaw ko. It was so strange that she likes him on first meeting pa lang. Pero siguro, bff instinct was just like mother's, too. Kaya ayan sila ngayon, they seems like best of friends as well.
I immediately composed a message and sent it to hubby.
To: Hubby ko ❤️
Hi Babe, kamusta ka? You might be on the road already kaya di na ko tumawag. Please drive home safely for me and our little one ah (Lakas na naman nya sumipa, Daddy). Haha Babe, baby and I are craving for chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Pasalubong please. Yay! I'm so excited to celebrate our first Valentines date together! I love you. Happy Hearts Day!
PS: Na-wrong send si Jho. 5PM nya daw dadalhin food natin for our garden date. Surprise no more!
I did not wait for any reply from him because I knew he was on his way home already. So I just thought of spending my spare time on one of my favorite spot here in our house, the nursery room.
I carefully walked up the stairs and go directly to the last door in the hallway. A smile drew on my face as I walked inside the room.
Thirdy and I came up with the idea of a gray and white motif for baby's room and other stuffs. It was a mutual decision not to know the gender of our little one to have a bit of excitement once we welcome the baby to the outside world. Hindi din naman importante if boy or girl sya, basta ang ipinagpepray namin palagi ay healthy sya. Since Jhoana was the only one in the family who knows if baby is a he or a she, she insisted to buy basic needs of our little one that will complement to the gender. We gave her the privilege to spoil our baby in advance.
Marahan akong naglakad papuntang glass wall at kitang kita mula rito ang aming gate at garahe. Thirdy chose this area para madali nya daw matatanaw ang baby namin bago umalis at kapag darating ng bahay.
Napangiti ako habang naiisip ang asawa ko. Thirdy was so consistent on his gestures from the moment we met in the airport up until ngayong may bahay nya na ako. Everyday, he makes me feel loved and special pa din even without using a word. I really appreciate also his patience towards me. Most of the time kasi, sobrang sungit ko sakanya, siguro dahil na din sa pregnancy ko. Maswerte ako kay Thirdy, walang oras na hindi ko naramdaman na secured ako sakanya at sa relationship namin. And the most important thing, he always value my worth.
Bahagya akong napangiwi dahil medyo napalakas yata ang sipa ni baby. I settled into the rocking chair while caressing my tummy, my hips were a bit in pain, too.
"Baby, easy ka lang kay Mommy ah. In few weeks mamemeet ka na namin. Love na love ka namin ni Daddy mo." I whispered, still gently touching my bump. "Aba, masunurin naman pala ang baby ko. Don't kick too hard muna ah para di masaktan si Mommy." But the pain in my back increased and I felt cramps on the lower part of my body.
My discomfort somehow subside when I saw a car entering our garage. The couple gave me a wave and huge smiles when they perceived my presence. Jho signaled to just stay put and they'll go up here.
"Hi Beh." She greeted enthusiastically as she enter the room. Agad nya akong nilapitan at binigyan ng beso at hinaplos haplos ang akin ulo. "Ayan, medyo malambot na sya. Ang tigas-tigas kasi kanina eh. Hay naku kang buntis ka."
I let out a small laugh. "Sorry na. Eh nagkecrave talaga kami ni baby eh. Oh where's Nico pala?"
"Nasa baba. Tinutulungan si Manang mag ayos ng food. Beh, okay ka lang ba? Namumutla ka yata?"
"Ah medyo masakit lang ang likod at balakang ko. But I am good. Tara na sa baba para matulungan natin sila." Aya ko sakanya. Inalalayan naman ako ni Jho tumayo.
We were few steps walking down the stairs when I felt something popped inside my body. Natigilan akong humakbang.
"Beh. I'm sorry. Hindi ko napigilan ang wiwi ko." Jhoana's eyes widened as she looked at me from head to toe.
"Bea. Hindi ka nawiwi. Your water is already broken. Manganganak ka na."
Agad bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. That's the reason why I was suffering severe back pain and cramps.
"Nico. Halika dito dali." Jho said on top of her voice.
"Ano ba yun Bibi? Makasigaw, busy kami ni Ma—." Nanlaki ang mga mata nya. "Hala Bea!"
The couple froze for a minute and they look so pale.
"Arg! Jho! Nico!" Agad naman silang natauhan. "Jho please get the baby bag sa nursery room. Nandun naman na lahat."
"Okay Bea. Nico please bring her na sa car. I'll be quick lang."
Nico was heedful in assisting me to get in the car. In just a snap, we were on our way to the hospital.
"Ahhh." I groaned as I experience multiple strong contractions. "Beh, please call my husband."
"Oh shit. Oonga." Kabadong sagot nya at dali-daling kinuha ang phone nya. "Thirdy listen." Bungad nya, her voice was shaking. "Kung nasaan ka man ngayon, go straight to St. Luke's QC now. We are on our way na din, Bea's water bag popped already. Please drive safely for your mag-ina, wag ka mataranta. Dala na namin yung baby bag and other stuffs. Basta magkita na lang tayo doon."
My mind was occupied with so many thoughts that I cannot even figure out. Hindi na masyadong gumagana ang isip ko dahil sa hindi maipaliwanag na sakit na nararamdaman ko.
"Arg! Ahhh." I whimpered again. Jho held my hand and rested my head to her shoulder. "Ang sakit sakit."
"Shhh Beh. Nandito na tayo. Kaya mo yan, para kay baby. Okay?" Jho showed me her full teeth smile for reassurance.
The hospital staff immediately attended to my needs when we arrived at the hospital. Agad nila akong dinala sa delivery room at pinalitan ng patient gown.
I shut my eyes when discerned another painful kicks inside my body. Ramdam ko na din ang pawis sa buong katawan ko. I tiredly open my eyes when I felt a soft kiss on my forehead and someone held my hand. "I am here na Babe." I gave him a small smile. Lahat ng mga isipin ko ay naglaho ng makita ko ang asawa ko.
"Mommy, Daddy ready na po tayo for pushing ah, 10cc na, her cervix is completely delated. Okay in three two one, push Mommy." The doctor said.
"Ahhh." I screamed while gripping his hand tighter.
"Babe, relax ng konti. Hingang malalim, then push ulit. Konti na lang makikita na natin si baby." Thirdy murmured.
I took a deep breath, tears were falling on my cheeks but I tried to be brave enough to push it a little harder this time. Hawak nya lang ang kamay ko.
"Go Mommy, konti na lang. Kita ko na yung head ni baby."
Then I gave all my strength for the final push. When we heard the first cry, patuloy pa din ang pagdaloy ng mga luha sa aking mga mata.
"You did it, Babe. I am proud of you." He gave me a peck on my lips.
The nurse started undressing my top while the doctor offered to cut the umbilical cord to my husband. There she was, crying loudly as if she was introducing herself to the world.
When the nurse laid our little one to my chest, she stopped crying. Despite all the pain that I experienced during labor, parang nawala na lang lahat bigla. I smiled as I stared to her lovingly. "Hi baby girl. Mommy loves you so so much."
My heart melt when I witnessed how baby's little fingers grasping for her Daddy. "Hello baby. Si Daddy ito, gusto ko lang malaman mo na mahal na mahal kita." His voice cracked.
Baby's eyes were still closed but her lined eyebrows raised as a response to her father. And for the first time, she opened her tiny lips like a smiling angel.
***
Ilang minuto pa lamang akong nagigising ng biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwartong aking pinapapahingahan. Thirdy quietly entered the room handling a bouquet of roses, cake and ice cream. "Happy Valentines Day my Queen!" He handed me the flowers.
"Ang sweet naman ng husband ko. I am sorry, si princess muna gift ko." I said on my softest and loving voice.
"Best gift ever wifey." Natawa kaming dalawa.
"So approved na yung name ni baby?"
"Yes naman. Fernanda is a beautiful name." Pang aasar nito sa akin.
"Ferdinand Ravena III, sinasabi ko sayo. Tatampalin talaga kita pag yan nilagay mo sa birth certificate ni baby." Hindi ko sya maabot dahil sa dextrose.
"Joke lang Babe."
Natigil ang pagkukulitan namin ng biglang bumukas ang pinto at sabay sabay nagdatingan ang aming pamilya. They were all delighted to meet the new addition to our family.
"I can't wait to see our apo. Mamita's so excited na." Mom said.
"Her Wowa Mozzy feels the same balae." Kitang kita ang saya sa mukha ni Mama Mozzy.
"Lola Lovel sa akin. Ifefeel ko ang bagong role sa ating buhay."
We used to spent most of our time together that's why we already formed a close-knit family. Our baby is so lucky to have all of them, coolest grandparents and loving titos and titas.
The loud chatters died down when we heard tap on the door. The nurse was pushing newborn bed while our baby is sleeping soundly. Everyone was in tears when they saw our cute angel. I carried her in my arms and sway it a little. They were all still in silence but the happiness was vibrating in each corners of the room.
I heard Thirdy cleared his throat that caught everyone's attention. "Family, I would like to introduce to all of you our princess." He paused for a second. "Andriz Sky Amore de Leon Ravena."
My heart was beaming as my husband mentioned her name. He glanced at me wearing a happy tears, too.
Who would have thought that in a span of 9 months, my life has totally changed in a beautiful way. It was truly a blessing in disguise that I once was lost and incomplete but found by someone who was searching for me for a long time.
My Thirdy and Asa, I am now complete because of you two. And with high hopes, I am praying that just like our yesterdays, our tomorrows will be smooth and perfect, too.