#RTG17 Chapter 17

One of the members of my team had to take a leave dahil nabuntis siya. I was given the opportunity to select the new member of my team since ako naman ang makikipag-usap sa kanila... There were some topnotchers, but my eyes caught the attention of a certain Aurora Marie Floresca since siya lang iyong nag-iisang hindi topnotcher... She kinda reminded me of myself... And Atty. Yuchengco had some good words for her, and that was really enough for me.

Nang lumabas ako sa office ko, nakita ko Sancho na kausap si Atty. Floresca. They looked friendly. Akalain mo nga naman...

"What?" Sancho asked nang makita niyang pinapanood ko sila.

I smiled and shrugged. "Nothing... Close kayo?"

"Rory? Not really..."

"Type mo?" I asked. Tagal ko ng nakikita rito si Sancho sa office, pero never akong naka-rinig ng balita na may dine-date siya. Pareho sila ni Atty. Yuchengco na kasal na yata sa trabaho nila.

He laughed. "She's my friend's ex."

"You didn't answer my question," I replied, grinning. "Type mo?" tanong ko ulit sa kanya.

Sancho just rolled his eyes tapos kinuha niya na iyong file na hiningi niya sa akin kanina. In denial... May crush yata si Atty. Cantavieja kay Atty. Floresca. Mukhang bagay naman sila.

When my work ended, dumiretso na ako sa condo. Ganoon naman ang nangyayari sa araw-araw ko. It almost felt like a routine. Papasok sa trabaho, uuwi sa condo, then sometimes I'd take a pregnancy test and every time, my heart would beat wildly inside my chest...

But tonight, it felt different.

"Don't worry too much, okay?" Sean said, kissing the side of my head. "If it turns out negative again, we'll just keep on trying..."

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya bago pumasok sa CR. I followed the instruction. I sat in silence, waiting for the PT's result... And then there it was...

"Shit," sabi ko nang mabilis na tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko. Mabilis kong binaba iyong PT at saka naghilamos. Why the fuck was I crying like the world was ending? Panay lang ang paghihilamos ko hanggang sa tumigil iyong pagtulo ng luha ko. I bit my lower lip as I stood there silently, begging myself to stop acting like my whole world was ending.

Huminga ako nang malalim at pinunasan iyong mukha ko.

"Sob? Baby?" Sean called from outside.

I picked up the PT from the floor and slowly opened the door. Sean was there—his face trying to look neutral, but I knew better... He wanted this to be positive... Ilang beses na kaming nagtry pero palaging negative...

"Positive," I said, handing him the PT.

He blinked. "R-really?"

"Yeah, I think... But it's better if we go to the clinic—"

But I wasn't able to finish my sentence because he quickly wrapped me inside his arms, hugged me, and repeatedly thanked me. I returned his hug and smiled as I fought the tears that were threatening to fall.

It's our baby...

It's impossible that I wouldn't love him...

Right?

Sean couldn't sleep that night. He excitedly told me about all the things he was planning once the baby arrives. Excited na nga siyang mamili kami ng gamit ng baby. He wanted us to move to a bigger place ASAP. I wanted to tell him na sana sa malapit na lugar lang para hindi ako mahirapang pumunta sa trabaho.

"I love you, Sob," he said as his arms snaked around my waist. He pulled me closer against him. I felt his breath on my neck. "Thank you for this..."

Hinawakan ko iyong kamay niya. Hinawakan ko na lang 'yun. If I were with him, surely, I could do anything.

* * *

Maraming nangyari simula nung malaman kong buntis ako. We had to confirm with the doctor kung totoo nga... and I was right. I was few weeks into the pregnancy. Sinabi rin sa akin ni Sean na after first trimester na namin sabihin sa pamilya namin. He was saying a lot of things and I couldn't keep up with them. Ginagawa ko na lang iyong parte ko. Kumakain ako nang tama at natutulog ako nang maaga. I made sure na iniinom ko lahat ng gamot at vitamins na binigay sa akin.

That weekend, lumuwas sila Mama mula sa probinsya. They didn't know why... Balak kasi namin ni Sean na sa dinner na lang sabihin para alam na nilang lahat. Kaya naman nandito kami ngayon sa isang private room sa resto. The whole family was here—pamilya ni Sean at pamilya ko. I saw them getting along just fine. Ni hindi mo mahahalata iyong malaking gap sa economic standing. Everyone's getting along well.

This was good...

I was doing a good thing...

Nagsimula ng magdinner. Si Mommy Shirley ay kinakamusta lang si Papa tungkol sa buhay retirement, and she also asked him kung gusto niyang magkaroon ulit ng medical mission. My dad had a lot of ideas. It was fun watching them collaborate. Itong si Irina naman ay panay ang tanong kay Stephen ng kung anu-ano. Buti na lang 'di naiinis iyong kapatid ni Sean dahil ang kulit din nitong si Irina, e.

When the food was served, nagka-tinginan kami ni Sean. He held my hand. He cleared his throat kaya naman napa-tingin sila sa amin. It felt awkward for a minute... but Mommy Shirley's eyes widened.

"Oh, dear Lord..." sabi niya habang expectant na naka-tingin sa amin ni Sean. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Mom," Sean groaned. Mommy Shirley laughed and pretended to zip her lips. "Sob and I are expecting—"

At hindi na nga natapos si Sean sa sinasabi niya dahil binaha na iyong kwarto ng congratulations. I kept on thanking them and they kept on thanking me, too, lalo na si Mommy Shirley. Mukhang miss na miss niya ng mag-alaga ng baby.

"Congratulations, anak," bulong sa 'kin ni Mama... Niyakap ko na lang siya nang mahigpit. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin, nakita ko na naka-tingin sa akin si Papa at Irina. I smiled at them, too.

This was a happy occasion. Ito na iyong sinasabi ni Sean na bubuo kami ng pamilya. Babies are cute... Sigurado ako na magbabago ang pananaw ko kapag nakita ko na iyong anak namin ni Sean.

Nang matapos iyong dinner, I told Sean na ihahatid ko muna sina Papa sa hotel nila. Napaka-daming bilin sa akin ni Mommy Shirley tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko. It was nice seeing her very excited—if only I could share kahit kalahati lang ng excitement niya.

"Hatid ko lang sa baba," Papa said nang mahatid ko sila sa hotel room nila.

"Wag na—" sabi ko, pero bago pa man ako matapos ay naisara niya na iyong pinto. Sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa elevator. Akala ko ay may kahit ilang segundo man lang na tahimik, pero agad akong tinanong ni Papa.

"Sa lahat ng buntis, ikaw iyong mukhang namatayan," sabi niyang bigla habang pinapanood ko iyong pagbaba ng number sa elevator.

"Imagination mo, Pa," simpleng sagot ko.

"Alam mo bang kami ng Mama mo e matagal ng natanggap na 'di kami magkaka-apo galing sa 'yo?"

Napa-tingin ako sa kanya. "Grabe?" I replied, laughing.

"Nung bata ka pa, kapag may pinapa-gawa sa inyo sa school tungkol sa pangarap niyo, iyong mga classmate mo, puro bahay at asawa nila tapos maraming anak... Ikaw alam mo kung ano nilalagay mo? Ikaw lang mag-isa tapos may dala kang brief case."

"Bata pa ako nun, Pa."

"E bakit ganon mukha mo kanina?"

"Aling mukha ba?"

"Iyong nung sinabing buntis ka."

I took a deep breath before I started to talk. Kilala ako ng Papa ko. Kahit pa sabihin na busy siya dati sa pagiging Mayor, sinigurado niya na close kami. Kaya nga 'di ko rin maintidihan ang sarili ko kung bakit ayoko ng anak... Maayos naman pamilya ko... Close naman ako sa nanay ko... Wala naman akong kung anong trauma... Mahal ko naman si Sean...

Ayoko lang talaga.

That's just it.

"I admit, at first, I wasn't too excited about the idea of being pregnant," I told him since there's no use in lying. "But Sean wants kids... And I love Sean... I'll be okay, Pa."

"Pero—"

"Hindi naman siguro ako ganoong kasamang tao para 'di mahalin iyong sarili kong anak, 'di ba?" pagputol ko sa sasabihin niya. I smiled at him and then the elevator door opened. "I think, at the very least, I'll be an okay mom, Pa... Pero si Sean? He'll be a terrific father... I'll be okay," I said, and then pushed the close button. "Wag mo na kong ihatid sa baba, Pa. See you bukas? Dinner tayo bago kayo umuwi."

* * *

Things were great. Sean's taking care of me—feeling ko nga sobra na. We're already looking at a bigger place to move to... He asked me naman kung saan ko gustong tumira. Gusto ko iyong sa malapit lang sa trabaho ko... Iyong pangarap niyang tumira kami sa probinsya, sana matagal pa 'yun. Ang hirap lumuwas araw-araw. Buti sana kung hindi traffic. Wala pa naman akong balak lumipat ng firm. Doon ko na gustong magstay.

Pagpasok ko isang araw sa office, si Atty. Yuchengco ang agad na nakita ko. His poker face was missing at pumalit iyong naka-kunot na noo niya. Mukhang kakagaling niya lang sa office ni Atty. Divina.

"Ano'ng nangyari 'dun?" I asked nang si Sancho naman ang makita ko. Siya kasi talaga iyong maraming alam dito sa firm since 'close' niya iyong mga partners and higher ups. Okay naman din ako sa kanila. Nakaka-usap ko sila since pina-kilala ako ni Sean sa kanila dati. They probably know me as Atty. Laurel—iyong lawyer na, at the same time, asawa nung anak ng may-ari ng St. Matthew's. What a mouthful.

"Forced to inhibit sa Ylana case," he replied.

My eyes widened. "Hala... bakit daw?" I asked, a little surprised! First time atang mangyari 'to kay Atty. Yuchengco dahil usually, he kept to himself naman... Saka medyo matagal niya na ring inaasikaso iyong case tapos biglang wala na siya sa kaso?

"There were pictures of him having dinner with the judge."

"Oh... Sino'ng judge?" I asked.

"Judge Duenas. I don't know the details. Just ask him," sabi niya tapos mabilis na pinuntahan si Rory... May something siguro sa dalawa na 'yun.

Dumiretso na lang ako sa office ko. I quietly worked on drafting some documents while snacking on fruits dahil bilin sa akin ng OB ko na kailangan kong maging healthy. Kinausap ko lang din iyong ibang lawyers para sa update sa ibang kaso na handle ng team namin. Nung after lunch, nagtaka ako dahil pinatawag ako ni Atty. Divina.

"Hi, Sir," I greeted.

"Have a seat," sabi niya.

Atty. Divina went straight to the point kung bakit niya ako pina-punta sa office. Usually kasi ay kakamustahin niya muna si Sean sa akin since kilala niya iyong family ni Sean. Alam ko naman sa sarili ko na masipag ako... but I wouldn't deny the influence of Sean's family in advancing my career.

"You'll replace Atty. Yuchengco in the Ylana case."

I blinked.

Seriously?

I usually handle civil matters!

Atty. Divina wasn't keen on sharing more details, but sinabi niya lang na the family of the victim worked hard on having Atty. Yuchengco removed from the case, given na nga na maganda talaga iyong trackrecord niya... And apparently, most criminal lawyer in our firm ay may connection kay Atty. Duenas, so most probably, mahahanapan din ng butas.

"Okay, Sir," I replied... like I even had a choice.

Pagbalik ko sa office, I went on my usual work. I continued drafting my pending, but then I was told to prioritize iyong Ylana case since it's highly publicized and all eyes would watch us... It'd be a big problem kapag natalo kami—mostly bad for our client... at ako na pagbubuntunan ng galit ng partners.

Kakasabi lang ng OB ko na bawal ako ma-stress...

"Sean," I called nang maka-rating ako sa condo namin. Nauna si Sean maka-uwi sa akin, and pagdating ko, he was already preparing our dinner. As usual, may salad para sa akin and lots of fruits. Naka-lagay na rin sa table iyong vitamins na kailangan kong inumin. Tataba yata talaga ako.

"Yes, baby?" he asked from the kitchen.

"Remember the Ylana case? It was transferred to me."

Nakita kong napa-tingin siya. "The murder and rape one?"

"Yeah..." I saw worry cover his whole face. "Do you... do you want me to ask them to transfer it to someone else?" tanong ko sa kanya. Alam ko naman kung ano iyong iniisip niya. Ayoko lang isipin niya na hindi ko iniisip iyong baby kasi iniisip ko naman talaga... Nandito na. Buntis na ako. Of course, I'd take care of the baby.

"I promised you our baby and I won't hinder you career," sabi niya.

"But—"

"Just promise me you'll take care of yourself," he said. "And why were you transferred?" he asked. "Is it a dangerous case? Is it okay if we get you a guard?" sunud-sunod na tanong niya.

I smiled at the concern Sean was showing. I knew I opposed everything I wanted and believed in nang piliin kong sundin iyong gusto ni Sean... but seeing him this happy? I made the right call.