07: the baby

"WHY did you call me, Uncle?" Gael broke the silence between them all as they sat on the sofa in the living room. Neither one wanted to say a word while Tallulah was very nervous about what was going to happen.

Gilberto smiled and couldn't look at Gael because he knew him and his life was full of dreams and he didn't want to ruin that. "H-hijo, I'm sorry for suddenly summoning you but we need to discuss important matters," he began. Gilberto smiled at him. "Gael, I've known you for a long time and I know all your dreams in life and your goodness." He stopped for a moment. "And I always support you whatever you want to do."

Tallulah looked up at Gael and saw that he was confused by what her father said. She and his mother were quiet.

Gael smiled hesitantly. "Thank you, Uncle, but why are you telling me this?"

Gilberto slightly looked away and turned to his daughter but he immediately looked at the person in front of him. "And...you also know my daughter Tallulah, she's spoiled but she's willing to learn. Many people say she's smart but sometimes, she's childish but I know when the time comes, she'll be a better person…i-if you will marry her."

The confusion on Gael's face intensified. He was obviously nervous about what her father said. "W-what do you mean?" He smiled awkwardly while his hands were clasped together.

She knew that her father was also nervous to tell Gael the truth because he knew that Gael did not love her but because there was nothing he could do that he had to say that.

"Gael, I know Tallulah made mistakes and decisions she shouldn't have made but it's not just about her, you also have responsibility because...b-because Tallulah is pregnant." He bowed.

Gael's lips almost turned pale at what he heard. His mouth fell open and he was speechless due to the overwhelming shock of what he heard.

"You heard it right, Gael, the night you slept with Tali resulted in her pregnancy and you should take the responsibility because this is your child," Caroline said.

"G-Gael, I'm sorry but I didn't think—"

"I don't want to hear your explanation, Tallulah!" Gael cut off what she was going to say. "Uncle I'm sorry but I don't believe it because I know what your daughter can do to get me. She can desperately do anything just to be my wife but that won't happen. I'm sorry!"

Gilberto sighed. "I understand how you feel, Gael but Tali is telling the truth." He took the pregnancy test that was on the sofa, behind it and handed it to him.

"What's this?" Gael asked.

"Here's the proof that she's pregnant and you're the father," answered Gilberto.

Gael slowly took that object and stared at it. His lips became even paler and he couldn't hide his surprise. His mouth fell open as he couldn't take his eyes off the one in his hand that confirmed the truth.

"Even us, we didn't believe it right away but because of the pregnancy test, we proved everything to be true and there's nothing we can do because it's already there. She got pregnant and you're the father so you have to be responsible for our daughter, Gael," Caroline said.

He remained silent and everyone was just waiting for Gael to say something. She felt her heart stop beating, especially when Gael looked at her with a hint of anger.

"Gael, when we found out that something happened to you and my daughter, I didn't force you to take responsibility and blame Tali because we knew it was just a mistake, but this time, we will beg you to take responsibility for Tali, the responsibility to your future child. I know how you feel now, but there's nothing we can do. I also believe that you will learn to love Tali too, because the truth is, she's not difficult to love. Just open your heart to her." Gilberto simply smiled to give Gael a little comfort.

Gael's eyes were restless because of the confusion in his mind. "M-married?" He looked up at her father. "U-uncle, you know me, I have many dreams in life that I want to reach. I'm not ready to get married to anyone because I still have a lot to do. I'm just graduating from college and I don't want to ruin my dreams just because I have to marry a woman I don't love. I can still take my responsibility to our baby. I can support her," he said.

She felt that her heart was being squeezed by what she heard from him. It just makes her feel that he can't really love her because he hates her so much.

"I-I know that, Gael and I understand how you feel but if Tallulah only needs financial support, we won't come to you because we can do everything but that's not all our daughter needs. We don't want her to be a disgrace and our grandchild will grow up without a father. You can still pursue your dreams even though you are married to Tallulah, I can support you," Gilberto insisted.

"Gael, Dad is right, you can still pursue your dream—"

"And what do you know about dreams, about my dreams, Tallulah? Come on, what is your dream in life? To marry me? To be Mrs. Ramirez? Damn those dreams of yours, Tallulah! Stop talking that you thought what you did was easy for me. Well, I won't be surprised because you don't need to study to have a good job and earn enough money because you already have everything, but I'm different from you, Tallulah. I'm just poor and I have a dream for myself and you want it to destroy. If you want it, I don't!" He stood up from his seat and turned to her father. "I'm sorry, Uncle, but I can't lock myself up and tie myself to a woman I don't love." He turned and walked out of the house.

The couple just sighed and did nothing. She bit her lower lip because of the intense pain she was feeling. She quickly stood up and followed Gael. Tears fell one after the other in her eyes.

“Gael! Gael!" She caught him in the garden. She grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving. "Let's talk about this, Gael, we are going to have a baby together and you should be here by my side because we need you and the baby," she begged.

He violently released her grip and faced her. "Do you need a baby or do you need me? You know, Tallulah, I'm trying to understand you despite what you've done but this, I can't take it all anymore. If you think that because you're pregnant, you can have me, you're wrong because I won't tie myself to a woman like you. You don't deserve a man like me, remember that, I deserve better than you." Gael was about to spit on her.

She could bear all the hurtful words he threw at her. She no longer cares about the shame she will receive. It seems that she has never run out of tears. "Gael! I-I don't know why you're so mad at me as if you don't even have a little love for me. I've always been there for you, I did everything I could to make you notice me and at least care about me a little attention from you. I gave everything even though my womanhood is still not enough for you to love me?" She couldn't help but break her voice.

Instead of pity on Gael's face, he looked at her more sharply. He came even closer and violently grabbed her arm. "You know why I can't love you? That even if you give everything I can't love you? Because you are desperate to get me. Yes, you did everything but you overdid it so much that I was irritated and annoyed with what you were doing to me. You know how I feel about you now, you're a lowly woman that I'll never love!" He smiled violently and turned his back on her.

She was left with almost blurred vision due to excessive tears in her eyes. She felt her stomach feel tight from crying. She couldn't stop sobbing. She sat down on the grass. She screamed because she couldn't handle the pain she was feeling anymore. She felt that she was a dishonorable woman because of what Gael said to her. Nothing would hurt more than seeing her as a lowly woman.

"Tallulah!" She heard Caroline say. She attended to her quickly as she continued to cry.

She felt the rotation around her and the tightness in her chest. Her breathing deepened until she lost consciousness and fell into her mother's arms.

"Talu, wake up! Tali!”