Chapter 7: Three years later

Three years have already passed in my life. Too fast that I didn't realize much had changed. Even the life I was used to was very different than before.

I'm on my way to the living room. I smiled when I heard a small shrill laugh. I smiled when I saw Sam with Martha and Bea. They were happily laughing.

“Mommy, Mommy…” His small voice greeted me. His small body embraced my leg with his tiny arms.

Martha immediately took the tray I was carrying full of food.

I lifted and kissed my son's whole face. He giggled and that was like music to my ears.

"Oh, this mother and son are really sweet, it seems they don't to be together every day at home," Bea reacted immediately.

"You're just jealous," I replied chuckling.

“You should go to get married, Sweetie. Then you've also made such a wonderful child-like Sam. So that this child already has a playmate,” Martha said with a laugh as we prepared our food at the small table in the living room.

“You really keep repeating it. That's what you always insist on me, Mother Martha. You know, It's not that easy just because we wanted Sam to have a playmate,” Bea said frowning but still smiling.

“I feel pity because this is my son, and he has no playmate except the three of us. Have mercy, Bey,” I said, and she frowned for the second time.

“You're annoying, Cha, and there you are also. Eh, can you please stop it? how can I do it if I don't have a boyfriend, hm?” She said rolling her eyes.

I laughed. “Okay, okay. But anyway, that is because you still don't want to accept a lover, so there, your life is very boring right now.”

“Wow, huh? The one who doesn't have a love life speaks,” Bea rolled her eyes again.

Martha and I just laughed. "Then?"

“Hey then, come on, I'm hungry. You and your Son will bond there again later,” Bea sat down first and faced the food on the table.

We had fun taking our snacks. We are always like this every weekend after our working days. Bea and I would like to spend our time together with my Son. Like me, she loved Sam dearly too, and she wasn’t used to not seeing the kid. He stays almost at home every weekend.

I was pleased and blessed to have Bea as my best friend. God is great because even though I lost Kathy, He replaced Bea. She is my neighbor in the subdivision where our house is located. Bea was such a good companion. She let me know that not everyone who made friends with me would fool me. She also said she wouldn't be like Kathy who was willing to consider what we had together just for her own sake.

Before, when I found out that I was pregnant, it was as if heaven and earth were covering me because of what I feared had happened. Resulted in one night of trend in my whole life. I was confused and afraid of what to do before. Especially since my family doesn't know my true condition. But even though that happened to me, I’m still thankful that I didn’t get to the point of aborting what I was carrying.

Yes, I'm not ready yet, but there's nothing I can do. He came into my life and I need to embrace it.

Sam Levine Cordova, that’s the name of my son. Levine, because it sounds like the name of the man who got me pregnant. I gave birth to him no one else knew but only Martha and my friend of mine Bea.

Hours, days, weeks, months, and three years passed, and still, I continued to hide the truth from my own family. Fortunately, my family no longer pressured me to follow them to America. They were too busy to run their business there.

I also resigned from my old job, before my co-workers noticed that I was pregnant. It's not because I avoid getting embarrassed with the eyes of others, I just don't want to be stressed by what they say. I also don’t want my parent's names to be issued and dragged out.

I just stayed at home and I only left the house once then. I was so happy when I gave birth. Bea was there to support me.

“Mommy…” My son calls that bring me back to the present.

"What is it, baby?" I squeezed his nose.

"I want," he pointed to the ice cream brought by his godmother.

“Oh. My dear son wants it…” I scooped it up a little and put it in my son's glass. "Let Mommy feed you, okay?"

"No." He shook his head and snatched the spoon in my hand.

“There, the child is already independent. Don’t feel sad, Charm.”

"Oh yeah, Bey, look he really is like me." I just shook my head and I let Sam eat alone.

“So, can we go to the mall later?”

"Yes, so we can take this child for a walk." My answer. "What if we leave now?"

"Hmm, I like the idea."

"Then let's change our clothes now."

“Sure. after Sam has done his food.”

After Sam ate, Mom Martha cleaned him up. I wondered as we left that Mother Martha was still undressed.

“Martha?”

“Oh Sweetheart, I will not come with you right now. I'll just want to be here and rest.”

"Okay. Sam and I will just buy you something later.”

"Thank you, dear. You and Bea take care of the child, okay?”

“Oh, sure Mom. Thank you and you rest well.”

When we arrived at a mall I immediately let my son played on the toddler’s playground. Bea and I happily accompanied him inside. I let him play with his peers.

“Hey.” Bea patted my arm.

I looked at him. "What?"

Bea frowned. "Why were you in the deep thoughts?" I did not answer. "Ah, maybe you've made progress in finding your son's father, am right?"

"What?" My forehead furrowed.

"Have you found him yet?"

"Huh? You, what are you talking there. I’m not looking for him. Also, don't be loud and my son might hear you,” I said softly eyeing my son who happily playing with those children.

“Oh, silly. Your son is so far away from us, Cha. I doubt if he can hear me. Eh, what are you thinking? Is it Lee again?”

“Will you please stop mentioning that name? He's not who I think. I’m just recalling the past three years of my life. That’s all," I corrected her misconception.

“Eh, then he also occupied your thoughts. Because if it weren't for the semen he injected into you, we wouldn't have known each other while you were doing walk exercise during your pregnancy, nor is it likely that your son is a very cute child who exists today, is it?”

"Okay okay. But please don’t mention his name, let’s not talk about it.”

“You don’t really admit it, either. Maybe you’ve got actually met, am right? Where and when, Charmane? Tell me?”

“Hey, Beatriz, I think you're crazy. Will you stop telling me the nonsense you are saying there.”

"Then admit it, Cha."

“I certainly didn't expect that to happen, Bea. He only said his first name, and I don't really know what his last name. So how can I meet or something looks for that man if I haven't his whole information?” I shook my head. “Also, I'm not really interested in getting to know him. Even more this time.”

“You’re not, eh, how about that son of yours? Look, Charmane, he's growing and I'm sure he'll be looking for that in the years to come.”

“Tsk! I know that will happen, Bea.”

"Of course. And You know, this city is too small that you and that Lee won't meet again."

“You know, Bey, no matter how small the world is, if it's not really destined, we won't meet. So, stop hoping there.” I scolded her again.

She smirked. "But sorry, I'm still hoping you'll meet sooner or later."