Chapter 4

"You look stupid, what are you smiling at?"

My eyelids nictated as I came back to my senses when Yttrium ridiculed tone filled my ears. The movie that we were watching awhile ago has ended now. I irritatingly scowled at him.

"Pake mo?"

"What are you thinking?" tumaas ang kilay niya, tuluyan nang ibinibigay sa akin ang atensyon.

"Jowa ko," I smirked.

"Wala ka ngang gano'n..." inosenteng aniya.

I loured. "Napaka epal mo, alam mo 'yon?"

Yttrium scoffed. "I was just telling the truth, Fiery..."

Kala mo siya mayroon, puro hook ups lang din naman.

"Ah, so makikipag talo ka sa 'kin?" hamon ko.

Sinadya kong palamigin ang boses ko. I even glance down at my tummy, as if letting him know that I am pregnant so that he can stop annoying me.

Yttrium boredly rolled his eyes and exhaled. "Fine, panalo na kayo," then he stood up. "What do you want to eat?"

Ibinagsak ko ang likod sa malambot na kutson ng sofa niya. Mariin siyang tumitig sa akin habang pinanonood ang bawat galaw ko. I grinned while narrowing my eyes, acting like I am thinking about something to eat.

"I know that look on your face. No weird cravings please," Yttrium pleaded.

I stopped myself from laughing. I tried to maintain a cold expression and let my voice be cold as an ice too.

"Sinasabi mo ba na weird ang mga gusto kong kainin? Ang gustong kainin ng baby? Parang kanina lang nagrereklamo ka na wala akong signs ng pregnancy."

Yttrium's eyes widened in fraction. I saw panic on his eyes as he swallowed hard.

"O-oh... Okay, fine! Whatever you want then," he sighed in defeat.

I stifled my smile by pursing my lips. "I want a strawberry, kung wala, blueberry..."

I saw how Yttrium shut his eyes like he's trying to hold his patience. Sinikap kong huwag matawa sa itsura niya. I wasn't lying though, I am really craving for those fruits. Buti nga at hindi na kagaya noong mga nakaraan eh.

Cravings pa lang nagre reklamo na siya. Paano pa kung sabay sabay ang signs na ang mga nararanasan ko?

The next day, halos mapamura ako sa sakit at bigat ng ulo nang magising. This is not the first time that I experienced this but it wasn't this hurt. I couldn't get used to this kind of pain, it's freaking giving me a hard time, especially now that it's still early in the morning.

Kaya naman maaga pa lang, wala na kaagad ako sa mood. I ended throwing up inside the bathroom for almost an hour before I felt okay.

I feel so nauseous and dizzy as I brushed my teeth. My eyes are heavy as well as my whole body. As much as I wanted to stay laying on my bed, I know that I needed to do something else right now.

Agad kong tinungo ang sala pagkatapos mag palit ng maayos na pambahay. Kumuha lamang ako ng simpleng puting t-shirt at maong na shorts.

The whole living area was clean the moment I saw it. Walang bakas ni anino ni Yttrium, dahil siguro'y nasa trabaho na. I gently massage the side of my temple while sluggishly walking towards the kitchen to find some food.

As soon as I stepped inside the kitchen, a black rectangular tupperware was placed on the table with a sticky note stick on it. Kinuha ko iyon upang basahin.

Wife + Baby

Good morning. Eat me.

YJ <3

Humalakhak ako matapos mabasa ang naka sulat doon. Ibinalik ko ang pagkakadikit no'n sa taas ng takip ng tupperware, bago binuksan para tignan ang laman.

The moment I saw and smell what's inside, something crumbled inside my stomach and made me want to puke. My palm landed on my mouth to cover it as I rushed through the sink to vomit.

Wala naman akong nailalabas kaya't mas nahihirapan ako. It's full of water and my own saliva. Ang sakit lalo sa tiyan pati na sa lalamunan. Even my head keeps on throbbing so hard. Para akong pinapatay sa sakit.

"Shit!"

Nasapo ko ang ulo ko at inisip kung paano liligpitin ang spaghetti nang hindi ko naaamoy o nakikita. I took a deep breath and started cleaning my mess first before storing back the tupperware inside the fridge.

Sa huli, ako rin ang nagluto ng kakainin ko para sa breakfast. It's just a simple fried egg, white rice and hotdog. I know that it's not enough and not so healthy food, pero iyon lang ang tinatanggap ng bibig at sikmura ko sa ngayon.

I was done eating when I heard a loud ringing phone. Agad kong pinuntahan ang sala upang hanapin iyon. Should I answer? I think I should. Baka mamaya emergency eh?

"Hello?" I weakly asked from the other line.

"Good morning, how's your day?" suddenly, I heard someone's familiar baritone yet playful voice.

Gusto ko sana na i-kwento ang nangyari sa akin, kaso tinatamad akong mag salita nang ka'y haba.

"Ikaw pala Yttrium, Okay lang..."

"Did you ate the food that I gave you?" he hopefully asked.

Shit. Sasabihin ko na ba? Baka mamaya ay ma-offend siya at magalit dahil hindi ko nakain 'yung bigay niya? Maybe he will understand it because it's just normal for a pregnant to experience that? At isa pa, ito ang hinihintay niya hindi ba?

"A-ah... Ano kasi..." I bit my lower lip and caressed my tummy.

"Hmm?"

I shut my eyes. "M-mabaho kasi... I don't like the smell so-"

"Tinapon mo ba?" Yttrium sounds shocked.

I panicked. "Naku! Hindi, ano ka ba? Nasa ref, ibinalik ko."

"Oh, okay. You don't like pasta?"

Actually, I usually ate pasta, carbonara specifically. Hindi naman ako allergic o ayaw sa spaghetti, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon ang reaksyon ko doon.

"K-kumakain naman."

"You don't sounds well. Are you alright?" Now, he seems worried.

Pa fall.

Anong pa-fall, Fiery? Eh hindi ba worried lang naman siya palagi sa baby kaya normal lang iyon?

"Oo, usual morning sickness lang."

Yttrium's line went silent for awhile, then he came back panting heavily again.

"M-morning sickness? What happened? Are you fine? Should I send you to the hospital? Wait, I'll call for some help..."

Napapikit ako sa sunod sunod na tanong niya. I almost laughed.

"N-no, Uh... Ayos lang ako, normal naman 'yon sa mga ano... Buntis."

"Oh, so anong kinain mo? Did you cook? Maraming pagkain d'yan, or do you want me to deliver some food?"

"Hala! Hindi na, kumain na ako! I cooked awhile ago..."

"Oh... Okay... Are you sure you're really fine?"

I smirked. "Worried eh?"

"Uuwi na ako," pinal na aniya.

My eyes circled. "H-huh? Bakit?! Hoy!"

"Wala ka namang kasama dyan. Don't go outside, okay? Uuwi na ako."

"Tangek, huwag na!"

I seriously don't get him. Ayos naman na talaga ako. Yes, I am not feeling well but I can manage and can still take care of myself. I already experienced having a morning sickness once before I learned that I am pregnant. Hindi nga lang kasing lala ng nangyari kanina, pero tingin ko'y kaya ko naman. Kaya ngayon ay hindi na ganoon ka-bago sa akin. Alam ko na ang gagawin, hindi tulad noong una.

"Huwag na talaga, Yttrium... Promise, okay lang ako." I smiled wearily when I realized that my heart flutters with the thought of him-worrying about me.

It feels good.

"Are you sure?" he questioned dubiously.

"Yes..."

"Okay, uuwi pa rin ako nang maaga."

I chuckled. "Bahala ka... Don't you have a bunch of work?"

"Mayroon, pero pwede ko namang iuwi para mabantayan kita. Sorry, I left you alone," his voice lowered when he said the last sentence.

Ngumuso ako. "Ikaw bahala... Ayos lang naman ako, huwag ka mag alala."

"Hmm, do you want anything?"

I bit my lower lip when I shivered because of how soft his voice is.

"Ano..." usal ko habang nag-iisip.

"Hmm? Come on, say it. Huwag na mahiya, anak ko din naman 'yan..." humalakhak si Yttrium.

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa narinig. There's something inside my heart, tightening because of what he have said. Guilt crept inside me.

"U-uhm, I want some... Cheesecake with cucumber on it."

Yttrium remained silent for a second. "W-wait... What?"

"Iyon ang gusto ko," I bit my lower lip.

"C-cucumber? Nakalagay doon?"

"Oo," I imagined myself-eating the cheesecake with cucumbers on the top of it. I am freaking salivating right now!

"W-what kind of cravings is that?" he sounds ridiculed.

"Iyon nga ang gusto ng baby!" my tone slightly raised. Bakit ba hindi niya maintindihan 'yon? Nagtatanong siya kanina nang kung ano ang gusto ko, tapos ngayon na sinagot ko para namang ang weird weird para sa kanya.

May ganoon naman, 'di ba?

"Oh, okay..." kumalma siya. "I'll buy it later then, uuwi na ako."

"Okay... Drive safely."

"Fiery, there were no Cheesecake with cucumber, pero bumili ako ng strawberries..." maliit na boses na ani Yttrium sa kabilang linya.

My body slouched and my face fell. "Huh? Bakit?"

"Hindi raw gumagawa 'yong mga baker doon sa Pastry shop na mga pinuntahan ko eh..." he sounds hesitated to tell me that info.

Sayang. I was really craving for it.

"Ano lang ba ang mayroon? Bawal ba na tayo na lang ang gumawa no'n? O baka may kakilala ka na marunong... Like Chef ganon..." I hopefully asked.

I heard his massive sighs. "I'll search for it, wait..."

"Okay, ibaba ko na..."

"H-huh? A-are you mad? Hahanap ako Fiery, huwag kang mag alala."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Huh? I'm not mad, Yttrium."

"Oh! Akala ko eh," he seems relieved.

"I'll drop the call..."

"Okay, don't go outside please."

"Yes, I know. Ingat ka."

"Thanks..."

After the call ended, I quickly rushed towards the kitchen and cook something for dinner. I am sure that Yttrium was tired from searching for my food. Pang pasalamat ko na lang 'to.

I tried cooking Sinigang because he told me once that it's one of his favorite dish. Good thing, I know how to cook. Perks of being alone and poorita for so many years, and I am proud with that. I smirked, independent kuno pero nanloko ng lalaki para may mantustos sa anak. I sighed and cussed myself while waiting for the food to cook.

"Fiery?"

Minutes later, I heard Yttrium's voice. Sakto naman na kaka-served ko palang ng pagkain sa counter top kaya't iniwan ko na muna iyon upang salubungin siya.

Yttrium looks tired when he gave me the paper bag that full of fruits inside of it. Mayroon nga doon na strawberries pati na cucumber sa ibabaw ng cake!

My eyes glimmered in excitement as I took it from him, but he immediately grabbed it back, annoyed.

"O-oh shit! Don't take it away! Mabigat, baka mapano ka..."

Natigilan ako at napatitig sa mukha niya. Yttrium sighed and walked towards the kitchen. He placed the paper bag on the counter top. I watched how his eyes darted on the food that I prepared.

"I cooked it for you, thanks for giving me all the things and food that I need." I smiled sweetly.

Dumapo ang paningin niya sa akin. Yttrium didn't speak, instead, he get a spoon and taste it once. Pinanonood ko siya habang ginagawa niya iyon.

"Masarap ba?" I hopefully asked.

Yttrium nodded and shoved back the spoon on the food. "Masarap..."

I smirked. "Bayad ko 'yan sa'yo!"

"Mahal ang bayad ko, isang linggo mo na akong inaalipin Fiery," his brow arched.

"Magkano, kung ganoon?"

Yttrium smirked. "I'll think about it, basta mahal..."

"Bakit mahal?"

"Kasi mahal?" naka ngisi na siya, tinatagilid ang ulo at halatang nasisiyahan sa ginagawa.

"Bakit nga mahal?" ulit ko.

"Mahal nga kasi, basta..." he chuckled, napawi na ang pagod na kanina ay bakas sa kanyang mukha.

"Huh?" gulong gulo na utas ko.

Humagalpak na siya ng tawa. Yttrium shook his head and tried to calm himself.

"I'll take a bath first, kainin mo na 'yung mga prutas. Baka naman trip mo lang na pahanapin ako no'n huh?" his eyes narrowed at me.

Umiling ako, nanlalaki ang mga mata. Grabe!

"Hindi ah! Hindi naman ako ganoon! Bakit ko gagawin 'yon, eh alam ko na mapapagod ka?"

Tumango siya. "Kainin mo na, ligo lang ako..." then he turned around.

I smirked. "Sure, mahal!"

I saw how his body froze. He slowly turned to take a look at me with his circling eyes. Mas lalo akong ngumisi.

Ano? Akala mo hindi ko nakuha ang pinagagagawa at pinagsasasabi mo kanina?

"Oh, ayaw mo ng mahal? Love na lang para english?" I teased him.

Yttrium's eyes grew wider even more before he grunted and marched inside his room.

"Ligo ka na, love!"

"Shut up, Fiery!" sigaw niya bago malakas na kinalabog ang pintuan. I laughed so hard while eating the strawberries that he bought.

He didn't took long enough to come back. Bagong paligo na siya nang maupo sa hapag kaharap ko. We started eating while talking about what happened earlier.

"Nahilo lang ako..." maikling kwento ko.

He took a quick glance at me, and continued eating.

"And then?"

"I vomited a little."

Sandali siyang natigilan at binigay ang atensyon sa akin. He quickly scanned my body.

I chuckled. "Hindi ako natumba o nasugatan, I can handle myself."

"Huwag na muna kaya ako pumasok? I can still do my paper works even if I'm just here. Delikado kasi na wala kang kasama rito, Fiery."

Umiling ako, hindi sang-ayon sa sinasabi niya. "No, I swear. Ayos lang ako, at kaya ko ang sarili ko. Mas maraming may kailangan sa'yo sa kumpanya kaya huwag mo kami intindihin dito. I'll just call you when something happens."

"Tss, ayaw ko ng ganyan Fiery. I want an assurance. Hindi 'yong sa huli ay huli na akong tumulong dahil nasaktan na kayo ng anak ko."

Napa buntong hininga ako. "Fine, ganito na lang. Let's always talk over the phone, video call gano'n. O kaya naman ay mag pakabit ka ng cctv sa loob ng penthouse mo para napapanood mo ang mga nangyayari rito."

Yttrium was silent for awhile. Siguro ay nag iisip sa gagawing desisyon. Nang nagtagal at tahimik pa rin siya, muli akong nag suggest.

"Kapag hindi ko na kaya, tsaka ako magsasabi sa'yo. Let's say when I'm already five months pregnant..."

"What?" kunot noo niyang ani. "Ang tagal. One month ka pa lang nga, 'di ba?"

Ngumuso ako. "Madali pa naman alagaan 'yung sarili ko. Okay, try natin kumuha ng maid kung gusto mo."

Agad naman siyang umiling. "No, I don't trust anyone easily."

Tumaas ang kilay ko at kusa akong napatigil sa pagkain. Did I heard him right?

"You trusted me immediately, the moment I told you that you impregnated me," pagpapaalala ko sa kanya. Baka kasi nalilimutan niya.

"That's different. Seryosong bagay naman 'yan."

"Seryosong bagay din naman 'to."

Yttrium groaned. "Please, I don't want us to start an argument, especially now that we're eating. Titigil na muna ako pansamantala. Marami namang maaaring pumalit sa'kin sa Kompanya."

I sighed in defeat and just let everything passed. We were both silent the whole time we're eating. Kaya naman nang magsalita siya bigla ay hindi ko inaasahan. Akala niya siguro ay lutang ako at wala sa sarili.

"Do you understand me, Fiery?"

"H-huh?"

Yttrium exhaled and stared darkly straight in my eyes. "My priority is you and my child's safety, okay?"

My lips parted. "O-okay..."

Priority huh?