Ayinah
While watching the news after lunch, her heart tightened, not because of the woman in his arms but because her days with the baby are counted. Only a few more weeks and they will bid their goodbye forever.
She just tried to speak naturally for the sake of the baby. She loves her baby. It's her first baby, but it's not for her to keep. That's why she did all that she could do while she still had her time.
She prayed every night that Thorne would find the woman who would love her child; it would remain her child in her heart and in her mind. It will hurt her if she finds out that his wife-to-be will love the child. She also keeps talking about the baby being good. That's why she read the Bible story for the baby every night. She taught her child the good manners. She knows that even though it's still inside, it's learning.
Every time they had a gathering or her friends greeted her, she would ask her unborn child to say hello, and it stirred inside that made them laugh.
When Andreas sent a message that he was on the way, she got up and got changed. When she heard him calling, she walked faster to the door. She is happy that he came back. He is the only friend she has who understands her. It's with him that she can pour out what's in her heart.
Because she doesn't want Thorne to say something, she never invited Andreas inside the villa, though Nanay Sol told her that it's fine. So they go down to their favorite place since the first time they met.
They just sit there, talking. Andreas shows his newly captured photos, and she will comment. In that place also she has collected shells that she made into flowers and vases and even decorations for the hanging lights.
"So how's your day?" Andreas asked her when they were walking down the trail. Andreas will always be at the bottom to catch her in case. But so far, for eight months, she is perfectly fine. She just holds tightly to the railing. And Andreas holds her other hand.
"Day was good. I grew a lot heavier, I think," she said.
"I can see that. I think you're almost popping out," he replied, smiling.
"By the way, Thorne arrived today. He is in the villa," she informed Andreas.
"Oh, does he know that you're going with me?" he asked.
"Of course he saw me. He is in the living room," she said, laughing.
"Well, I just wonder why he didn't follow you," he commented.
"Of course he won't. He is only after the child, and I bet he has found the mother for my baby already. I just hope that she will love this little one," she said, rubbing her tummy.
"I'm sure that Thorne will not tolerate any maltreatment for his firstborn child," Andreas said.
"Hope so," she said, sighing.
"I have bought our ticket already. I just estimated the date because I'm not sure when you will give birth, and you still need to take a rest before we travel, so I booked for two months. Do you think it's okay?" Andreas asked.
"That's perfect. And you can include our next photo for the exhibit. When is the next exhibit?" she asked.
"A week after we arrived. Just enough time to have a copy of the new photos for the exhibit. Do you know that too many wanted to buy the whole set of your photo? I told them that it's already sold. I only displayed it for some inspiration. I have lots of appointments already because of that. Too many mommies wanted to have the same as you." He told her happily.
"I'm so happy for you, Andreas," she said.
"You're my lucky charm; you're the one who pushed me to that level," he said.
"It's because you have that potential. You just limit yourself and content yourself with only small things. Now you see--- that you can be for the bigger project," she said.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mommy," he said, laughing.
She punches him in his arms.
"We better start walking to the church now," he said, standing up and offering his hand for her to hold.
They walked to the church and joined the dinner after the service.
It's their usual arrangement for eight months.
After the dinner, around 9:30.
Andreas walks her home.
She takes a shower and prepares for bed.
But as usual, she will read a story for her baby; for now, it's hers.
Her baby.
She never closed her door since her first night. It's Nanay Sol's request, so she will hear her if she needs anything. She can close it actually since Nanay Sol isn't around. She saw Nanay Sol's note that she's back in their home for a while, and she will be back tomorrow morning. For her it's fine. Actually, it's fine with her to be alone. She tried to close the door a while ago, but she felt suffocated. Maybe she is used to having it opened. She heard the door open.
He is back.
A moment later he heard him knock.
She let him in and asked him to sit on the bed. She took his hand and put it on her stomach, which she opened so he could feel properly the reaction of the child.
"Hello, Baby, I want you to meet someone who's very special to you. Meet your Daddy. Say hi to Daddy," she said.
She's so happy that her baby behaves so well. She's happy watching him with his hand on her baby bump. He looks up; she smiles at him. He smiles back.
"Thank you for taking care of the baby," he said with his hand still on her baby bump.
"I only did what I think is good for the baby. Soon, I can't hold him or her. I did what the mother should do for her child," she replied.
"You did everything as a mother for a child. I saw all your works for the baby," he said.
"They are just some simple things I could give to the baby. Because the moment he or she came out in this world, I know that we will not be going to see each other," she replied.
"Nanay Sol said that you will go with Andreas to Italy after you gave birth?" he asked.
"Yes, he has booked our ticket already. For the next exhibit," she replied.
And to unwind, she thought, trying to mend her broken heart of losing her first love.
Her little one.
That will soon be snatched away from her.
Luckily he bid goodbye; he said that he needs to take some rest.
He will no longer see her tears.