KEISHA
I felt nervous as we entered the hospital. Today was my scheduled appointment with the OB-GYN, and I wanted to find out how far along my pregnancy was. I couldn't shake the thick layer of sweat coating my skin, especially since my family didn't know about this yet. I was grateful to have a best friend like Celine, who always accompanied me in times like this."Come on, don't be nervous, even I'm getting jittery! Oh, wipe off that sweat, it's embarrassing if the doctor finds you all sweaty!""Thank you." I quickly took the handkerchief she offered and dabbed at the sweat on my forehead. As we entered the clinic, the anxiety I felt was palpable, more nerve-wracking than reporting or presenting a research paper!"Good morning, Ms. or Mrs.?""Miss. Just call me Keisha." I smiled at the OB-GYN attending to me, and she returned the gesture."Okay, Keisha, lie down so I can conduct the check-up." She handed me a gown to change into, which took a while. Some cold substance was applied to my belly before the examination, but I figured it wouldn't have any effect. The doctor peered intently at the monitor, but no matter how hard I stared, I couldn't understand anything."The baby is healthy, Keisha!" Her words filled me with joy. It was fortunate that the baby was healthy, and my drinking hadn't affected it. If only I had known I was pregnant, I wouldn't have consumed alcohol."You're one and a half months pregnant. Congratulations!"Keisha and I both smiled as we left the clinic. The baby wasn't fully formed yet, and there wasn't an ultrasound, but I was sure there was another life inside me. And I promised myself to take care of them and not neglect them."I'm so excited to be Aunt Keisha! I feel like your child will be a boy, but what's bothering me is it's only been one week since I had intercourse. It's impossible! I'm confused!""What? Don't stress about who the father of your child might be! There's only one reason why you're pregnant!""W-what? H-how?""Artificial insemination, don't you know? They inject semen into your cervix, and you don't need to have intercourse just to get pregnant." I was puzzled by what she said. Artificial insemination? I didn't remember anything like that, but there was only one reason I could think of. When the strange doctor entered my room during my hospitalization for dengue. She injected something strange into me because she injected it into my pearl! And I didn't even bother to ask what it was! Why didn't I think of that? Everything was slowly becoming clear to me. Maybe that doctor mistook me!"Oh gosh, Celine, I remember! What should I do? Where can I find that doctor?""Oh my gosh, you really remember? You agreed to it!""Of course not! Do you remember when I was diagnosed with dengue and hospitalized for over a week? I remember! When a strange doctor entered my room and injected something into my pearl! I thought it was just part of my medication!" I received a light slap on the arm, and surprise was evident on her face."You're such an idiot! Do you think there's medicine for dengue that they inject into your vagina? Didn't you even think about that?""N-no.""Come here, I'll smack you on the head to wake you up! There's nothing you can do; your belly will just get bigger! What worries me is what if the semen's owner is in jail? Or worse, what if he's a criminal, loitering on the streets, or maybe even insane?" I quickly grabbed her hair, surprised by what she said. It's not impossible!"W-what if he's not? You're so negative!""Oh, I hope you inherit my traits! And we need to find that idiotic doctor who injected you; she probably knows who the father is. But when will you tell your family?" I heaved a deep sigh; I couldn't hide this from my family forever because my belly was getting bigger, and I had to face their wrath. I could understand and accept their disappointment; the blessing was already here, and there was no reason to retreat and regret anymore."I-I'll tell them tomorrow. I don't want to delay this any longer.""Good, always remember that even though you're dumb, your smart friend is here to support you." She smirked as she glanced at my belly, which wasn't that big yet."It's annoying; I'm jealous! Ouch!" I pinched her cheek due to my frustration, which resulted in her wincing in pain."Hey, stop it, ugly! You're making yourself uglier!" We both laughed at what she said. Isn't it true? We're good at giving advice and preaching to others, but we find it so hard to apply them to ourselves.I decided to postpone heading straight to my shop because I was feeling overwhelmingly sleepy, and my body was in need of rest. Recognizing the importance of taking care of myself and my baby, I made the conscious choice to step back from my responsibilities as an online seller. I knew that overexerting myself with work could potentially harm both me and the baby, so I wanted to prioritize my pregnancy above all else.With a newfound focus on my well-being, I made sure to consume nutritious foods and steer clear of coffee, opting instead for milk as a healthier alternative. Establishing a routine, I diligently set alarms on my phone to remind me to take my daily vitamins, ensuring that both my body and my growing baby were receiving the necessary nutrients for a healthy development.Choosing comfort over style, I wore a loose floral dress for the day. Its relaxed fit provided the comfort I needed, especially since I wanted to avoid anything tight around my waist. Today marked the momentous occasion of revealing my pregnancy to my family, a task that filled me with trepidation and uncertainty. I grappled with how to broach the subject and admit the truth to them, fearing their reaction and unsure of how they would take the news. Despite my apprehension, the overwhelming joy I felt about the impending arrival of my baby eclipsed all other emotions, giving me the courage to face whatever response awaited me."Mommy will do this for you, baby." I gently brushed my hand over my belly, even though it wasn't big yet. I felt the life within me. And like Mama, I knew she was already aware of what I wanted to say today.My mother is an exemplary mother who has been pregnant several times. Sometimes, she catches me vomiting in the bathroom. Instead of asking why, she just smiles at me, as if telling me that it's okay. Perhaps she's just waiting for me to open up to her."What do you want to say, Keisha? It's already 7:00 am, and I need to leave for work by 8." I released a deep sigh; it seemed like my two brothers were in a bad mood, which only made me more nervous. But gradually, the warmth and firm grip of my mother's hand on mine helped calm me down."I-I don't know how to start or admit this to you. I'm scared of your reaction... but my joy outweighs it." I bit my lip as Kevin furrowed his brow. Kuya Keifer, on the other hand, remained calm."I'll understand if you get angry because I know you have many dreams for me.""Will you please get to the point, Keisha! You're confusing us!""Kevin, don't yell at Keisha!" I couldn't hold back my tears any longer, especially when Mama held my hand."Kuya Kevin, Kuya Keifer, p-please forgive me... I'm pregnant." I couldn't bring myself to look at their faces because of what their reactions might be. I buried my face in my hands and cried, feeling Mama's comforting hand on my back, which only made me cry even more. Mama, why are you like this? Why didn't she scold me instead of comforting me? I'm so lucky to have her as my mother, who gave birth to me in this world.I promise to be a strong and loving mother like my own mom, Kendra. She raised three kids all by herself, showing us endless love and devotion. No matter what challenges came her way, she never gave up on us.My mom faced life's ups and downs with courage, never letting fear stop her. She took on the role of a single parent with grace, making sure we had everything we needed and giving us all her love. Even when things got tough, she never wavered in her determination to give us the best life possible.What I admire most about my mom is how independent she was. She never asked for help or relied on anyone else to take care of us. When we asked her why she didn't find a partner, she would just smile and say, "You are my world. I don't need anyone else because you are more than enough." Her words always stuck with me, showing me the depth of her love.Now that I'm becoming a mother myself, I want to pass on the same love and strength to my child. I'll cherish the lessons my mom taught me and be there for my child no matter what. Just like my mom, I'll face the challenges of parenthood with courage, knowing that her love will always guide me."Hush, princess, I'm sorry for raising my voice; your brother's just in a bad mood. Stop crying. We are not mad.""Hey, stop crying, ugly; you're making yourself uglier." Their words made me cry even more."I said stop crying; don't make it worse." I noticed that as time passed, I became more emotional, probably due to my pregnancy."A-are you not angry at me?" I looked at the three of them in front of me, but all Mama gave me was a smile. My suspicion was correct; Mama already knew that I was pregnant. She started to doubt it when I began avoiding foods with garlic and suddenly started vomiting."Why would we be?" I raised an eyebrow as Kuya Keifer's sarcastic voice filled the room. He's really a philosopher."Oh, did you see that, Kevin? Our pregnant sister got even more sullen!" I chuckled at Kuya Keifer's words, knowing he just wanted me to feel comfortable and assure me that everything was okay and they accepted me even though I was pregnant. I'm so lucky to have such understanding brothers."Why? Do you want us to be?" I raised an eyebrow at Kuya Keifer's sarcastic tone. He's really a philosopher."Oh, did you see that, Kevin? Our pregnant sister got even more sullen!" I chuckled at Kuya Keifer's words, knowing he just wanted me to feel comfortable and assure me that everything was okay and they accepted me even though I was pregnant. I'm so lucky to have such understanding brothers.KEISHA"Good morning, pregnant lady! How are you? Aren't you having a hard time because of the weight of your belly?" I smiled as I saw my friend Celine. I couldn't help but notice her chubby cheeks; I felt like reaching out and pinching them. My attention shifted to the small basket she was holding, knowing that I would probably like its contents."Hi Celine! I'm fine even though my baby bump is getting heavier," I smiled as I gently caressed my swollen belly. It's been four months since I found out, and three months since they started asking me about the father of the child. I had no answers."Wow, you're glowing! What do you think the gender is?" I let out a deep sigh at her question."I think it's a boy," I smiled as I took a bite of the apple I had grabbed from the basket. It was deliciously sweet."You look like a whale!" I chuckled at her comment; she's the one who's pregnant, and I'm not sure if she's gained weight too! I quickly peeked into the basket she was carrying, and I
KeishaThe aftermath of the mall incident left me grappling with a sense of unease, robbing me of the motivation to venture beyond the confines of my home. Each day seemed to blur into the next, weighed down by the heaviness in my stomach and the pervasive boredom that accompanied my self-imposed isolation. Months had passed since I last set foot outside, cocooned within the safety of familiar surroundings yet yearning for a change of scenery.It was on one such day, when the monotony threatened to suffocate me, that a flicker of excitement stirred within me. The mere thought of revisiting my coffee shop, a place that held fond memories and familiar faces, ignited a spark of anticipation. It had been far too long since I last indulged in the hustle and bustle of serving customers and crafting the perfect cup of coffee.Accompanying my mother on her selling ventures had become a welcome distraction, offering a semblance of purpose amidst the dreary routine of daily life. Yet, on this p
KEISHA"Casper, you're the visitor Keisha mentioned, come on in!" I smiled as I gestured for Casper to take a seat on our old couch. I invited him over for lunch at our house, especially since he accompanied me to wherever I wanted to go. It was perfect timing as my mom was already here. My family knows Casper well because we often do research together at home, so I was delighted to see him."Oh, Tita, you haven't changed a bit.""Well, of course, I'm still as kind as ever.""Yes, Tita, your beauty is timeless!" I heard laughter fill the room as Mama chuckled at Casper's compliment. He was quite the charmer. Physically, Casper might have changed over time, but his personality as a jokester and a charmer remained the same. He was still the talkative Casper we all knew."Oh, why don't you two head to the kitchen? I've already prepared the food. Kevin and Keifer might not come home tonight." Mama nodded as she spoke. When we reached the kitchen, the scent of delicious food wafted through
KEISHA"MAMA, KUYA!" The words echoed through the room as I struggled to catch my breath, releasing a sigh of relief mingled with exhaustion. Sweat dripped down my forehead, and my stomach pulsed with pain."M-MAMA, K-KUYA," I managed to gasp out, feeling like each breath was a struggle against the weight of impending motherhood."Ohh baby, please don't come out just yet," I pleaded silently, biting my lip to stifle the cries that threatened to escape with each wave of agony. The intensity of the pain was overwhelming, and I knew deep down that the moment of birth was imminent. I marveled at how childbirth, a natural process, could bring such excruciating pain; my lips were raw from the pressure of my teeth, nearly bleeding from the force."Oh my God, sweetheart! Kevin, Keifer, your sister is about to give birth!" Relief flooded over me as my mother arrived, just in the nick of time to lend support. With her help, I eased myself onto the floor, my body drenched in sweat, my distress ev
KEISHAAfter leaving my son with Mama, who had fallen asleep in her arms, we approached the address provided by Kuya Kevin with hesitation. The gathering of numerous people outside hinted at the doctor's wide circle of patients. With nervousness creeping in, we entered the premises, immediately drawing attention, including from the doctor's family standing nearby.A man, likely in his forties, approached us, his eyes swollen with grief for his late wife, the doctor. "Are you one of my husband's patients?" he inquired."Yes, I was under his care," I replied softly, feeling a wave of sympathy for the grieving family."Please, come in. I apologize if I don't recognize you. Thank you for your condolences," he said somberly, his sorrow palpable in his voice. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. It seemed like fate had teased me with the possibility of finally meeting my son's father, only to reveal that the doctor had already passed away.My heart ached for my son, w
KEISHAAs I slowly emerged from the depths of sleep, the gentle warmth of the morning sun tenderly caressed my face, its golden rays filtering through the sheer curtains that danced gracefully in the soft breeze. With a contented sigh, I gradually opened my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the soft, diffused light that filled the room.My heart swelled with joy as my gaze fell upon the sight that awaited me – my precious baby nestled peacefully in his crib, bathed in the gentle glow of dawn. His tiny form lay cocooned in the soft embrace of blankets, his chest rising and falling in rhythmic harmony with the steady cadence of his breathing. His delicate features, softened by the tranquility of slumber, radiated an aura of innocence and serenity that tugged at the deepest corners of my soul.A tender smile graced my lips as I watched him, marveling at the sheer perfection of his existence. Every curve of his tiny form, every flutter of his long eyelashes, seemed to embody a purity and b
"Can I stay here, even just for tonight?" he asked, his lips inches away from mine, the warmth of his breath sending shivers down my spine. He rested his hands on his muscular chest, and I could feel the dampness of his clothes from the rain. I was at a loss for words, but before I could even process the situation, I found myself responding to his gentle kiss.I followed the movement of his lips, noticing their familiarity. Had we met before? Had we kissed? I couldn't recall our paths crossing, except for the fact that we were adversaries after he criticized my business as being unlucky, despite him being the one bringing misfortune to my coffee shop!He devoured my lips with a hunger and thirst that seemed insatiable, ravishing me completely. The heat radiating from his lips sent a thousand different sensations coursing through my body. His hand found its way to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss as his tongue traced the outline of my lips, seeking more. I parted my lips without
"Father!" My child kept repeating, and I couldn't help but arch my eyebrow. My goodness, what was wrong with him? He saw someone with green eyes and started calling them 'father'? Yes, he always acted like that, but usually, he stopped after a minute. But now, it seemed like he had no intention of stopping, and even my brothers were puzzled. Why did they even follow him? And a coat, of all things? Why did he suddenly want to retrieve it now?The man looked down at my child, a smile playing on his lips as he reached for Noah's tiny hand. Noah squirmed and tried to wriggle free from Kevin's grasp. "Come on, buddy, be nice. He's not your dad, for heaven's sake!" I couldn't believe it. It was like my son didn't care that this man wasn't his father. My goodness! And it didn't escape me that they bore a resemblance, making them look like a father and son, even though they had no connection whatsoever. No wonder my son's father was undoubtedly a handsome man."I'll carry him," Kevin hesitate