Chapter 5

Parang nababalot ng makapal na ulap ang isip ko habang unti-unti kong iminulat ang aking mga mata.

The ceiling light cast a gentle glow through the blinds, illuminating the room.

Nang sinubukan kong gumalaw, hindi agad sumunod ang katawan ko. Para akong nakalubog sa malapot na arnibal.

Namamaos akong napadaing nang bigla akong nakaramdam ng matinding kirot sa aking kanang kamay nang sinubukan kong iangat iyon.

Doon ko napansing may nakatusok na karayom sa likod ng aking palad, na nakakonekta sa isang manipis na tubong dumadaloy papunta sa suwero. 

Doon ko napagtanto na nasa ospital ako.

Nang sumulyap ako sa gilid, napansin ko ang isang babaeng nasa mid-forties, nakasuot ng puting coat at may hawak na chart habang kausap ang lalaking hindi ko pa rin lubos maisip na nasa harapan ko ngayon.

His presence sent a jolt of electricity through me, stirring a dangerous mix of excitement and tension within my chest.

Dahan-dahang gumapang ang kamay ko sa aking sinapupunan. Hindi ko maiwasang sisihin ang sarili ko dahil hinayaan kong ma-stress ako kaya ako na-ospital.

I had miscalculated my strength and capacity to handle everything, and this was the outcome.

“Ehi, tesoro. Sei sveglia.” (Hey, love. You’re awake.)

Khyfer’s rich, velvety voice carried a distinctly Italian charm that both calmed and stirred me. 

Listening to him felt like hearing a seductive symphony, but threaded with tension that kept me on the edge.

Mabilis siyang lumapit sa hospital bed at naupo sa tabi ko. Malumanay na naglandas sa buhok ko ang isang kamay niya at hinawi nito ang mga buhok na nakatakip sa aking mukha.

The moment his hand touched my skin, a warm flutter sparked within me.

“How are you feeling?” He asked me softly.

I lifted my gaze as his voice drew me in like a subtle spell I couldn't resist. I saw the genuine worry on his face, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling a little flattered.

“I-I’m okay,” I answered him, but my gaze immediately dropped to my feet.

Mabilis na nagbago ang hitsura ng mukha ko nang maalala kong nasa ospital ako ngayon. I scanned the room once more, searching for a logo or a name that would indicate which hospital I was in.

“No need to worry, you’re not in your brother’s medical lair,” Khyfer said, as if he knew exactly what was running through my mind.

In a moment, I sighed in relief. 

If I had been brought to my brother’s hospital, Bryce would not have hesitated to fly back and create absolute chaos.

“Where am I, then?”

“Asclepius Medical Hospital,” he answered casually.

Buti naman at naisipan niyang dito ako dalhin at hindi sa ospital ng kapatid ko at baka kung ano pa ang mangyari kung malaman ni Bryce ang nangyari sa akin at ang ideya na nandito si Khyfer ngayon.

I managed to stare at him for several heartbeats.

Only then did I realize that he had taken off his coat. The long-sleeved polo shirt embraced his muscular frame, accentuating his captivating aura and striking appearance.

I traced a hand over my baby bump as my admiration for Khyfer colored my thoughts. I wished my child would be like him. Brilliant, confident, and striking in every way.

“No worries. Both you and our baby are safe,” Khyfer stated with a faint smile. His voice was a steady current of concern beneath his unfazed look.

My eyes widened, and I felt that all the warmth in my face was lost. 

For a second, I could only stare at him, hoping I had misunderstood, but the look in his eyes told me otherwise. 

Khyfer knew I was pregnant, and he knew the child was his.

My heart lurched as panic crept over me. I wanted to say something or anything, but the words wouldn't come. My heart raced so loudly that it drowned out everything else. 

What was I supposed to do now?

“Ms. Montreal,”

Hindi ko pa napoproseso sa aking utak na alam na ni Khyfer ang sikreto ko nang biglang tinawag ng doktor ang aking pangalan.

Napalingon ako sa direksyon nito. “Yes?”

“I’m Dra. Annaliesse Estrella, an OB-Gyn resident here,” the doctor introduced herself.

My gaze fell on the left side of her coat, where her name and title were embroidered. I smiled faintly and settled my other hand over my baby bump.

“How’s my baby—”

“Correction, it’s our baby.” Khyfer cut me off.

As he looked down at my belly, his usual seriousness softened, and I caught a glimpse of a man quietly captivated by the life growing inside me.

Our baby.

His voice held a tone that filled me with a sense of wonder. I searched for traces of shock, disgust, or unease but found nothing. Instead, it was as if he was completely okay with the idea that I was carrying his child and that we were having a child together.

Ngumiti si Dra. Estrella sa amin. “The baby is safe, Ms. Montreal, and I’ve already discussed your condition with Mr. Casteliogne,” the doctor said, her eyes flickering towards Khyfer for a moment. “Given the circumstances, I advise that you go on immediate maternity leave—”

“An early maternity leave?” I repeated softly. My brows drew together. “Doc… I still have pending projects. There are contracts that require my supervision. I can manage my workload. I’ve handled worse...”

Unti-unting humina ang boses ko nang hawakan ni Khyfer ang mga kamay ko at marahang hinaplos. Ilang saglit pa, inangat nito ang isang kamay niya at marahang hinawakan ang aking baba, dahilan para mag-angat ako ng tingin at muling nagtama ang aming mga mata.

“You fainted earlier.” His voice filled the silence.

I tried to wave it off. “It was just dizziness.”

His jaw flexed as he took a slow breath. He had already anticipated my stubbornness.

Khyfer was about to speak when Dra. Estrella moved closer, and she spoke before he could.

“Ms. Montreal, I respect how dedicated you are,” she said in a calm voice. “Many driven women find it difficult to slow down during early pregnancy. Pero hindi kayang sumabay ng katawan mo sa lahat ng gusto mong gawin.”

Hindi naman kasi ako puwedeng basta na lang mawala sa trabaho dahil marami pang mga projects na kailangan kong tapusin. Sasali pa kami next month sa Oslo Design Summit, kaya kailangan kong matutukan ang mga designs na ipanlalaban namin.

Saka may mga pending project pa ako na kailangan kong i-supervise personally at yung mga blueprints na kailangan ko ring simulan at tapusin para sa ibang client na kakatanggap ko lang. 

Besides, I was planning to arrange my maternity leave before entering my second trimester. I couldn't afford to act impulsively. I needed to prepare for the major changes coming my way.

“Rest isn’t optional in your case. It is medically indicated. Early maternity leave will significantly reduce preventable risks.” The doctor clasped her hands in front of us. “I would not advise it unless I believed it's necessary,” she added.

Khyfer’s jaw tightened subtly as his gaze drifted to my belly. His stare lingered for a brief second before lifting back to my eyes.

Masuyong dumantay ang kamay niya sa mukha ko. Ang bawat malumanay na haplos nito’y tila kinakalma ang magulong isipan ko.

“Let’s focus on our baby for now, Blythe. That’s what matters most,” he said softly, his voice calm but almost pleading.

I squeezed my eyes shut as if the darkness could quiet the noise in my head.

The air seemed to thin as his words settled on my heart. It pounded hard against my ribs relentlessly, as if it were trying to break free from my chest.

“Hey, look at me,” he said softly, guiding my chin upward again so I would face him. “You’re not alone in this anymore. Your body is sustaining another life. When you push yourself to exhaustion, it’s not only you who bears the consequence.”

Natahimik ako. May punto ang sinabi niya.

Nang malaman kong buntis ako, pilit kong inabala ang sarili ko upang makalimot sa sitwasyon ko at takasan ang kahihiyan at pagkadismayang nararamdaman ko sa aking sarili.

Khyfer smiled at me before he faced the doctor.

“I will take care of her,” he said without pause. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll comply with everything you recommend.”

Then he turned to me with a gentle voice. “Right, love?”

Hindi ko namalayang napalingon ako sa kanya at bahagyang nakataas ang mga kilay. Ngunit ang tawag niya sa akin ay paulit-ulit na umalingawngaw sa isip ko, na para bang sirang plakang hindi tumitigil sa pag-ikot.

Parang may gustong kumawala sa dibdib ko nang tinawag ako ni Khyfer sa panuyong iyon. Hindi iyon isang estrangherong pakiramdam, ngunit isang napaka-pamilyar na pakiramdam na maging ang tibok ng puso ko ay kabisado na ang ritmo.

Instead of responding, I simply turned away. I had to stop myself from reacting to Khyfer’s words, or I would find myself in trouble.

Dra. Estrella reviewed the prescriptions once more and reminded us of the precautions we needed to follow to keep me and the baby safe and healthy.

Vitamins. No skipping meals. No stressful meetings. No extended working hours. She looked directly at me when she said the last part.

When the conversation ended, she excused herself.