CHAPTER 3:PREGNANT

In the past few days I have become more and more anxious. Especially since Mom and Dad are already teasing me to go home to Laguna.

I gathered the courage to go home but I really couldn't.

"Maxine? You look pale"Joyce worriedly said when she entered my unit.

"It's nothing, Joyce. I haven't been able to sleep well these past few days, that's why I'm like this," I said while sniffing my senses.

"Did you have your period?"she asked. 

I looked at her and shook my head.

"Come on, let's go check-up" she invited me.

I realized that I might be pregnant. My chest pounded. And cold sweat made me. I rubbed my face and took a breath one after another,before agreeing to my friend's suggestion.

The doctor took a blood sample in addition to the pregnancy test she gave me.

I lost my breath when I got positive on the pregnancy test.

I tested again and expected the result to be negative but two red colors were drawn on the Pregnancy test kit.

I leaned against the cold wall while holding the two pregnancy tests.My fear has arrived.

"Maxine? What's the result?" Joyce asked me when I came out of the bathroom.

I didn't answer her question, I just gave her the crib I was holding.

"Are you okay, my dear?" she asked me.

I shook my head as tears fell. She hugged me.

"Don't you like the result?" she asked.

"I don't know, Joyce. I'm so confused" I said, sobbing.

"Ms. De Lara? The doctor is calling you. Your blood test has come out," the nurse told me. 

"How are you Ms. De Lara?" the Doctor asked me with a smile. 

I just nodded and sat in the visiting chair opposite where she was sitting.

"Take this. This is my tradition,"she handed me a small box.

"Is this for me?" I asked.

My interlocutor smiled and nodded. I quickly opened the small box. I felt my heart caressed when the little white shoes exposed me.

"Congratulations Ms. De Lara. I know you will be a good mother to your future child" she said with a smile.

I don't know how many minutes I spent stunned by the shoe I was holding. I feel mixed emotions. I know in myself that I am not ready and I am very scared but the reality is hitting me.

If Joyce didn't come. And she invited me home. I haven't gotten up from my seat yet.

"Joyce. Let's go to the park for a while" I said indifferently. When the Park was seen in the distance.

She accompanied me to walk to the Park where many children were playing.

Joyce and I sat on the bench and could freely observe the children chasing each other with their mom and dad. There are also a few families having a picnic.

I caressed my thin stomach. And I looked up at the sky which was very blue in color.

"Maxine?" Joyce called me.

"Aren't you going to find your child daddy?"she asked me.

"Aren't you jealous of those kids who have their Mom and Dad with them?" I followed Joyce's eyes where she was looking.

"Not anymore. I'm okay with my child" I answered.

She sighed and put her arm around me.

"You can do it, Maxine. You won't be alone now, there are two of you" she whispered to me.

I smiled and nodded.

"I have decided to go home. And I will accept whatever my family tells me"

That's right. You have to face it. I'm not alone anymore, my baby and I are two.

"Would you like Joel and I to accompany you? Even if we take you to Laguna?" Joyce offered. I smiled slightly at her.

I immediately arranged my things. Joyce and I came home. Mom and Dad were also called that I was coming home. They were so happy, they said we would have a little party when I got home.

Just like Mom and Dad said. They welcomed my arrival.

There is a large tarpaulin hanging at our gate and it says 'Congratulations Maxine Ysabell De Lara Bachelor Of Science In Tourism Management' and on the bottom it says Cum Laude.

"Wow! You're so beautiful!" exclaimed Joel when he saw my big picture on the tarpaulin.

"I'm so proud of you, Maxine" Mom kissed me on the cheek. And she invited us to eat.

Some of Papa's Politician friends also congratulated me. Papa was proud that I graduated with flying colors.

I feel too guilty. I really wanted to confess everything to them but I couldn't. They are having so much fun and I don't want to spoil that.

"Congratulations, my dear sister. Im so proud of you" brother Marvin greeted me then kissed me on the cheek.

I looked away from him when I noticed that his eyes were fixed on my face.

"Are you okay? You look pale?" he asked. I couldn't avoid him touching my wrist.

I felt nervous in my chest when he looked at me meaningfully.

"Come on. Let's talk" he took me to the kitchen and pushed me again.

I was surprised when he held me by both shoulders and looked me in the eye.

"Maxine? Don't be afraid to tell me the truth. Remember I'm on your side. Confess to me what you want to confess?"

I bowed down. I couldn't look into Kuya's eyes.

"You're pregnant, right?" he asked me.

 I can't hide anything from him, he is a good doctor.

I nodded one after the other as I sobbed.

"It's okay, just relax" he whispered to me then hugged me. I cried in my brother's arms.

I just let my tears flow until they ran out.

"Maxine? Girl, are you okay?" Joel asked me.

"My brother already knows I'm pregnant" I whispered. They and Joyce were surprised by what I said.

"How? You confessed to him?" they both asked at the same time.

"No. He grabbed my wrist" I answered with a sigh.

Joyce handed me water and made me sit on the chair.

"What's your plan?" Joel asked worriedly.

I took a deep breath and shook my head.

"Come on, rest. You're pale" Joyce helped me stand up and accompanied me to my room.