RIZI WAS told someone is looking for me. Hindi ko naitanong kung sino pero sumenyas ako sa staff na lalabas na ako. Nagpaalam ako kay Justin at nang matapos ang tawag ay pinuntahan ko ang client. I made sure that I look presentable. I’m currently wearing a sleeveless, above the knee maternity dress. Si Reysa ang pumili nito, magenta ang kulay. Feeling niya kasi baby girl din ang ipinagbubuntis ko. I matched it with flats in the same color and it has a rhinestone on top.“Good afternoon, ma’am. May I help you?” bati ko sa kaniya.Nakatalikod siya sa akin kaya hindi ko makita ang kaniyang mukha. From the back though, mukha siyang mamahalin. Her hair looked neat at mukhang alaga sa salon. Even the suit she wears looked expensive. I couldn’t tell if it was Dolce or Versace. Pare-pareho lang naman ’yon sa paningin ko at hindi ako mahilig sa gamit na branded. I like them, but I don’t need to have them. Basta komportable, okay na sa akin. At siyempre, kung may magbibigay, hindi ko tatanggih

RIZ“SHE came to see you?” Hindi ko napigilan ang pagkunot ng noo ko. Plano ba talagang manggulo ng mag-ina na ’yon at sa parehong araw pa nagpunta?“Baby—”“She came to see you. Kailan? Were you even planning to tell me about it?” Halos mag-isang linya na lang ang kilay ko sa inis.“Pagkabalik ko kaninang lunch sa office, nadatnan ko siya at—”“Kausap kita sa phone pero hindi mo binanggit. Ibig sabihin, wala kang planong sabihin sa ’kin.” Humalukipkip ako. Kung ang simpleng bagay na ’yon ay ayaw niyang sabihin, ano pa ang itatago niya sa sunod?“I was going to tell you tonight, but when I picked you up, you were upset. I don’t want to make you even more upset by telling you that my ex came to see me.”“Did she kiss you? Seduce you? Ano’ng suot niya?”Gah! She’s not exactly ugly. Hindi naman ’yon magiging girlfriend ni Justin noon kung hindi siya maganda. Men are visual creatures. Kaya nga mas madalas na gamitin ang ulo sa baba kaysa ang nasa taas dahil unang nagre-react ang alaga nil

JUSTINWE arrived at the clinic ten minutes early. Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m going to be a father. Parang kailan lang ay puro trabaho ang inaatupag ko. Now I have a wife and a baby on the way and I can’t wait to start having sleepless nights.Waking up to the baby’s cries in the middle of the night . . .Changing countless diapers . . .There are so many things to do and I know some are not looking forward to it because they do not want their routines to change. But for me, I’m looking forward to it. I can’t remember when I got so excited like this.“Hey, are you okay?” Riz was looking at me funny. I smiled at her and caressed her cheek. “Excited ka, ’no?” tudyo niya sa akin.“I’m excited and I can’t wait to meet our baby. Matagal pa ba? Gusto ko nang mapuyat.”Riz laughed. “Sa lahat ng magiging ama, ikaw lang yata ang narinig kong excited mapuyat. Don’t worry, we will take care of our baby together so you would have enough energy to go to the office.”I leaned forward and whispe

RIZIT was fun getting to know Justin’s friends. And while I do not see the guys often, si Moira ay bumibisita sa akin sa shop at sa penthouse. She met my Reysa and Matet too at dahil madaling pakisamahan ay mabilis silang nagkasundo. They are planning my baby shower and it excites me.As much as I want to be involved, I want them to plan it on their own. Kung tanungin nila ako ay magbibigay ako ng opinion. Otherwise, silang tatlo ang palaging magkakausap from the theme, games to gifts, and whatever else we’re going to need.Nasa grocery store ako ngayon kasama si Moira. We are buying stocks for her pantry. They are currently renting a two-bedroom apartment in the city.“Have you told him, Moi?” Hindi ko natiis na tanungin siya nang makita ang pangalan ng tumatawag sa kaniyang cell phone. Hindi ko ’yon sinasadyang masilip pero magkatabi kami habang itinutulak ang cart.Umiling siya. “I’ve been here for two weeks but I still don’t know if I should tell him. If he really cared, he would

RIZKAHIT hindi ko sabihin kay Justin ay madaling nakarating ang balita sa kaniya tungkol sa pagkikita namin ni Nanay sa lobby. He didn’t get home until five in the afternoon but the first he asked is if I was okay. Tumango lang ako at hindi nagkomento. Justin knows not to push as well and let the matter rest.Sa maiksing pagsasama namin, alam niya na kung kailan ako magsasabi ng saloobin. And that’s why after dinner, we decided to stay outside for a bit. Kung dati ay matatakutin ako sa matataas na lugar, ngayon ay hindi na. I still prefer to live in a house, but living in the penthouse while we are here in Manila made me appreciate it more. Para bang kay layo ng mga problema sa akin at hindi nila ako maaabot.The busy streets of Manila and honking cars were a sight to see. People are always in a rush whether to get home or to go somewhere exciting. Either way, they are always on the go.“How was your day with Moi?”Justin was sitting while I remained standing near the railing to watc