Chapter 1
Reese's Point of View
I will never forget the sole reason why I ended up in that place for the first time. The place that gave me so much memories. Memories of how I met the most gorgeous man that I have ever seen in my whole life. The man who took my virginity. And I don't even have any ounce of regret that I gave it to him that night.
He was very gentle to me. The first thing that I didn't expect for him to be. He looks so rough, almost ruthless and cold. Iyong tipo ng tao na titingnan ka palang ay tutunawin ka na.
He looks handsomely cruel that night. But I can't hide the fact that he was comfortable to be with. Maybe because he's truly a gentleman.
A gentle smile broke out of my lips as I continue to reminisce that night. He always asked me if I'm comfortable with what he's doing or what, and I admire him for that. Buong akala ko ay magiging marahas siya sa akin noong gabing 'yon, pero akala ko lang pala. Because he was the completely opposite of what I expected him to act.
"Congratulations, Mommy! You're two weeks pregnant!"
I sighed as I recalled the doctor's words awhile ago. I am two weeks pregnant and I am happy. So, so happy because that is what I prayed for eversince. I was 19 that time when I thought about having a baby. I want to have my own and I will name my baby after my deceased mother who sacrificed her life just so I can have the life that I have right now.
It always pains me everytime that I think about my mother and her death. And it even pains me more to think na isa ako sa dahilan kung bakit nawala siya. And I can't blame why my whole family resents me. Because I am the reason why Mommy died.
That is exactly the reason why I want to have kids even at a young age. That is to fulfill my mother's wish for me. She wants to see me taking care of my own little version. At kahit na hindi na niya aktwal na makita ang magiging apo niya, alam ko naman na tinatanaw niya kami mula sa itaas. Sa langit.
Knowing the news, it kinda shocked me. Hindi ko alam na may mabubuo kaagad. That man's sperms might be a tough swimmers, huh? And I got so lucky that it was him. He was such a gentleman, a handsome one.
Masayang masaya ako ngayon. Pero may ibang parte nga lang sa akin na malungkot dahil walang magiging Daddy ang baby ko na 'to. But then, saka ko nalang siguro 'yon poproblemahin kapag nakalabas na si baby.
For now, I have to buy stocks of healthy foods to be stored in my fridge, nang sa ganon ay healthy si baby lagi.
Pagkatapos kong mamili ng groceries ay kaagad na akong umuwi sa aking bahay. I bought the house eversince I decided to live alone. Nagsimula iyon noong tumungtong ako sa tamang edad ko. I worked on my own to be able to buy my needs. Sarili ko ring pera ang pinanggastos ko sa pag-aaral ko noon sa college dahil ayaw ko nang manghingi kay Daddy. He always tells me to be independent, but I know that he only wanted to get rid of me. They're sick of seeing my face, the reason why Mommy died. And I think they're more saddnened na mas kamukha ko si Mama kaysa sa iba kong mga kapatid. They think I don't deserve this. Nalulungkot ako. It breaks me. But I have to keep going. Hindi naman pwedeng umiyak lang ako sa sulok at doon manatili eh.
Nakapag-tapos ako sa pag-aaral and that's when I started working to build my own restaurant. It was hard. Extremely hard but then, it all paid off when my resto was done and I get to cook on my own restaurant too. It was a job well done and I can't help but to be proud of myself even after all the bad things that happened.
Ngayon, kompleto na ako. I am contented. I'll be having my own baby and I am successful.
And, oh. I don't talk. I am not mute. I just suddenly decided to shut down my mouth. I have been into a lot of therapists sa Pilipinas but none of them could help me. Dala-dala ko pa rin ang trauma at guilt sa puso ko. It always feels so heavy inside, but I still don't forget to smile and that, I think is the most important thing. Huwag mong kalimutang maging positibo kahit pinaliligiran ka na ng mga negatibong bagay.
Kinabukasan ay maaga din akong ginising ng aking pag-duduwal. Hindi na ako nagulat o natakot pa doon dahil sabi ng doctor ay normal daw sa mga buntis ang morning sickness.
Naligo nalang ako at nagbihis bago nagluto ng para sa aking agahan. Pagkatapos ay bumiyahe na ako patungo sa restaurant. I will surprise my team with the news today.
"Goodmorning, Head Chief. I'm pregnant," I dropped the news to my newly assigned Head Chief. From now on, Athena will be leading the kitchen and I will do minor activities until I have birth siguro. The doctor also advised me to not do rigorous activity that could harm my child lalo na at nasa first trimester ako.
Athena's eyes widened when she saw what I wrote on the white bondpaper. Nabitawan pa nito ang hawak niyang sandok na kaagad gumawa ng ingay nang tumama sa sahig. Naitakip nito ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang bibig habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin, hanggang sa bumaba ang tingin nito sa aking tiyan.
"No way!" Malakas at halos di makapaniwalang sigaw nito dahilan para lumapit sa akin ang ibang kasamahang taga-luto. Even the other staffs joined us inside the kitchen para maki-usisa. Hanggang sa nabasa at pinagpapasa-pasahan na ng lahat ang bondpaper. Sunod-sunod na tilian at sigaw ang narinig ko. Hindi magka-mayaw ang lahat sa pagbati sa akin.
"Congratulations, Miss! Grabe, deserve mo 'to! We love you, Miss Reese!"
Napangiti ako habang nakatingin sa kanilang galak na galak ang mga mukha. Masaya din sila. Masayang masaya sila para sa akin.
Unconsciously, I caressed my still slim stomach. A contented smile appeared on my lips as I stared at their happy smiles.
"Today is only half day! Magluluto tayo ngayon ng free para sa mga customers at mamayang tanghali naman ay didiretso tayo sa bahay ko. Let's continue our celebration there!" Iniharap ko sa kanila ang aking Ipad matapos i-type 'yon. Binasa naman iyon ni Angelie, isa sa mga chiefs ko ng malakas kaya dinig na dinig ng lahat.
They all cheered with the news once again.