Loveless Marriage

Chapter 41

Zehra Anais

Athena and I decided to undergo an IVF procedure after a few weeks since we still waited for the egg to be fertilized in the sperm lab bago ito ilagay sa akin. It was hard and painful since I was awake when they did that. The doctor even required us to inject follicle-stimulating and ovulation-regulating hormones with one to two injections each day via a small needle, and she also told us to be careful para raw mas malaki ang chances of winning. 

Athena is always there throughout the process and she became my support system. Siya ang nag-i-inject sa akin ng gamot kasi masyadong mahina ang loob ko para saksakan ang sarili ko ng syringe. Palagi akong umiiyak sa pagkatapos ng injection dahil pakiramdam ko ay humihilab ang tiyan ko, and Athena is there to comfort me and ease the pain that I'm feeling. 

"There you go, baby. Your last injection," Athena whispered after injecting me with the medicine. She looked up at me and smiled warmly before she pulled down my t-shirt. 

I stared at her with my teary eyes. "It hurts, giliw," I mumbled and shut my eyes tightly as I felt the pain in my stomach.

"I know, baby. This is the last time you're going to experience that pain, and I'm so proud of you, baby. You're so brave," she said, kissing me on the forehead. I lean my head on her shoulder and cried silently. 

"Thank you for being here, giliw," I whispered to her. 

"It's my responsibility and duty as your wife to be here, my love. I love you so much, Anais," she whispered back and kissed me on the side of my head. 

"I'm sleepy," I said. 

"I'll carry you to the bed," she said and carried me. I wrapped my arms around her nape and lay my head again on her shoulder. I closed my eyes and let myself succumb to darkness. 

___

"Congratulations, Mrs. and Mrs. Sinclaire! You guys are pregnant," the doctor excitedly announced. 

My eyes widened in shock as I heard the doctor's announcement. I gaze at Athena and she's looking at me with her glossy eyes and a smile imprinted on her lips. 

"I love you," she mouthed which earns a smile from me. 

"Did you guys see this?" Tinuro niya ang isang parte ng screen bago niya sinabi kung ano ito. 

Nanatili lang kami ni Athena sa pakikinig sa kaniya habang may ngiti sa labi dahil sa napakagandang balita. Hindi mapantayan ang tuwang nararamdaman ko ngayong nalaman kong may isang anghel ang namamalagi sa loob ng tiyan ko. May kaunting paninibago at takot akong nararamdaman dahil na rin bago sa akin ang lahat ng ito. 

"Eat healthy foods, Mrs. Zehra. Huwag mo rin masyadong papagurin ang sarili mo at iwasan ang mga bagay na pwedeng magbigay sa 'yo ng stress at maaaring makaapekto kay baby. I'll give you some vitamins to help you during your pregnancy," sambit ng doctor habang abala sa pagsusulat ng reseta. 

Nang matapos  ay iniabot niya ito sa amin kaya agad ko itong kinuha at isinilid sa bag sa dala ko. Nalipat naman ang atensyon ng doktor kay Athena. "Mrs. Athena, take a good care of your wife. Hangga't maaari ay huwag mong hahayaang ma-stress siya o bigyan siya ng problems na maaring magbigay ng stress sa kaniya. Ayaw naman nating maging maselan ang pagbubuntis niya, hindi ba?" ani ng doktor. 

Athena nodded at her and turned her gaze at me. "I'll take good care of her, doc. Thank you so much," ani Athena bago ngumiti sa akin. 

"That's good to know and you're welcome. I"ll e-mail you your schedule for your next check-up," aniya na ikinatango lang namin. Nagpasalamat kami ulit bago umalis sa office niya. 

I unconsciously caressed my stomach and smiled. I can't believe I will be a mother and build a family sooner than expected. Napatingin ako kay Athena na abala sa pagmamaneho. Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya ang labis na tuwa lalo na't hindi mabura ang ngiti sa labi nito. 

"You look so happy," I blurted out. 

Saglit itong tumingin sa akin bago muling nagpokus sa daan. "I am more than happy, my love. I can't wait to announce this beautiful news to our family," may himig na tuwang aniya. 

Naglakbay ang kanang kamay nito sa kamay kong nakapatong sa hita ko habang ang isang kamay naman niya ang abala sa manibela. She held my hand and pressed it. Hinayaan ko lang ito at saka siya binigyan ng ngiti. 

___

"What in the actual hell?" Faith was the first to react, habang ang iba ay nakatulala pa rin sa amin pero bakas ang gulat sa kanilang mga mukha. 

"I'll be an aunt?" I heard the twins mumble at themself. 

Napalingon ako sa kanila bago natawa nang mahina. "Yes, magiging tita na kayo," sagot ko. 

They turn their gazes at me for a second before looking at each other. Seconds later all of us heard them squeal in happiness. Nag-appear pa ang dalawa bago tumakbo sa pwesto namin ni Athena para batiin kami at yakapin. 

"I don't know what to say, hija. You surprised all of us," sambit ni Tita Jace na sinundan ng asawa nito. 

"I'm happy for the both of you," nakangiting sambit naman ng nanay ni Athena. 

"Same po, tita," sambit naman ni Aleza. 

Sabay kaming nagpasalamat sa kanila, Napatingin naman kami sa tatay ni Athena na tila wala pa rin sa sarili. 

"Dad?" Athena called him. 

Kaagad namang napabalik ito sa sarili nang marinig ang anak. He look at us and smiled, "I'm sorry, ladies, gentlemen, and of course, to our rainbow people. I was just surprised by the sudden news. Ang akala ko ay matagal pa ang hihintayin ko. Still, I'm happy for the both of you. Take care of each other, alright?" 

We both nodded at him. Ipinagpatuloy namin ang salo-salo sa pangungunan ng magpinsan. They are indeed a good entertainer. Napuno ng kasiyahan ang hapag-kainan namin ni Athena. 

Natigil ako sa pagtawa nang maramdaman ang mainit na kamay ni Athena sa kamay ko. Nilingon ko siya at nakita itong nakatitig sa akin na may ngiti sa labi kaya naman napangiti rin ako.She then mouthed 'I love you' before holding my hand tightly. I whispered, "I love you more." 

I will never get tired of seeing her radiant smile. 

***

Naaalala niyo pa ba si Cara?