Malapit na ang turn ni Kyungsoo for her vaccine ng makatanggap ito ng mensahe mula sa asawa that he’s already waiting for her sa car park where he dropped her off. Napangiti si Kyungsoo at ang selfie na sinend ng asawa ang tumunaw sa malaking kaba sa loob ng kanyang dibdib.

Ilang mensahe, ilang I love you, ilang litrato pa ang naging palitan ng mag-asawa ng marinig ni Kyungsoo na tinatawag ang kanyang numero.

Pagod man sa kakapila, alintana naman ni Kyungsoo na doble ang pagod na nadarama ng mga frontliner na maaga pang nag-tatrabaho upang mabigyan ng kaligtasan ang mga nasa pila, kaya isang magandang ngiti ang kanyang ibinigay sa nurse.

Her beautiful smile triumphantly did it’s job of spreading good vibes and positivity.

Instead of going straight of getting her vaccine, Kyungsoo found herself chatting with the nurse, the two of them talking about the pandemic and how it had affected the people’s lives. Isa si Kyungsoo sa naapektuhan ng pandemya, nagsarado ang maliit na firm na pinagta-trabahuhan kaya nawalan siya ng sariling kita.

During the chit-chat, doon na tinanong, inassess ang health history ni Kyungsoo.

“Ilan na po ang babies niyo madam? I hope they’re as pretty as you are, at sana kasing-bait din.” Kyungsoo’s face suddenly went dark, her smile is slowly faltering into sadness.

“Uh, Me and my husband went to see three OBGyne in the past, and uh-“ The nurse seems to notice the change in her mood kaya his hand found hers, squeezing it tight. “I don’t have the capabilities to bear him his child. Not even one.”

“How long have you been married maam?”

“Five years, we’ve been waiting for a miracle for the past four years ng aming married life.”

The nurse nods.

“Pero regular naman yung period Miss maam?” A nod Kyungsoo gives, pulling her hand from the nurse. “And when’s the last time na dinatnan ka?”

“Two months ago, I was confused pero I think kasi naste-stress ako sa mga pamangkin ko kaya, I missed them.” Tumango ang nurse, ang mata ay nasa kay Kyungsoo parin, still assessing her. “Pero this is normal naman. Right?”

“Mmmmh, how about the last time you had ? Are you using contraceptive? Are you on pills? Is he using ?” Kyungsoo is a nene, a conservative married woman when it comes to her life with her husband kaya the question made her flush red, from her squishy cheeks down to her neck.

“Last night, and nope. We’re not using anything kasi I’m- uh, I’m impotent and without a chance to get pregnant.” Tumango ang nurse, this is the first time na inalis ang paningin kay Kyungsoo to return on his checklist, scanning the paper before smiling back to Kyungsoo.

“Nausea? Are you feeling normal lately? Walang sipon, ubo? Paghihilo? Highblood?”

Kyungsoo pauses to think, the nurse noticed her bit her lower lip as if she’s hesitant to tell him something pero she speaks again.

“Lately, Nausea, paghihilo, the craving for sleep. But I kept track of my body temperature, it’s normal. Walang sipon and ubo. I don’t think I have covid.” The nurse laugh a little and once again, his hands traveled to hold Kyungsoo’s.

“Uhm, how about this madam, you stand up, get a pregnancy-”

“I can’t get pregnant.” Kyungsoo repeats baka sakaling the nurse had mis-heard her mentioning that certain details couple times.

“Yes yes, pero let’s be sure? Don’t worry madam, if you’re not pregnant, ikaw parin ang uunahin kung bakunahan. Just return to me with your result, okay?” Bumuntong hininga si Kyungsoo at sinunod ang payo ng nurse, there’s nothing wrong to follow the instructions kaya tumayo ito to get herself checked.

///

Habang naghihintay sa kanyang kotse para sa asawa, masaya si Jongin na makita ang kaibigan at dating katrabaho na si Sehun kaya ito ay kanyang nilapitan. Ang kamustahan ay naging biruan tungkol sa buhay pamilya. Naiinggit man si Jongin sapagkat naka dalawang anak na ang kaibigan, maswerte naman siya at walang kaagaw sa attention ng mahal na asawa.

Nakatayo ang magkaibigan sa ilalim ng puno ng kalachuchi, nagpapahangin habang humihithit ng yosi. Jongin’s loud laughter was disrupted ng makita ang padating na asawa. May suot mang facemask at face shield, hindi parin nito naikubli kay Jongin ang mga luha na gumugulong pababa sa kanyang pisngi.

Jongin walked forward upang kitain si Kyungsoo, his arms are open and when Kyungsoo occupied them, he immediately wraps his arms around her.

Humagulgol si Kyungsoo sa kanyang dibdib, labis na nagtaka, nag-alala si Jongin para sa asawa. Sehun stood next to the couple at pinaypayan si Kyungsoo just in case she’s feeling unwell.

“Baby? What happened? Masakit yung pagkakaturok? You’re feeling the side effects?” Malambing ang boses ni Jongin as he whispers against her ears.

Hindi nakasagot si Kyungsoo, patuloy itong umiiyak sa dibdib ni Jongin. By the way Kyungsoo wails, alam ni Jongin na matatagalan pa bag