Three Years Later...

Winter's POV

It is the month that we have been waiting for, September, September means Karina will be due and we will be welcoming our mini baby. Nakapag paalam na din ako sa office, I will be taking a leave of absence dahil kailangan ko bantayan tsaka alagaan si Karina.

So far her pregnancy is okay and she is doing great. I am just thankful and relieved that she is healthy and she is able to handle it. Well minus the nausea and dizziness during the earlier months that gave her a hard time.

As her wife of course I do my best and I provide everything she needs para hindi siya mahirapan. I became very meticulous with things related to her, I always check up on her and I make sure na okay siya especially with physical, emotional and mental aspect. There are some medications and mood stabilizers na inalis ng doctor niya temporarily due to the reason that it might affect the baby. Napag usapan namin yun ni Karina, she promised to be transparent and she will tell me everything para hindi kami magkaron ng problema.

We were also advised na mag leave nalang muna siya sa work on the 8th and 9th month since it's her first and she is kind of sensitive. We just follow what the doctors say so the two of them will always be safe and healthy.

The first three months, I can say that those were the hardest for Karina. I have witnessed how she was adjusting to it and all the changes that are taking place.  Na-overcome ni Karina yun at ginawa ko lahat ng kailangan just for her to feel comfortable and at ease.

Being with her and taking care of her while she is expecting is very challenging. Malaki din talaga yung naitulong nung mga books na pinagbabasa ko before she underwent the process. Parang more than one year kaming nag prepare at pinag handaan talaga namin to.

Flashback to Karina's 2nd Month

We're eating here at The Colonnade, the breakfast diner kung saan kami madalas nag bbreakfast pag weekends. Ako na yung nag drive ngayon dahil madami kaming pinuntahan kanina. We just came from her regular check up, we got a session with her therapist and we got some stuff from the department store. This is the new thing in our marriage, since she is expecting, kasama na din tuloy ako sa therapy. We talk about the incoming changes in our lives and how we are going to deal with it. Nung sinabi sakin ng doctor niya na makakatulong to sa mental and physical health ni Rina, pumayag kagad ako. Pinaka iniiwasan kasi namin yung magka relapse siya from her disorder during and after her pregnancy.

I support her with literally everything because this phase is not easy. We've also found out that attending therapy sessions as a couple is kind of fun and liberating. It's something quite new to us but I can say that it has a good effect on our marriage. Nakakatuwa lang and I feel proud nung sinabi ng doctor na we're off to a good start and we have achieved a healthy relationship.

"Hey, not too much." inawat ko si Karina nung nag open nanaman siya ng another packet of sweetener. Naglagay na siya ng dalawa sa coffee niya tapos dadagdagan nanaman niya ng isa pa. "Wait nga," I got her cup of coffee at tinikman ko. "Baby it's too sweet, it's pure sugar now. That's enough."

"It tastes weird Pup, I don't know why."

"It's the same, it's just too sweet, nadamihan mo kasi yung lagay. Should I get you a new one or you want mine?" 

"Can I try it?" I let her try my coffee and I wait for her to decide before I call the waiter. "You want it?"

"Hmm this one tastes better, yeah I like it." 

"Okay sayo na yan, I'll order another one." binigay ko na sakanya yung coffee ko kahit parehas lang naman kami ng order.

Ilan weeks na kaming ganito ni Karina, her cravings are kind of out of this world and her taste palate is totally messed up. She appreciates the worse combination of food.

"Pup," she called while I was busy scanning the list of desserts. "Yeah?" I put down the menu and I took off my glasses. "Matagal pa ba yung order? I'm starving." lumingon ako para silipin yung mga waiter behind the counter. All of them are busy but the service here is quite fast.

"Malapit na yun, naka ten minutes na wait for it, niluluto na nila." 

"Oh there it is." lumingon ako ulit para tignan yung mga paparating na pagkain. "See I told you." ang cute ni Rina dahil naka smile siya sakin habang tinuturo niya yung orders namin. I smiled back at her and she grabbed my hand. "You're really pretty Winter, I want to hug you."

"Thank you baby. I'll hug you later."

Nilalapag na nung waiter lahat ng food na inorder namin, nung tinignan ko, okay naman na at kumpleto na. I handled Rina the fork and table knife pagkatapos kong punasan at nilagyan ko din ng water yung baso niya."Here, kain ka na."

"Yaaay thank you." inayos ko sa harap niya yung mga pagkain. She has two orders dahil kahapon niya pa ako kinukulit tungkol dito. She got the Reuben sandwich and the rolled strawberry pancakes na nung isang araw niya pa knkwento sakin. Sobrang nag ccrave na daw siya.

"Pup,"

"Yes my giant baby?"

"Why did you order that?" she pointed to my plate using her lips."Uhm this?" I asked her and she nodded. "But this is my usual, old fashioned french toast. Why?"

"I don't like the smell, it's making me nauseous." kinuha ko yung isang pirasong french toast, tinignan ko at inamoy ko. Wala naman amoy. "Uhh yung pancake mo ata yung naaamoy mo eh kasi may strawberries and cream. Kahit ako naaamoy ko nga hanggang dito." 

"No Pup, I think it's that one, the scent of the maple syrup on your french toast I don't like it."

"Huh ganun ba, pano yan nalagyan ko na eh. Uhm dito nalang ako sa dulo, why don't you just move to your right? usog ka nalang babe hanggang dyan sa wall, be careful." pinausog ko siya sa pinaka dulo at umusog di ako sa kanan ko para medyo malayo ako sakanya at hindi niya maaamoy yung kinakain ko. Buti nalang malaki yung table dito sa diner kaya okay lang. "Okay na ba yan or naaamoy mo pa?"

"It's fine, I can take it. You eat na Pup, I know you're hungry kanina pa tayo 7am."

"Okay." nung nag start na kami kumain sakto naman na snerve na din yung coffee na inorder ko. I really like their signature brew, it's one of their best sellers. Ito yung coffee na inoorder ko kasi bagay sa french toast and sa smoked salmon na madalas kong kinakain dito. They all taste good and it's a perfect combo for breakfast.

Nagsimula na din akong kumain at tinitimplahan ko ng sugar yung coffee ko. "How's the salmon?" tanong sakin ni Rina."It's good. Gusto mo?"

"Okay." tumayo ako saglit at sinubuan ko siya. "You want more?"

"Okay Pup last na." tumayo ulit ako para subuan siya. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Pup,"

"Yes my giant baby?" 

"Ayaw ko na nitong coffee, sayo nalang. I think I want the salmon."

Flashback to Karina's Fourth Month

**ringing**

**ringing**

Winter:  O?

Karina:  Pup

Winter: Yes baby?

Karina:  what's taking you so long? what are you doing, where are you?

Winter:  in the kitchen

Karina:  why'd you put me on speaker phone?

Winter:   may tinatapos ako

Karina:  what is that? I thought we're gonna watch a movie?

Winter:  huh? oo nga dba

Karina:  then why are you not here?

Karina:   pup I want to cuddle with you

Karina:  and a back rub please

Winter:   wait lang may inaayos kasi ako sabi mo kasi ito yung gusto mo eh

Karina:  what are you doing ba?

Winter:  sabi mo gusto mo ng dairy queen blizzard with m&m's 

Karina:  yeah I thought you bought it na?

Winter:   I did pero sabi mo kasi all blue peanut M&M's eh wala naman gnun, snsegregate ko na maghintay ka lang dyan malapit na ko matapos

Karina:   okay I will wait for you

Karina:  thank you Pup I love you

Winter:   okay baby

Karina:   Winter did you just "okay baby" me? Pup you didn't say it back

Winter:  sorry hahahaha I love you too babe

Karina:  I hate you

Flashback to Karina's 5th Month

"Pup!"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for granting my request."

"Of course babe pero tama na yun ha, it's not good for you and our baby."

"Well I just like the smell of it."

"Apparently. Pero hindi na tayo ulit dadaan sa gas station, ano gusto mo, you're gonna sniff off the petrol? masama yun eh."

"Yeah hindi na last na talaga yun. I love you my Snail Puppy, thank you."

"Nang uuto ka pa."

"Why didn't you say it back?"

"I did."

"You did not!"

"Hindi ba ako sumagot? Sorry."

"You don't love me na Winter?"

"Of course I love you, sino nagsabi na hindi? kukutusan ko."

"Me I'm the one who said it."

"O akin na pepektusin ko yung noo mo!"

"See, you don't love me na."

"I'm obviously kidding." I kissed her on the lips before I removed her seat belt. "I love you baby."

"I want a hug." binuksan ko yung pinto ng kotse sa shotgun seat, tumayo ako sa labas at niyakap ko siya. "Pup you smell so good, I really like your scent."

"You like the scent of petrol, so do I smell like petrol?"

"Hmm no, you smell better than gas. I will choose you over gas stations any day."

"Hahahahahaha I'll pretend that you just didn't compare me to the smell of gas stations Karina. You're very strange. Halika na nga wear your sunglasses, ang init. Dun na tayo, naayos ko na yung beach chairs pati yung umbrella na ni-rent ko."

"Pup I want to use my other sunglasses."

"Sige." I gave her the other one, sabi ko na eh buti nalang tatlo yung dinala ko. "Okay na?" chneck ko muna siya at inalalayan ko na siya pababa sa kotse. Medyo malayo yung lalakarin namin pero kaya naman niya.

Hawak ko yung kamay ni Rina, naglalakad kami dito sa buhangin at pupunta kami dun sa spot na pinili ko, I chose the one nearest to the parking lot. It's a Saturday kaya crowded yung beach ,when I checked the time quarter to 11am palang. We drove here to Coney Island para lang maiba yung atmosphere. We both wanted to have a break from the noisy and busy streets of the city.

We're sitting side by side here in the beach, hawak ni Rina yung kamay ko while we eat some gelato.

"Pup,"

"Yeah?"

"I want to eat some pizza and kebabs." 

"Like now?"

"Yeah I'm hungry."

"So early lunch tayo?"

"Yeah it's like brunch."

"So kebabs? How did you know na may ganun dito?"

"They're selling it there in the boardwalk. I saw someone passed by holding a kebab."

"Napaka observant mo naman. Yun lang gusto mo wala na iba?"

"Pizza and kebabs, I think you should get a healthy sandwich Pup or eat some greens napapansin ko na puro meat kinakain mo lately."

"Huh? Hindi ah. Sige bibili na ko, you wait for me, I will be back. Check mo yung phone mo ha I'll take a photo of the menu baka ayaw mo yung piliin ko eh."

"Pup wait!"

"What?"

"Re-apply some sunscreen!"

"No! Babe kakalagay mo nga lang wala pa nga two hours pati nung sa bahay nilagyan mo na ko. Sige alis na ko."

Inuna ko kagad puntahan yung stall ng kebab. Nagpaluto na ako para babalikan ko nalang mamaya dahil napaka haba ng pila. Naisipan ko na unahin bilin yung pizza na gusto niya, anything that doesn't have meat yung message niya sakin. Good thing they have vegan pizzas as option.

Habang nakapila ako dito sa bilihan ng franks and pizza, naramdaman ko na nag vvibrate nanaman yung phone ko. When I got it from my pocket nakita ko na tumatawag si Karina.

Winter:   Yeah? what's up?

Karina:  hello

Winter:  hi baby ano yun

Karina:   Pup

Winter:   hello?

Karina:   hello Pup

Winter:   yes why are you calling?

Karina:  hello Pup?

Winter:  hello?

Karina:  hello

Winter:   ano ba yan, can you hear me?

Karina:  hello

Winter:  hello babe ano yun?

Karina:  Pup I also want clam chowder

Winter:  oh chowder? okay sige, yun lang ba?

Karina:  yeah yun lang. thank you

Karina:  hey wait!

Winter:  O ano yun?

Karina:  you have to eat some greens winter!

Winter:  oo na! sige na bye

Pagkatapos ko bilin yung pizza dumiretso muna ako sa isang restaurant na nagbebenta ng fish and chips pati na din ng chowder. Buti nalang ang bilis nila mag serve kahit pa madaming tao na nakapila. Nakuha ko din kagad yung take out ko kaya papunta naman ako ngayon para ipick up yung beef kebab na pinaluto ko kanina.

I got everything we need for our lunch, nakumpleto na din lahat ng requests ni Karina kaya pabalik na ako sa shore kung saan siya naghihintay. Ang layo ng nilakad ko para lang makaabot dun sa boardwalk. Ngayon ko tuloy nararamdaman na naiinitan, pinagpapawisan at nagugutom na din ako.

Natatanaw ko na kung saan siya nakaupo, konting lakad nalang, sa wakas makakain na kami at makakainom na din ako ng water. 

**ringing sound**

Kinailangan ko munang ilapag yung isang paper bag na dala ko ng marinig ko na nag rring yung phone ko, nung kinuha ko sa bulsa nakita ko na tumatawag ulit si Karina.

Winter:  hello?

Karina:   hello?

Karina:   Pup

Winter:   yes? ano yun?

Karina:  Pup naubos ko na yung gelato

Winter:   uhm okay, tumawag ka ba para ibalita sakin yan?

Karina:  uhmm no

Winter:   okay, then what is it?

Karina:   Pup I think I want to eat some sorbet

Sorbet ng inang yan, saan naman kaya nakakita ng sorbet to si Karina.

Winter:  sorbet? I don't think they have sorbet here at the beach babe

Karina:   yes they have

Karina:  I saw someone eating, I'm literally looking at her now there's a kid eating sorbet right in front of me

Winter:  kotongan mo!

Karina:  what?

Winter:  wala

Ipipilit ko sana na walang nagbebenta ng sorbet kaso may isang grupo na dumaan sa harap ko, lahat sila may hawak at kumakain ng punyemas na sorbet.

Winter:  teka sorbet and gelato dba parehas din naman yun? baka naman masobrahan ka 

Karina:  it's different Pup, the other one is dairy free

Winter:  okay sige anong flavor ba gusto mo?

Karina:  coconut

Winter:   pag walang coconut?

Karina:   coconut

Winter:   if they don't have coconut nga?

Winter:   ano melon nalang?

Karina:  but the taste of coconut is too far from a melon flavor Pup

Winter:   huh? hindi noh, parehas lang yun kaya nga may Cocomelon eh, magkamag anak sila. Sige na bibilin ko na

Nakasandal ako kay Karina, nakaupo siya sa beach chair and I'm here on the sand sitting in between her legs at niyayakap niya ako. Halos naubos namin lahat ng food na binili ko, ngayon kinakain ko na yung natirang sorbet na pinaghirapan kong hanapin kanina. Ang layo ng nilakad ko dahil halos nasa dulo na nung boardwalk yung stall na nagbebenta ng desserts and other refreshments.

"Pup," 

"Ano nanaman?!!" sagot ko sakanya. Naka back hug sakin si Karina at dahan dahan niyang hinahaplos yung ulo ko.

"Hahahaha why are you yelling? Are you mad?"

"Nope, I'm just sleepy. Nakakaantok yung ginagawa mo sa ulo ko eh." humarap ako sakanya. I kissed her belly and I started rubbing it gently. "It's getting bigger."

"Yeah," I didn't stop, hinahaplos ko pa din yung tiyan ni Rina and I kissed it again. This is what I always do hinahalikan ko yung tiyan niya pagka gising ko sa umaga tsaka bago kami matulog.

"Baby are you sure she can hear me? Dba yun yung sabi ng doctor."

"Yeah she can. The reason why we always talk to her and we play music for her."

"Do you think she can hear me now?"

"Of course, try it, try speaking to her." lumapit ako sa tiyan ni Karina at tinapat ko yung muka ko habang nirrub ko pa din. "Hello?" bulong ko sa tiyan niya.

"Hahahaha, that's not a telephone."

"Hahahaha eh pano ba."

"Yung ginagawa natin lagi, we just talk to her."

"Okay." umayos ako ng pwesto at tinapat ko ulit yung muka ko sa tiyan niya. "My mini baby can you hear me?" nagulat ako ng naramdaman ko na may gumalaw sa loob ng tiyan ni Karina. "Babe oh my god. Gumalaw siya?"

"Winter, I think she's listening to you. Grabe Pup ang lakas ng galaw niya."

"Baby may gusto pala ako itanong sayo. Napansin ko lang."

"Okay what about?"

"What's up with the pronouns? Why are we using "she" eh hindi pa naman natin alam yung gender niya?"

"Pup, I can strongly sense that our baby is a girl."

"Really? Wait let me ask her." nakaluhod ako sa harap ni Rina and I brought my face closer to her belly because I want to speak to our baby again. "My mini baby what do you identify as? Do you identify yourself as a person, a girl or a fish?"

"Hahahaha Pup ano ba naman yan mga questions mo."

"Hahahaha I'm kidding. I'm not gonna ask na nga, baka magka identity crisis pa siya. But you know what babe, there is one thing I am sure of,"

"Okay, and that is?"

"I'm sure that our baby will look like a pineapple just like you when you were a kid."

"Hahahahaha Winter ang epal mo talaga iniinis mo nanaman- oh my god Pup she's moving, here feel it." kinuha ni Rina yung kamay ko at pinakapa niya yung sa bandang kanan ng tiyan niya. "Grabe baby bakit parang ang likot niya? She's still moving" dinikit ko na ulit yung tenga ko. "I think she's strong. Oh my gosh grabe yung galaw niya hindi pa din tumitigil." ramdam na ramdam ko yung pag galaw nung baby sa loob. Umiikot ata siya at mukang nakikinig talaga siya samin ni Karina. 

"Baby wait, stay still." pinasandal ko si Karina at lumuhod ako sa gilid niya dahil gusto ko subukan kung gagalaw ulit. "Ganyan ka lang papakinggan ko yung tiyan mo, baka may gusto siya sabihin satin."

"Hahahaha you're so weird but okay, I told you she always listen to us."

"Hala Karina, baka naman our baby is nosy or chismosa kaya mahilig makinig. Pinaglihi mo ba siya kay Ning or kay Lia?"

"Hahahaha stop it. I think pinag lihi ko siya sayo Winter because I always crave for your scent."

"Baby even if you are not pregnant you always crave for my scent."

"Hahaha you are so cocky but yeah it's true."

"Be quiet Karina, papakinggan ko lang baka may sinasabi siya."nung dinikit ko yung ulo ko, sakto naman na gumalaw ulit yung baby. "Babe, the more I feel her moving, mas tumitindi yung excitement na nararamdaman ko. Seryoso."

"Me too, I really want to see her na."

I kissed her belly again at dinikit ko ulit yung ulo ko. "Babe I think she is saying something."

"Hahaha really? So what did she say?"

"Ssshh quiet. What are you saying again?" hinahaplos ko yung tiyan ni Rina habang pinapakinggan ko mabuti. "Karina, I think our baby said 'let me out you !!' woah" ramdam mismo ng pisngi ko na gumalaw nanaman yung baby sa loob.

"What the? Oh my gosh look!" hinawakan ko yung part na gumagalaw pa din. Kung wala sigurong takip yung tiyan ni Rina mas makikita namin yung galaw niya. "Sumisipa siya babe, that's so cool."

"Oh no, I think she's into your jokes. She likes it."

"Hahahaha oo nga noh, Karina did you notice, she just reacted to the B word."

"See, I told you!" pinalo niya ako sa braso. "Our baby is listening to us, ayaw mo kasi maniwala. Don't curse around her na."

"Oo nga grabe nag rrespond siya. I won't say that anymore promise. Mahirap na baka yun pa yung maging first word niya."

"Hahaha I'm gonna make you put money in a swear jar Winter kapag hindi ka pa talaga tumigil."

"Yeah hindi na last na yun, I'm sorry. Gumagalaw pa din siya?" lumapit ulit ako at niyakap ko yung tiyan ni Rina. "Yeah I can feel her moving." hinalikan ko ng tatlong beses yung tiyan niya at hinalikan ko din siya sa labi. "I love you."

"I love you Pup, thank you for taking care of us."

"Duh, of course but you're welcome."

Flashback to Karina's 7th Month

I'm here at our home office. Share na kami ng space d