I hardly knew anything about Antenatal depression. I immediately fixed an appointment with our family doctor, Dr. Kang.

He was the one who had taken care of Ronica during her previous pregnancies. Thankfully he was available.

 

When I woke up the next day, she was sleeping peacefully. I covered her properly and after freshening up, I made

breakfast for the children and for myself. I prepaperd orange juice and eggs for her. Without disturbing her, I left a note on

the table, telling her to finish it.

 

No wonder Ronica had such a hard time managing the kids. Early in the morning they were throwing tantrums.

 

"Appa....my bottle. Where is it...??" Dingxiang shouted from inside.

 

"On the table."

 

"And my shoes?"

 

"It's in the shoe rack, Dingxiang."

 

Even Meifin was acting naughty. She kept on moving as I was dressing her up. While I was feeding her, Dingxiang

shouted again.

 

"Appa...I can't find my craft notebook."

 

"What's wrong with you Dingxiang? How will I know?" I had lost it now, seriously.

 

Then I saw Ronica coming here. She was smirking.

 

"Your craft book is in your bag. I have already put it." She brought Dingxiang's bag and helped him tie his shoe lace.

Giving him the bottle, she told him to wait downstairs.

 

Ronica came and sat beside Meifin. Till now, she kept shaking her head and spilling food, but when she came, she

immediately started to obey her.

 

"Uff...they are doing this purposely na...? Both only listen to you. See how they obeyed you."

 

"You can't manage kids Kris. They are just being naughty. It's your first time managing them, they are irritating you." She

kept on smiling.

 

"Whatever...!! You take care of yourself, I have already made breakfast. Finish it. I am leaving."

 

Meifin jumped down her seat and held Kris' hand and went downstairs. All the three left together, waving back at Ronica.

 

After a soothing bath, she finished her breakfast and started reading a book. But she felt worry envelope her heart again,

anxiety taking over mind. She did not like light much. Pulling over the curtains of her room, she started pondering over her

worries. What if she can't take care of this baby well ? What if she starts ignoring Meifin and Dingxiang ? Will they start

hating her, blaming her not to be a good mother? She tried to distract herself, but these thoughts came back to her mind.

 

Soon it was lunch time, time for Kris' appointment wth Dr. Kang. He left immediately to reach the place exactly on time.

 

"Annyeonghasaeyo.. how are you Mr. Fan?"

 

"I am doing well. Sorry I could not come during the day her sonography was done. I had work."

 

"It's ok...so how is your wife, Mr. Fan? I shse doing well...?"

 

"Hmm... actually doctor, I came to ask about Antenatal depression. I did some research but it did not help much. I just got

to know the basics."

 

"So you know that much. Is Ronica suffering from it?"

 

"Seems so. She is always worried. Most of the time I find her upset. She doesn't eat properly either. These are some of

the symptom, isn't it?"

 

"You are right. Other symptoms show her to be fatigued. She may suffer from sleeplessness also. She might be feeling

guilty or uneasy about something. Take her out. Let her meet her family and friends. But most importantly she needs you

around. Discuss her problems, what she thinks and what is going on inside her head. Try to solve them and pacify her. Do

some exercises. Make sure she eats. That's very important.

 

At present, what she needs is your total support and trust. You need to be there for her. That's the best diagnosis I can

give. I hope I don't need to prescribe any medicine for her. But if it worsens, please come immediately."

 

"Hmmm....thank you doctor."

 

"And don't forget to bring her for a full check-up after her first trimester. Be a good and dutiful husband."

 

"Yes...sure doctor."

 

That's it. This was all he wanted to know. He had planned to go home early today also.

 

He spoke to Minseok, completed all his work and decided to finish some at home.

 

Parking his car, he rushed inside to see Ronica sleeping again. But the room was dark, all the curtains pulled over. He

removed them immediately and let some light and air enter the room. After changing into his casuals, he went and checked

the kitchen. Nothing had been cooked for lunch. She had not eaten yet again.

 

"Ronica..." Kris' whispered into her ear.

 

"Ronica...wake up. I have come home."

 

She flinched her eyes, seeing so much light around.

 

"Ohh..you are here?"

 

"Why didn't you eat? I told you not skip meals."

 

"I did not feel like eating."

 

"Here finish this up." He had made bolied veggies once again and also given her a glass of milk. She did not fuss this time

and finished it all up at once. He had lunch outside already.

 

"Lets go cycling. We haven't gone out anywhere lately. Let's go out before the kids come." Kris' suggested with a smile.

 

Ronica's face immediately brightened up. She loved cycling. After changing, both left together.

 

They rode their cycles all around the valley. Kris did not ride fast unlike other days when both used to race. The air hit

their face and all felt good. They drove here and their, till they reached the Han River. Both parked their cycles and sat

down in the nearby park to rest.

 

Ronica rested her head on Kris' shoulder. Holding her hand tightly, Kris asked her...

 

"Ronica...what's worrying you so much?" Ronica looked up at him, into his eyes. She was amazed how he had read her

thoughts. She then looked away.

 

"Ronica, look at me. Tell me...what is troubling you so much? Don't you trust me?"

 

"It's not that Kris." She answered.

 

"Then tell me. What's wrong. Why are you always so worried?"

 

"Kris. What if..what if...I become a bad mother to Dingxiang and Meifin? What if I am not able to take care of them?"

Now she had started crying. The wall had started breaking slowly.

 

"Why will you be a bad mother to them? They always listen to you, rather only listen to you. Today morning, didn't you

see?" Kris said with a smile.

 

"When she will be born, will we be able to keep the family together, taking care of each one's needs and all..?"

 

Kris wiped her tears with his thumb, and kissed her on the forehead.

 

"We will be the best parents in the world, I promise. And then, I am there na with you. Why do you worry?" He hugged

her tight. Ronica smiled. She loved her husband alot and one thing she knew that he would always be there for her.

 

"Now like a good wife, give me a kiss here. Palli."

 

"Shut up..we are ina public place."

 

"No..a quick one, right now."

 

"Ok..here..." And she gave him a small peck on the cheek.

 

"Now that's like a good wife. We have to return now. Let's eat something spicey on the way. I am hungry."

 

They started their return journey before darkness would envelope the skies. They had dokkbokki on the way, a little more

spicey that usual. Ronica felt a lot better now, that she was doing all her favorite things.....with Kris by her side.

 

When they reached home, it was time to bring the kids from school. Kris left immediately.

 

When he was back home, dinner was ready and he shouted....

 

"ICE CREAM FOR ALL OF YOU."

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long chapter...enjoy...!! <3 <3 <3