Chapter 37

Mikha’s POV

Sabi sa balita, mas lalo pang iinit ang panahon sa mga susunod na araw. Kung minamalas-malas ka nga naman, nasira pa yung AC namin sa kwarto. I already ordered a new one sa kabilang bayan, but it’ll take 2 to 3 days bago ma-deliver dito sa bahay.

Buti na lang, medyo makulimlim ang panahon ngayong umaga at presko naman ang simoy ng hangin.

“Babi, wag mo nang ayusin yan. Tingnan mo yung pawis mo, grabe na yung tagaktak,” sabi ni Aiah habang nakabantay sa ginagawa ko. She looks so worried, her hand resting on her round belly.

I wiped my brow with the back of my hand and smiled at her. “Susubukan ko lang, love. Hindi pwedeng walang AC sa gabi, lalo na ngayon. I know you’re struggling with the heat lalo na’t malapit na ang kabwanan mo. Mabuti pa, hintayin mo na lang ako sa sala. Doon ka muna manood, at least doon may AC.”

She pouted like a little kid. Sobrang cute, sarap kurutin. “Hmp, no! Ayoko nga. Mamimiss kita agad. Dito lang ako sa tabi mo. Ayaw mo ba nun? May taga-abot ka ng tools?”

I chuckled, heart melting. “You’re such a baby. Napakatigas ng ulo mo, buti na lang talaga maganda ka.”

Inabot ko yung ilong niya at pinisil iyon nang mabilis bago ko inayos ang isang upuan tapos tinapat yung electric fan.

 “Alright. Sit here. Don’t move or do anything na makakapag-pagod sa’yo. But if you get bored, you can go to the sala or the veranda to relax, okay?”

“No, baby. I’m okay here,” she insisted, eyes twinkling. “I just want to see your beautiful face. Sobrang ganda mo kaya, kahit ilang oras pa kitang panoorin.”

“Bolerang buntis,” I teased, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks—and it wasn’t just the weather. “Kiss kita dyan, eh.” I tease.

“Sure, I’m waiting,” hamon niya.

I didn’t hesitate. I leaned down and gave her a soft, lingering kiss. “I love you so much,” I whispered against her lips.

“I love you more,” she breathed back.

Pano ba naman ako hindi gaganahan? Having a wife this kind and this beautiful is enough motivation. True enough, maya-maya lang ay napaandar ko na rin ang AC. After changing my clothes, I led her to the living room. We spent the morning watching TV habang minamasahe ko ang paa niya na laging nangangalay.

“Oo nga pala next week, Dad said magpapapunta siya ng tao dito. Susunduin tayo para doon muna tayo mag-stay near the hospital. Para hindi na rin ako mag-worry,” I told her softly.

“Okay lang sa’kin, babi… basta kasama kita walang problema. Thank you so much for everything.”

“Anything for you, my love. Para sa inyo ni baby. I love you so much, hinding hindi mag babago yun.”

…….

Kinahapunan, the atmosphere shifted to the rustic scent of hay and fresh grass. Dumating ang bisita kong si Alice. 

She owns one of the biggest horse ranches here in the sitio. She promised to visit my horse kasi last time we met, I asked her so many questions about how to properly raise them.

Alice was surprisingly friendly. I already told Aiah about her, and being the supportive wife she is, nagpaluto pa siya ng meryenda.

Nasa ranch kami ni Alice and she was sharing a lot of tips. Because I was being my usual cool and witty self, she kept laughing at my jokes and my “innocent” insights about horses. The vibe was light and professional.

Maya-maya, nagulat ako nang makita ko si Aiah na naglalakad patungo sa amin, kasama ang kasambahay na may dalang snacks.

“Love! Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala. Inutos mo na lang dapat kila Ate Josie,” I said, immediately running to her side to assist her. I gave her a quick kiss on the temple and held her arm.

“It’s okay. Gusto ko rin maglakad-lakad. Sabi kasi ni Mommy, I should walk. You know, for our baby,” Aiah said, her smile polite but a bit tight.

“Ahh, by the way… Alice, this is Aiah. My wife,” I said with a proud grin.

Agad naman silang nag-greet sa isa’t isa. Aiah was the perfect hostess, welcoming Alice warmly, but I noticed her eyes lingering on Alice a bit longer than usual.

That night, back in the coolness of our room, the silence felt heavy. I was busy on my laptop, but I could see Aiah from the corner of my eye. She was standing in front of the full-length mirror, turning side to side. She looked restless, her expression filled with a deep, quiet worry.

I closed my laptop and stood up. I walked toward her and wrapped my arms around her from behind. “What’s wrong, love?”

She remained quiet, staring at her reflection. Her eyes looked so worried.

“How do I look, Mikha?” she asked in a small, fragile voice.

I squeezed her waist gently. “You look great. Sobrang ganda mong buntis, love.”

“Really?” her voice wavered.

“Hmm? Yes. Why did you ask, love?”

“Wala lang,” she said. It was short, but the bitterness was there. Tila may itinatago siyang lungkot.

“You are the most beautiful girl in my eyes, Aiah. Nothing compares.”

“Beautiful… ” she whispered, looking down at her swollen feet.

“Yes, super,” I said, then leaned in to kiss her cheek while holding her close.

“How about Alice… Is she pretty?” she suddenly asked.

I paused, realizing where this was coming from. “Hmmm… all girls are pretty for me, love. But only one girl can truly attract me. At ikaw yun at mahal na mahal kopa.”

“She’s pretty… she’s sexy, too,” Aiah’s voice broke. “But me? I’m no longer sexy, Mikha. Look at me.”

I turned her around so she was forced to look at me. I cupped her face with both hands. “Hey, baby. Don’t say that. You’re still the same Aiah—the same woman I fell in love with. If you think magbabago ang tingin ko dahil lang lumaki ang tummy mo, o dahil minsan naglalagas ang buhok mo, o namamanas ang paa mo… no. Never.”

Aiah’s eyes filled with tears, and they finally started to fall.

“Mas lalo kitang minamahal ngayon, Aiah. That’s why I enjoy being here with you in this journey. Seeing you carry our child is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Every moment with you… I thank God. God knows how much I adore you.”

Aiah sobbed softly and buried her face in my chest. “Really? I’m just—just scared, Mikha. Natatakot ako na baka isang araw, paggising mo, hindi mo na ako gusto kasi ganito na ang itsura ko. I feel so heavy and insecure.”

I shushed her gently, rocking her back and forth. “Be at peace now. You are my world, Aiah. Sexy or not, pregnant or not, you are my wife. And to me, you will always be the most stunning woman. I love you, and that’s a promise that grows stronger every day.”

She looked up at me, eyes red but filled with hope. “I love you too, Mikha. So much. Thank you babi”

I kissed her forehead, knowing that in this cozy house, no matter how hot the weather gets outside, our love would always stay cool, steady, and true.

……

The rainy season is slowly creeping in. Pagkatapos ng matinding init nitong mga nakaraang araw, biglang bumuhos ang ulan ngayong gabi. The sound of the raindrops hitting our roof created a rhythmic lullaby that made our house feel even more like a sanctuary.

Nakahiga na kami ngayon sa kama. The AC was humming perfectly, but the cold breeze from the rain made us crave each other’s warmth.

“Babi, bilis tignan mo sumisipa na naman siya,” bulong ni Aiah.

I immediately put down the book I was reading and rested my palm on her stomach. True enough, I felt a small, firm thump against my hand. Napangiti ako nang malapad—yung ngiting hanggang tenga.

“Hey there, little one. Excited ka na ba lumabas? Chill ka lang dyan, malapit na tayo magkita,” I whispered, leaning down to kiss her bump.

Aiah ran her fingers through my hair. Malambot ang pagkakahawak niya, tila ba ayaw niya akong pakawalan. “Mikha, are you nervous? About being a parent?”

I looked up at her. The dim yellow light of our bedside lamp made her eyes glow.

 “Honestly? Sobra. I keep wondering if I’ll be good enough. Pero pag nakikita kita, looking so brave and beautiful despite everything, nawawala yung takot ko. I know we’ll be okay because we have each other.”

She smiled, that serene smile that always calms my soul. “You’ll be an amazing parent, babi. Look at how you take care of me. Kulang na lang pati paghinga ko i-monitor mo.”

“Overprotective lang,” I chuckled, kissing her hand. “Ayoko lang na mahirapan kayo.”

She rested her head on my shoulder while I cuddled her close. In the silence of the night, only the sound of the rain and our breathing filled the room.

“Babi, thank you,” she whispered.

“For what, love?”

“For making me feel like the luckiest woman, even when I feel my messiest. Yung kanina… about Alice… thank you for choosing to understand my insecurities instead of getting annoyed.”

I shifted so I could look directly into her eyes. “Aiah, listen to me. Kahit magdaan ang isanlibong Alice sa harap ko o kung sinong babae pa yan, hinding-hindi lilihis yung tingin ko. You are my home. And I will always, always choose to come home to you.”

She didn’t say anything, she just pulled me into a deep, heartfelt hug. No words were needed. The way she held me told me everything I needed to know.

“Matulog na tayo, love. Maaga pa tayo mag-aayos ng gamit bukas para sa paglipat natin sa city,” I said, pulling the duvet over us.

“Hmm… kiss muna?” hirit niya, pouting those kissable lips again.

I smiled and gave her a soft, lingering kiss on the lips, then on her forehead.

 “Goodnight, Aiah. I love you both so much.”

“Goodnight, Mikha. We love you more.”

As I closed my eyes, feeling her heartbeat against mine, I realized that life doesn’t need to be loud or grand to be perfect. Sometimes, it’s just this—a quiet room, the scent of rain, and the woman who carries my whole world in her womb.

…….

The end is Near Mamimiss ko kayo 🥺🫂♥️