Under the Red-Light District

Chapter 23

"Kumain na ba?"

Narinig ko ang malalim na boses ni Frodo sa labas ngunit nanatili akong nakatulala habang nakaupo malapit sa bintana. I was still in a daze, staring out the window.

"My lady wishes to be alone," paanas na wika ni Alice.

Isinara ni Alice ang pinto pero bago pa man tuluyang sumara ito ay nagkatinginan kami ni Frodo sa maliit na awang ng pintuan. He just looked at me with a blank expression, and then he decided to turn his back.

The door finally shuts, leaving me with a shattered promise and a broken heart.

"Pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy, is very common in marriage. It's about believing that you're carrying a child when you're not. You can experience the same symptoms in pregnancy, like nausea and vomiting. There will also be an interruption in your menstrual period, but rest assured dahil babalik lang din ito. It's nothing serious actually." The doctor stated.

"However, we found something wrong with your ovulation when we checked for hormonal problems. I'm sorry to say this, but you need to give up motherhood. You're infertile, hindi ka magkakaanak."

Tumigil ang mundo ko. I saw what I was trying to build slowly crumbling down.

"Is there a member in your family that experienced the same thing?" tanong ng doktor.

I slowly nodded my head. "Yes... my sister."

"Infertility is hereditary. There's a genetic connection. Sadly, you could have inherited it. Don't worry because it's not a disease. You may feel empty, but your life is not over yet. Be strong and embrace it. That's where the healing begins."

After the release of the pregnancy results, hindi na kami muling nagkita pa ni Frodo.

Frodo still believes that I deceived him. Akala niya ay nagsinungaling ako sa kanya dahil sa pera. I can't blame him for reacting that way after I tricked them.

Everyone in the manor thinks that I faked the pregnancy to lure Frodo to marry me. I tried to explain my side, but no one believed me. Only Alice and Portia stayed by my side.

A tear fell from my eyes. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko. I wiped it using my fingers.

Frodo promised me. He said that he wouldn't abandon me. Kumapit ako sa binitawan niyang salita.

But when I was at war with myself, he was the first one to abandon me.

I can't help but to laugh bitterly as I threaded a hand through my hair. "How foolish of me."

And yet, I still wanted to stay by his side.

"Ano raw ang kailangan niya?" mahinang sambit ko kay Alice.

Ngumiti naman siya sa akin. "Tinanong niya kung kumain ka na raw at kung umiiyak ka."

I knitted my brows. Umiiyak? Oh, right. Hindi nga pala ako umiyak kanina nang malaman ko ito.