Accidental Baby

Chapter Twenty Two

ANAIS

Cookie was latching on my breast, having his morning milk, while I put on my makeup. Today would be my first day of school. I was thrilled and nervous at the same time. It had been more than a year since I attended college. Ayaw ko nga muna sana dahil ayaw kong iwan si Cookie. Six months pa lang kasi siya. He still needed me. But Mom, Dad, and especially Coco had been convincing nonstop to continue my studies. Mom and Dad told me I shouldn't worry about Cookie dahil aalagaan naman nila siya habang nasa school ako.

The window lifted up and in came Coco. Tumigil si Cookie sa pagdede ng makita ang Daddy niya. He babbled cutely as if trying to say something to Coco. His Daddy took him from me.

"How's my little cookie? Did you sleep well?" He kissed him.

"Thank God, you're here. Kanina pa ako hindi makapagbihis. He wouldn't let me go." I said. Paglabas ko pa lang ng shower, gising na siya sa crib niya. I picked him up and fed him but he was taking too long so I decided to put on makeup while feeding him.

Coco sat on the edge of my bed and sat our son on his lap, playing with him. "Magbihis ka na. I'll take care of him."

I went to my closet and pick an outfit. A simple pink dress. This would be the first time I'd spend the whole day without Cookie. Iniisip ko pa lang nalulungkot na ako. I suddenly felt a wave of anxiety.

"Wag na lang kaya akong pumasok?" I bit my bottom lip.

"No, you're going to school today." He firmly said.

"Paano kung hanapin niya ako?"

"It's just a few hours, Anais. Hindi naman siya pababayaan ng Papa Axel at Mama Val niya." He made funny faces at Cookie while talking to me. The baby laughed.

"Paano pag gusto niyang dumede?" I pouted.

"May nakatabi naman na milk para sa kanya, di ba?"

"I'm going to miss him..." I quietly said, the corners of my lips tugged downward.

"Tell Mommy you'll be fine without her." Coco spoke to our son. He made cute little sounds. Tumayo siya at nilapitan nila ako. "You have to do this. Maiintindihan niya rin na para sa kanya itong ginagawa mo. Somebody he'd be watching you walk the stage in your graduation robe and he'd be the proudest little boy."

A smile crept on my lips. "You think so?"

"I know so. Isn't that right, Cookie?" He turned his attention to our little man here and he giggled.

I held his chubby hands and kissed it. "Basta magpapakabait ka while I'm gone, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy." Coco answered in a baby voice.

"Bye, sweety." Dad kissed me on the forehead. "Do your best and good luck on your first day."

"Thanks, Dad." I let out a nervous smile

"I'll see you later." He said.

I nodded my head before pushing the passenger door open. I stepped out of Dad's car and took a deep breath in. I felt like a kindergartener on my first day of school all over again. I wondered how people would treat me now that I was a teenage single mom. What would people think of me? Hindi ko naman inilihim ang pagbubuntis ko. I knew a handful of people already knew I had a baby, including Steve.

And then Cookie's face suddenly crossed my mind. Wala pang isang oras mula ng mahiwalay ako sa kanya I already miss him. Ano na kayang ginagawa niya ngayon? I made sure he was well fed before I left. I bathed him and changed his clothes and diapers after. He was watching BabyTv when I left for school. Si Mommy ngayon ang nag-aalaga sa kanya. She promised that she would take good care of him. Being away from my son felt like losing a limb, sanay kasi akong palagi ko siyang karga. I miss carrying that chubby boy in my arms.