Work Text:
Today is looking to be another grueling and taxing day, and all you want to do is come back home, crawl into bed, and sleep the week away. Unfortunately for you, it’s a Monday and it hasn’t even been two hours since your shift started. During days like this one, when you find yourself having to deal with old men with egos the size of the Gulf of Mexico, you question whether you made the right decision accepting this managerial position when it was offered to you months before.
You miss the good old days, when you were almost always on the go, chasing after every news you could get your hands on. Now your days are filled with paperwork, meetings, and headbutting with stubborn old mules who have no business being such difficult dickwads because all they know to do is capitalize on anything that would surely make them money.
Letting out a rather deep sigh, you let your tired body sag against the backrest of your office chair, closing your eyes as you feel the familiar throbbing on the sides of your head. You’ve been getting headaches a lot more frequently as of late, which your doctor attributes to extreme stress. One of these days, you’ll probably end up getting yourself rushed to the emergency room.
When you open your eyes, your gaze lands on the picture frame resting on your desk. All the stress and negativity slowly drain out of your system as soon as you see Maloi’s smiling face staring back at you.
There it is.
Out of the ninety-nine reasons you can think of to leave this god-forsaken job, there is but one main reason that makes you stay.
Maloi .
With this job, you earn much without putting yourself in the line of danger. And though it pains you to admit, your current position pays almost ten-fold compared to when you were still a reporter. With your current situation, every centavo is important. But most importantly, this position and this job gives you a very flexible work schedule that comes with a lot of perks.
Ultimately, you need this job more than ever because you and Maloi are starting to build your own little family now. This will provide you with enough financial security to be able to take care of Maloi and the little life steadily growing inside of her.
The thought of your best friend and your child elicits a certain warmth in your chest, blooming right where your heart lies steadily beating. You think of Maloi, how there seems to be a different glow about her recently, and you feel your chest tighten with this unknown feeling. It clenches your heart uncomfortably, a constant discomfort that you can never put a finger on no matter how hard you think it over.
Before you can delve deeper into your own thoughts, you see the screen of your phone lighting up with a notification. Sighing exhaustedly, you languidly lean towards the table to retrieve the device. And upon seeing that it’s a message from Maloi, your body springs up on your seat, suddenly resuscitated from lethargy. With hands slightly shaking from excitement, you swipe at the screen to open the message.
[Aa My Lucky Charm 🍀]
Tin
9th week check-up with my OB tomorrow
9 AM
Mag-ultrasound
Gusto mo sumama?
Check-up? Ultrasound? That means you’ll be able to see your baby, right? Although it still feels surreal that you and Maloi are actually having a child together, and the thought of finally getting a glimpse of the life you both created is quite nerve-wracking, you couldn’t help but feel your heart race in anticipation.
[Aa Tintin ko 🌙]
Of course
Stay put ka na lang and wait for me
Susunduin na lang kita
Barely a minute after your last message gets sent, your phone pings with a new notification from your best friend.
[Aa My Lucky Charm 🍀]
Okie dokie
See you tomorrow Tintin ko 😘
[Aa Tintin ko 🌙]
Don’t skip meals
Drink water regularly
I’ll have Shee bring you vitamins
Take them
I’ll see you tomorrow
[Aa My Lucky Charm 🍀]
Awww
My Tintin is so caring 🥺
Don’t worry too much na
Sinusunod ko naman lahat ng paalala mo
Sige na, get back to work na
Love you, Tin!
[Aa Tintin ko 🌙]
Love you back
[Aa My Lucky Charm 🍀]
🥰
You can’t stop smiling.
You must’ve looked like an idiot when you put your phone back down on your desk, as you can’t stop a wide, toothy smile from breaking out on your lips. You don’t know why, but you can’t stop smiling whenever you interact with Maloi lately. Heck, even the thought of the older woman is enough to almost instantly put you in a good mood.
It must’ve been the distance.
The smile on your face slips a little at the reminder. The two of you had admittedly been quite distant from each other for a while, that is until your discussion about her uncanny request a few months ago. It wasn’t a conscious decision on both of your parts, since it was just a simple case of life being in the way.
You got busy with your work, and so did she. Your schedules never really aligned for a long while so you couldn’t exactly meet up. And it wasn’t until she reached out that day that the both of you got to spend time with each other again.
And now, you’re taking the time to familiarize yourself with Maloi again. Twenty years of being best friends, and it never fails to fascinate you that you still learn a little something new about her every day. And in a way, it makes your heart swell with a weird sense of pride. Because you’re a welcome witness to her journey of growth and development as a person as much as she is to yours.
Letting out a quiet sigh, you stretched your tired limbs as your gaze landed on the pile of documents that needed your attention. They’re not due anytime soon so you still have time to do them later, but you’re feeling really energized at the moment. And as you looked towards Maloi’s framed photo yet again, you felt as if you could handle everything life decided to throw at you.
Bring it on.
For most people, the ultimate goal in life is a lovely house they can call home, a loving and supportive spouse, and children born out of their love for each other.
And while you understand that such a life is very appealing to most, it couldn’t be more different from the one you envision for yourself.
Your goals have always been aligned with your passion, and your passion lies in reporting. Ever since you were a child, you’ve always dreamed of becoming a reporter - someone who others relied on to deliver clarity and facts without fail.
It always fascinated you how the reporters on the daily news shows you watched as a child appeared as they delivered the most recent and trending news. They always carried with them a certain air of dignity, from the way they stood to the way they talked, that gave the impression that they stood for nothing but the truth in every situation.
And as you grew older and became aware of the realities of life, the realization that life can be harsh and cruel at times all but strengthened your determination to reach your goals.
All of your efforts and hard work during high school and college paid off when you were able to snag a job as a reporter at one of the biggest networks in the country. And your life has never been the same since.
For the past couple of years, you were always busy, always on the move, and it made you realize that maybe romance doesn’t really have any room in your life as long as you continue to pursue your passion. Your irregular and busy schedule would never allow for a committed relationship, much less one of marriage or having a child.
Besides, that kind of domestic life never really appealed much to you. You were content with aiming to be the rich wine aunt who would spoil your friends’ kids rotten.
Yet now, you feel as though your heart is about to burst from being too overwhelmed with emotions as you stare at the ultrasound monitor inside the clinic of Maloi’s OB. The screen is displaying the image of something akin to a disfigured little bean, and the doctor informed you just now that that is your baby currently at 9 weeks.
“See that?” the doctor asks, pointing at one end of the bean on the screen, the one that’s a little bit bigger than the other.
Still tongue-tied from all the clashing emotions raging inside of you, you could only respond to her inquiry with a nod. The doctor, bless her kind soul, notices the state you’re currently in but refrains from commenting on it. Instead, she smiles, warm and reassuring, that it actually brings you a little comfort.
“That’s the head. Everything looks good and mukhang healthy na healthy si baby, so good job mommies.”
The way the doctor collectively refers to both you and Maloi as the mothers makes your heart skip a beat. Your cheeks warm as a blush blooms across your skin, and you avert your gaze towards your best friend in an attempt to hide your fluster.
Maloi, who’s still lying down on the bed with her belly exposed, is already looking up at you. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears, and she looks every part as overwhelmed as you felt.
“That’s our baby, Tintin,” she says in an almost breathy whisper, the disbelief so obvious in her voice that it makes you chuckle. Your eyes start to sting as well, so you take in a shaky breath to calm yourself before reaching for her hand to hold in yours.
“That’s our baby,” you say, reaffirming her words.
She smiles, warm and wide and loving. So, so beautiful . And for a moment, you find yourself blinded by her light.
“Gusto niyo bang marining ang heartbeat ni baby?” the doctor interjects, and her question has both you and Maloi turning your heads to face her so fast that she bursts into an amused chuckle.
“Can we do that?” you find yourself asking.
When you look down at your best friend, you see Maloi with her head turned to the side and her gaze glued to the screen of the monitor. With a soft smile, the doctor nods her head before tinkering with the ultrasound machine for a short while.
The moment the sound of a rhythmic, mechanical beating fills the four walls of that clinic, the tears you’ve been trying so hard to hold back fall down your cheeks in an almost constant stream. Turning to look at Maloi, you see that her eyes have also begun shedding tears.
You’re overwhelmed. Very much so. Because holy shit everything is finally starting to sink in. You and Maloi are actually going to be parents. The future is pretty daunting, because you have absolutely no knowledge of how to rear a child. It’s scary and you don’t want to mess up, because you’re going to be bringing up another breathing, living human being until they're ready to stand on their own two feet.
But then Maloi turns on the bed again, and your breath hitches at the sight before you. Her eyes are shining with tears and her nose is red from crying, but there’s a certain glow in her expression that has you stunned for a moment. She looks every definition of happy as she smiles up at you, her fingers easily slipping between yours. Her hold is tight, as if you’re her only tether to reality, and you couldn’t help but think the same.
This moment feels so surreal, and your only assurance that all of this is not just a dream is the warmth of Maloi’s skin against yours.
“Tintin,” Maloi calls out, voice shaky from all the emotions she must be feeling.
You know, because you’re overwhelmed by so many emotions too.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. Thank you talaga. It’s still so early, pero mahal na mahal ko na agad ang anak natin.”
Maloi’s watery smile knocks the air from your lungs, which prompts you to take in a deep breath to recenter yourself. With your own watery smile, you lean down and press a long and firm kiss against her forehead.
“Thank you din. I never knew it was possible to love someone I haven’t even met yet, but I do. Mahal ko na din agad si baby. Thank you for going through with this, Lucky.”
So yeah, maybe having a child has never really been in your plans. But there was not a single shred of regret in your heart as you continued to stare at the ultrasound monitor, with the sound of your baby’s heartbeat in the background.
“Tintin.”
Looking up from the tablet in your hands where you're busy checking your emails, you see Maloi walking towards you with a hefty-looking tray in her hands. Worried, you quickly discard your device aside and get up from the couch you’re sitting on to take the tray from her.
“Ay ano ba naman to. Kayang kaya ko to Tin. Hindi naman ako baldado,” she sulks as you shoo her towards the couch after taking the tray into your hands.
“I know. Pero kasi diba sabi sayo ni doc wag kang masyadong magpapagod? Mahirap na. I’m just looking out for you and our baby,” you tell her in a placating tone as you place the tray on top of the coffee table.
The two of you have just gone back from the check-up, and Maloi had practically begged for you to stay with her for a while to keep her company. Unable to deny the older woman anything she wants, especially when she’s using those freaking doe-eyes like some sort of cuteness weapon, you had no choice but to agree. So now, you’re here in her living area, sitting on her couch, with a tray of your favorite pastries and a cup of coffee sitting before you.
“Carrying a tray of sweets and a cup of coffee is barely physical work, Jhoanna Cristine,” she says matter-of-factly as she reaches for one of the egg tarts before taking a huge bite off the treat.
“Still . . . When we’re together, at least let me do things for you, please? Alam kong hindi ako totally onboard nung sinimulan natin to, pero I’m a hundred percent here with you now. I can’t help you with the actual pregnancy, but can you please let me help wherever I can? Hindi ka nag-iisa dito, Lucky. You have me, and I am more than willing to do anything for you.”
There’s silence for a while as Maloi doesn’t respond to you right away. Worried that you may have said something wrong or overstepped any of her boundaries, you shuffle on the couch so that you’re sitting Indian style sideways, facing her completely. Before you can open your mouth to ask her what’s wrong, Maloi gently shoves the uneaten half of her tart against your lips all the while refusing to meet your gaze.
“Okay,” she mumbles under her breath, her voice so soft that you were barely able to catch what she said.
Parting your lips to take the treat she’s feeding you, a huge smile breaks out on your lips as you begin to chew. Sighing softly, Maloi turns her body so that she's facing you, the expression on her face so vulnerable that it catches you unaware for a moment. Then, you’re smiling again. This time, softer, mellower, as you reach a hand out and gently pull her by the arm.
As carefully as you can, you maneuver your body so that you’re lying on your back, pulling Maloi to lie on top of you. Then, with the gentleness you’ve come to adopt the moment you found out that she’s carrying another life inside her, you wrap your arms around her body in a secure embrace. You feel more than hear the sigh she lets out as she snuggles into you, burying her face against the crook of your neck as she takes in another deep breath.
“Tin?” she calls out, her voice a little muffled against your neck.
The feel of her soft and warm lips against your skin sends a shiver down your spine. It’s a good thing that she can’t see your face at the moment, because you’re pretty certain that your cheeks are as red as Mikha’s sports car.
“Hmmm?” you hum in response, not trusting your voice to be stable enough.
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh? What for?”
You shift from beneath her, trying to get up so that you can see her face. But Maloi grips the front of your shirt tightly and snuggles further into your embrace, effectively pinning you in place. With a sigh, you stop struggling and snake a hand to her upper back instead. Then, with a light touch, you start tracing random patterns against her back in a comforting manner. This has always been able to calm her down without fail. The soft huff that pushes past her lips and the way her body practically melts against yours puts a smile on your lips.
“I tried,” she says after a while, her tone sulky.
“Hmmm? Tried what?”
You tighten your hold on her with the arm you have around her waist as a subtle gesture of assurance. She lets out another sigh before you feel her lips pressing firmly against the skin of your neck. And good Lord, had you been standing up, you’re quite certain that the action would’ve sent your whole body hurtling to the ground.
You can see it now. Maloi with her never-ending need for physical affection is going to be quite the torture for the duration of her pregnancy. She’s always been a naturally clingy person, but that clinginess has amped up almost a hundredfold after she got pregnant.
“May family dinner kami this weekend. Pupunta ang buong angkan kasi 75th birthday ni lola. Papa is demanding that I bring you there,” she says, voice shaking as if what she just told you is the most terrifying thing in the world.
“Oh.”
If she’s saying that her father is demanding your presence, then that only means one thing. The thought sparks the flame of dread in your heart, but you try your best not to let your nerves show. What Maloi needs right now is reassurance. Reassurance that you would never be able to give if you let your anxiety get the better of you.
“Sinabi mo na sa kanila? About the parentage of your baby?” you ask, pretty certain about your presumption but still wanting to make sure.
You feel Maloi nod her head in response, and all you can do is let out a quiet sigh before placing a quick kiss on the top of her head.
“Sinubukan ko namang idelay na sabihin sa kanila. Pero kasi ang persistent ni Tito Hector, and he and his family were pressuring Papa about the marriage.”
You felt your blood boil at the mention of the Andrada patriarch. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha. It’s so obvious that the Andradas are itching to sink their claws into the Ricaldes’ influence and fortune. And while all you want to do is curse the old mule and his stupid sons out, you hold yourself back for the sake of your best friend.
“So sinabi mo na kayna Tito Migs ang totoo? Na anak ko ang dinadala mo?” you ask again.
“Yes. I’m so sorry Tintin. But I was desperate. Ayokong magpakasal kay Tyrone.”
Maloi’s voice shakes with a sob, which prompts you to wrap both arms around her again.
“Sshhh. Wag ka nang umiyak. Sinabi ko naman sayo, diba? Handa akong panagutan at panindigan kayo ni baby. You did the right thing, Lucky. And I’m proud of you.”
“But they’re going to force you to marry me.”
“And I told you, I’m more than okay with that. Ikaw naman na yan, wala akong dapat i-angal. There’s a whole lot of history, love, and trust between us, so I’m not worried in the slightest. Alam kong wala akong kaalam-alam sa pagpapalaki ng anak, and ganun ka din. But we’re here for each other naman diba? We’ll figure things out nang magkasama.”
“Pero Tin-”
“Shhh, okay nga lang. Besides, we can delay the engagement naman. Ako na ang bahala. I’ll talk to your family. So stop overthinking, okay?”
There’s a finality in your tone that has Maloi sighing in resignation. A triumphant grin breaks out on your lips when you feel her responding nod, and you are overcome with a strong sense of joy that it had you peppering the top of her head with kisses. You’re gonna be the best wife and mother that no one would dare question your role in Maloi’s and your child’s life.
The blissful moment is cut short when Maloi abruptly gets up from the couch. Worried, you look up to see her holding a hand against her mouth. Before you can ask her what’s wrong, she dashes in the direction of the bathroom which has you following quickly. Once inside the bathroom, your heart twists inside your chest when you see her heaving into the toilet bowl.
With light steps, you walk closer and stand behind her, gathering her hair in one hand as you use the other to gently caress her back. Once she’s done, you help guide her towards the sink so she can wash her mouth. You step back, leaning against the open door and crossing your arms over your chest as you watch her from the mirror.
As she started to brush her teeth, you couldn’t help the immense worry blooming in your heart. Maloi is living alone, and now that she’s entering the last month of her first trimester, her symptoms will only get worse. Her doctor told you so. You’re worried about something bad happening one of these days and no one being there to look after her.
Steeling your resolve, you push away from the doorjamb and walk towards her. She’s done brushing her teeth, now watching your moves from the mirror as well. Without a word, you wrap your arms around her from behind, leaning down a bit so you can rest your chin against her shoulder. She leans back against your embrace so that her back is flush against your front. Your hands settle over her still barely-there bump, and through the mirror, you see Maloi looking at your hands with eyes so full of affection that it has you completely breathless for a moment.
Once her gaze meets yours through the mirror once again, you give her a small, adoring smile. She returns the gesture, and the twinkle in her eyes has you momentarily entranced. Shaking your head slightly from the daze, you tighten your hold against her as you bring your lips closer to her ear.
“Move in with me, Lucky.”