CARE

I WOKE UP early Monday to prepare for my maternity checkup with an ob-gyn.

I simply bun my hair into a half braid. A little make-up and lip tint are also applied to improve my

simplicity. I was also wearing a basic red shoulder strap with flat shoes.

I smiled when I heard the doorbell rang from outside the door. I pulled my sling bag vigorously and

quickly opened the door.

“Peter?!” I suddenly paused for a bit seconds. “Oh, hi!” The shock was undeniable in my voice. I know

he’s the one behind the door, but when I saw how handsome he is today, I feel like I have been blank

for a while.

He stood in the doorway, wearing a huge smile on his face. “Are you ready?”

I blink my eyes and nod.

“Can I have your hand please, beautiful lady?” he extended his arm to reach mine, which I freely gave.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his gesture, and I find him cute.

He offered me to see a gynecologist because he said he knew a doctor who could help me. At first, I

was embarrassed, but he encouraged me to do so. Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he was

always calling to check on me. He even brought me some fruits and fresh milk so that the baby in my This belongs to .

womb would grow up healthy.

“Are you feeling nervous?” Peter asked me.

I simply nod because of the nervousness in my chest while Peter was sitting next to me. I clasped my

hand tightly and looked at him nervously.

“Peter, can we just not continue this?”

“What?” he chuckled and glared straight into my eyes.

“Look around. You’re not the only one who pregnant here. There are many of you.” He glanced at some

pregnant women sitting in a row not far from us.

Most of the women are here are pregnant too. The stomachs of others are almost too big, and I think

they will soon deliver a baby. I swallowed forcefully and tried to smile at the woman in front of me.

“Oh, you’re such a lucky wife to have your husband with you,” said the pregnant woman in front of me.

I immediately felt the warmth on both cheeks because of what she said.

“Actually, it’s our first baby!” Peter looked at me when he spoke.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes. I also pinched him on the side, so he laughed a little. “What?” he

almost whispered to me.

“Shut up, Monteverde.” I sighed

“Oh, these kids, maybe you’re newlywed. Am I right?” an old woman asked us. Next to her was a

younger woman who was also pregnant like me.

“How did you find out, Ma’am?” Peter asked the older woman.

She could not help but smile. “Because you look sweet,” she replied quickly.

I shut my lips tight. Those few words made me slow down, but only for a moment. Sweet? Where is the

sweet in there?

“Where did you find your husband? I also want someone a husband as handsome as yours?” Suddenly

a woman chuckled. I think she was with the pregnant woman who was in front of me.

But I said nothing and laughed a little. Peter cleared his throat, and he hadn’t replied. It’s good that my

name was called inside so we said goodbye to them.

The inside of the clinic is air-conditioned, but my sweat is dripping from my forehead because of

nervousness.

“Relax . . .” Peter holds my hand tight.

I nodded and waited for the doctor to speak.

“So, this is your first pregnancy?” she asked politely.

“Y-yes,” I murmured.

“Hmm, when was your last menstruation?”

“I think, last month.” My voice was slowing down.

“Alright, I’ll perform an ultrasound for the baby. Please lay on the bed carefully,” she said after standing

up in her swivel chair.

I followed what she said. I couldn’t help but tremble as I held Peter’s hand tightly without leaving my

side.

“Wow, look at your baby!” the doctor told me excitedly.

I glanced at the monitor where I could see my baby. Even though it was small, I still could not stop the

tears from falling in my eyes.

“Oh, surreal . . .” I sobbed.

“Yes, and you are seven weeks pregnant. Congratulations!”

I turned my eyes to Peter. His jaw flexes continuously. I felt the tightness of his palm on me while

staring at the monitor.

“It’s natural for you to feel dizziness or even have a headache. Everything is part of pregnancy. Your

body is adjusting and preparing for the pregnancy. So, the food we put in our bodies is sometimes

rejected.”

“Nausea, swelling, and cramping are the common pain that you will encounter during your pregnancy.

But it also disappears as the baby’s delivery approaches,” she explained carefully.

I glanced at Peter, who was still quietly by my side.

“I will prescribe some vitamins for you and the baby,” she added before bowing to her working table.

“This is all the medicine you will buy. And don’t stress yourself. You need to take some bed rest for

weeks just to make sure your baby is safe. Your wife is also not allowed to be emotional.” She glanced

at Peter.

“Are you the father?” the doctor asked him seriously.

I frowned. He told me that he knew the doctor, but the truth is he’s not.

“Yess,” he confidently said.

While on the road, Peter was just driving quietly. I don’t have anything to ask at this point. I also do not

want to question him why he said he was the father of my child because I knew he just wanted to

protect me.

“Let’s have lunch first before I take you home,” he said and parked the car at the restaurant.

“You need to eat healthy food to make the baby come out healthy,” he said without looking at it.

I glanced at the food in front of me for a moment before looking back at him.

“Peter, you don’t have to do this.” My voice carried a slight tremble. I was worried about what people

might say to us, especially to him.

His expression was still calm. The corner of his lips was slightly arched as if he was smiling. He doesn’t

seem to take what I’m saying seriously.

“God, I’m serious!” I blurted out.

He suddenly put down his fork and slowly laid his back against the chair.

“I don’t see anything wrong with that. Why don’t you just let me take care of you? Besides, I am also

concerned with the baby,” he said with a straight face. He continues to eat as if it is not a big deal for

him.

My heart relaxed a little, but I still couldn’t get rid of the worry. He is a young man and has his own life. I

can’t give him the responsibility that Lawrence should be doing. But I know at this point, he is the one I

need.