To Love and Avenge

Chapter 54

I looked back at him with full anticipation. Then, all my doubts vanished into thin air, just like smoke that have been blown away when I saw his lips curled into a smile.

His eyes were beaming radiantly with happiness that seemed to radiate to his whole surroundings.

My heart that was once slumped down had finally lit up at the sight of him. A very genuine smile.

Without any further hesitation, I nodded at him and smiled widely as he made his way to me while his eyes were dropped and glued onto my still deflated tummy. Never leave a single glance from there.

He stopped an inch away and reached out to caress my abdomen. It’s still deflated but was a little noticeable.

What surprised me next was when he knelt in front of me face level in my tummy, while his eyes were still staring lovingly, which were filled with unspeakable emotions.

His once brightly lit eyes started to moisten in tears as his Adam's apple started to move back and forth as he tried to suppress the tears from falling. It’s a sheer growing fondness of a man towards his stillborn child.

“Hey, bud, nice to finally meet you. I'm your daddy,” he whispered and kissed me down there. Then he wiped his tears away the moment he looked back up at me tenderly.

Looking at this soft side of him, my tears fell, tears of uncontained joy. My heart is filled with happiness and joy that I have forgotten all those hurtful times in our relationship.

“What are those tears for?” he asked, as he retracted his position and slowly stood up beside me while still holding onto my abdomen, afraid that he might lose it.

“You’re in tears too, can’t I shed mine?” I answered him with an arching brow.

“I first thought you were not happy with it.” I continued, still pouting my lips cutely at him.

He then broke into a burst of crisp laughter at my act.

“Why is that? Of course, I am happy, you made me the happiest person, you know that?” And he smiled at me. “Come here.” Then he pulled me to him and squeezes me a tight hug before he osculates with mine.

It was a soft, long, caressing kiss. A kind of kiss that shows tenderness, genuine love, and affection.

I clung to his neck and closed my eyes, feeling it with my very soul and burying it in the deepest part of my heart.

Then he pulled away and kissed my tears away, drying every corner of my eyes.

“Sorry for everything that I have caused you in the past. I want us to start all over again if you will permit me to,” he said in a very soft voice. Asking for my approval with his eyes looking at me expectantly.

This side… this side of him. I wanted to always stay on this side; soft and very considerate. Not the typical Dauis that I know of...

I only nod at him feeling that something was stuffed in my throat and that it didn't allow me to speak even a single word. Tears then fell gradually on my cheek making me look like a crybaby.

Days have passed, and we didn't talk about what happened at that bar that night, it was like a common understanding that no one wanted to open up again to spoil the good mood.

Even Allen and Daven never open such a delicate topic.

They are all exceptionally cautious and considerate about my current status, too afraid that my emotion will affect the baby badly.

Dad, on the other hand, was very happy upon hearing the news that he made sure to make a call every now and then. Constantly pestering about what or not to do.

My coffee time? Was partially cut off as per Dauis's description. He was closely watching me about it.

“I’m so happy for the both of you.” Dad who was sitting on the couch beside me has been endlessly caressing my tummy. I can only smile at him, remembering how protective he was of me, and now of his still unborn grandchild.

I'm sure Dauis will be a great Dad too, just like mine.

“Hey, Esther, you hear me? Our daughter will soon have a baby,” he calls out of nowhere as if mom will hear him enough.

I laughed at him.

"What? he curiously asked.

"Dad, mom won't hear you."

"That was what you thought, but believe me, she sees and hears us. and I'm sure that she is very happy now that you are building your own family now."

When talking about mom, it has always been a sensitive spot for me, but lately, it seemed to have changed. we can talk about her lightly like I have never impressed myself from pain and agony.

The pain, yet still there buried somewhere, wouldn’t always affect my mood just like before. And I think that I am slowly healing but that doesn't mean that I will stop hunting them...

Maybe, Mang Kanor and Roldan are both right, I should have to learn how to forgive myself. And this new door of life taught me so.

Marry, who was in the City sometimes visited me at home and cooked nutritious food for me. Yet, I had not allowed her to meet Dauis or any of my family which I guess she understands.

She was happy with the liberty of freedom I provided to her, she didn’t go out any way other than here and on groceries with me, she just either stays at home or stays with me at my place when Dauis is at work. I just hope that she will soon regain her memory so she can finally go home to them.

But, I can't risk posting her on any social media, because, who knows, she might be still in danger.

Lately, Dauis's behavior has suddenly escalated, from giving me cold shoulder to being a possessive husband.

Previously, he never took me to his work at the company except those only in our early marriage stage when he has out of the town work only. But now, he often took me with him wherever he goes, and I am super happy with it. it delighted me knowing that he don't want me away from him.

Today, as he prepares himself for work when he suddenly asked.

“When are we going to have the baby check?” He asks, stopping at what he is doing to face me, who was still in the bed and lazily reading a book.

“Maybe today or tomorrow would be fine,” I answered merely sparing a glance at him.

“Let’s go today then. I will be busy tomorrow,” he decided.

“Are you coming?” I asked as I look up. He then walked to me and lovingly said,

“Of course, I wanted to know how my little bud is doing inside his mum’s tummy.” Just as he said that he caressed my tummy. It has been a month since I learned about my pregnancy making the baby at 9 weeks.

“So, go ahead and prepare yourself, I'll wait for you downstairs.” then he stood up and continues to prepare himself.

“I don't want to go, it's still too early and I still wanted to go to sleep.” I refused lazily and yawn then set aside the book that I am currently reading.

“Okay then, just call me and I will drop by to pick you up, okay?”

“No, I will just drop by in your office and we will head to the clinic from there,” I suggest.

“No way, How many times have I told you that you are not allowed to drive all on your own? pregnant women shouldn't be driving on their own.” he quickly responded.

"But I am just on my 9th week, it will not harm, besides, I will be very careful.

It has always been like this, he doesn’t allow me to walk out all on my own, nor drive myself out and it’s getting me crazy.

And don't think would be for sure, I don't win a word with him despite my reasonings.

I am not used to relly whatever I needed to do to anybody, more or less drive. Anyway, a lot of pregnant women drive themselves alone, but with Dauis, it’s a big NO-NO. Which made me feel suffocated sometimes.

Doing this and that is prohibited that he only permits me to do was only to accompany him or stay at home and rest. He even bought a lot of books to read to pacify my boredom.

He is also feeding me nonstop, and it made me feel like he wanted to fatten me.

“Okay, I will just hail a cab then.” I surrender.

“How about I let my assistant pick you up before lunch? And let us have lunch out together?” He suggestively thought.

“Well, that sounds fair to me.”

“Okay, it’s set then.” then he turned back to me and kissed me on my forehead before he bend down and said.

“Hey bud, dad is going to work now, take care of mum for dad, will you? And behave okay?” and kissed my little bum.

I laugh at how this man acted playfully when caressing me. I will be d*mn sure that he is going to be a great dad. Just like my dad.

He claims my mouth again before he straightens up himself and walks out.