April 5
It was Bram’s check up today so we needed a spacious vehicle. He chose the Land Cruiser so we could have more seats. Because Andi needed to come with us. It was also my prenatal check up today. It was a good thing that we were going to the same hospital in Manila. Andi was at the back, Bram and I were in the middle and Chantal was seated at the front beside Jonas. My phone rang when we entered the expressway.
I checked the caller ID and it was Aunt Calla. Bram was looking at me when I answered the call, “Hello?”
“Belated happy birthday, dear,” Aunt Calla greeted me, “I’m sorry I was not able to attend your celebration. We were in South Korea at that time.”
“Thank you for the greeting,” I said to Aunt Calla, “How was South Korea?”
“It was still cold dear, but it will be spring there soon,” Aunt Calla answered me.
“That’s nice, did you have fun?” I asked her while I checked the contents of my bag.
I noticed that Bram kept on looking in my direction but he did not say anything. He was wearing his metal framed eyeglasses today, which he only wore when he was working. And he looked so cute. I smiled at him but he did not smile back. Then he looked outside the window.
“Emma?” Aunt Calla called my attention.
“Sorry,” I told Aunt Calla, “I got distracted.”
“I was asking, if you can visit me here in my condo?” Aunt Calla repeated what I missed.
“Oh, um.. I will need to check my schedule first,” I told Aunt Calla.
“Okay, dear,” she answered, “It’s very important that we talk, Emma.”
“I understand,” I bit my lower lip, “I’ll see what I can do,” I told Aunt Calla then we ended the call.
I stared at the phone for a moment then I placed all my hair at the back to remove them from my face. I glanced at Bram’s direction and he was watching me.
“What does Aunt Calla want?” Bram asked me with a scowl.
My jaw dropped, “How did you know that I was talking to her?”
Bram sighed, “You are no longer allowed to go to her condo, Emma,” then he rested his left elbow near the window and looked outside again.
“But why?” I asked Bram. My eyebrows met in the middle.
“Because I told you so,” Bram said then he turned to Chantal’s direction, “Did you hear what I said, Chantal?”
“Yes, Sir,” Chantal replied to Bram.
I released a long breath and looked outside. I was wondering why Bram’s mood suddenly changed. When we got to the hospital Bram kissed my forehead then we went separate ways. He went to the Orthopedic department and I went to Obstetric and Gynecology. Dr. Delgado prescribed me the important vitamins that I should take and Chantal said that she would buy it for me while I waited with Jonas in front of the pharmacy.
“It’s you again,” I heard someone say. I turned left and saw George.
“Oh, hi!” I greeted him, “Are you with your girlfriend?”
“Yup,” George said, “she just needs another ultrasound.”
“Oh I see,” I nodded at him, “How are you? Did you enjoy South Korea?”
George shook his head, “Miss Calla canceled the trip.”
I was surprised by what he said. But I recovered quickly, “Sorry to hear that,” I told George.
“Emma,” I heard Bram’s voice. I turned to my right and there he was, standing with Andi on his side.
“See you when I see you, Emma,” George said as he walked away from us.
I smiled at Bram, “What did the doctor say?”
“He said that I’m not getting enough sex. That’s why it would take 4-6 months for me to heal completely,” Bram said with a straight face.
My eyes widened, “What?”
“I’m joking,” Bram said, grinning. Jonas and Andi laughed at Bram’s sex joke. I stood up and scowled at him. Bram adjusted his crutches to kiss my hair.
“I’m hungry,” I said to Bram, then we all headed to the parking lot.
Bram told Jonas to drive to BGC so we could eat Mediterranean food for lunch. He ordered a lot of food for all of us then we ate on the way home. I liked the hummus, pita bread, and lamb salad. It was also my first time tasting moussaka. It was like lasagna without the pasta. And the sauce has eggplants in it, I really liked it. We were not able to finish everything so when we got home Bram made specific orders to Maria.
“We did not open some of the food, Maria,” he said while Jonas was putting the rest of the takeout food on the kitchen counter, “You guys can eat everything except the moussaka, Emma liked that.” Then Andi assisted Bram walk to our room. I smiled with the gesture. I did not realize that he was observing me while I was eating. I shook my head and followed them in the room.
Bram went to our spacious sofa-bed and immediately went back to his Zoom meeting. I sat beside him and watched Andi. He was preparing Bram’s medicine. He also offered to prepare my vitamins and supplements. I gave him a nod as my response.
We were waiting for Maria to refill the pitcher of water for our room. I felt like my toes were cramped so I wiggled it then my phone rang. It was Aunt Calla again. I yawned and pressed the green button.
“Hello?” I said then continued wiggling my toes.
“Emma?” Aunt Calla said on the other line.
“Yes, Aunt Calla?” I responded then I glanced at Bram. He was looking at his laptop screen.
“Remember when I told you about my relationship?” Aunt Calla asked me.
“Yes,” I answered. I suddenly became nervous.
“His girlfriend found out,” Aunt Calla told me. Then I heard her release a long breath, “And the girl is threatening to ruin me.”
“Oh no,” I commented. The wheels on my head were turning. This might be connected to what George had said earlier. About their South Korea trip being canceled? I closed my eyes because I did not know who to believe.
“I need your help, Emma,” Aunt Calla added.
“Um…I’m not sure if I can…” I intentionally did not finish my sentence. I did not want to get tangled up in this situation. My life was messy enough.
“Yes, you can, dear,” Aunt Calla said with confidence.
I paused and did not say anything. There must be someone who could help Aunt Calla but it could not be me. I was wondering why she did not call Mama Credence or Bram? I shook my head. I did not want to give her false hope or anything.
“Are you still there, Emma?” Aunt Calla asked.
“Yes…” I answered, reluctant.
“All I’m asking dear, is for you to talk to Bram?” Aunt Calla requested.
I swallowed the lump on my throat, “About what?”
“About not selling my condo?” Aunt Calla said to me, “I have no other place to go.”