CHAPTER 20
"I guess we've missed a lot", Larry said as we ventured into the living room. We saw the cake being shared amongst the guests by Nadia.
"Yeah", I replied absent-mindedly. I was feeling tired all of a sudden.
"You look tired. You should rest." He suggested.
"Yes. I guess we would call it a night then", I told him and was about to leave them in the living room when he called me back.
"Daisy, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"It's not you. The party preparation has worn me out. I've been awake since the break of dawn.
"Alright. Continue being strong", he squeezed my hand in assurance and I nodded. He pecked my cheeks.
I was about to leave his presence when Nina showed up.
"Daisy, Larry, where have you two been to?" She eyed Larry, who was with a mischievous smile on his face.
"I took your daughter on a date", he told her.
"Is that true, Daisy?" Nina demanded from me.
I didn't know if she fell for Larry's jokes or not as her face was expressionless, devoid of humor, shock, or surprise.
"Don't mind Larry, mom", I answered and yawned. "He caught me in the kitchen stealing some of Nadia's leftovers in the microwave."
"Oh! He keeps joking around all the time", Nina hissed at him and he chuckled. "Let's greet our guests goodnight, Daisy. Nadia can't do the work alone."
"Daisy is very tired. She was just about to go to bed", Larry explained on my behalf.
"No, it's ok. I can manage", I said.
"You can go upstairs dear, Larry will be useful too. He can't keep talking all day without using his hands for something good and useful", I laughed at the remark.
"I'll go upstairs once we are done", I said despite my tiredness.
"No, I insist you go up, dear", Nina insisted.
"Alright", I surrendered. "Goodnight mom and happy birthday once again."
"Goodnight my baby", she pecked my forehead. "And thanks for the gift. I love it. I'm going to wear it to work next week and tell everyone that cares to listen that my daughter bought it for me", I smiled.
"I know you won't do that", I said and turned to Larry watching us. "You aren't a chatterbox like Larry", mom and I burst out laughing as his mouth hung open, in shock.
"I'll reserve my comment, Daisy", he shook his head.
"You better do", Nina glared at him and turned to me.
"Go upstairs dear, I love you."
"I love you too, mom", I responded as I pulled out of her embrace. "Goodnight, Larry", I walked slowly towards the stairs.
Nina's home building always reminded me so much of our home in New York. The construction was almost similar.
"I don't deserve a good night kiss, Daisy?" Larry shouted after me.
"No", I shouted back, turning to watch as Nina hit him on the arm.
"Ouch, Nina, that hurts' ', he pulled a crying face and I watched my steps as I took a step at a time to my room upstairs, still laughing at Larry's mischief.
He was indeed playful just like Nina had confirmed. He was playful but he was a genius too.
I got to my room, breathing heavily and the first thought that came to my mind was to lie down on my well-laid bed and sleep off till the next day.
But I couldn't. I needed to peel off the dress on me and go take a shower. I needed that for a goodnight's sleep. I brought out my nightwear and went into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth before coming out of the bathroom.
I dried my body with a towel and put on my maternity nightwear. The former one had become too small for me because of my baby bump. I puffed out air and sat heavily on the bed. My eyes fell on my phone on the side table.
I haven't been able to make use of my phone since I woke up. I picked it up and saw several missed calls from a strange number. I wondered who it was. I didn't have time to think about it when I saw an email notification from Mr. Gonzalez.
My heartbeat increased as I opened the email to receive the greatest shock of my life.
"Good day to you, Miss Daisy. I'm sorry to inform you that your book has not been accepted. This is because......"
I didn't wait to read the remaining content as I dropped the phone and held onto my ears. "No!"
I couldn't believe it. I felt my efforts were in vain. I wanted to stand up but I couldn't as I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen.
"Mom?" I screamed.
"Nadia."
I was able to sit upright despite the excruciating pain I was feeling. I was scared. I didn't know what was happening to me. It wasn't due to time for my labor.
Am I going to lose my baby? I asked myself.
"Mom", I screamed again.
"Nadia, I yelled, hoping she would hear me. I tried to stand up but I noticed little droplets of water from my private part.
"Did I just pee on myself?" I was beginning to panic.
I heard mom and Nadia's voices as they came running upstairs.
"Daisy, what happened?" Mom watched me as they both moved closer. When she saw the look on my face, she ran to me.
"Goodness, what happened, Daisy?"
"Mom, I just peed on my body", I cried, gripping her left hand firmly.
"What?" She shared a knowing look with Nadia as her face fell on the water beneath me. Nadia hurried back down the stairs without uttering a word.
Nina raised me up and put my arms over her shoulder with my hand around her waist.
I couldn't hide my fear and curiosity. "Mom, what is wrong with me?"
"Your water just broke, baby", she announced. "It's time to welcome your baby to the world."