Chapter 10 - My Nikolette

Doctor Angel came back and took the paper she told me to fill up earlier.
"Nikolette Legazpi. Is this the name you want for the baby?" she asked smiling.
"Yes, Doctor Angel! I want to call her Nicks." I answered back.
"It is a nice name!
Anyway, I have an important matter to discuss with you, Eve." Doctor Angel sat down.
I guess it will take her a long time to discuss the matter she is referring to.
Nicks will be taken by his parents. Perhaps, that is what she will tell me.
I already know that! Yes, I am not prepared for it but that is the protocol.
"I worked with this insemination very confidentially. I also do not know who Nicks' parents are.
Only Doctor Dani knows. He asked me a favor and I cooperated with the couple's wish.
There is nothing wrong since they were very cooperative in everything regarding this process.
Everything also went through legalities and no forcing of all the parties. But, we tried to contact them at we can no longer contact the couple.
Do not worry, Eve, I am willing to take the baby. I will adopt Nicks." she explained at length.
"I do not have a daughter. So I will take her. I will also go through the legal process." Doctor Angel added.
My face lit up.
"Do you mean her parents will not take her?
If that is the case, Doctor Angel, I will take care of Nicks.
I will treat her as my child." My chest loosened up.
"Have you decided already? You can think about it a hundred times.
You are still a virgin and single likewise. Can you handle it?
What if you find the man that would marry you? How can you explain to him about Nicks?
I thought you do not want to take her. So I am glad to have Nicks." she held my hand.
"I do not want to lose Nicks anymore! Even though I do not know anything about being a mother, I am willing to learn.
Doctor Angel, I love her. I love her so much.
I do not want to ask anything about her parents. I know something went wrong.
They love to have a child but why all of a sudden they will abandon the poor child?" I felt pity for Nicks.
I could not believe the circumstance. Is it true?
"Nicks, my child, Mommy is taking you home?" When I was holding her.
My verdict is final. I will bring Nicks home.
"Are you sure to bring her home with you?" Luigi begged as we arranged our belongings.
"Yes, Luigi, she was abandoned by her parents.
I cannot just leave Nicks here." I answered him back.
"Poor kid. What could have happened to her parents?
They were so willing to have a child and all of a sudden they vacated her." Ella let out.
"The important thing is, I will not abandon her likewise." I shrugged.
I decided to leave the condominium.
I am furthermore asking myself too. Why did the couple suddenly leave their child?
I felt anger at them but what if something bad happened?
What if they got an accident?
What if they both die?
I do not want to comprehend their reason anymore.
I have Nicks with me and I should be grateful for that.
I lost my mother but I have Nicks.
She is indeed a miracle in my vitality.
We went back to the house we had rented before. I have it renovated first before Nicks and I went back home.
I want to dwell my child in a better place. I will do everything for Nicks. I will give her a good future.
I do not want her to experience the hardships and difficulties I had experienced in my existence.
"Very good, the pretty baby is now asleep." as I stare at Nicks' face.
"Is she asleep?" The newcomer Ella asked.
"Ssshhh! Yes, Ella, finally she is asleep." I said softly.
"Put her down and let us eat," Luigi announced.
Nicks appears to be the remedy in all the aches my heart is feeling right now.
When I am looking at her, I could feel a sense of solace.
When I am sure that she is sleeping deeply, I settled her in the crib.
"Here, I bought clothes for Nicks." And Ella put down the paper bag on the table.
"That is too much, Ella!" I said excitedly.
"Don't mention it. I am willing to buy some stuff for Nicks." And she put her arm around me.
I am so fortunate to have Ella and Luigi by my side.
They are always here to assist and support me.
Primarily now that I am a certified mother.
One day, I pleaded to Ella to go to the mall to check the ATM that the couple gave me through Atty. Anthony.
I also instructed her to go to the grocery store because I could not go out much.
I am taking care of Nicks and my surgery is not yet completely healed.
"Eve, Eve!" Ella gasped.
"Why? What happened to you?
Did you make a purchase? Is it heavy?" I asked one after the other as I feed Nicks.
"When was the last time you checked your ATM?
I could still remember that your account balance is a hundred thousand pesos." she looks stunned.
"Yes, I have a hundred thousand pesos balance in that account," I confirmed.
Fortunately, I have accumulated a lot. I did not spend a lot in the past. Since everything was provided to me by the couple.
I can use the money now for Nicks.
"Oh my god, Eve, you have a lot of money in your account," she announced.
"What do you mean a lot of money?" I even tapped Nicks who had fallen asleep.
"Here is the receipt. Take a look." she handed it over to me.
I looked at the receipt. What?
I widened my mouth and my eyes at the same time.
"Five hundred, eighty-eight thousand pesos? Are you sure that I own this receipt?
Stop pranking me, Ella." I held my mouth.
"Yes, I only checked your card! And that receipt belongs to you.
I guess that account has been automated. Maybe that is the reason why you still receive money from the couple.
You signed in the contract that they will let you pursue your college degree.
Perhaps, you automatically receive your allowances and tuition fee for that matter." Ella's conclusion.
"But they did not take Nicks anymore, why would they give me money if something came up?" I am feeling confused.
Gradually, I began to think about what to do with the money.
I could still receive money through the ATM monthly. Looks like I need to use it in a valuable way.
When I recovered from the surgery, I would enroll.
Although it is difficult to combine education and motherhood, I can handle it for Nicks.
"Eve, you do not have to hire a maid to take care of Nicks. It is hard to entrust the child now." Aunt Ellie said when Nicks and I visited them.
"I decided to enroll again in college. If my schedule would not be that hectic, I will take care of Nicks." I explained.
"No, no! Proceed with your schooling. I will be the one to take in-charge of Nicks. It is for free!" while Aunt Ellie was carrying Nicks.
"Aunt, Ella might get mad. You will get tired too." I looked at Ella.
"Eve, Mama has a point. It is difficult to entrust the baby to a maid.
My mom is even tougher than a buffalo!" And she laughed.
I can always count on them. They are my lucky charms. I have lost my mother, but I found a mother in Aunt Ellie's persona.
"Thank God, I am already enrolled. Everlee Legazpi, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication!" As I read my registration form.
You can do it, Everlee!
I will admit that it is not easy to integrate schooling and motherhood. I am wakeful almost every night. But when I see my daughter, I am more inspired to finish my studies right away.
"Can you still do it?" Luigi asked one day.
"Yes, I can!" I smiled.
"Eve, I will assist you." Said Aunt Lorna, Luigi's mother.
We are currently going to have a visit at Nicks' pediatrician for her check-up!
"Aunt Lorna, I do not want to bother you." I refused.
She was with Luigi in his car.
"Let's go! I will be the one to carry Nicks." Aunt Lorna insisted.
I have done nothing. I am ashamed of her because she knows that Luigi is chasing me and now I have a child.
"Nicks is nine months old. Very good, Mommy, she is healthy." the pediatrician said.
It is satisfactory and even though I am active at the University, Nicks is still well taken care of.
Thanks so much to Aunt Ellie. Nicks is in good shape. She is also heavy.
"Let us eat, Nicks!" When I prepared food for her.
"Mo... mom...my!" Suddenly she mumbled.
"Come again, say it again, Nicks. Mommy! Mommy!" I instructed her.
"Mom...my" she recited.
I caressed her and smooched her.
Unexpectedly, she called me Mommy.
She calls me Mommy! I am very delighted! When I first heard her address me as her mother, my heart is filled with euphoria.
A child is truly a blessing. When Nicks came into my life I felt like the sufferings and difficulties relinquished me.
I could solve any problem as long as I have Nicks by my side.