episode_0101
by fnovelpiaTime flowed slowly as summer inched closer to its peak, with advertisements boasting [Highest Temperature in 52 Years!], [Breaking Record for Highest Temperature].
“Sigh….”
Drowsily.
Whether it was real or a dream, I found myself napping comfortably next to the cool breeze of the air conditioner.
Despite having clearly slept, drowsiness suddenly overcame me once again.
Was it me sleeping or the baby inside my belly? The overwhelming fatigue made it difficult to get up in the morning.
“Ugh… Oh.”
It’s not a nap; it’s morning.
My husband is off to work.
Normally, I would have woken up quickly if he wasn’t there, but this time, I missed him again.
How many times has it been now?
He says he’s fine, but…
I feel sorry for leaving him to eat alone.
He always makes delicious soup for breakfast.
I had prepared tonkatsu in advance, thinking I might not be able to make it if nausea struck, but instead of nausea, I experienced an increased appetite.
Rather than feeling nauseous at the smell of food, I feel queasy if I don’t eat.
That’s why I’ve been gaining weight lately.
To avoid feeling empty, I’ve increased my meal frequency from three to six times a day.
Of course, I don’t eat a full bowl of rice each time; I eat small amounts.
Since I used to eat small portions and have now increased them to six meals, I’m actually getting healthier.
“Oops….”
Not having periods is truly a relief.
But even so, I still need to carry sanitary pads just in case.
“Toilet….”
Because of the continuous nasal discharge.
And as the baby grows, the frequency of bathroom visits due to bladder pressure has also increased.
If I were alone, I might have felt really depressed.
Although I kept it to myself that the country is trash, these days, I’ve been feeling better as packages with items helpful for pregnant women arrive.
I received iron supplements and folic acid, which are essential for the baby’s healthy development.
I was a bit anxious when I first visited the obstetrician, but everyone there was kind, which was a relief.
“Sigh… I’m hungry.”
And Suhyun unnie occasionally comes to check on my condition.
Seems like her nursing duties aren’t over yet.
Or maybe she’s just genuinely concerned about me.
I truly feel she’s a good person.
So, meeting her must have been a stroke of luck.
Sua unnie got married.
Once again, the unnies and I gathered to help out.
Of course, Suhyun unnie caught the bouquet.
Cooldown reset.
I told her directly that things worked out well with the guy I mentioned last time, and we’re dating now.
Crossing arms seemed to have had a good effect.
So, marriage? Seems a bit early, doesn’t it?
Actually, it’s probably early for me.
“Sigh….”
The feeling of being full is still peculiar.
A tiny body with an even tinier baby inside.
Every time I get an ultrasound at the obstetrician, it’s truly astonishing.
A life is breathing and living inside me.
It’s incredibly fascinating.
“Ugh… Tea. Sip… Tea.”
Naturally, I started exercising after becoming pregnant.
I felt the need to do some light stretching.
Unnie taught me all these things.
When pregnant, you should actually exercise.
High-intensity workouts are a no-go, but maintaining good lifestyle habits, managing your diet properly, and incorporating exercise will lead to better health.
My well-being directly affects the baby’s health.
Taking walks alone is honestly impossible in this hot weather, so I’ve been doing light stretches for a long time.
Ensuring smooth blood circulation can help prevent issues during pregnancy.
“Phew….”
I feel fortunate to have made tonkatsu before my brother returns.
If I had indigestion, I would have bought an oxygen mask, but it seems like the baby, just like my brother, enjoys tonkatsu. It’s no coincidence that they seek it out.
“Inhales… Smells good….”
I cook tonkatsu while fully enjoying the aroma.
As I grow accustomed to it, making tonkatsu becomes easier, even if it’s uncomfortable. I watch the robot vacuum cleaner roam around the house while waiting for the tonkatsu to fry.
As the pregnancy progresses, it gets harder for me to move, they say.
My brother bought the robot vacuum cleaner.
It must be expensive with something hefty attached to the charger and the sleek design of the robot vacuum cleaner, but I appreciate my brother’s thoughtfulness.
It’s incredibly convenient for me as it sucks up even the tiny dust particles unseen by my eyes.
Laundry and washing are manageable since I don’t go out much these days.
The air conditioner automatically adjusts to keep it from getting too cold, and the bed adjusts itself if I’m uncomfortable.
Even though I don’t know what my brother tinkered with, he seems to have done most things for my sake…
When he returns, I should praise him a lot.
“I’m back~”
Waiting at the front door for my brother has become an impossible task.
Even standing now feels a bit challenging; later on, I might not be able to move at all except in bed.
“You did well today~”
So, I placed a chair at the front door.
I dislike not being able to greet him at the front door.
“Mmm~ A delicious smell. You don’t have to do this when you’re pregnant.”
“Enjoy it now. Later, I might not even be able to cook. They say your stomach will be this big.”
He shows me an expanding range with his hands, then gently pulls me closer.
“You work hard every day….”
“You work hard too every day. I’m just stuck at home, so it gets boring.”
“But still….”
He looks at me apologetically.
“Oh. I worked out today! Did well, right?”
He changes the subject.
He must be going through a lot, but I don’t want to show him how hard it is for me.
I’d rather talk about how I managed it alone.
“It must be really tough doing it alone… honey… ah….”
Suddenly, he chokes up, lowering his head.
Huh?
While the words convey worry and love, he couldn’t continue speaking, tears falling between his hands covering his face.
“Honey….”
Embracing him as he chokes up, I cautiously envelop him.
I’m not sure where it got emotional, but his love for me was evident.
I haven’t been able to get up at times and accidentally threw up, showing my mistakes, but most importantly, my belly has grown to the point of resembling a chest.
It feels amazing every time I look in the mirror.
Heavy, but a weight I cherish.
“The food must be cold now. Let’s eat. You need rest too.”
“…Even if it’s cold, the food you make tastes delicious.”
Comforting his tearful outburst, I pat his back and lead him to the dining table.
After catching his breath and even letting out a yawn, he finally ate.
“It’s cold now….”
He sniffles as he eats the tonkatsu.
“Mm… Delicious.”
While saying it’s delicious, wiping away tears, he eats the tonkatsu in a slightly adorable manner, like a squirrel.
“Is it that good?”
“Mm…”
Eating after crying always tastes delicious.
“Oppa, don’t be like that~ You know I did it because I wanted to.”
After finishing the meal, Oppa took a late shower and returned to the room.
“Sigh… I’m happy, but I can’t express my happiness properly. It feels strange.”
“Thank you for worrying about me. Still, our baby is growing healthily. Would you like to feel it?”
Oppa cautiously touches my belly.
“It doesn’t hurt, right?”
“Nope~ Do I look like such a fragile woman?”
“…You’re strong. Admirably strong. But I can’t deny feeling worried.”
Oppa seems a bit uneasy about my rapidly swelling belly.
“I’ve been exercising properly, and although I get a little tired, I can still do some household chores by moving around. You work hard, come back home, and enjoy the dinner I make.”
It’s following the natural order of things.
The fact that the baby is growing well as my belly swells.
“Hey… Come here.”
Without saying anything in response to my words, Oppa approaches.
“You might not hear the sound of the heartbeat yet, but… How does it feel?”
Oppa gently strokes my belly and listens carefully.
Even though I can’t hear it yet, this posture feels oddly comforting, something only a real couple would do.
“Our baby is growing here, right?”
“Yes… That’s right. Our future dad.”
The thought of going through all this hardship to meet our child brings joy.
Anticipation blooms at the thought of meeting soon.
Me, Oppa, and our baby between us.
“Good night. Our future dad.”
Watching Oppa deeply asleep, I close my eyes as well.
“Sleep well… Our baby.”
Surely, the baby in my belly must also feel comfortable.
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