In my haste to go to the clinic, I forgot to eat breakfast. If Mom was alive, she would bombard my ears with lectures for neglecting my health and her grandchild's.

Walking under the beautiful morning sky, I made my way to a nearby bakery. The distance between the bakery and the building where the clinic was located was only a stone's throw away and yet I had to catch my breath when I arrived. It seemed that my body was now easily tired.

I fumbled inside my bag until I found my handkerchief and used it to wipe the beads of sweat on my temples before dropping it inside my bag again.

Looking at the mouth-watering pastries displayed on the transparent glass, I asked the woman standing on the counter for a slice of cake, a vegetable sandwich, and a bottle of mineral water. I found a comfortable spot in front of the window to enjoy my breakfast. The food I ordered was not what someone would call an ideal breakfast, but it would be enough to silence my growling stomach.

'This sandwich tasted better than I expected,' I thought to myself after taking a quick bite. Only after I began heartily munching on my vegetable sandwich did I realize how ravenous I was. I threw up everything I ate this morning, and I was too worried about my health to eat again.

There was a sudden kick from inside my womb. The movement was faint, but I felt it. My heart jumped, and my hand protectively caressed the spot where I felt the kick. Overwhelming joy summoned a tear in the corner of my eyes.

My baby, I mumbled to myself with the expected fond possessiveness of a mother to her child.

"You're enjoying the food, don't you?" I told the baby with a sweet smile on my lips. There was another kick. It was stronger and more obvious than the first, as though the baby understood what I meant and was responding to me.

I caressed my stomach again, my other hand wiping the tear that had fallen on my cheek before anyone could see. I didn't want people to think I was crying for no good reason. 

Returning my attention back to the food, I finished the vegetable sandwich with a large bite. I shifted my attention to the slice of cake. Not quite satisfied with the sandwich, I started eating the cake, savoring the sweetness spreading in my mouth. Less than five minutes later, what's left on the plate was the icing.

I then drained the entire bottle of mineral water in one go to finish my meal. 

Satisfied, I finally rose from my seat.

I didn't immediately head home. Instead, I hailed a cab and instructed the driver to take me to the cemetery. Going to the cemetery wasn't in my initial plans, but after learning that I'm pregnant, I had to visit Mom to tell her the good news.

Thirty minutes later, the cab pulled into a stop in front of the cemetery gate. I paid the driver and climbed out of the car with a bouquet of fresh white roses in one hand and two scented candles in the other. I bought them on the way - I wasn't going to visit Mom empty-handed.

The fresh breeze welcomed me when I entered the gates. It caressed my face and played with the loose tendrils of my hair. For a moment, I closed my eyes. Savoring the refreshing coolness against my skin.

Lifting my eyes open, I walked across the green field until I reached the spot where Mom's tombstone was located. I lowered her favorite white roses on the ground. I then lit the candles I had with me and placed the one on her grave and the other to my father's grave.

I mumbled a soulful prayer to my parents, whom I knew were now at peace.

"I have good news for you, Ma and Pa. I'm pregnant!" Joyful tears clouded my vision as the words spilled from my lips.

"I'm just sad that you're not here with me anymore. I would love to see both of you hold her in your arms after she was born." Sniffing, I lifted my hand and wiped away the wetness on my cheeks. "She's only four months in my womb, but I could tell she's a fiery one." I continued to talk, imagining my parents' spirits watching over me. "Though the both of you are not here anymore, I promise I will shower my child with the same love and care the both of you have given me." 

For a while, I stood in front of their graves, telling them in brief detail how I'd been these past few days. I even told them about my divorce with Ace and his marriage with his secretary. After telling them everything I had to say, I finally bid them goodbye.

I'm sure Mom and Dad wouldn't mind me leaving immediately to eat lunch. Though it was still early for it, I couldn't ignore my growling stomach. My pregnancy was making me greedy for food. I just couldn't stop the cravings.

Slowly, I walked out of the cemetery. I didn't immediately find a cab, so instead of waiting for one at the gate, I walked to the spot where cabs usually parked while waiting for customers. On my way, I passed by a group of students selling personalized beaded bracelets on the sidewalk.

Curious, I asked them why they were selling those items. I was concerned because they were still minors.

The tallest of them, I assumed was their leader, explained they were trying to help their poor classmates to raise funds so they could join the field trip.

"You're beautiful, Ma'am. I'll make you a personalized beaded bracelet for free." A girl offered.

Taken aback from the compliment, my cheeks instantly turned red. Perhaps it's her way of encouraging me to buy. 

"The name you want me to put on the bracelet?" She inquired, even though I had not agreed yet.

"Faith Vien." I replied. It was the name I decided I would give to my unborn child if she was a girl. Vien was the name of my first child. I added the word Faith to symbolize my unwavering faith in God even after losing everyone I loved. 

Hopefully, Faith Vien would grow up to be a lovely, sweet daughter. I would give my life to make sure she gets everything she could want. 

I watched as the girl skilfully weaved the bracelet with her expert fingers, as if she had been doing it for years. When she was done, she asked for my hand and tied the beaded bracelet securely around my wrists.

The girl didn't even ask for a payment.

Touched by her efforts, I grabbed a hundred-dollar bill inside my bag and handed it to her. Let this be my good deed for the day.

"Please use the money to help your poor classmates. I bet they're looking forward to the field trip." 

The girl let out a choked exclamation of shock. 

The girl didn't have the chance to thank me, because a cab arrived. I immediately hailed it and climbed inside. Overcome with tears, she turned and waved at me. Even without hearing a single thank you from her, the look of gratitude in her eyes was enough for me.