Only Three Weeks Along

I heard footsteps outside my door, and then the lock opened. I had already guessed who that would be. I knew Mike had told Frank that I was at home and he wanted to check up on me.

I saw a head peeping at the door. He had a weary smile. I really wished to see a true smile on his face, the one that touches his eyes. He was still adorned in his formal wear. He came in, hugged me and sat down directly opposite me.

“Are you okay?” Frank asked placing my hands on his thighs.

“Yes, I’m feeling a little better. Thank you.” I replied.

“That’s good. Uh…how did the test go?”

“Not what I expected.” I replied trying to look away.

“So what did the doctors find out?” Frank asked. I had a feeling he already knew the answer.

“I’m so sorry Frank.”

“Sorry for what?”

“I’m pregnant.” I answered and looked up at him.

“Are you serious?”

I didn’t answer. Tears were already forming up.

“How did this happen?” He asked. “We only did it a few times.”

Suddenly I felt like I could hit him across the face with the remote that I was holding. Was this a joke to him? How could he ask such a stupid question?  Did he know the risk involved in sexual relationships?

“So how many months?”

“I’m only three weeks along.”

“So what are you planning to do?”

“What am planning to do? Don’t you think you should be asking what are we planning to do?” I replied.

“I’m sorry. Its just all crazy. We have only been dating for two months and I wasn’t prepared for this.”

“Me too. I didn’t plan any of this.” I tried defending myself.

I’m sorry but I don’t think we should keep this baby or whatever it is.” He finally said after a minute of silence.

“Like in abortion?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t know what to reply.

Circus in my head

After about an hour, I was called in. Mike helped me inside to one of the doctors’ offices that I was directed to. Dr. Stevens was a well built, light skinned and spectacled doctor who really looked young. I think I second guessed him. His office had white walls, a dark brown office table with accompanying chairs. I saw a bed at the side of the room partially hidden by the crisp white curtains dividing the office into two. The air smelled like antiseptic. I wanted to puke.

He asked the questions, I answered.

He sent me to the lab to undergo some test to determine what I had. This involved needles and a sample of urine. I didn’t understand the urine part but I went along with it. Despite it being hard to balance peeing in the small bottle that I was given, I pitied the patients who were asked for a stool sample. Ha!  

The results were to be out by an hour. Inside, the doctor was waiting for me with the report. He started.

“I just got back your test. I think you will be happy to know that you are three weeks along.” He said smiling.

“Three weeks along for what?” I asked. My heart stopped.

“Sorry. I meant to say you are three weeks pregnant.”

“Sorry?”

“Yes, you are positive. That was what was causing the nausea.”

I didn’t know what to say. I looked up to Mike and he too seemed dazzled to what he was hearing. I can’t be pregnant. I have been with Frank for a short while and I hadn’t planned for this.

“Kate, are you okay?” Dr. Stevens asked.

“No. This is all confusing.”

“I think you should talk to your husband here and try to talk about it.” He said pointing to Mike.

“No, I’m not married and he is not my boyfriend.” I replied quickly trying to avoid the matter.

“Oh sorry about that.”

I left the hospital more sick than I came. Maybe the doctor confused my test with another patient? And what if it is true that I’m pregnant? What would Frank say?

Forth on the line

I spent the night at Frank’s place but today I woke up with a headache. I don’t think I have ever been in so much pain before. I couldn’t move so I asked Frank to assist me get up as he was preparing to go to work. He assisted me to the bathroom to take a shower but before I removed my t-shirt, I felt like throwing up. Don’t ask how I got to the toilet but in a second, I was kneeling over it and puking my stomach out.

“Are you okay in there?” Frank shouted after I dashed into the bathroom.

I didn’t answer.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“No.” I responded tried to help myself up.

“What is wrong?”

“I think I need to see a doctor.”

I came out of the bathroom and explained to him how I was feeling. The nausea and the headache were messing me up. Since he had to go to work, he called Mike to take me to the hospital which was a few blocks away. Mike was too happy to assist which made me think he was trying to apologize again. I couldnt refuse the help.

Mike took me to Frank’s room where he gave me a few minutes to dress up and took a cab to the hospital.

Despite it being seven in the morning, there was a sizeable crowd of sick people around. Mike went over the reception while I looked for a sit as the nausea was kicking in again. After a few minutes, he came and joined me.

“The nurse says it will only be a few minutes.” Mike said trying to calm me. “We are the forth on the line.”

I didn’t care about the number. I'm scared.

Friends Again..

Back home, I tried calling Frank but the call wasn’t going through. Frustrated, I decided to go over to his place and see what he was up to since we last talked. I really missed him.

His front door was open so I pushed and entered. Mike was on the couch reading a newspaper and Frank had the remote on his hand. As I walked in, my shoes gave me away and they both looked up.

“Kate, what’s up?” Frank asked.

“Hi guys.” I said joining them on the couch.

Frank switched off the television, leaned on me and started asking how my day was and the interview. Mike decided to start doing some projects of his own maybe to relieve the tension in the room. He poured us some juice and went back to him room.

I was so happy that Frank had asked about me so I started telling him on what I went through and my visit to Tina. He chipped in and told me about his too. Apparently his company was undergoing restructuring so there was a lot of changes.

"Ah, Kate. Do you have a moment? I would like to speak with you." I heard Mike voice behind us. 

I didnt know what to say so i just nodded. Frank excused himself and left the room to his bedroom.

"Kate, I wanted to apologise again on what happened the other day." He started.

"Mike, its okay."

"No, I need your forgiveness. I did something silly and you dont deserve it."

"I have already forgiven you Mike. I just havent told you about it."

"Thank you Kate. So we still friends?"

"Yes. We are." I replied as Frank walked back to the room.

"Thank you." He said and excused himself.

Frank gave me a wierd look and asked. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yep."

A Miracle

Before I headed home, I decided to go and visit my cousin Tina on the other side of town. She had recently had a baby and I hadn’t gone to check up on her. Although we had grown together, we had spent so much time away from each other. She had gotten married early even before we started college.

Tina lived on the upper side of town where all the palatial homes where located. She was a stay at home mum since she got her first born son four years ago. Her husband, Tim, was a businessman dealing with importation and trading in of cars. He was rarely at home so it was upon Tina to look after the family.

As I approached the house, I noticed her sitting at the patio holding the baby. I let myself in through the gate and went towards her. She smiled as she saw me and stood up, the baby in hand, and shouted my name.

“Hi Kate.”

“Tina.” I responded as I hugged her. “I’m good.”

“It’s so nice to see you. I thought you decided to give us a blackout.”

“No, I can’t do that. I was busy with some stuff.”

“Have a seat and tell us about it all.” She said while pointing to a chair nearby.

“Nothing much. I was just busy looking for work in various organizations. Oh, the baby looks so cute, can I hold her?” I asked excitedly.

She handed me the baby and I held her on my lap. She was sleeping and her little hands were over her face.

“Congratulations on the new baby Tina.” I said still looking at the baby.

“Thanks dear. She is a miracle in herself.”

“Why do you say that?”

“She came out early. Her umbilical cord was tangled around her neck and it would complicate both our lives so the doctors decided to operate.”

“What? That was traumatic for you.”

“Yea, but all went on well. I’m glad she is okay.”

“Thank God for that. So what did you name her?”

“She is Lily after my mother.” Tina replied smiling.

“That’s a really pretty name.”

“Thought so too. Why don’t we go indoors and have some drinks?”

“Okay.”

As we stood up and walked into the house, I couldn’t help but admire Tina’s life. She seemed to have it all.

The D-Day

The interview is scheduled today at eleven o’clock and I am so nervous. Despite being a few minutes early, it could not calm my nerves. The sight of eight other people waiting for the same interview kind of threw me off the radar. Would I really make it? I have been waiting to have a job like forever and this was my chance. I sneaked and went to the washroom where i called my mum. She gave me some encouragement which made me relax a little bit.

Two more candidates walked in on the waiting area and i wondered how many of us had been called for the same interview. I knew it was only one position that was being sorted after but all of us together was making this hard.

About two minutes to the set time, the receptionist came and informed us of how it will go. She was to call each of our names out and proceed to the interview room where the process would unfold. I was number three on the list. Man, I swear my heart would easily jump out of my body.

An hour passed and I was through with the interview. It was hard. I was interviewed by a panel of four men and a lady. Answering the questions without fidgeting when they were shooting the questions all at once was quiet a task that I hadn’t prepared. I was told to await the feedback after two days. I left the offices and went to the bus stop to take the bus home. I checked my phone and found three messages. I quickly changed it from silent mode to outdoor profile and checked the messages. Two were from Frank and one from Ann. They were both wishing me the best. How sweet! I sent each of them a text back and informed them on how it went.

Keep Strong

With a few hours remaining till the day ends, I decide to head to my own place. I had to go and tell Ann the good news on the interview that was taking place this coming Monday. I knew she would be really happy if I manage to get a job too as I was falling to hard times.

Frank walked me to the door then he returned. As I entered the house, I heard Mike’s voice. Damn, the dude had not left! I just could not stand him. I used my keys and entered the house forcing a smile across my face.

“Hi guys.” I said walking inside.

“Hi,” They both answered looking up.

I walked directly to my bedroom before calling Ann inside. She gave me a weird look as she stepped in.

“What’s up?”

“I got a call from a company asking me to go for an interview.” I replied.

“What? When?”

“I received the call about three hours ago. The interview is on Monday.”

“Congratulations. I’m sure you are going to get it.” She said while giving me a hug.

“Yea, hope so.”

“That’s good. Why don’t you join us? We were watching a movie.” she asked.

“Nah, ill pass. I have some stuff to do.”

“Kate, when will you stop avoiding Mike?”

“I don’t know. I’m not comfortable around him and I thought you understood that.”

“I know but I’m around to support you.”

“Maybe next time.” I replied and started folding some clothes that were on my bed.