Chapter 2

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         RHODA

Hearing Leona's name being called out as the best student, I wasn't surprised as I had expected it. What I didn't expect was her sudden fall when she got on the stage.

  The college authorities called for the first aid team and she got rushed to the school's clinic.

"I guess our new Valedictorian is overexcited and must've passed out due to that." The chancellor began.

It better be the reason. She can't fall sick all of a sudden.

"Until she's awake, the ceremony will not continue." The chancellor concludes and I smile.

Yes.

That's how important Leona is. She's just too brilliant and everything about her is so so perfect. She's calm and collected.

When we first became friends, she would decline my invitation to parties and even sleepovers. She still doesn't and I respect her decision. I thought she was a bore but that was until I got to know her.

However, I decided to change her outlook since I have enough to change her wardrobe.  She rejected that too.

I had to wonder if she'll ever get a boyfriend and even pitied her. Silly me.

Leona was a beauty regardless. Her long hair, smooth skin, and dimples that round her cheeks each time her lips move then there's that big heart of hers.

Meeting her has changed my life and I will never regret but bless the day I met her and we became friends. 

For someone like me who knew nothing but to party and now has a first-class degree, Leona tried that much.

I wasn't smart in academics. Maybe because I was lazy and never learned. Leona kept me disciplined and responsible. Economics became my major weak point but she helped me. Gradually, my grades improved.

As I began to gain recognition from teachers for my performance, my friends who had mocked me when I first befriended Leona became jealous. If they knew what it had to take.

If I don't end up with an award today, it wouldn't make any difference. I got a good degree anyways.

I looked around. The chanting that started a while ago has long died out.

Most of the students found interest in something else since the program has been paused. While some took pictures, some conversed, laughing heartily.

I walked from where I stood with Leona before she had to go and faint to the parking lot. I stepped into my Audi and drove to the clinic. It's just a few distances from the campus.

Getting to the clinic, it was easy to locate her ward, my eyes found her siblings first then her. She still hasn't woken up.

The eldest who was between 16 and seventeen looked pissed while the 13  and the 10  years were both crying.

I got alarmed. 

Did someone die? I looked over to Leona but I could see the steady rise and fall of her chest.

Thinking that they are just worried about their sister though I know how differently she's being treated by them at home, I am concerned.

I decided to get water to calm them down and while returning, I saw the chancellor. He wasn't alone. He was with Leona's parents.

What could be the problem? I got even more worried. Seeing her parents means there's more to this.

I got back to the ward and shared the water among them. I watched them open it and take a sip but not a sign of gratitude was shown.

"What's wrong? Is anything the matter?" I asked no one in particular.

"She's pregnant!" The eldest blurted.

"Are you kidding me? How can she be pregnant?" I chuckled.

" I can't understand what the results read but that's what the doctor said to your school head. I'm not deaf."

"Where are the results then?" I demanded. Her eyes darted to the foot of Leona's bed.

"There."

I followed her gaze and saw a crumpled paper on the floor.

I walked to it and picked it up, chuckling as I unfold it.

There's no way Leona will be pregnant. That girl hardly talks to boys.

I opened the test results and scanned through then dropped it suddenly as if it was something contagious.

This can't be! It's a lie. Leo can't be pregnant. She's so busy working towards her goal to be pregnant.

I ran out and called one of the nurses to run another check on her. She wouldn't agree until I promised her money.

I didn't let her get to the lap alone after taking a simple sample of her blood from her arm though it raised eyebrows.

After using the quantitative blood test to measure the exact amount of hCG in her blood, I was still not convinced.

I made her use the second method, qualitative HCG which checks if the pregnancy hormone is present in her blood or not.

The answer was yes.

I didn't allow the lab technician to print it out again. I look into my purse and draw a few dollars out.

That explains it. So this is the reason why her parents were summoned?

Glad that her siblings had left when I returned, I sat beside her, not knowing what to do next as tears spilled on my cheeks. Even after the tests, this was still hard to believe.

"Why are you crying, Rhoda?" 

I heard her calm voice and raised my head.

"Are you alright?" I asked, examining her with my eyes.

"Yes, I am.  Why do you ask? " She got up into a sitting position.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was just worried." I forced a smile at her.

"Was that why you were crying?"

"I guess."

She smiled. "Why am I here, Rhoda? I was supposed to be giving  my speech right?"

"You passed out suddenly. Maybe because.." I couldn't finish.

"Because you got pregnant."

Someone said from the door and instantly the blood drained from her face.

I looked at the door and saw her stepmom walk in with rage and without hesitating, or giving her time to process what she just said, she slapped her on both cheeks so hard that her hand marked on her cheeks.

I flinched, closing my eyes as a sharp wince left Leona's lips.

"How dare you do this to us? You disgraceful and ungrateful daughter of a bitch! " She yelled.

Leona looked at me then at her stepmom with a confused and clueless face.

She got up from the bed and straightened her dress slowly.

"What's wrong mom..."

"Don't ever call me mom because you were never my daughter and you'll never be. I'll be considered bad luck if I were to give birth to you." She spat.

That was harsh.

"What's wrong, Rhoda?" She turned to me with quivering lips.

I could see how she was breathing so fast which meant that her heart was pounding.

"I...I .." I tried to say but the chancellor entered and intruded.

"The two of you are needed outside." He said and went back. 

"Mom, I swear I didn't do anything.." Leona tried to explain but the witch raised her hands again to slap her. I refuse to let it happen.

I held her hand before it could reach her. "Hit her again and I will hand you to the cops for abusing a pregnant woman," I warned through gritted teeth. 

Leona's stepmom yanked her hand from my grip and with a loud his and a look of contempt at both of us, she left. 

"That wasn't necessary." She scolded.

"I can't watch her hit you again. If I had an idea of the first one, I would have stopped it on time."

" Thanks but she is reacting this  way because of the false news she must have heard." Leona defended her to my annoyance.

"She's always like this, Leona."

"Leave her. I am interested to know what she's talking about."

"Have you had any sex?"

"What! No! " 

"Then why are you pregnant? The test is showing that you're two weeks gone."

"What?" She exclaimed again.

"Tell me the truth, Leo. What really happened? Did you get a boyfriend and forgot to tell me?"

I doubt that but I need to ask.

"Stop this, Rhoda! I never had a boyfriend and I never had sex. In fact, I am a VIRGIN!" She screamed the words with conviction. "I am still a virgin." She repeated, fresh tears falling to her round cheeks.

I want to believe her but I had gone to watch the test get done. There wasn't a mistake.