I AM NOT A BEGGAR

JADE

I suddenly freaked out, "No, doctor! This cannot be! This pregnancy is going to ruin my life. Please help me, I need to get rid of it. I cannot keep it."

"You need to calm down," the doctor replied. "If you want to get rid of this pregnancy, it can be done. However, we need the consent of the father."

"But I'm not married, and he doesn't even know," I replied.

"I'm sorry, but that's just it." The doctor responded.

As I left the health center and returned to my workplace, I decided that I would hide my pregnancy for the time being and save up enough money. Afterward, I would go to a different hospital where I'd be allowed to get rid of the pregnancy without the consent of the father.

I returned to work like nothing had happened but the constant morning sickness made life difficult for me. Nevertheless, I continued to do my best and did whatever I could to get tips.

Two months later, after gathering a sufficient amount of money, I planned to visit the hospital the next day for the abortion and made plans for someone else to cover my shift.

However, before getting off work that evening, I overheard a conversation between two ladies who came to eat at the restaurant. One of them was lamenting about her sister who had secretly tried to have an abortion and ended up dying in the process because the doctor was a quack.

I was suddenly filled with so much fear. I didn't know people died from abortion and I knew nothing about the process. If I died, no one would care. No one would even lament about me because I had no one.

I wanted to live. Being a single mother no longer seemed like a terrible fate to me. However, I still went to the hospital the next day.

In the end, I couldn't go through with it and ran away. I made up my mind to keep the pregnancy but it wasn't easy. I had so many cravings that all the money I had saved was used up and I still needed more money.

My boss noticed I was pregnant but turned a blind eye to it. I continued to work for her but as I got far along, it became difficult and I spent more time sleeping.

Many times, I would see reports about Max Anderson's father in the news and quickly turn my face away.

Once my pregnancy progressed to six months, my boss called me and said, "I'm not running a charity organization here, Jade. I've done my best for you. I also have children to feed. I need to employ someone else to assist me because you've become round and lazy.

It's not your fault; it's your condition. You shouldn't have gotten pregnant if you knew you weren't ready. I won't be the one to take care of this baby because I have my hands full and I'm not related to it in any way. Move out and look for work somewhere else."

I went on my knees and pleaded with her but she refused to change her mind. In the end, I left with my luggage and went back to my aunt's since I had nowhere else to go. I thought she would be moved with pity if she saw my condition.

However, I was gravely humiliated. She gathered a crowd and berated me before everyone while saying at the top of her voice, "It was already difficult to feed with just you, what makes you think I would take in an extra mouth?

Who wants a liability? Go to the father of your bastard."

I left with my luggage and went to different places looking for a job but no one would hire me. When it had become dark and I was exhausted, I decided to pass the night under a bridge.

I saw an old man when I got to the bridge and greeted him. I noticed he was struggling to peel some oranges and offered to help him.

"Please, go ahead," the man said.

He thanked me when I peeled all the oranges for him and offered me some but I said, "No, sir, I just wanted to help."

After that, I moved a little distance from him and made a bed using my luggage.

During the early hours of the morning, while it was still dark, I was forced awake by two vagrants who wanted to have their way with me.

I screamed and cried for help as I tried to fight them off unsuccessfully. I was no match for them, especially in my condition. Just as they began to tear my blouse, the old man I had helped previously appeared and scared them off with the knife in his hand.

They ran away but not without my bags. I broke down in tears after they left and could not stay there anymore.

Tired, hungry, and weak, I was left with nothing and began to walk about like a lunatic with a torn blouse. I kept wondering what I was going to do but had no idea.

I suddenly stopped when I came across a large billboard. On it was a picture of Max Anderson's father with a lot of bold words which I had no interest in.

As I stared at his picture, I suddenly had an idea. It was the only choice I had left.

However, I did not have a dime on me. I sat by the side of the road, stretched out my hands, and began to beg. People stared at me in amusement as they walked past but a kind lady stopped and gave me some dollar bills.

I thanked her and quickly took a bus. After getting off the bus, I began to walk until I arrived at the estate of the Andersons.

I asked a few passersby and was directed to the home of Max Anderson's father. However, when I got to the gate, the men at the security post mistook me for a mad woman and kept shooing me away. I repeatedly told them that I was looking for Max Anderson but they refused to let me meet him.

Left with no other choice, I sat on the floor, outside the gate, under the sun, and waited. After sitting for five hours, I was so hungry and tired but I couldn't leave because I had nowhere else to go.

Soon a black Mercedes Benz with tinted glasses began to drive in. I got up the moment I saw the car and began to follow it.

The driver stopped the car just by the gate and wound down his window. My heart began to race when I saw that it was Max Anderson's father.

"Good afternoon, sir," I quickly greeted him and moved closer to his car.

He held his nose and gestured for me to move backward, indicating that I was smelling.

I took a few steps back and he said, "Beggars are not allowed on this premises, young lady. Leave."

I shook my head, "No, sir. I am not a beggar. I am here to see Mr. Max Anderson."

He stared at me condescendingly, "And what would someone like you want with my son?"

"I am pregnant for him," I replied firmly.