Chapter 4

ALLIE

My inner celebration was ruined by a loud knock on our door. Daniel walked and opened the door slightly. The joyful voice of Mrs. Smith echoed around the house.

“Daniel, you have a visitor!” she exclaimed as she grabbed her son’s arm and pulled him with her down the living room. I shook my head in disbelief. For the first time in many years, I was speechless. Her actions are worsening each day. I touched my belly and sighed. My husband should be with me while he has no work to do, why does it feel like I am sharing him with his own mom?

I sat on the chair and started eating the breakfast Daniel prepared for me when my phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. Normally, I don’t answer calls from unregistered numbers but today isn’t the day. The moment I pressed the answer button, a familiar voice of a person I knew since high school flooded my ears. Recognition tingled in the back of my brain.

“Allie! Hi, I’m glad you answered. I’m hesitating to call using my new number because I know you don’t answer phone calls from strangers.”

My lips curved into a smile.

“You’re no stranger to me, Ryle Taylor.” 

I can sense him smiling on the other side. Ryle Taylor was my high school best friend. We used to study in the same community high school in Aspen. We grew up together, studied together and even learned a lot of things  together when we were younger. We’re inseparable as teenagers and we knew each other more than anyone.

“It’s been so long, how have you been?”

Silence filled the air.

“Hello, Allie, are you still there?”

I nodded like he could see me. I swallowed the lump in my throat. What should I say? Do I say I’m fine? I do not want to lie to Ryle. He’s the person I’ve never lied to. But if I tell him everything, he might get worried.

I bit my lower lip and answered.

“I am good. I’m married, how about you?”

There was dead air. “Oh, you’re married already? How come I didn’t know?” I heard him force a laugh. 

I chuckled softly. “We haven’t talked for almost eight years, Ryle. Surely there’s a lot of things we don’t know about each other nowadays.”

I heard him sigh on the other line. “Yeah, sure. Anyway, I hope I didn’t bother you. I should hang up.”

“Wait, Ryle!”

“Richie gave me your number, we happened to see each other in the bus terminal in Aspen yesterday. I should end the call, my sister’s calling me.”

And without hesitation, he dropped the call immediately as if I did say something wrong. Is he mad or shocked? What did I do? 

I glanced between my phone– which lays harmlessly at the side of my desk and the food Daniel prepared for me. Instead of focusing on my breakfast, my thoughts revolve around Ryle. Richie, my cousin, whom I haven’t seen in years has my number but doesn’t call me. It felt weird that no one from my family asked me if I’m okay. 

“You seemed bothered.” 

I blinked myself to reality when I heard my husband’s voice. He was now leaning on the wall, looking at me with curiosity in his eyes. Sometimes, I hate it when he reads my mind.

I am bothered. No, I didn’t say that. I don’t want him to worry. I felt my sigh in the depth of my bones. 

“I am just thinking of random things,” I forced a smile to him, cleared my throat and turned my attention back to the desk.

“Who’s your visitor?” I changed the topic. He shrugged.

“Just Sofia.”

My brow furrowed. “Sofia? Your college friend? She’s here yesterday, what’s she doing here today?”

“She wanted to have a little chitchat with me.” A corner of my mouth lifted.

“And you gave her the opportunity to do that?” I asked, trying not to raise my voice.

He shrugged. “We just talked for minutes. And then I told her that I have to go back upstairs to attend to you.”

I was silent for a minute. I don’t know what to say. I do not want to look like a jealous and insecure wife. Daniel walked towards me and held my shoulders. 

“Don’t be jealous. I never had feelings for her. Never.”

The moment Daniel assured me that I have nothing to worry about, my lips formed an automatic smile. I gave him a hug while wishing time would run slow while he’s here with me.

Days passed quickly. Daniel has to return to the office. I was left in the house with his Mom. I sticked  to my plan that I’d distance myself from the old lady. I do not want to be stressed while having this pregnancy. It became a hide and seek situation inside the house. I succeeded for the past three days but then the following day became a nightmare.

A loud, thundering knock woke me up from sleeping. The door was locked but the knob was moving. As if there’s someone from the outside trying to get in. I immediately stood up and opened the door. Only to be welcomed by a harsh grab on my arms, dragging me down the stairs. Every muscle in my body is locked.

Mrs. Smith looked furious as she looked at me with her glaring eyes. This was a problem I should have foreseen. 

“Ouch, please, don’t hurt me!” I raised my voice and tried to push him away at least to create a distance between us.

“Are you hiding from me, Allie?” her voice echoed in the whole house. She looked really mad at this point and I didn’t know why.

“I am not. I am sleeping.”

She laughed hysterically.

“Sleeping? The sun is out and there’s much to do in the house. Do you expect me to do all the chores while you rest in bed and sleep all you want?” There was a bite in her tone. 

“I am pregnant and my body needs rest. I am growing a child inside me!” I reasoned out. I had to talk back. For the first time, I want to defend myself from her. All these times, I did my best not to go negative when it came to Mrs. Smith but I couldn’t just let her abuse me like this. 

She grabbed my arms once more but this time I pushed her away with all my might. And the next thing I saw was the unconscious body of Mrs. Smith lying on the cold floor.