Chapter 3 "Problem"

Archie paced back and forth inside Arwena's hospital room, occasionally glancing at his friend, whose face was still very pale.

Earlier, when his friend passed out, he blamed himself. He had insisted on taking her out. But after hearing what the doctor said, he could no longer stay calm. He didn't know how his friend would take the news about another problem in her life.

She was beginning to forget the negative events that had befallen her.

He stood by the side of the hospital bed, where his friend was still sound asleep. He quietly watched her, praying that her mind would be open and that she wouldn’t lose hope in facing this new challenge in her life.

"Archie..." Arwena called groggily.

"Wena, how are you feeling? Are you still dizzy? Nauseous? Is there anything that hurts?" Archie asked, his voice filled with concern as he gently stroked her forehead.

Arwena smiled and held his hand. "I'm fine; maybe I just felt overwhelmed by the noise and crowd earlier," she replied.

She tightened her grip on his hand. "Sorry for worrying you again, Archie. I ruined our fun. Don’t worry, next time we go out, I’ll make sure I won’t feel dizzy or nauseous."

Archie forced a smile as he stroked her hand. "You did worry me a lot. I was terrified when you passed out. But you shouldn’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault," he replied, but he couldn’t look her in the eyes.

His mind was in chaos. He wanted to tell her the news, but seeing her beautiful smile made him hesitate to ruin her happiness.

It was the first time he had seen her smile like this—a smile that wasn’t forced but genuinely happy.

"Arwena... do you want to talk to the doctor?" Archie asked, unsure how to start the conversation.

"No need," she smiled and let go of his hand.

"Are you sure?" Archie asked again, letting out a subtle breath. "You might want to ask the doctor about your condition, why you passed out."

"No, I’m fine now. I feel much better. Besides, you’ve already talked to the doctor, right? I don’t have any serious illness, do I?"

Archie let out a nervous laugh, which made Arwena laugh too.

"That’s why you should just let me leave this place. I don’t want to stay in the hospital, Archie. I don’t want my bill to pile up," she added, attempting to swing her legs over the bed.

"Wena, don’t move too much just yet. The doctor said you can leave tomorrow and advised you to rest," Archie said.

"Rest? It’s not like you don’t know that resting is all I’ve been doing. That’s why you insisted I go out, right?"

"Just lie down and stop complaining. It’s not just the rest you need, Wena. You also need to avoid stress and cut back on coffee," Archie said carefully, trying to give her hints about what he was struggling to say. But it seemed his approach wasn’t working.

It was as if she didn’t care about what he was saying. All she wanted was to leave the hospital and rest at home.

"Cut back on coffee? That’ll stress me out even more! You know coffee is my stress reliever, like your vape. Didn’t I tell you several times to quit vaping? But you didn’t, because it’s your stress reliever," Arwena laughed.

Archie scratched his brow. "I’m going to quit vaping; I promise I won’t vape again, especially when we’re together. The smoke is bad for your health, and mine too," Archie stammered.

"Good that you finally realized that. I guess I had to pass out before you for you to stop," Arwena laughed.

But Archie couldn’t laugh. He fiddled with the blanket, avoiding her gaze like a child hiding something.

Arwena took his hand again and shook it. "Archie, what’s wrong? Why do you seem so down? You look more troubled than I am. Do you want to switch places?"

Archie forced a smile but quickly looked down. Arwena started to notice that something was off with his behavior.

Archie was usually lively and always laughing, despite his domineering aura. Even though he had a soft heart, he could still be bossy. He was kind and gentle only to Arwena, but he was a bit harsh with others. He was also very masculine, which attracted many women, especially those who didn’t know him well.

"Archie? Are you hiding something from me? Is there something you’re not telling me?"

Archie closed his eyes. This was the moment he had been waiting for, but it felt like his tongue was tied. He found it hard to speak. He took a deep breath and sat beside his friend. "Arwena, whatever you hear, please don’t be shocked."

"Archie, it depends on what you’re about to say."

"Just keep an open mind and don’t let your emotions take over."

"Why are you beating around the bush, Archie? Am I seriously ill? Am I about to die? Is that why you’re acting like this?" Arwena asked irritably, though deep down, she was nervous about what she might hear.

What if she really was sick? What would happen to her dreams? What about her parents, who still hold a grudge against her?

"Archie, just say it. Don’t make me overthink." Her voice rose slightly, eager to hear what he had to say, though his delay only made her more anxious and irritated.

"Well, Wena, the doctor said..." Archie trailed off again. He rubbed his head and moved toward the window as if he couldn’t bear to see her reaction.

He took another deep breath and turned to face her. "Wena, the doctor said... you’re seven weeks pregnant," Archie finally managed to say.

But the reaction he expected from Arwena wasn’t what he got. She smiled—a big smile—as she looked at him. Slowly, Archie walked toward her bed.

"You’re joking, right?" Arwena asked with a smile that froze Archie in his tracks.

Archie could see how the smile on her lips slowly faded. She already knew he wasn’t joking.

"Wena…"

"No!" Arwena shook her head repeatedly, shouting, "No, Archie! This isn’t true—you’re joking! This isn’t true... Archie... it isn’t true!"

Tears poured down Arwena's face like floods. Her frantic questions and cries echoed as she thrashed around, like a madwoman.

"Wena, please, calm down." Archie tried to soothe her, but he couldn’t. She threw everything she could grab, and even he wasn’t spared from her blows.

"Archie, I don’t want this! I don’t want this, Archie!" Arwena screamed, hitting her stomach as Archie desperately tried to hold her hands.

"Wena… nurse!" Archie shouted, unsure if he should call for help or keep calling out to his friend.

The nurses rushed in and administered a sedative through her IV, and after a few moments, she began to calm down.

"How can I start a new life now, Archie? How can I ever face my parents again?"