Congratulations

LEILANI

I yelped in pain as the steaming coffee came in contact with my skin. I felt my skin burn and tears clouded my vision.

"Get lost," the lady who had just splashed hot coffee on me said, staring daggers at me.

I gazed at my one-night stand, who stood there watching the entire drama unfold with a nonchalant expression. Tears rolled down my eyes without restraint and I quickly looked away. I heard murmurs and looked around, only to see that employees were gathered watching us. Embarrassed was an understatement of how I felt. Hastily I turned around and ran as if my pants were on fire. I ran with all my strength and might, I bawled my eyes out as I ran. Embarrassed and dejected. I felt like the universe was suddenly against me. I kept running, twice, vehicles nearly knocked me down. But I cared less. I kept running to get far away from that awful place.

Finally stopping at the bus stop, I lowered myself into the empty seat and stared blankly into the space, lost in thoughts. My baby daddy had rejected my baby, acted like he didn't know me and embarrassed me. Tears trailed down my cheek, but I quickly wiped them off.

"How was I going to survive?" I thought.

I was barely making enough money to sustain myself. How was I going to cater for my unborn child? If I was to give birth, I would have to go on maternity leave. Where would I get money to cater for my child during that period? The area where I live was too toxic for a child, what am I supposed to do?

Different thoughts crossed my mind, in the end, they all made my head ache so badly that I could barely keep my eyes open.

Soon, the bus arrived and I boarded. Getting home that day, I showered, and took some pain relievers. I entered my room, locked the door and threw myself on the bed. I draped the sheets around myself and stared at the ceilings. Exhausted, I drifted into sleep.

The banging of my room door woke me up, I forced myself up and unlocked the door only to come face to face with a crying Sienna.

"Gosh, Lani, you scared me," she cried and pulled me into her arms, hugging me tightly, as if afraid to let go.

"I thought you did something to yourself," she cried.

"I'm fine, Enna," I said and gently pulled myself off her tight grip.

"I will be in my room," I said and walked back in.

I felt her eyes bore holes in my back, but ignored it. I knew she had a million questions to ask, but was just holding back. I locked the door and went back to lying down on the bed. My phone suddenly rang, startling me, I picked it up to hang up, but then I saw that it was my boss. I cleared my throat and answered the call.

"Congratulations, Leilani Miller, "His voice rang from the phone.

I did not bother to say a word, since I had no idea why he was congratulating me.

"You have been chosen to work at the company's largest branch in New York ," He announced, enthusiastically.

For the first time since I discovered I was pregnant, I felt my heart rise in pride. Happiness overwhelmed me and a beautiful smile graced my lips.

"Thank you so much, sir," I said, honestly.

"You don't have to thank me. Your hard work paved the way for you. You will have to round off, sign some documents and then move to New York anytime this week…oh, you are on leave, you can move when you exhaust your leave."

"Can I sign the papers today and move tomorrow?" I ask.

I just got an opportunity to leave a city full of people who rejected me, so why wait?

"As always. I love your working spirit. That would be best," My boss said, sounding very elated with my decision.

Hanging up, I dressed up and left the house, ignoring Sienna who kept asking where I was going off to.

"It was best I keep this to myself," I thought.

"If I was to leave California, I would have to forget everything, including Sienna."

Getting to the company, I signed the required papers. And headed back home. That night, I quietly packed my things, taking only the most important things. Going to bed, I had a peaceful sleep, knowing that I would be able to cater for my child and raise it in a good environment.

When morning came, I sat quietly waiting for Sienna to leave for work. When she finally did, I dressed up and dragged my luggage out of my apartment.

I sighed as I stared at the door.

"California, you rejected me merely because of an innocent child. I promise, I will come back stronger." Saying this, I locked the door and headed out to the new life that awaits me.

MALCOLM

"Your attention is needed at the hospital," Michael announced, dragging me out of my seat.

"You know how much I despise the hospital, Mich," I said and tried to free myself from his hold, but he held me tightly.

"Yeah, but you have no choice. You studied gynaecology."

"I only studied that because Mum wanted me to do a medical course," I lamented.

"Whatever, you are going to the hospital right now," Michael insisted.

Giving up, I let him drag me out of the office. Soon, we arrived at the hospital which was not far from the office.

There, I attended to a patient who had insisted that I'd attend to her. After doing the needful, I requested for all the records of patients the gynaecologist representing me had attended to, just to keep myself up to date. I wasn't going to take any risk. Knowing my mum, she might suddenly request for these records and ask me various questions based on them, just to be sure that I was doing my work. The records were brought to me and I flipped each one open and went through it. My representative stood beside me saying a word or two about each file.

"Leilani Miller," I read out on one of the records.

"The young lady got pregnant out of wedlock," my sharp-mouthed representative said before she could stop herself.

The word pregnant made me recall the young lady with the same name who had claimed to be carrying my child the previous day. I quickly checked for her photo. Alas, it was the same lady.

"I have seen her somewhere before," I muttered.

"But where?" I asked myself.

After thinking hard for a few minutes, it clicked. The virgin nerd.

"It can't be," I muttered in disbelief.

I quickly scanned the paper to know how old the pregnancy was.

"Three weeks."

I quickly calculated everything and it summed up to three weeks.

"Fuck, the child is mine," I exclaimed.

Hastily, I took a photo of her address and ran off.

"Where are you heading off to?" Michael asked, blocking my path.

"I have to find someone, it's really important."

Seeing how serious I was, he moved aside and let me go.

"I'm coming with you," he announced.

Together, the both of us found our way to the address on the paper.

Getting there, the door was locked. I knocked a few times, but there was no response. I knocked at the next door and asked about her.

"The young lady travelled this morning. However, you can check the church down the road, her parents should be there."

Thanking the woman, I found my way to the church. Michael still following me, even though he had no idea why I was looking for the lady.

I arrived at the church and asked for directions to her parents, luckily, they were well known, so I had no problem finding my way to her dad's office. I waited for over an hour to see him, as there was a long queue waiting to see him.

When it finally got to my turn. I entered the office alongside Michael. I spoke with the man, but then he claimed not to have a daughter named Leilani.

"But your last name is Miller?" I ask.

"Yes, and I'm sure you are not the only person answering your last name," he replied.

"Leave my office if you aren't here for counselling."

Leaving his office, I found my way to that of her mum. But then, she claimed not to have a daughter with such a name.

"Where the heck am I supposed to find her?"