Chapter 5: A Day of Pain and Shame

Ariana's POV

I left the garden with my head bowed in embarrassment. I was sure about my virginity. So, how did I get pregnant? When and how? How come Melody knew and I didn't? 

These were questions going through my mind as I walked away from the location meant for my wedding. I woke up from my bed this morning, filled with joy that I was getting married to my childhood sweetheart. I never anticipated the day would turn out this way. The day meant to be my happiest day has turned into a day of pain and shame.

I made it to the street and continued to walk down the pavement with home as the destination in mind, as I played the events of my wedding in my head like a tape on loop. 

People gave me a weird stare when I met their gaze, and others laughed, pointing fingers at me as they walked past.

It had not dawned on me yet that I was walking down the street in my beautiful gown. And that is why I was getting those stares. In my mind, I knew the rumours of what transpired at the wedding had already spread to some people's ears. I could tell from the disgusting and mocking look from the few people I met on my way. 

In my deepest thought, I decided to take a pregnancy test at the hospital. Test kits could go wrong, and what if there was something inside the test kit that made it give a positive pregnancy test result? With this thought, I felt a little calmer. If I can prove to Jeremy that I never cheated on him and all that happened was a lie, we could get back together.  I thought. 

I lifted my head and realised people were staring at me from all angles. I didn't care before because I was too distracted by my thoughts, but with my mind a little calm, I felt awkward by the stare from the people. I quickly stopped a taxi to leave the place, immediately realising I was still in my gown, and that could also be a reason for the stare.

"Where to, Ms?" the driver asked as soon as I was seated in the back seat of the car.

"First, I want to go home, take off this dress and from there, we go to the hospital," I said, forgetting the driver did not know where I lived.

The driver turned in his seat to stare at me in the back. I stared back at him, confused. My eyes widened, wondering why he was looking at me like that, but my mind didn't have to wonder for long as the driver spoke.

"And where is home?" the driver asked.

I apologised and quickly gave him the location.

"Okay," the driver said and put the car into motion.

I sat in the back seat of the car with my head lowered. I was still playing the scene at my wedding in my head. I shifted my gaze to my ring finger. It was naked. Jeremy had shown me the beautiful ring he bought for me, but it never got on my finger.

Ariana, go to the hospital and get the pregnancy test done. Take the results to Jeremy, and he will believe you. I thought to console myself as we continued on the journey to my apartment.

The car finally arrived at my apartment, and I got out of it. I asked the driver to wait for me since I was just going to take my gown off. I walked towards my front door and was surprised to see it open.

Did Melody leave my apartment unlocked? I thought and hurried inside to see if everything was okay. 

I didn't have anything valuable to lose, but I still checked. I got to the bedroom and saw the closet open. I quickly walked to it and realised Jeremy's things were gone. I looked on top of the closet, and his bag was gone too. My face fell in sadness. 

"He left without even saying goodbye to me," I whispered. 

I walked back to the bed, and my legs gave way underneath me. I dropped to my knees in front of the bed in tears.

I was not sure how long I was sitting on the floor inside my room with tears streaming down my face like an open tap. In just a couple of hours, the two most important people in my life think I am a cheat and a liar. Melody is my friend, and I know what she hated the most are liars.

"Who did me this dirty?" I whispered, and heard someone knocking, but it sounded far away from me, so I didn't even bother to go check.

"Miss!" I heard a voice call out from far away. 

I still didn't move. I heard the knock again, and this time it was followed by a screaming voice which also sounded far away from me. But I heard what the person said.

"Miss! I am leaving, I need my money."

It was supposed to be my happy day. How did things turn out like this? I thought of ignoring the screaming voice from far away.

"Miss! I am leaving and I need my money. I don't want to be up in your shit," I heard a voice say followed by a tap on my shoulder.

I lifted my head to meet the frowning face of a man. I quickly recalled that the driver I had come with was still waiting for me outside. I didn't know what to say to him. I heard what he said, except I couldn't make any sense out of it. I lowered my head.

"I take it that you are the woman whose fiancé dumped on the altar," I heard the driver say, and I began to sob. "Look, a child is a blessing. The man left you, but see, you have another man growing inside you. Just wait, nine months, and he would be out," the driver said to me confidently, like he knew the gender of the baby.

"Oh geez," I heard the driver say in frustration when I didn't react to his statement. "I didn't sign up for this. Ma'am, just pay me my money, and I can leave," he said, and I stood up to get my purse. 

"So you are not going to the hospital again?" the driver asked me after accepting the money from my hand and counting it. "What if your friend was lying to you on the altar?" he asked after counting the money and realising it was up to the amount I owed. "What if she pulled a fast one on you just to snatch your fiancé away from you?" he added, and I saw the sense in it even though I don't believe my friend will do that.

I know something wasn't right. Someone is out there to get me. They want me to look bad in front of the two most important people in my life.

I wiped my tears. I lost focus when I found out Jeremy had come for his things from my apartment. I need to go to the hospital and confirm if I am truly pregnant.

"You might be right?" I said, and I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "Please give me a minute. I will change," I said, getting the motivation to go to the hospital.

The driver nodded and exited the bedroom. I quickly changed my clothing into something more comfortable and stepped out of the bedroom into the small living room.

"Okay, I am ready. Let's go," I said to the driver.

And we left the apartment and soon hit the road, heading for the hospital.