Chapter 6

SEREIA

“No… no… no…”

The word slipped out from my lips as I started at the pregnancy strip on the counter, two red lines, positive.

I was pregnant with a baby.

This can’t be real.

This is impossible.

I only had sex with Lucas few days before our anniversary, he came home drunk and horny and like the dutiful wife I was I spread my legs open.

Now look at me. I am pregnant while I’m homeless and can barely feed. This was too much my knees buckled as I grabbed the sink for support,taking in deep uneven breaths.

The rapt knock sounded on the door and I straightened up composing my self so as to look put together.

“Child..are you done yet?” The old woman voice called out her voice sharp with a tinge of concern.

I swallowed had,my face burning from the shame I felt . “Yes I am done.” I yelled back.

My statement was followed by another knock. “What does the test say?” She asked and I gulped my fingers shaking as I unloved the door.

She stood in front of the door arms crossed and immediately I stepped out her eyes moved to the strip in my hand.

“You look like you saw a ghost.” She commented and I could only stare at her face blankly as I held out the stick.

Her face remained impassive for a few seconds before they softened and she spoke. “You are going to be a mother.”

I shook my head violently and as if everything just dawned on me I began to cry. “No. No, this isn’t right.”

My voice cracked. “I can’t be pregnant.”

“What’s wrong with being pregnant?” She asked and I could only stare at her dumbfounded.

“What is wrong?” I said in disbelief “what is wrong is the fact that I can barely take care of myself.” “I barely eat, damn I can’t even afford shampoo.”

“That’s what is wrong.” I yelled as the words spilled out of my mouth uncontrollably.

“How am I supposed to have a child when I can’t take care of it.” I said lastly as my knees gave out, she caught me before I hit the floor.

“Enough!” She said sharply. “No crying in my bakery.” She added leading me towards a chair, by now the bakery was empty and I was beyond grateful that no one witnessed my crash out.

“My life is over.” I whispered silently tears falling from my eyes. It’s like when I overcome one problem another one dances it’s way into my life.

The old lady sighed as she brings out a cloth and wipes my tears off my face.

“Such a dramatic child, you’re alive so there is hope,” she said like she didn’t hear everything I just said.

“I don’t want to be alive.” I told her and she paused before looking at me and smiling. “Don’t say things which you don’t mean, child.”

Before I could reply the doorbell of the bakery chimed signifying that someone was here, I looked over and it was a very beautiful lady with brown hair and vibrant blue eyes walking towards us a warm smile present on her face.

“Auntie,” she said with a genuine smile as soon as she reached us, hugging the old lady.

“You called,what is the issue?” She added looking at the old lady for any sign of impairment.

“Yes. She fainted.” The old woman said looking at me and the beautiful lady’s gaze moved to me.

“Hi, I’m doctor Sasha.”

“I’m sereia.” I responded with a smile and she nodded.

“Let me just take a quick look at you.” Doctor Sasha said before she began.

She checked my pulse, and asked questions I could barely answer and after what felt like hours she stopped a frown on her face as she scribbled on a book.

“You are malnourished, dehydrated and Pregnant.” All those things don’t go hand in hand she said she she shook her head staring at her book.

“There is no doubt you are pregnant but I can’t decided how far gone you are.” She said looking at me her face stoic in a professional manner.

The confirmation from the doctor felt like the final nail in the coffin, I pressed my hand against my mouth as my food surged up violently. I barely made it to the trash can before throwing up all the food I had earlier.

The old lady clicked her tongue as she rubbed my black slowly. “Breathe dear you will be fine.” She said but I didn’t feel like I would be fine.

I was pregnant and broke when was that ever a good combo.

“This fear is normal.” The doctor spoke softly. “But stressing would do the baby more harm than good.”

Baby. It all felt unreal I was becoming a mother.

“Make sure to go to a clinic tomorrow for a proper test.” The doctor added. “But for now make sure to rest Miss Sereia

The doctor turned to the old woman. “She needs rest and good food.” The old lady nodded taking in the doctors advice.

And as the doctor stepped out the old lady turned to me.

“You will live with me.” She said and I blinked at her shocked.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“You aren’t deaf child.” She said arranging the chairs in the bakery.

“I can’t afford.”

“Shut up child when did I ask you to pay. You helped me— let me help you too.”

“Thank you so much, you’re so nice.” I said genuinely as my heart swelled in appreciation.

“You would live with me and work in the bakery everyday, Atleast until you can take care of yourself.” She said ignoring my thank you and I nodded fervently willing to do anything to survive the brutality of New York.

“For now you should rest I would wake you up when it’s time to go home.” She ended and I nodded to overwhelmed with emotions to argue.

As I laid on the sleeper chair once more I closed my eyes with one thought disturbing my mind,

“Who is the father of my child?”