05: ANOTHER LIFE

KEISHA

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The rhythmic sound echoed through the hallway as I stood outside Celine's door, my knuckles rapping against the wood with a sense of urgency. Each knock seemed to reverberate through my bones, amplifying the anxiety coursing through my veins. My breath formed wisps of mist in the chilly air, my skin prickling with goosebumps from the cold.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing Celine's concerned face framed by the dim light spilling from her room. I couldn't help but shiver, the chill of the night seeping into my bones as I stood there, still clad in the dress from the night before. Sweat clung to my skin, a sticky reminder of the hurried departure from the motel, where I hadn't even bothered to slip on underwear in my haste.

"Keisha? What the heck? What the hell happened to you?" Celine's voice was laced with worry as she took in my disheveled appearance, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"I... I need to come in. I need to explain," my voice was barely a whisper, tinged with a hint of desperation. Celine was my lifeline in this moment of chaos, the only person I felt I could turn to as I grappled with the mess I'd found myself in. I couldn't bear the thought of facing my family in this state, knowing they would be consumed with worry.

"Of course, come in," Celine stepped back, gesturing for me to enter her room. The warmth emanating from within enveloped me like a comforting embrace, easing the chill that had settled deep into my bones.

As I stepped inside, the familiar scent of Celine's room washed over me – a delicate blend of lavender and vanilla, soothing and familiar. My eyes swept over the cozy space, taking in the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting shadows on the walls, the plush blankets strewn haphazardly across the bed, and the faint strains of music drifting from a nearby speaker.

"Better go take a shower first. Look at yourself, you look like a mess! We'll talk later about why you suddenly disappeared from the bar last night!" Celine's voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to the present moment. Her concern was evident, her eyes filled with empathy as she surveyed my disheveled state.

Nodding silently, I made my way to the bathroom, the sound of running water soon filling the air as I stripped off the stained dress and stepped into the warm embrace of the shower. The hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the grime and sweat of the night before, cleansing both body and soul.

As I emerged from the shower, wrapped in a fluffy towel provided by Celine, I felt a sense of renewal wash over me. The weight of the night's events still lingered, but for now, I could push them aside, focusing on the task at hand – explaining to Celine what had transpired and seeking her guidance in navigating the aftermath.

Dressed in a fresh set of clothes borrowed from Celine's wardrobe, I returned to her room, my mind racing with a jumble of thoughts and emotions. Sitting down beside her, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that lay ahead.

"I need to tell you everything," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within. And with that, I launched into the tale of my tumultuous night – the unexpected encounter, the hasty departure from the motel, and the unsettling realization of the consequences that now loomed before me.

Celine listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and understanding as she absorbed the details of my story. Her presence was a balm to my frayed nerves, her unwavering support a lifeline in my time of need.

"What! Sh*t, why are you so weak! You could have pushed him away! Ohhh god, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen. I should have come to find you."

"You're not to blame."

"Can you still remember his face?"

"That's the thing, it was dark," Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead, drawing strength from each other as we navigated the stormy seas of uncertainty. And though the road ahead would undoubtedly be fraught with obstacles, I knew that with Celine by my side, I would never have to weather the storm alone.

Keifer:

Are you coming home?

It was around 10:00 pm, and I was sure they were still out enjoying themselves. I had turned off my phone when I got to the club.

Kevin:

Do we need to come get you? It's already 12, Keisha! Mom and we are worried! Don't ignore our messages!

I sighed with relief when I realized I hadn't missed anything urgent. My head was pounding, and I felt nauseous, probably still hungover.

Keifer:

Damn it, Keisha, we're so freaking worried! I can't reach one of your employees or even Celine!

That was the only message I read from them because there were so many. They had called me 120 times. I felt guilty for not thinking that I had a family waiting and worrying about me at home.

"Are you sure you're going home alone? I insist on accompanying you to explain to Mom," Keifer said.

"Nope, I'm okay. You know Keifer, you're still mad at me," I joked, unable to meet his eyes, afraid he might guess that I was lying.

"It's okay. What matters is that you're okay. Let's go; Kevin and Mom are worried about you," I felt relieved as I entered my room because Keifer only reprimanded me, and Kevin was stricter than Keifer. I chose to sleep because my whole body was aching.

For the past week, my headaches and morning sickness hadn't stopped. It had gotten worse. I became sensitive to everything, getting irritated quickly, whereas before, I was just moody during my period. Now, my emotions changed rapidly.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're receiving d-death threats?" Mama faced tough times, especially financially, but she never gave up. We were her reason to keep going, and she did everything she could to give us a good future. I remembered how Mama worked multiple jobs just to feed us and keep a roof over our heads. She barely rested, always tired but never giving up.

But through it all, Mama stayed strong. She taught us to work hard and never give up, no matter what challenges we faced. And because of her, we learned to be resilient and face life's obstacles with courage. Even though times were tough, Mama's love for us never wavered. She was our rock, guiding us through the darkest times with her unwavering support. Reflecting on Mama's journey, I felt determined to face the challenges of being a single parent. Mama's strength and resilience were in me, guiding me forward.

I promised myself to honor Mama's memory by raising my child with love and dedication, just as she did for us. Together, we would continue Mama's legacy, filled with hope and endless possibilities. Though Mama may not be here with us physically, her spirit would always be with me, guiding me every step of the way.

"Hush, Bes, stop crying. Are you not happy about becoming a mommy? Hush now; you'll be able to handle it," Celine comforted me.

"I-I'm happy, but I don't know...I don't know if I can handle it. He's going to be fatherless. I don't even know...I don't know who got me pregnant," based on Mama's experiences, I learned how difficult it was to raise a child as a single parent. Mama almost gave up because of financial problems, but she didn't give up because we, her children, were her strength...we were her children. She overcame all the problems, and we all finished school. She raised us well.

"Hush, Bes, stop crying. Are you not happy about becoming a mommy? Hush now; you'll be able to handle it," Celine's words were a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves, her comforting embrace enveloping me in a sense of reassurance. Despite the uncertainty swirling around me, her unwavering support gave me a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

"I-I'm happy, but I don't know...I don't know if I can handle it. He's going to be fatherless. I don't even know...I don't know who got me pregnant," the weight of my confession hung heavy in the air, the reality of my situation sinking in with each passing moment. My mind drifted back to Mama's struggles as a single parent, her unwavering determination in the face of adversity serving as a beacon of strength and resilience.

"Let's make an appointment with an OB-GYN," Celine's voice was a steady anchor in the storm, her practicality cutting through the haze of uncertainty. She was right – now more than ever, I needed to take charge of my health and well-being, for the sake of both myself and the precious life growing inside me.

As the reality of my situation sank in, a sense of determination stirred within me. Despite the daunting challenges that lay ahead, I refused to let fear dictate my actions. With Celine's unwavering support and the love of my family behind me, I knew that I could face whatever obstacles came my way.

"We can do this, my child, even though I don't know you yet and I have no idea who your father is...we can do this," I whispered softly, my words a silent vow to the tiny life growing within me. Though the path ahead was uncertain, I was filled with a newfound sense of purpose and resolve.

Together, my child and I would journey through the ups and downs of parenthood, leaning on each other and the endless love of those who supported us. While the path ahead might be tough, I approached it with bravery and resolve, understanding that with love and assistance, we could conquer any obstacle that came our way.

As we embarked on this new chapter of our lives, I embraced the challenges with open arms, knowing that each hurdle we overcame would only make us stronger. With determination in my heart and a fierce commitment to my child's well-being, I tackled each day with optimism and resilience.

Though there were moments of doubt and uncertainty, I held onto the belief that we were capable of weathering any storm. Surrounded by a supportive network of friends and family, we forged ahead, navigating the complexities of parenthood with grace and determination.

And as we faced the inevitable twists and turns of our journey, I found solace in the unwavering love that bound us together. It was this love that carried us through the darkest of times, lighting our path and giving us the strength to persevere.

Together, we laughed, we cried, and we celebrated the small victories along the way. And with each passing day, I marveled at the incredible bond that formed between us, a bond forged in love and nurtured with care.

As we continued on our journey, I knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges and obstacles. But with my child by my side and the love of our cherished support system, I faced the future with unwavering courage and a steadfast determination to create a life filled with joy, love, and endless possibilities.

"Mom will remain stronger baby I promise"