Running

THREE WEEK LATER

LEILANI

It's been three weeks now and I have been living like nothing happened. I did as Sienna asked and lied to my mum, who always asks about my virginity whenever she calls. I felt guilty for lying to her at first, but Sienna made me realize that it was my body and I owe no one an explanation.

"Aren't you going to work today?" Sienna asked, on seeing me still lazily lying on the bed.

"I'm tired…" I couldn't even complete my statement when a sudden urge to puke came. I hastily stood up from the bed and ran into the adjoining bathroom and puked until there was nothing left. Sienna stood behind me massaging my back to help me calm down.

"I really think it's time you see a doctor," She suggested.

I nodded in agreement. For over one week now, I suddenly developed this morning sickness.

"I will ring in sick today, and go to the hospital for a check up," I told her.

"Do you want me to come with you?" She asked as she led me out of the bathroom.

"No, I can't have you skipping work because of me," I replied.

"Lani, I think you are… never mind," Sienna said.

"I'm coming to the hospital with you," she said.

"But…"

"No buts, Lani. You are family to me and you come first. I will go make a phone call," She said and walked away, not without giving me a weird look, something she has been doing for a week now. But then, I don't think of it as anything. Sienna is weird sometimes, so her giving weird looks was totally normal to me.

A few hours later, Sienna and I were done and ready to leave. After locking our apartment door, we headed down the stairs and flagged down a cab to Malcolm Hospital, a renowned hospital in the city. Getting there, we stayed in line with other patients until it was finally my turn. Sienna and I entered the doctor's office.

"Whatever you hear in there, accept it with a hardened heart and do not make any decision without thinking it through," Sienna said and clasped our hands together.

"Enna, why…"

"The doctor is waiting," she said, stopping me from completing my statement. I sighed and sat down with her beside me, of course.

After a series of questions and answers with the doctor, she requested my urine, I obliged, went into the bathroom and urinated in a small container she gave me.

"I will be back," she said and left Sienna and I in her office.

Soon, she returned with a happy smile plastered on her face. She handed some papers to me.

"Your test results are out. Congratulations on your pregnancy," she announced smiling.

My entire world went crashing down at that moment.

"What?" I asked and rose from my seat, then staggered, almost falling to the floor, but Sienna caught me just in time.

"The test result is false. I can't be pregnant, doctor. What will my mum say?" I asked the doctor.

The smile on her face wiped off instantly on seeing that I wasn't happy with the pregnancy.

"Children are gifts from God, I'm sure your mum will understand," the doctor encouraged me.

I took the test result and walked out of the office, ignoring the doctor and abandoning Sienna there. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I made no attempt to wipe them, everyone I passed was sure to give me a second look. But I cared less. I felt disappointed in myself. I didn't only lose my virginity, I got pregnant too.

"Wait, Lani, please," Sienna called and held my hand.

I forcefully pulled my hand off her grasp.

"I need to be alone," I said, but she didn't listen. I understand that she wanted to play a supportive best friend but that wasn't what I needed. I wanted to be alone to cry my eyes out.

Sienna attempted to wipe my tears, but I hit her hand off my face.

"I said I want to be alone. Stop acting like you care when you don't. This is all your fault!" I screamed. I saw hurt flash on her face, but I cared less. I walked away leaving her standing there.

I got home and threw the test paper on the table, then entered my room and lay down on the bed bawling my eyes out.

"How am I going to break this news to mum?" I asked myself.

I'm pregnant for someone I know nothing about. A total stranger who seemed to vanish from the surface of the earth after our night together. I cried harder unable to stop the tears from flowing.

I heard the clicking sound of the entrance door opening but ignored it. Sienna doesn't seem to understand that I need time alone. I lay on the bed drained and exhausted but not too exhausted to cry. I heard Sienna gasp, then I heard her walk towards my room.

"I told you I need some time alone. Can you fucking leave me alone?" I cursed for the first time in my life.

"You didn't only get pregnant, you curse too," I heard my mum's voice.

"Oh, no," I cried.

"It isn't what you think mum. I swear this is my first time cursing," I said.

"Then the pregnancy?" she asked and flung the papers at me.

"I'm sorry Mum, it was a mistake," I cried.

"Mistake. You just soiled my reputation. What will the people in the church think? My daughter got pregnant out of wedlock. Gosh, I'm so disappointed in you," She thundered.

"I'm sorry, mum," I cried nonstop and tried to grab her long flowing gown but she hit my hands away.

"You know what Lani? You are getting rid of this baby right now," She said.

And I gasp.

"Isn't the Bible against that?" I asked in shock. My mum has always advised young girls who got pregnant out of wedlock to keep the baby and let God provide for them. So asking me to get rid of my pregnancy within a few minutes of knowing about it, was by no means what I expected to hear from her.

"I have no time to worry about the Bible, Leilani. My reputation is at stake. Dress up so we can go for an abortion right now," she ordered and walked out of the room.

"You have five minutes to prepare. And wipe those tears. I do not want to answer any silly question regarding your puffy eyes," she said and shut the door.

I stared at the door in shock. Mum wants me to get rid of the pregnancy. My hands subconsciously went to my stomach.

"I can't do this," I mutter.

I got up from the bed and headed to the window. My apartment was on the lowest floor, so I opened the window and jumped out, knowing that I won't get hurt and even if I did, it would be a scratch.

"I'm sorry, Mum but I can't hurt an innocent child," I whispered, then took to my heels.

I ran as fast as I could away from my mother with no destination in mind. While in a haste to leave the room, I had forgotten my phone, so there was no way I could reach Sienna, my only friend. I sat down at a public bench to catch my breath after minutes of running nonstop. When my breathing stabilized I looked around to take note of my surroundings. The first thing I saw was the man who took my virginity, the father of my child smiling happily on a billboard. I stood up and stared at him for a while.

"Malcolm Blake," I read out his name.

Perhaps the universe wants my baby to live for real.

"I will find him and tell him about this pregnancy," I declared.