Chapter Two

 “I… I’m pregnant?”Maya murmured in disbelief and slowly put her hands on her flat belly.

“Yes. You are approximately two months pregnant, you have gone through a lot these past few months and fortunately, the baby is okay.” The doctor, Doctor M said, her eyes were fixed on Maya who seemed much unfocused. She looked to be in a daze and could not even hear what the doctor was talking about. And truthfully, the only thing that Maya had on her mind was the word, “Pregnant”. How could she have gotten pregnant?

For one month, she had been experiencing bouts of nausea and tiredness, she only attributed it to the fact that she has been working nonstop for the past one month but somehow, she had the thought of coming to the hospital for a checkup. Maya told the doctor what she had been experiencing and then the doctor asked the most dreaded question, “When last did she see her period?” After this, Doctor M suggested a pregnancy test and look how it turned out.

“Did you say that I am two months pregnant?” Maya repeated, she had suddenly thought of something.

“Yes, that is what I said.” And as soon as the doctor repeated her words, Maya cursed under her breath. Shit! Shit! Shit! Was it that time? The time she accidentally slept with Jared? Clenching her fists, Maya stood up abruptly, she could not breathe. Why now? Why is it now when she has been rejected? How could she be pregnant!

“If…” Maya started, “If anyone comes to ask you about me, do not give them my information. However, if they insist, tell them that I came for therapy.” The hospital also offers these types of services so it was easier fabricating a lie. For some reason, she had the thought that someone would come looking for her.

“I understand.” Doctor M nodded and as Maya left, the woman sighed and shook her head. She could see how shocked Maya was and she also noticed the confusion that flashed across her eyes, even if it was for a millisecond. It was at that moment that she knew that Maya had no idea how she became pregnant, but it is not in her place to ask. Her only job is to perform the checkup.

Maya’s heart beat so loudly in her ears as she walked along the road, the sky was dark and dreary, like it wanted to rain. The rain perfectly embodied what she was feeling right now. But Maya’s thoughts were on the news that the doctor broke to her, the brown envelope in her hands was clenched tightly. She smiled slightly, her red lips pulling upwards. However, it was not a smile of joy, or of gratitude, but it was one of helplessness and pain. Sure, her pregnancy is good news but right now? When everything was going really bad? It clearly is not a good time.

“A pharmacy…”

The door slammed shut and Maya removed her shoes and went to her room, the bag she was holding made a slight rustling sound. As she got to her room, she went directly to the mirror; her pale face stared back at her. Maya raised her hands, the small bottle she held dangled in front of her eyes and she gulped. As soon as she opened the cap of the bottle, a foul stench filled the air and penetrated her nose and immediately, the bottle fell from her hands and rolled to the ground. Time slowed as she watched the liquid, like crystal tears cascade to the ground and stain the carpet.

“No… No! No! No!” A guttural cry of frustration and despair escaped her lips as she fell to the knees beside the spilled content. Her world felt like it was unraveling before her, and the weight of her bottled in emotions bore down on her like a vice. She cradled her stomach protectively, as if trying to shield the tiny life growing inside of her from her own conflicted thoughts. The liquid burnt her eyes the more she stared at it and she shifted back in fear, scared that she would go closer and lick it from the ground.

Maya was torn between keeping the pregnancy and the fear of raising a child alone weighed down on her. As she clung to her abdomen, a deep realization washed over her. In that moment, she understood that she could not do it. She could not summon the bravery to end the life within her. After all, there is more than one bottle of the abortion medicine inside her bag but she somehow could not bear the thought of losing a part of herself. She has lost so much, so why should she lose more? The bond she had unknowingly formed would not let her.

Maya smiled with tears falling down her eyes, her empty chuckle reverberated in the empty and silent room, “How could I think of killing an innocent child who knows nothing about what is going on? How could I?” With her back hunched, the room grew dimmer as the sun dipped below into the horizon, and her sobs filled the space.

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“Miss, what can I do for you?” Doctor M raised her head as she glanced at the person who had just walked into her office, the woman was tall, not as tall as Maya who had left some hours ago but still close. The woman wore sunglasses and her hair was tied into a ponytail.

“Hmm… This is the hospital that Maya Reynold visited? It looks so shabby.” The woman clicked her tongue in distaste and Doctor M frowned.

“Miss, is there a problem you would like me to attend to?”

“Well, tell me what Maya Reynold came here to do. Do not leave anything out or lie to me or else, I will show you what a werewolf can do to a mere human.” The woman grinned, her sharp canines glinting in the light and it sent shivers down the spine of Doctor M who gulped loudly.