Chapter 002

Chapter 002

Alice

Three months later.

I served the customer his order and returned to the counter, leaning against it with my hands cradling my visibly bulging belly, exhausted. As I felt my baby kick inside me, my chest fluttered.

Four months had passed since my mother threw me out, and also the same months months since I started living with Alicia. Although Alicia's behavior was sometimes unbearable, I tolerated it, awaiting the day I could rent my own apartment.

Working as a waiter at this exotic restaurant was stressful, especially in my condition. But I was grateful for my father's and granny's continuous support. They regularly checked on me.

I let out a deep sigh, wiping the sweat from my face as I watched my colleagues work.

"Why the hell are you standing there, pregnant fool?" Elsa, my harsh and wicked boss, yelled, storming out of her office. "When everyone else is busy working!"

I hastily left the table I was leaning on and grabbed a tray, trying to shake off my fatigue. It was Christmas Eve, and the restaurant was bustling.

As I trudged towards a customer who needed water with one hand resting on my swollen belly, I suddenly locked eyes with Jake, the last person I wanted to see. He sat alongside Teresa, my former high school classmate who had made my life miserable.

My heart skipped a beat. What were they doing together? I had dodged Jake for months, and now he was here.

I attempted to turn back, but Jake's menacing voice halted me. "Hey, come back here! Serve me, or I'll report you to your boss and get you fired."

I rushed back to Jake with the tray, but he deliberately stretched out his leg, blocking my path. I saw it too late and stumbled, almost falling. My hands instinctively cradled my swollen belly, protecting my unborn child.

As a six-month pregnant teen, my very protruding stomach often caused discomfort, but the doctor had reassured me it was normal. However, at this moment, it made me feel vulnerable.

The water on the tray splashed onto Jake's body, and I rushed to apologize. "I'm so sorry, sir. Please forgive me." Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I offered him a napkin, avoiding eye contact.

But Jake didn't take the napkin. Instead, his piercing glare made my heart sink as my eyes met his.

"Get me another glass of water," Jake ordered, his voice devoid of empathy.

This cruel demand for water repeated itself like uncountable times, with Jake and Teresa mocking me, laughing at my pain and stress.

Every time I approached, Jake would intentionally block my path with his leg, causing me to stumble and spill water.

Tears streamed down my face, and my breathing has now grew labored with sweat dripping from my brow.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, frustration and desperation creeping into my voice.

Jake's response cut deep. "You're a betrayer," he spat, his tone icy.

My heart constricted, and I felt a pang in my chest. My baby kicked in my belly, as if sensing my distress. I placed a soothing hand on my stomach.

"She's such a dumbass. I wonder who'd get someone like her pregnant. Her kids are going to be so dumb." Spatted Teresa.

My gaze snapped to her with a fiery anger coursing through my body.

"Don't you dare speak ill of my baby with your filthy mouth, you bitch," I hissed

"The nerve of some people," a customer whispered. "Don't they know customers are always right?"

"Unbelievable," another said. "They hire workers without teaching them manners."

A snide comment followed. "Can you expect manners from an expecting teenage mother?"

The murmurs grew louder, with the patrons snickering at me. Alicia and Jake smirked like they were getting entertained by it.

I felt a surge of indignation. Humans can be such hypocrites. Just moments before, they'd stood by silently as Jake and Alicia harassed me. Now, when I defended myself, I was the rude one?

"You're carrying a bastard!" Teresa spat.

That was my breaking point. I marched towards her, and as she rose from her chair, I delivered a scorching slap that made my hand throbbed.

The room fell silent with only gasps flying through the air.

"You can say whatever you want about me, but the moment you trash-talk my baby, you'll see a side of me you never knew existed. I'll unapologetically unleash on you, bitch."

Just then, Jake shouted, "Mrs. Elsa!"

As if she has already witnessed everything, my boss stormed towards me with a shocked and angry expression on her face.

"Apologize and you're fired, immediately!" Mrs. Elsa barked.

I shook my head, attempting to protest, but a severe cramp seized my lower abdomen, stealing my words. The tray slipped from my grasp, clattering onto a nearby customer, who shouted in irritation.

Agony overwhelmed me. I doubled over, knees buckling, and released a heart-piercing scream. My vision blurred as I collapsed to my knees.

My due date wasn't near, so this caught me off guard. People swarmed around me, some lifting me into a bridal carry amidst shouts and chaos. I tuned out the noise, overwhelmed by the piercing pain coming from my belly. It felt like a thousand needles were piercing me from the inside.

"Please, let my baby be okay," I prayed, fear gripping my heart.

The doctor had warned me about stress, but how could I avoid it when I needed the cash? This wasn't supposed to happen yet. Or, was this part of the complications that came with keeping the baby?

****

I lay motionless on the bed, staring blankly into space, my hand cradling my belly. My father and granny sat beside me with concerned faces.

An hour ago, the doctor had told us I had to be operated on as I was having three babies. I was so over the moon at the news, but I was both happy and sad at the same time, as he'd also said I was having a rare kind of disease, and it could lead to complications and then death if I wasn't operated on. He even said one of my babies could die.

The doctor said my body couldn't sustain the pregnancy, and an operation was crucial to save us.

My babies would be placed in an incubator after the operation, so l could proceed with my own surgery, and I also needed a blood transfusion due to my rare O-negative blood type.

Tears streamed down my face as Granny and Dad tried to comfort me. The thought of my triplets' fragile lives, the looming operation, and the huge medical bill of five thousand dollars overwhelmed me.

We had only two hours to gather the funds before the surgery.

My dad has been doing all his best to get the money, and even from his friends and also the little money I'd managed to save has been added, but it still wasn't enough. We only got two thousand dollars. I had no one to turn to anymore.

Desperate, I begged Alicia for help over the phone, but she claimed she was broke. Dad even pleaded with Mom, but she refused. I'd initially wanted to call my boss, but then remembered I’ve been fired.

My world was crumbling around me. What do l do?

"Baby, don't worry, you're going to be fine. Mom's going to be fine too," I whispered, cradling my stomach as best I could with the drip fixed to my hand.

As I felt my babies kick inside me, my saddened heart swelled with joy. The warm feeling spread in my chest. "Dad, Dad, Granny, feel this – my babies just kicked!" I exclaimed, beaming with the brightest smile.

My dad and granny placed their hands on my tummy, and the babies kicked again.

Granny's voice trembled. "Oh, my little munchies, Granny can't wait to meet you three."

A tear escaped Dad's eye, his voice cracking. "You'll all be fine, darling. I'll do everything to find the money and blood donor. If only I could donate, or even if it was my heart that's needed, I would give it up with everything in me."

I loved my family so much. Dad's words, though heartbreaking, reassured me. He couldn't donate blood because our types didn't match, and neither could Granny.

I'd once donated my blood for some cash during the early stage of my pregnancy as I needed the money for a drug recommended by the doctor. I didn't want to stress dad and granny as they'd dene enough. But now, here's the consequences.

"I know, Dad," I said, my voice shaking.

Dad left, leaving Granny behind. The room fell silent, the only sound was the hum of the air conditioner, until the door opened and the doctor entered with a few nurses.

"I'm glad to inform you, Miss Alice, that your hospital bills have been cleared," the doctor said, smiling.

Granny's eyes widened. "Really, doctor?"

"Yes," he replied. "The owner of our hospital, a philanthropist, has covered your expenses. But, he wishes to remain anonymous."

I sat up, surprised. "But... how? Why? He doesn't even know me!"

The doctor beamed. "His kindness knows no bounds. That has always been his way. Now, focus on resting and finding a donor."

"But, doctor, how can we thank him?" Granny asked, echoing my thoughts.

The doctor smiled. "No need, just pray for a donor. I'll return soon for your surgery, Miss Alice."

After the doctor and nurses left, I remained puzzled. Who was this mysterious benefactor?

Granny spoke out what was in my mind.

“We should find a way to thank this person, Alice. They're truly kind."

I nodded, gratitude swelling in my heart. Because of this person, my triplets and I would get to live. If only this person knows the type of favor he or she has done me.

Now, I just needed to find a donor.

*****

Few hours later.

"Pulse is dropping! Increase oxygen!"

"Give her adrenaline, stat!"

"Her breathing is slowing down, get her ventilated now!"

"She's losing too much blood. Go get the donated blood from the bank.”

Shouts filled my ears as the medical team yelled instructions.

It's been hours that I can't even remember again after my surgery. My babies have been put in their incubators, and shortly after I woke up, my eyes were on them with tears of joy streaming down my cheek. If a horse were to be trotting in my stomach, it wouldn't falter with how happy I am.

Even when the doctor had said I should be resting when I insisted I wanted to watch them, I’d screamed, threatening to cut my drip. Then, they finally accepted.

I'd even been helped by different nurses and Granny. I was able to see their small, cute faces in their respective incubators from the glass. Even though I was bleeding and in so much pain, their little faces and fragile selves became my reason for living right at that moment. The pain left for the time when I was just watching their little selves. I wished I could touch them.

I was blessed with two boys and a girl. My adorable baby girl I named Ava, while Granny lovingly referred to her as Haliya. My two boys I named Liam and Paul. They've become my entire world, and I'd move mountains to ensure their comfort and happiness.

I know they would surely ask who their father was later in the future but I would do all I can to fill that space for them.

As I'd continued to gaze lovingly at my triplets, I suddenly felt myself gasping for breath, bleeding heavily. I was swiftly placed on a stretcher, overcome by excruciating pain.

Pain. Pain engulfed me everywhere, searing and relentless, and everything else fade to black.