PREGNANCY

“I am really thankful to you, Mrs Adams, and grandma for accepting me and being so patient with me,” Leah said, her voice quivering with gratitude.

“Wait, What did you think we should have done? Throw you out to those lifeless mongers on the streets?... common boo…. Mariam added.

“You can stay with us as much as you want”....Grandma chimed in, her voice raspy but full of warmth.

“Yes, at least there's a room to occupy you and theres everything you would need here.” Mrs Adams added.

Mariam, standing nearby, looked at her family with immense gratitude. Though they were not as wealthy as Leah's family, they were rich ibn love and support, always there for each other and now for Leah as well.

Leah lived with them for a month, during which she found a part time job at a flower shop. There, she quickly became a favorite amongst customers band her boss. Receiving numerous tips and incentives not just for her beauty, but for her genuine warmth and charm.

Meanwhile, on the day of the incident, Leo had left early for a project meeting, a three-hour flight away. Far away from where he had met Leah. One minute missed, he will be late for it.

A week had passed with no calls or emails from Leah. He had intentionally left his contact card on the table before departing that morning, hoping she would reach out.

Despite his initial intentions, something about Leah's aura had drawn him to her. He wanted to apologize and had even sent his assistant to find her, but to no avail. No one had reported a case of rape or sought  him out at the hotel.

He never knew she wasn't a whore, if he had known… he wouldn't have touched her.

If she was a whore, definitely he would have moved on with his life because he believed they can take care of themselves and probably take out the fertilized ovum(foetus) if they didn't want to keep it and the man wouldn't know.

Leah was no where to be found.

Leo Richie often found himself back at the hotel, hoping to see her, but all his efforts were fruitless. “Did I hurt her that badly? I wish I didn't touch her at all,” he muttered, guilt gnawing at him as he paced up and down his villa, desperate to find the woman who had haunted his thoughts and ways to find his virgin one night stand partner.

********************

Meanwhile, Alex and Emily, are lovey dovey and recently got engaged, but were experiencing a little strain in their relationship. 

Alex had been acting strangely, a little bit in his feelings, lost in thought and often acting weird and irritable. 

Emily, assuming it was pre-wedding stress, tried to comfort him.

“Babe, are you alright? You've been out of it for sometime now…” she asked, gently rubbing his knees.

“Yeah, just a little stress here and there,” Alex replied, forcing a smile.

“I know the wedding rush is tough, But it'll be over soon” Emily assured him.

"Sure, I know. I'm fine by the way"... Alex replied.

Alex nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere, filled with memories of Leah. He regretted how he had treated her and wished he could help her now, without Emily or his mother in law finding out. It had only been a week, but he already missed her and her presence around him, realizing how unfairly he had judged and mistreated her.

What happened to the love he has for Emily…

*********************

A month later, Leah began feeling unwell, dismissing it as a minor illness and feigned ignorance.

Her mind never recalled that it could be due to what happened to her in the past few weeks.

She took antipyretic drugs to reduce her recurring fever but did not consider that her symptoms might be related to recent events. 

One fateful morning, at the flower shop, she felt nauseous, and certain scents aggravated her.

It dawned on her that she might be pregnant.

Leah realized she had missed her period by a week, which made her increasingly anxious, making her become moody for the rest of the day. 

She decided to wait a few more days, hoping it was just a fluke from her first sexual experience. 

But as the days passed, her anxiety grew. Could she be pregnant? The thoughts terrified her. 

“How could the rapist not think about my future? Shouldn't he have used a condom at least?” she exclaimed in frustration.

Visibly distressed,anyone would know that she never had a peaceful night. 

 Leah woke up early one morning and sneaked out to a nearby hospital to see a doctor. This was the longest day of her life.

The fear of the unknown result left shivers down her spine.

She tried to distract herself but she couldn't.  That result is between a life and death for her.  It holds the answer to the next phase of her life.

The wait for the test results felt like an eternity, each passing moment filled with dread. She kept trying to distract herself, but the looming result consumed her thoughts over again.

“What am I going to do if its positive?” she whispered to herself.

The words were still in her mouth when she heard her name being called out.

The nurse finally called her name, Leah's heart raced. “I am Leah Orbert,” she replied, her voice trembling. Her body was filled with visible goosebumps

“Please follow me to the office to collect your results,” the nurse said.

Leah's hands were shaking, and she murmured a prayer under her breath. “I hope this is negative.”

But destiny had other plans…..

She walked slowly into the doctor's office, her heart pounding. 

The doctor handed her the pregnancy report with a smile on his face, widely showing his perfect dentition. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Congratulations, Leah Orbert, you are pregnant, an expectant mother. Where is your husband? The doctor asked cheerfully.

The words of the doctor sounded like bells in her ears.

Leah's world spun. Her hands and voice shook, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

“What? What did you just say, doctor? You must be joking right?” Leah stammered, her eyes wide with shock as tears streamed down her cheeks.