173

Eva

Six hours ago...

Standing beside Thelma in our cozy kitchen, I methodically chopped vegetables for dinner. The tantalizing aroma of sautéed ginger usually filled me with warmth and comfort, but today it was suffocating. I covered my nose, scrunching my face in disgust.

"Thelma," I choked out, "I...I don't know what's wrong. This smell is nauseating."

She turned to me, her brow creased with concern. "Eva, are you alright? You normally love the smell of ginger."

I shook my head, a wave of nausea washing over me. "I don't know. It just...ugh."

Before Thelma could respond, I bolted out of the kitchen, my hand clamped over my mouth. I raced to the bathroom and collapsed to my knees, retching violently into the toilet. The intensity and suddenness of my illness left me bewildered.

After splashing my face with cold water, I stared at my pallid reflection in the mirror, unease settling over me. What was happening?

With a deep breath, I gathered my courage and made my way back to th