Chapter Seven

Past- 20th August 2032

I was sitting in the chapel of my church, distantly watching the pastor speak. Words flowing through one ear are being spat by the other. Usually, I would be listening to my pastor's sermon. However, I have been feeling nauseous for a while. I mean, it has been going away, which is good. But I have been gaining weight. I'm not one to watch my diet, but out of all the times for my stomach to look more bloated, it is when I am in a relationship. 

Stan and I have been going quite steady. We always see each other whenever we have time. And each time, we are drawn closer than ever before. I'm kind of afraid as to how fast our relationship is moving. But I can't help it. Being with him feels so natural. We don't always have to have a conversation, but when we do, we never stop. We never have to act like different types of people. 

I have no idea why I feel like this. But honestly, I don't want it to stop. 

"Christine" The pastor's voice brought me back to reality. It was then that I realized that almost everyone has left. The pastor smiled at me and down next to me. 

"Okay, Christine, what has you distracted?" I smiled at the pastor. A man that was always there for me. 

"I'm sorry, Pastor Henry. I have been very sick. I am just not in the best state of mind" The pastor nodded before he saw something on the back of my neck. Almost immediately, he held a grin on his face. It was a bit creepy, to be honest. 

"Christine, the Lord, has a reason for everything. So do not worry, everything will be alright." I smiled at the pastor and saw him stand up and leave. Maybe, this was just because of guilt. I mean, Johnathan and Jessica left me. But waiting for them to run back to me and apologize was ridiculous. I just had to be the bigger person and forgive. 

I walked inside the car and drove off. I was on my way to Johnathan's house. The last time that we saw each other was when we went to the club together. Still upset about how he left me, I parked in front of his apartment and stayed inside the car. 

I kept having to remind myself that he wasn't Jessica. He didn't leave because of spite or "revenge." John left because he said that he ran into an old friend. Besides, he was a more direct kind of person; he would never do something out of spite.

It's for me to stop being petty. I got out of my car, walked up the flight of stairs, and knocked on his door. As I waited, I kept hearing muffles on the other side. When the door swung open, I was surprised to see that it was a shirtless stranger.

"Abdullah, who is at the door?" I stood there, still stunned as John approached the front door. When he saw that it was me, he quickly grabbed my hand and led me into his apartment. In the corner of my eye, I saw the stranger go inside Johnathan's room. John took me down to the living room, sat me down, and proceeded to bombard me with questions.

"Christine, what happened? Jessica came into my place. She started crying, going on about how she betrayed you. Did something bad between you and Jessica occur while I left?" I took a deep sigh. Of course, Jessica would run her big mouth to John without letting me explain. That was another thing that I didn't like about Jessica. She always had to make sure that other people had to know about it.

I then proceeded to give Johnathan my side of the story. The rude text Jessica gave me, my failed one-night stand, and the argument we had in my house. I also explained how I am dating that failed one-night stand. Johnathan just sat there with an unreadable face. When I finally finished, he took a deep breath. What he said shocked me.

"Both you and Jessica are in the wrong. But I can understand why you both are angry with each other. Jessica is just looking out for you. She has more experience with this type of thing and doesn't want you to get hurt.

However, she executed this poorly, and it is annoying that she doesn't try and use some sort of filter.

But please be careful. This guy sounds sketchy, and in terms of your decision to date him, I am on Jessica's side." Johnathan said that he thought that Jessica was right. Knowing that was very upsetting, but I tried not to let it get to my head. 

"So you're telling me that you agree with-" Johnathan interrupted me before I could even finish my sentence.

"You know that I didn't mean it like that. I don't agree with either of you. But you need to be a bit more careful," I nodded my head, trying to understand his perspective. 

The same stranger came out of Jonathan's room. This time, he was wearing a green t-shirt with black shorts. He was quite handsome and seemed to be Middle Eastern. 

"John, I don't want to seem rude, but who is the handsome stranger?" My question seemed to be funny because he just started laughing. I felt my cheeks heat up as he continued to laugh. 

As his laughter died down, he motioned the stranger to come. The stranger smiled and sat next to Johnathan.

"I forgot to introduce you to each other. Abdullah, this is my best friend, Christine. And Christine, this is Abdullah, my fiance." 

What? I didn't even know that John was dating someone, let alone about to be married.  

"I know that I haven't told you about him at all. It was only because of how much time we've been apart.

Abdullah and I have known each other since middle school. Then, our actual relationship started in high school. However, we broke up after our second year of college. This was because he got a scholarship to study abroad.

When I went to the bathroom in the club, I encountered Abdullah. It also turns out that he is the same physiatrist who transferred to my workplace. He and I found each other at the club, we rekindled, and now we know that we want to be together for the rest of our lives."

I smiled as I saw genuine displays of affection that they showed to each other. Coming to John's place wasn't a mistake. I said goodbye to them and drove to my house. On my way, nausea that came from before started to arise. 

I quickly stopped my car on the side. Suddenly, I puked for what was the second time today. 

Now I know that it couldn't be guilt. I had an assumption, but I didn't want it to be true. I quickly drove to Walmart and parked. I rushed in there, grabbing the object and promptly purchasing it. When I sat in my car, my hands felt clammy as I gripped the steering wheel. 

I could feel the pregnancy test stare at me on the trip home. I parked my car in front of my house and stared back at the object. The information that the stick held was going to determine my future. 

Holding the test in my hands, I walked inside the house. Walking into the bathroom, I read the instructions and did as such. I watched in horror as I saw the two red lines slowly emerge. My assumption has been correct.

I was pregnant with Stan's child.