I stared at Eva, my laughter dying off as the weight of her words sank in. Her tear-streaked face was a clear sign that this was no joke. My mind raced, trying to grasp the gravity of what she had just told me.
“Pranks again??” I forced a laugh, though it came out hollow and uncertain. Eva’s silence, her pained expression, confirmed that this was serious. The realization hit me hard.
“You think you’re pregnant, right? Let’s go get a test done,” I said, trying to take charge of the situation.
“I’ve already taken the test,” Eva said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.
“Okay… and it’s negative, right?” I asked, my hope hanging on every word.
“No… it’s positive.”
“What the fuck!!” I exclaimed, the shock evident in my voice.
“The tests can be wrong, right? How many did you take?” I asked, my mind racing for a glimmer of hope.
“Ten… all positive,” she replied, her voice trembling.
I felt my heart sink. This was bad-beyond bad. I slumped into a nearby chair, my mind whirling as I tried to process the news. Eva, pregnant by Ezra? The gravity of the situation was overwhelming.
“I think you need to sit,” I said gently, motioning for her to take a seat beside me. She complied, her movements slow and heavy with despair.
“What are your plans?” I asked, trying to steady my voice. “Have you seen a doctor to confirm it?”
“I’ve already booked an appointment for today at 4 p. m.,” she said, her voice wavering.
“I was hoping you’d come with me,” she added, her eyes pleading.
“You don’t even need to ask. I’ll be there,” I said firmly, trying to offer a semblance of comfort. Eva nodded, visibly relieved.
“I’m so scared,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “I’m not ready for this. And Ezra isn’t either. The last thing I told him was that I was seeing someone else. What if he thinks the baby isn’t his?”
“He wouldn’t dare think that. I’m a witness to the fact that you haven’t been with anyone else,” I said, trying to reassure her.
“And Ezra does like you,” I added, watching her sigh deeply.
“I just wanted to get back at him,” Eva confessed, her eyes filled with regret. “I noticed he was becoming too attached. He calls me all the time and wants to be with me whenever I’m free. So I thought if I told him I was seeing someone else, it would hurt him. I wasn’t planning to leave him-I like him a lot. You can call me stupid, but I think I am.”
I looked at her with empathy. “When it comes to these things, I think I’m even more stupid,” I said with a small, understanding smile. Eva managed to smile before sighing.
“Let’s go grab something to calm you down,” I suggested. Eva nodded, grateful for the distraction, and we both gathered our things.
~~
Doctor’s Appointment
Eva’s hands trembled as she held onto the steering wheel, her knuckles white from the pressure. I glanced over at her, trying to offer a reassuring smile, but my anxiety was building as we approached the clinic.
“Are you sure you want me to come in with you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. Eva had been so quiet since we left the ice cream shop. She nodded silently, her gaze fixed on the clinic entrance.
We walked into the clinic, the sterile smell and soft hum of the air conditioning contrasting sharply with the storm of emotions inside us. After checking in, we waited for what felt like an eternity. Finally, a nurse called Eva’s name, and we followed her into a small, private room.
“Dr. Greene will be with you shortly,” the nurse said, handing Eva a clipboard with a few forms. Eva’s hands shook as she filled them out, her face pale. I sat beside her, as she completed the paperwork.
A few minutes later, Dr. Greene entered the room-a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a calm demeanor. She introduced herself and gestured for Eva to sit on the examination table.
“Hello, Eva. I understand you’ve had a positive pregnancy test,” Dr. Greene said gently. “We’re going to confirm it with a blood test and discuss your options.”
Eva nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Dr. Greene took a blood sample and then sat down beside us.
“While we wait for the results,” Dr. Greene continued, “let’s talk about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking.”
Eva’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’m so scared and I seriously don’t know what to do about this”
Dr. Greene listened attentively. “It’s normal to feel scared and uncertain. You have options, and it’s important to take your time to consider them. Whether you choose to continue with the pregnancy or explore other options, you’re not alone. And we will try our best to do what’s best for you” she said and Eva nodded.
—
The clock ticked loudly in the small examination room as we waited for the results of Eva’s blood test. Eva sat nervously on the edge of the examination table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I could see the strain in her face, her eyes darting around the room as if willing time to move faster.
The door finally opened, and Dr. Greene walked in, holding a folder. Her demeanor was calm and reassuring, but I could sense the gravity of the moment.
“Hello, Eva,” Dr. Greene said with a gentle smile. “I have your test results here.”
Eva’s breath hitched, and I reached out to hold her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “It’s going to be okay,” I whispered.
Dr. Greene opened the folder and looked at the results. “The blood test confirms that you are indeed pregnant. The levels of hCG in your blood are consistent with early pregnancy.”
Eva’s face went pale, and she looked down, her shoulders slumping. “So… what now?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
Dr. Greene took a seat across from us, her expression serious yet compassionate. “Now that we have confirmed the pregnancy, we can discuss your options and next steps. It’s important to consider what you want and what’s best for both you and the baby.”
Eva nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“That’s completely understandable,” Dr. Greene said softly. “This is a significant life event, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. We can provide you with information on prenatal care, and if you’re considering other options, we can discuss those as well.”
I could see Eva’s mind racing as she tried to process the information. “I’m here for you,” I said softly. “Whatever you decide, we’ll figure it out together.”
Dr. Greene continued, “I recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment to discuss your options in detail. We can also connect you with a counselor if you’d like to talk through your feelings and concerns.”
Eva nodded again, her tears finally spilling over. “Thank you,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
After Dr. Greene left, I sat beside Eva, holding her hand. “Let’s take things one step at a time,” I said gently. “We don’t have to make any decisions right now. You have time to think about everything.”
Eva took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to compose herself. “I don’t even know where to start,” she said, her voice wavering.
“Let’s start by getting some fresh air,” I suggested. “We can talk more about this later, but right now, you need to take care of yourself.”
We left the clinic and walked outside, the crisp air offering a brief respite from the weight of the day. I could see the turmoil in Eva’s eyes, and I wished I could take away her fears. We sat on a nearby bench, letting the silence between us be a quiet support.
As we sat together, I knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey for Eva. The next steps were uncertain, but I was going to be there for her, no matter the obstacles.
Later That Evening
After the appointment, we decided to grab a light dinner to help take Eva’s mind off things, even if just for a little while. We found a cozy cafe nearby and ordered some comfort food.
Eva picked at her food, her mind elsewhere. I tried to keep the conversation light, but I could tell she was lost in thought. Occasionally, she would look up, her eyes reflecting the depth of her worries.
“This is a lot to handle,” she finally said, breaking the silence. “I just wish things were simpler.”
“I know,” I said softly, feeling a deep pang of empathy for her. “And I wish the same for you, but your choice matters a lot.”
Eva nodded, though the worry remained in her eyes. “Thanks, Selena. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” I assured her, squeezing her hand. “I’m here for you, even if we have to jump from a skyscraper together.” We both chuckled, lightening the mood a little.
“I don’t even know how I would tell Ezra about it,” she said, her voice tinged with anxiety.
“When you’re comfortable, you can inform him about it, okay?” I said, trying to reassure her. She nodded but still seemed apprehensive.
“I don’t know how he’ll take it. He’ll be so stunned that I’m pregnant. I mean, he sometimes wears condoms, and I’m on pills. How did it happen?” she said, frustration creeping into her voice.
“It’s like that sometimes. Maybe the condoms broke,” I suggested, feeling the helplessness of the situation.
“Yeah,” she sighed.
“I think I should tell him today. I feel so conflicted right now, and he needs to know that I have his child inside of me. We need to decide these things together,” she said, determination seeping into her tone.
“Don’t let him persuade you into doing anything you don’t want to do. Remember, it’s your child too, so you can do what’s best for the baby,” I said, trying to be as supportive as possible. She nodded, looking a bit more resolute.
It was already late, and I was receiving multiple calls from my brothers, especially Reggie. Such a pest…
As we finished our meal, I could see Eva starting to relax a little. The conversation continued, and while the topic of the pregnancy remained close to the surface, we managed to find some moments of levity.
—
Back Home
Walking into my house, we were greeted by my family having dinner. Ezra immediately stood up when he saw Eva with me.
“Hi,” I said, trying to sound casual.
“You should tell us where you are most of the time,” Reggie said, but I rolled my eyes.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” I said, kissing them on their cheeks. “I was with Eva throughout.”
“Are you okay?” I heard Ezra asking Eva, his concern palpable.
“No,” she said, looking at him, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Why?” he asked, his worry deepening.
“Ezra,” she called before sighing deeply.
“Yes?” he answered, holding her hands.
“I am pregnant,” she said, and the whole room went quiet.
TBC