CHAPER 5
1196 Words
Kimberly stared at her friend for a long time while they munched on cookies and drank milk.
"You smile a lot lately." She remarked. "What's the secret?"
"I'm just happy."
"There's more to this happiness. It's unusual. Is there something you're not telling me?"
"I think about him all the time."
"Who?"
Ruth said nothing but chewed her cookies with relish. She poured more milk into her glass.
Kimberly held her friend's hands and eagerly waited for her to say something.
"A new guy? You met someone new and you didn't tell me."
"Of course, I did tell you. Mr. stranger from the other night."
Kimberly released her grip. "Your one-night stand? No way. Ruth, I think the alcohol you drank that night damaged some of your brain cells. How much alcohol did you take?"
"What are you talking about?" Ruth asked, looking confused.
"You have been acting strange after that night. Should I be worried?"
"Kim, no. I'm fine." Ruth assured her, smiling faintly.
"Are you sure you are?"
"Of course. Don't you believe me?" Ruth blinked her eyes severally to placate her friend.
"You know you can no longer deceive me with that."
Ruth stopped blinking. "I just don't want you to worry about me."
"Then stop talking about him. Our conversations always revolve around him and I'm not comfortable with it since he's a stranger."
"You just asked me what makes me happy."
"And it's him?"
"I don't know but I can't stop thinking about him after that night. I wish to see him again."
"You're unbelievable. Have you gone nuts?"
"I don't think so."
"Wait a minute. Have you gone to the hospital for a proper medical check-up after that night?"
"There's no need for that."
"Does that mean that you haven't seen a doctor yet?"
"I haven't." Ruth concurred.
"That man might be infected and you know how one gets those infections. Did he use any protection when you had s*x?"
"I don't know. We were drunk."
"And you're not scared?"
"He looked clean to me."
"You saw that on his forehead?"
Ruth was confused. "Saw what on his forehead?"
"That he's free from sexually transmitted infections?"
Ruth laughed lightly. "Kim, you never cease to amuse me."
"Then be amused. If that's what you want."
"I didn't mean it like that. That night was my best night ever."
"And you threw caution to the wind?"
"I'm on birth control pills."
"That doesn't protect you from being infected."
"Oh? Okay."
"Okay? What's wrong with you? You should have gone to the hospital the next day!" Kimberly screamed, upset.
"Kim, I have told you severally that I am fine. Look at me. It's been weeks now and I don't have any symptoms of any infections. I'm glowing. You confirmed it yourself."
"When did I?" Kimberly turned her face away to hide a smile.
"I know you're smiling." Ruth nudged her gently and she smiled broadly.
"I got you on this one."
"Sure you do."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something," Ruth said, turning her face away.
Kim looked at her friend with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Kim," Ruth called sweetly. "You always sound like a mother hen protecting her chicks. I'm always okay. How many times do you want to hear that from me?"
"There's something you wanted to tell me." Kimberly reminded her.
"I only have one symptom."
Worry flew to Kim's eyes as she held her friend's hands tenderly. "Do you feel sick? Or is it pain?"
"The symptom of love. I'm in love with Mr. Stranger."
Kimberly dropped her friend's hands quickly as if she touched a hot iron.
"I thought we were done with this conversation?"
"I can't let him out of my mind."
"Again? When did you turn out this way?" Her voice rose.
"Bring your voice down, Kim. I did nothing wrong. I had the most beautiful one night of passion with a stranger and I couldn't stop thinking about him. Is that why you're shouting?"
Kim let out an exasperated sigh. "I wondered what happened between you two that fateful night."
"Do you want me to talk about it?"
"Not at all. I already had an earful."
"Do you suggest I go see a psychologist? My heart skips a beat at the mere thought of him."
"Ruth, please let's go and see the doctor for a proper medical check-up."
"Not a psychologist?"
"Go and get ready right now," Kimberly said firmly.
"Kim the pest. I think the name fits."
"Whatever. I give you twenty minutes."
***
Ruth checked and glanced at her wristwatch for the umpteenth time as she sat with her friend in the waiting room.
"What is it? Are you going somewhere? Your wristwatch must have been tired of you looking at it every second." Kimberly remarked.
"I'm tired of waiting. I want to go home. The doctor said that the results don't take much time. It's over an hour now."
"Are you scared?"
"Scared of what?"
"You might be infected. Don't you think about that?"
"I told you that I am not. Relax."
"How are you so sure?"
"That man is impeccable. Physique, manners and etiquette, everything. How can I be infected by such a rare gem?"
Kimberly scoffed.
A nurse entered the waiting room.
"Ruth Miller and Kimberly Walker?" She called and the ladies turned to her.
"Please come with me to the doctor's office."
They followed her and entered the office.
"Doctor, they are here." The nurse announced.
"Thank you, nurse. You may leave now."
The nurse left.
He turned to the ladies. "You're welcome. Please sit down."
"Thank you, doctor." They chorused and sat down.
"I am Doctor Kelvin Grey. You're welcome," He paused and shuffled through the results. "From the test results, everything is okay. No infections, nothing to worry about."
Ruth smiled at her friend mischievously. "I told you so," she muttered.
"There's something else," the doctor cut in. They looked at him expectantly.
"Mrs. Ruth, congratulations. You are six weeks pregnant."
The silence was uncomfortable as they stared at him like he spoke a language foreign to them. After what seemed like forever, Kimberly spoke.
"I don't think I understand. She is…what?" She stared at her friend like she grew a second nose. Ruth was mute. A million thoughts ran through her chaotic mind.
"Pregnant. Congratulations. Where is her husband? If she wants, she can register for antenatal with us and…"
"Doctor, please wait," Kimberly broke in. "Did you check very well about the pregnancy?"
"The result is authentic. Is there any problem?"
"Doctor, let's talk about abortion procedures," Kimberly said.
"Why? Let her speak. If there's any problem, feel free to talk to me." He turned to Ruth. "Are you okay?"
"She isn't. She is confused right now and keeping this child is the last thing she would do. I am her best friend and I have known her for years. The circumstance surrounding the pregnancy is not pleasant."
"I would love to hear from her."
"Doctor, we are settling for abortion. Are you doing it or not?"
"I am keeping the pregnancy," Ruth concluded with a note of defiance, surprised by her own words.
- Writer
