Just One Night …and forever

Two

Hannah stumbled into her apartment that morning, feeling disheveled, and still trying to wrap her head around her situation right now.

Did he use a condom?

She dropped her keys and her purse on the counter and was about to enter the living room when Jade came through the door, startling her.

“Thank God, Hannah. Where have you been? I've been calling your phone but you're not picking up. I never should have left you. One moment, I saw you with that guy in the club last night, the next moment –”

Seeing her friend’s face. “What happened to you? Were you hurt? Did he hurt you?

“No… Maybe. I don't know. I think I had s*x with him last night. No, I had s*x last night, Jade, with a stranger.” she crumpled to the floor and brought her legs to her chest, the first wave of tears coming.

“oh dear, don't cry, okay?” Jade knelt and held her in a hug. “I am so sorry. I shouldn't have left you. Was it bad?”

“It is bad.” she sniffed. “I can't even remember all the details. I can't even remember going to that room.”

“It was supposed to be special… I wanted my first time to be special, to be with someone that I loved and I've vowed to. I don't know this person.”

“I’m so ashamed, right now.”

“Hey hey…don’t be, love.” Jade soothed. It’s a one night thing and there’s a slim chance you are going to see him again.”

“Oh God…” she whispered as the realization hit. “I didn't see his face. I can't remember his face.”

“Calm down, Hannah.”

“I… I was panicked when I woke up in that room, so panicked that I ran before he woke up”

“Did he see your face?”

“What?” She looked at Jade. “No… Yes… I'm not sure. The lights were dim in the room as it was in the club. I don't know”

“Alright, it's okay. It's done, it's done. You don't know him, he doesn't know you. There's a very slim chance of you guys meeting. You're going to have great s*x, trust me on that, with someone I hope you'll love and will love you right back” she soothed.

“Get up, let's get you freshened up.”

We’re going to do the necessary things, and then we’re going to forget about this. There's nothing to worry about, okay?” She helped Hannah up.

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

Hannah stood in her bathroom, staring in shock at the pregnancy test. Two pink lines stared back at her, taunting her.

She felt blood rushing to her head, making her dizzy as she held onto the wash basin.

She was pregnant?!

How can that be? She took the morning-after pills that day. She wasn't supposed to be pregnant.

She slid to the ground, lips trembling. She wrapped her arms around herself.

What was she going to do? God! She was in so much trouble.

Her world was crumbling around her, she couldn't breathe. The memories of that night came flooding back. The music, the drinks, the room, the faceless stranger… a night she thought was past behind her.

Now, she was carrying a piece of him inside her, a piece of someone she didn't know.

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

The whine of the coffee machine pierced the air, jolting Hannah back into consciousness. God! She needed a new coffee machine, she groaned, rubbing her eyes. She wondered how long it would take to save up to get a new one. That machine was on its last legs, and she couldn't wait to replace it. But for now, she settled for the bitter-sweet aroma that filled the small kitchen, hoping it would revive her.

As she poured the coffee into a chipped mug, the rich flavor began to dispel the fog from her mind. She sank into the creaky chair at the worn table, feeling the cool morning air seep through the window.

She drank her coffee. Yup, That was better. She was wide awake. The clock on the wall read 6:14 am, and she savored the fleeting moments of solitude before waking Emily.

She sighed and leaned towards the table, wrapping the mug with her hands, and enjoying the warmth of it.

She couldn't wait for spring to be over, the weather hadn't been favorable to Emily, and to her. Since summer was coming, she needed to get some new summer clothes for Emily. Some of her clothes, if not all, don't fit anymore. Her baby girl was growing too fast.

Hannah’s gaze drifted to the stack of envelopes on the table, their crisp edges and stern faces a reminder of the bills she neglected the night before. She hesitated, her mind already racing with calculations and deadlines.

With a sigh, she tore open the first envelope, the paper slicing through the silence. The words blurred together as she scanned the page, her heart sinking with each line. Rent, Utilities, credit card debt – the endless cycle of payment that seemed to want to consume her life.

The second envelope contained a notice from the building management, its tone stern and unyielding. The words leaped off the page, their urgency impossible to ignore: two weeks and five days to pay the rent, or face eviction. The added jab about getting an email account like a “civilized adult” didn't go unnoticed, she rolled her eyes. She had more pressing concerns as it is.

As she set the letters aside, her eyes wandered to the cluttered apartment with its faded cream-colored walls, worn carpets, and furniture. The apartment was really small, with its one single bedroom, a sitting room with a very small kitchen at the side, and an equally small dingy bathroom. It was small but it was for her and her baby. She was going to make sure she kept it until she had enough money to get them a bigger apartment.

Hannah stood up, and the old floorboard creaked beneath her feet. She walked into the bedroom where her little girl lay sprawled out like a tiny starfish, her soft red curls spread across the pillow. Emily’s small hand clutched Panda Ted, her trusty companion, with a fierce determination, as if daring the world to separate them.

Hannah’s heart swelled with love as she looked at her little warrior. Her body still ached from the kick she got last night from that cute little leg. Emily’s karate kicking and heavy sleep were definitely not from her.

“Time to wake up sweetie,” Hannah whispered, her voice gentle. She knelt beside the bed and gently shook Emily’s shoulder. “Maama” Emily murmured in a sleepy voice.

“Yes, my love. Good morning” Hannah replied, her voice soothing.

“Gumorming maama, uug” Emily stretched out her tiny arms and wrapped them around Hannah’s neck, holding tight.

“Okay, a big hug from the princess and a tickle from Mama” Emily giggled, her laughter filling the room.

As they hugged, Emily thought about the day ahead. “Mama has to go to work, and Emily has to go to Aunt Jade’s.” Emily’s sleepy face lit up with excitement. “Yayy! Mama, Aunt Dade, Aunt Dade!” she clapped her small hands, her enthusiasm infectious.

Hannah laughed, her eyes shining with love.

“Alright, up kiddo.” She picked up Emily and began their morning routine, getting her ready for the day.

At 7:15 am sharp, they were ready to face the day. Hannah double-checked Emily’s bag to ensure everything was in its place, before tucking her hair into a neat bun. With Emily perched on her hip, and the bag slung over her shoulder, they left their cozy apartment.