Chapter2
1495 Words
THIRD PERSON'S POV
“Ughh, I wish I was the one who left the country.” Freda sighed.
Justine paused from folding her clothes and looked up. “Well, talk to your parents; I know they can afford it.”
“They definitely can, but does it not surprise you that I am staying in the dorm instead of renting my own place?”
“I have always wanted to ask about that, but I didn't want to overstep.”
“My parents are old-fashioned; they do not believe in allowing a child to enjoy certain privileges. They believe that it would keep you from studying hard and make you egotistic. My parents always say that no matter what, we must be humble at all times. That is their reason.”
“I kind of understand them, but it's still annoying nonetheless. My parents are just comfortable; they are not rich to the stage where they can send me abroad. And I have five siblings, so it's a lot on my parents too.
“Yeah, that's right. But I really wish I was Donatius Almond. His parents give him whatever he wants. He drives the best car on campus and wears expensive clothes. And now they have flown him abroad to complete his studies.” Freda said
“What!” Olivia screamed, leaping off her bed. “Who did you say has left the country?” she asked again.
“Donatius Almond," her roommate replied. Chills ran down Olivia's spine as she felt like ice-cold water was dumped on her head. “He’s the richest dude on campus, though I doubt you would know him because you hardly went anywhere. But why did you shout like that?” she asked.
Olivia couldn't say a word. How could I tell them that I am pregnant for the richest dude on campus, and he rejected the baby? And he has now left me here and gone abroad. The truth is they wouldn't even believe me. Just like Donatius said, no one will believe that he ever had s*x with me because I am a poor, insignificant nobody," Olivia thought to herself.
“Earth to Olivia,” Freda shouted, snapping her finger in Olivia's face. “Where has your mind wandered off to?”
“Oh, it's nothing. I didn't know Donatius personally, but I did know he was the richest dude on campus. I was just surprised to hear that he has left the country. That's all.” Olivia lied through my teeth.
They looked at Olivia skeptically; it was obvious they didn't believe her, but they didn't press further.
“When will you tell us why you have been skipping school and covering yourself like a mummy all day in bed?” Jutine asked.
“I am just exhausted. I am taking the week off,” Olivia replied and covered herself in bed again, giving them no avenue to rebut her reply. Anybody that knows Olivia knows she loves school and will not miss it for anything. She was certain they knew she was lying, but they just let her be and continued their discussion.
Before Olivia heard the news of Donatius leaving the country, she had two options after her parents sent me out. One was to go and beg Donatius, and two was to abort the pregnancy if the first plan didn't work.
The first plan was completely off the table, leaving her with only option number two.
But even after thinking about it for three days, Olivia couldn't bring herself to make the decision. But she knew it was her only option. She picked up her phone and typed into the search bar, ‘hospitals I can have an abortion at’. After looking through with shaky hands and eyes filled with tears, she finally picked one. She called the hospital and scheduled an appointment with the gynecologist for Saturday.
Olivia sat on one of the waiting chairs waiting for her name to be called. She was lost in her thoughts. ‘Would my parents accept me back if I abort the baby?‘ she scoffed at the thought. They would chase me away with salt and water, saying I have desecrated my body and God will never forgive me. It will be even worse than when I told them that I was pregnant. She thought to herself.
“How far along are you? Someone asked beside Olivia. The strange voice was filled with excitement. Olivia turned around and just stared at the lady. “Sorry, it must be rude to ask,” she chuckled softly. “I am just excited, that’s all. I will get to see my sunshine in two weeks' time.”
Olivia looked at her and noticed her tummy was huge. “When I first found out that I was pregnant, I almost lost my mind. Some boys had broken in when I was staying, and one of them had r***d me. I couldn't bear the thought of living after it happened, so one day after thinking about it so much, I tried to commit suicide. But that wasn't my first attempt; I was always suicidal. One of my friends found me just in time and took me to the hospital. It was at the hospital that I found out that I was pregnant. I made the decision to abort the child, but I couldn't.
After I found out that I was pregnant, it oddly consoled me; I felt like I wasn't alone in this world anymore. The thought of committing suicide has never come again; my baby cured me. She made me want to live.
I know how that sounds, but I am really glad I didn't abort my baby. She has been my source of strength ever since.” She cleaned off the tears that had dropped on her cheeks. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry I dumped all that on you. I didn't mean to; I just got lost in the moment.
Just then, a nurse called out someone's name. “That's me,” the lady beside Olivia replied, raising her hand, so the nurse could see her. “I am sorry about all that. The truth is your eyes reminded me of myself in the past. I guess that was why I felt comfortable telling you all that. There is no right or wrong decision; just do what will make you happy.” She smiled at Olivia and left.
“Olivia?” A nurse called her name. She raised her hand to signify her presence. “This way, please,” she said to Olivia. Olivia stood up and followed her.
She lay on the examination table with a female doctor beside her. “Relax; we will be starting soon,” she said in a reassuring and soothing voice.
Olivia breathed in, trying to steady her raging heart. She was scared and afraid. “Would you like to hear the baby’s heartbeat?” the doctor asked.
Olivia swallowed heavily. “I didn’t come in for an antenatal; I am here for an abortion.”
“I am aware of that. We will get into that soon. But would you like to hear the heartbeat?” he asked again.
“Olivia contemplated her options. “I need something to remind me of the evil I am about to do, something that will remind me of this precious one that I am about to abort. It will be my punishment,” she thought to herself. “Yes, you can go ahead,” she told the doctor.
The thumping of the heartbeat through the machines was loud and strong. Not what Olivia had imagined. “Is that my heartbeat or the baby’s heartbeat?” Olivia asked.
“It’s the baby’s heartbeat.” The doctor smiled at her.
Tears rolled down Olivia’s eyes. She couldn't bring herself to go on. She wailed uncontrollably, and the doctor patted her back compassionately.
“Should we go on?” the doctor asked Olivia after she was done crying.
“I don't think I can. I can't bring myself to do it.”
“Are you sure? This is a huge decision.
“Truth is, I am scared, but I am sure that I do not want to go through with the abortion. Thank you for allowing me to hear the heartbeat.”
“You are welcome. You can climb down and dress up.” Olivia climbed down and dressed up.
“Olivia?” the doctor called out to her. She stopped at the door and turned around. “Take care of yourself,” she said, smiling.
Olivia nodded and left. She wasn't sure what tomorrow had in store for her, but she knew it was going to be tough. But as the bright sun hit her face, she looked up at the beautiful blue sky, and she knew she had made the right decision, and she would be okay.
But was she?
- Writer
