Flames From The Past

Chapter2

LENA’S POV.

I felt a cold sensation down my spine. I froze in time. I was numb. I didn't know how to react to the news I just heard. I stared at the doctor blankly, and all she was saying was white noise because I couldn't hear anything anymore. The only things I could hear loudly were the voices in my head and the thoughts in my heart.

“Lena, can you hear me?

“Doctor, I think you have the wrong result; this cannot be mine; I think there is a mixup somewhere.

“This is your test result, Lena. There is no mix-up anywhere.

“Can you run the test one more time, please? I need to be sure that this is accurate.

“Sure, Jane. We can do that.

When the doctor left, I could see the shock on Jane’s face. We were both quiet for a few seconds as we tried to process the news of my pregnancy.

“I cannot believe this; this is not good.

“I don't even know how to process this news, Jane. This is too much for me to handle.

“I think there is a mix-up; this cannot be happening.

Jane was more surprised than I was; I wasn't reacting the way she expected me to, and I was calm as I waited for confirmation from the doctor.

The doctor came after a few minutes. She wasn't smiling this time; she had a serious look on her face.

“This is the 4th time I have conducted this test, and the result is the same: you are pregnant, Lena.

“Doctor, Lena cannot be pregnant; she cannot be carrying the child of her abusive ex-husband; it is not possible.

“But I am afraid; this is the result, and there is no way I can change it.

“Lena, you ain't saying anything? What are you going to do about this?

“Allow me to think, Jane. My mind is occupied; you said you needed to be somewhere by now.

“Yes, I’ll leave soon; I just want to make sure you are doing okay first.

I am okay, Jane. You can go; I’ll be fine.

"Are you going to keep the baby?

“I do not know, Jane. I am confused.

“I do not want anything that would attach you to Ben; he is a monster, and I do not want him to come after you. I am only looking out for you.

“Thank you, Jane, for always being my backbone and supporter.

“Just rest your head; I will be with you tomorrow morning. I will make breakfast for you.

Jane left, and I was happy that I had someone who still loved me. Jane was always looking out for me ever since we became friends, but it was unfortunate that Ben didn't allow us to see each other as often as we were supposed to; he was always restricting my movement. I dozed off for hours because of the injections they gave me, and when I opened my eyes, it was a new day. I looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was 9 a.m. I was wondering why Jane was not at the hospital yet; she was supposed to be here about an hour ago. I tried calling her, but her line was switched off.

“This is uncanny; did something bad happen to her?

I had so many thoughts running through my head; I was so scared, and I realized that she didn't call me after she left the hospital. I was in the hospital for two days, and there was no word from Jane; she didn't reach out to me, and her number was still switched off. After I was discharged, I went to her house, but the security personnel told me that she moved out of her apartment two days ago. I was shocked to my bones.

“Do you have any idea where she moved to?

"No, ma'am, she didn't say a word to anyone; she just moved her things and never came back.

I was frustrated at this point; I left Jane’s estate with a long face. I was so mad that Jane would move out without telling me, but on the other hand, I was happy that she was alive at least. I lodged in a hotel; I could not afford an apartment for the majority of the time because the prices were on the high side. I was in a cheap hotel until I could get my life back together.

I was applying for jobs, but no one wanted to employ a pregnant woman, even though I was still in my first semester. I got frustrated at this point and gave up the search. After walking miles for the interview, I was rejected. I came back to my room, angry. I cried on the floor, and in that state of despondency and quagmire, I thought to myself.

“I think I should go back to Ben; he might be soft on me when he finds out that I am carrying his child; he might take me back and change for good; we could start our lives again.

I stood up from the floor, took my purse, and left the room. I walked for miles. I couldn't afford to take a cab because the only extra money I had was for my dinner, and if I took a cab, I would have to forfeit dinner, and I wasn't ready to do that because I was hungry. I didn't notice that I was looking ugly and unkempt because I couldn't afford maintenance. I got to Ben’s apartment, and memories clouded me. I remembered all the terrible things Ben did to me. I wanted to turn back, but I had to do this for the sake of my unborn child.

I got to the gate, and I heard a loud noise coming out of the house. So many cars were parked outside, and I wondered what was going on. I opened the door, and when I walked in, I saw that Ben was celebrating his engagement, and he was engaged to none other than my best friend Jane.