Chapter SEVEN
1055 Words
THALIRA
The nausea came again before I could even reach the sink.
My body trembled violently as I gripped the edge of the toilet bowl, my body shaking and breath uneven as everything inside my stomach poured back into the toilet.
What was wrong with me?
I was still ruminating about what the issue could be when a sharp knock landed on the door, and my heart skipped.
Oh Moon Goddess, they're here. What do I say?
"Thalira?" Mother's voice called from the other side. "Are you alright?"
I quickly pushed myself up from the floor, flushed the toilet without daring to look at it, and rinsed my mouth, forcing myself to sound as normal as possible.
"I'm fine," I replied calmly.
"You've been in there for a minute."
I bit my trembling lower lip and managed to roll my eyes. Acting like a caring mother just because her subordinates were around.
"I think....." I swallowed, staring at my pale reflection in the mirror. "Something I ate yesterday must not be for my stomach."
There was a brief silence on the other end, which made me wonder if she was still there.
"Come out."
I splashed cold water across my face and stared at my reflection in the mirror before turning towards the door and turning the handle.
Everyone was standing in front of the door when I walked out. Father's eyes immediately settled on me, his brows arched.
He didn't say anything at first; he watched me, then sighed. "You don't look too well," he finally said.
I forced a smile and nodded my head.
What's with their watchful gazes? Now I want them to go back to not giving a heck about me.
"It's probably food poisoning," I mumbled.
Lora tilted her head, a ghost smile on her lips. "Maybe you should visit the Pack medical center."
"I'm alright," I replied calmly.
She shook her head and pointed towards the door. "But you were just in there." She said as she took a step forward and placed her hand on my back. "You should get checked."
"Thank you, but I'm fine," I said, glancing at everyone. "I'm sorry for ruining your breakfast."
"You were just throwing up." Lora pressed, her fingers digging into the back of my hand.
"I said I'm fine."
Father looked at me for another moment before turning towards the hallway.
"Take the day off and rest."
I slipped past them and practically walked-ran toward the stairs. I wanted to get out of their air as fast as I could. Especially Lora..... the way she watched me..... it was revolting.
I closed the door and pressed my back into it, and a huffed breath escaped my lips.
"Fuck." I muttered under my breath.
****
By afternoon, while I had buried myself with schoolwork for the next semester the whole day, the nausea had returned twice.
I knew I had to get checked.
When the packhouse was quiet, I slipped out of the back gate and hailed a taxi passing by.
"Pack medical center," I said as I slammed the car door behind me.
Every bump on the road made my stomach churn, and I tried desperately not to think about it.
I was probably mentally exhausted. Or it could be the many sleepless nights?
That had to be it. It couldn't be anything serious. It can't be.
The taxi pulled over outside the Pack Medical Center. The huge building towered over the little vehicle as pack members walked in and out of the automatic doors.
I paid the taxi driver and stepped out.
My left hand shook as I walked through the double automatic doors. My stomach was a nervous wreck.
"Be positive, Thalira," I mumbled to myself as I walked towards the receptionist's desk. It's nothing. I tried to assure myself; even if it was a lie, I tried to remain positive as my eyes became clouded with tears.
"Good afternoon," The receptionist smiled warmly. "Name?"
"Thalira Whitmore," I replied and sniffled, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. Her fingers moved over the keyboard, then she glanced up. "Ms Whitmore, what seems to be the problem today?"
"I've been nauseous for a few weeks now," I said slowly, glancing around.
"And vomiting?" She asked, and I nodded my head.
She typed a few more things and smiled as she handed me a small card. "Please have your seat; the doctor will call you shortly."
I mumbled a thanks and walked quietly to the waiting area.
My legs bounced on the floor as I sat. As children laughed from the corridor and the noise from the television mounted, everything seemed normal..... everything but me.
"Ms Whitmore?"
I looked up from my seat. A young nurse smiled at me from the doorway.
"The doctor will see you now."
I followed her into the consultation room where one of the Pack doctors, a woman who looked to be in her early forties, sat behind a desk.
She greeted me with a reassuring smile and pointed to a seat. "So, tell me everything that you've been experiencing."
I explained how I was feeling. It started with nausea, then vomiting, and dizziness while she listened attentively, typing into her tablet.
"When was your last menstrual cycle?"
I froze. My hands were shaking on my lap, and my mouth was dry.
"I..... I'm not sure."
She nodded and typed again on her tablet.
"We'll run a few routine checks, including blood work." She said and smiled politely. "There's no need to worry yet, as these symptoms could mean several different things."
I nodded, but that didn't ease the knot in my stomach as it only tightened.
The nurse took my blood sample before escorting me back to the waiting area.
About twenty minutes later, the nurse returned.
"The test has been sent to the lab." She announced. "The result should be out by tomorrow, and if anything requires immediate attention, we'll contact you."
"Thank you," I murmured as I stood up and walked out of the center.
The result wasn't out yet, but I could feel dread washing over me; the memories of that night hitched to my brain.
I pinched my cheeks harshly and shook my head.
"Shut up, brain," I whispered harshly. "It must be stress. It has to be."
- Writer
