CHAPTER THREE
1425 Words
Emma POV
I sat down alone in the doctor's office, it took more time than I expected. I was getting impatient, I had some packages to deliver to some special customers of our mall. The door opened and the doctor walked in.
"Miss Emma Stone," the doctor called as he walked up to his seat and sat down. "Congratulations, you are three months pregnant."
I was confused, it sounded unbelievable. "Pregnant?"
I wasn't expecting to get pregnant anytime soon. I took the medical report and walked out of the office.
I went back home and it was as though I was dreaming. I took my mind back, trying to recall them the last time I had done it with a guy. It took me a while, but I remembered at last. I remembered I had s*x with a guy in the club, but I can't remember his name or what he looked like. A lot of things had taken over my mind, and because we hadn't contacted each other since then there was nothing left in mind about it.
I was restless and confused. I had paced around my room countless times. Since there was no clue in my head about this guy, I had to figure out a way to handle this myself. I thought about going for an abortion, but then I changed my mind. I don't want to do anything that could endanger my womb, and I don't know of any medical personnel that specialize in it.
I sighed, and stood still facing the wall. I spent close to an hour thinking of a way to do away with the pregnancy, and then a different thought came in. I always wanted to be independent, strong and self-reliant; the thought gave the opportunity to actualize that.
I sat down slowly and asked myself, What if I keep the pregnancy and handle it alone?
I knew it would be too much for my present job, I had to go for antenatals and also pay for some medical attention for her pregnancy. That night I picked up my laptop and applied to an online cleaning agency in Queens. I was accepted to work for a duration of three months. The next day I applied for a loan from a microfinance bank with an agreement to payback in seven months. I didn't want people to know I was pregnant so I quit my job and traveled out of town to Queens.
I cleaned for a hundred and fifty dollars per day in every house, some paid me more because of how friendly I was with their kids. One of the clients pleaded I should babysit her kids for three hours. I didn't want to accept but she promised to pay for my medical visits when she discovered I was pregnant. I was so excited, I accepted and babysit her kids till I was seven months due.
My debts from the microfinance were adding up, I had to use most of my salary to clear up the debts. I worked extra hours, going against the doctor's instructions for me to rest. It got to the point I fainted with my large belly while I was cleaning the living room of a client. The kids screamed and the father rushed out to me. I woke up and saw myself in the hospital bed.
"Where am I?" I asked drowsily. A nurse was beside me, she was checking my drip and my pulse.
"Let me go get the doctor. Stay still," she said and walked away.
My head hurt, my blurry eyes began to clear slowly. The sun from the window glass was burning into my eyes. The door opened and the doctor walked in.
"What am I doing here?"
He walked up to me, "Please stay still." He dipped his hand into the pocket of his medical coat and brought out a thin cylindrical touch. He used his left fingers to open my eyelids wide and pointed the point to my eyes. After he had done so to my other eyes he turned off the touch and cleared his throat.
"Miss Emma Stone. You were brought here yesterday, because you fainted. After you were diagnosed, we discovered the fainting was due to stress while you are close to your trimester." I touched my womb and looked down to my belly.
"Don't worry, Miss Stone. Your baby is safe, and soon you will be in labor. You have to rest.."
"No, Doctor. If I don't work, how will I get the money to pay for my medical care and also for my unborn baby when he's born."
"Your hus–"
"I'm single. I am doing all this on my own. Or is there a way I can get medical care, diapers and baby food for free? Absolutely not. So now that I know my child and I are safe, when am I going to discharge? I think it should be now because i'm doing fine."
"Well, I won't be doing that. Come in," the doctor said. I was confused and then one of my clients walked in, she was the same person who paid for most of my medical checkup. I was meant to babysit her kids and clean up today.
"I was expecting you at home today but I got the news that you were admitted to the hospital. I was worried, so I came here and the doctor told me everything," she said.
"I'm so sorry..."
"But bother about that. Emma, in few days you will be giving birth, I am the one who should be thanking you. Have some rest, I will pay your money in full, just take some days off. Please..."
I began to get teary, I didn't know what to say to her. Someone who barely knew me for a few months had been more kind to me than my aunt who I had known since I was a child.
"Thank you," I said as tears rolled down from my eyes slowly.
"It's okay, Emma. Take care of yourself, and I wish you a safe delivery," she smiled and walked away, the doctor gave a bow and left.
I looked out the window, the sun was covered in the cloud, it wasn't as fierce as it was when I woke. I looked down at my swollen belly and rubbed it softly with a smile on my face.
"What a wonderful one, baby. You seem to bring more luck to me, I promise to give you the best I can get in life. This world now is you and I. Stay safe baby boy, mommy will do her best to give a better life."
Still smiling warmly I rested my head on the pillow and bent to the side. My hand was still on my belly and then I slept off.
While I was asleep I felt a moist surge in-between my legs. It increased, like water seeping out of me. I felt a strong pain on my spine, I woke up, groaning and moaning. I turned aside slowly and raised my back a bit. My elbows rested on the ground and I groaned loudly, the pain was excruciating.
"Help!" I shouted weakly. "Help! Please, help!!!"
I cried and tried to move but I couldn't twist my body. I was so heavily loaded inside me, the pain was increasing at every second. I screamed and the door was barged open. Two nurses and a doctor rushed in and the doctor's eyes glanced at me.
"Her water broke. Move her to the theater immediately!"
I groaned as I struggled to push my baby from me. It was the greatest pain I had ever experienced. I spent more than an hour in the theater, and after a long time I felt free but the pain was still burning. My eyes were blurry and I was totally weak and exhausted. I heard a baby cry, and my weak eyes searched for it. I saw the pale-red looking kid stained in blood on the nurse's arm. She stretched the child to me with a smile on her face.
"Congratulations Emma, here is your baby boy."
I moved my arm together towards my chest and the child was gently laid on my arm. He cried on for some minutes before going silent. I smiled with tears in my eyes, it is time to live up my goals but not here in Queens.
I thought of going back home and finding a life for me and my newborn child.
- Writer
