Chapter One: A Rude Shock
1137 Words
“Suzy,” Jenny breathed wheezingly, "I feel ill.”
The weather had been sunny all day. Jenny, a horticulturist, lay on the couch waiting for the sun to set. She had not been able to sleep well for days. She had also not been eating well because she had a weird taste in her mouth, and she felt like vomiting when she ate.
Suzy, Jenny’s event manager friend, took a towel, soaked it in cold water, and placed it on her forehead.
“We should go now,” she said, helping Jenny up. “We can’t waste another day.”
*****”********”
As she lay on one of the hospital beds in the emergency ward at Patrick's Memorial Hospital, her body trembled beneath the hospital blanket.
“I wish we had come earlier; you should have started feeling better by now,” Suzy said, wiping the sweat from Jenny's forehead. She wondered why she was sweating despite the cold air from the ceiling fan.
Jenny paused for breath.
“I thought it would stop.”
“But you’ve been having a fever since morning.”
“I didn't want to bother you,” she replied. Her throat had suddenly gone dry.
“You’ve been alone in the florist shop attending to customers."
A doctor stepped in. She had a white coat on. She was calm and professional.
“I’m Doctor Tricia Silas,” she said gently. “How are you feeling?”
“My stomach hurts,” Jenny said as she tried to sit up but groaned instead.
The doctor nodded and pulled a stool closer. She looked intently at Jenny.
“Let’s talk a little, alright? I need to ask you some questions so we can understand what’s happening.”
Jenny looked nervous immediately. Suzy noticed and squeezed her hand.
“It’s okay.”
Glancing kindly at both of them, Doctor Tricia asked, “Would you like your friend to stay?”
Jenny nodded slowly. Suzy was her best friend and housemate. They had known each other since they were kids.
“How long have you been feeling sick?” Doctor Tricia asked, fixing her gaze on Jenny.
“About five days,” Jenny replied weakly. “But today it got worse.”
“What symptoms did you notice first?”
“I started feeling dizzy, then nauseous. I couldn’t eat properly.”
“And the abdominal pain?”
“It started this morning,” Jenny replied, pressing her palm against her lower abdomen.
Doctor Tricia nodded thoughtfully.
“Have you had any unusual bleeding?” Doctor Tricia asked with a meaningful look in her eyes.
Jenny shook her head. She was wondering why she had to answer so many questions.
The doctor paused, then asked carefully, “When last did you see your monthly period?”
Jenny froze. Suzy glanced sideways at her.
“It should have come two weeks ago,” Jenny murmured.
“Is your cycle usually regular?”
“Yes.”
“Is there any possibility you may be pregnant?” Doctor Tricia asked in a calm tone.
Jenny’s eyes widened immediately.
“No!”
The answer came too quickly.
“It’s alright. I’m only asking because some of your symptoms can point in that direction.”
Jenny’s lips trembled.
“No, I can’t be pregnant.”
“Why do you think so?”
Jenny lowered her eyes.
“Because,” she hesitated, "it only happened once.” A lump rose in her throat as she spoke.
“Listen to me carefully. Pregnancy can happen even the very first time someone becomes intimate. One encounter is enough.”
Silence settled in the room. Suzy blinked in shock.
“What?”
Jenny's cheeks burned red with embarrassment.
“I didn’t tell anyone.”
Doctor Tricia leaned back slightly, her expression still gentle.
“Thank you for being honest.”
“I understand this is not easy to hear,” Doctor Tricia continued softly. “But we shouldn’t jump to conclusions yet. We’ll run some tests first.”
Jenny looked terrified.
“Please, I can’t be pregnant.”
“We’ll confirm properly,” Doctor Tricia assured her. “Right now, what matters is your health.”
She stood and signaled toward the curtain. A nurse entered moments later carrying a tray. The nurse smiled warmly.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Jenny looked embarrassed and avoided eye contact.
“We’re going to take some blood and urine samples and run a few checks,” the nurse explained kindly. “Nothing to fear.”
Suzy stepped aside as the nurse prepared the equipment.
Patients and nurses moved about busily. After her blood and urine samples were taken, Jenny wrapped her arms around herself as she waited for the results. Her thoughts spiraled endlessly.
“What did you find?” Jenny asked the nurse as she headed to the doctor's office with a folder.
“The doctor will discuss the results with you.”
Jenny started breathing rapidly.
Suzy stood silently in the corner, worried and covering her face.
Finally, the curtain opened again. Doctor Tricia returned, holding a folder. Her face was calm but serious. She pulled the stool closer again.
Suzy instinctively moved nearer.
“Jenny, your pregnancy test came back positive.”
The words crashed into the room like thunder. Jenny blinked once, and then twice.
“No,” she whispered in disbelief. Tears ran down her cheeks.
“That can’t be true. I can't believe I could get pregnant just like that.”
Doctor Tricia spoke softly.
“You are approximately five weeks pregnant.”
“I’m finished.”
“No,” Doctor Tricia said firmly but kindly. “You are not finished.”
Doctor Tricia handed Jenny a tissue and allowed her a moment to cry before continuing.
“Right now, I need you to focus on your health.”
Jenny looked completely shattered.
“I wasn’t ready for this.”
The nurse returned with medication to make her feel better.
“Here, sweetheart,” she said gently. “This should help.”
Jenny accepted it silently.
“What do I do now?”
“You do not have to face this alone. The hospital has counselors who can help guide you emotionally and mentally through this,” Doctor Tricia said.
Jenny gave a weak nod.
“I’ll let you go now. I’d like you to return later to discuss the next steps.”
Before leaving, she paused near the curtain.
“Jenny?"
She looked up weakly.
“This situation may have shocked you, but your life is not over.”
The curtain closed softly behind her.
*****************
After resting for a while, Suzy and Jenny left the hospital, Suzy’s hand on Jenny’s shoulder.
Looking straight into Suzy’s eyes, Jenny said, "I'm sorry, Suzy."
"I owe you an explanation.”
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