Chapter 3
"Lina, what happened to you? You've never slept like this before. Is there something I'm missing?" Lina didn't answer.
"I'm scared. I came here a few hours ago, but I didn't want to disturb you, so I left without tapping you. How are you feeling now? I hope there's nothing wrong."
"No, ma, there's nothing wrong. I'm just really tired," Lina responded with an apologetic expression.
"I thought it was already time for you to go to work, so you don't need to go today. I'll call your boss and tell them you're indisposed. Make sure you rest well, okay? I love you, darling." "Thank you very much, ma. I will," Lina said.
She sat on the edge of her bed, her face pale and her body trembling. Waves of nausea washed over her, making her stomach churn with unease. It had been weeks since that fateful night, the night that brought forth unexpected consequences.
She placed a hand on her stomach, her mind spinning with a blend of emotions and doubt. The room felt stifling as she attempted to contain the rising dread inside her. The signs had become unmistakable, a clear indication of the life developing inside her.
Her mornings had been filled with episodes of morning sickness, leaving her feeble and depleted. The smell of food now caused a repulsive response, and the taste of even her most loved suppers had lost their allure.
In a rush, she made her way to the restroom, scarcely making it in time before a wave of queasiness surged through her. Bowed over the latrine, she held the sides, her body shaking with each heaving movement.
Tears streamed down her face as she felt a blend of physical distress and passionate turmoil. She couldn't resist the urge to ponder how she had wound up in this circumstance. The experience with Ramon had been a haze, energized by a blend of liquor and obscured judgment.
The outcomes of their activities presently weighed intensely on her shoulders, and the truth of her pregnancy felt overpowering. As she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, a feeling of weakness washed over her. She felt lost, uncertain of what the future held for her and the life developing inside her.
The heaviness of duty settled intensely on her chest as she understood the effect this would have on her own life and the lives of those around her.
After weeks of trying to keep her sickness hidden from her siblings, Isabella stepped outside the house one day and noticed her younger sister, Lina, standing a few feet away. She was hunched over and trembling, and Isabella's curiosity was piqued.
"Lina?" She called out, her voice filled with worry.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Lina's head shot up, her face pale and streaked with tears. She was obviously trying to hide something, and Isabella's gaze fell upon the telltale signs—the flushed cheeks, the tear-stained face, and the traces of sickness on the ground.
"What's going on?
Why were you vomiting?" She asked, her voice laced with both confusion and concern. But as she studied Lina more closely, a realization began to dawn on her. The pieces of the puzzle started to come together, and her eyes widened in shock.
"You're... you're pregnant, aren't you?"
Isabella's voice trembled as the truth sank in. A mix of emotions surged through her—anger, disappointment, and a profound sadness. Lina's heart sank as she saw the disbelief and disapproval in Isabella's eyes.
She had hoped to keep her secret hidden a little longer, to find the right time to reveal her pregnancy. But now, the truth lay bare before her sister. Isabella's anger flared, and she couldn't contain her emotions any longer.
"How could you let this happen, Lina?
"Have you no sense of responsibility?
"What were you thinking?"
Her words were filled with a mixture of accusation and pain. Lina lowered her gaze, tears streaming down her face. She knew her actions had consequences, but she hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Isabella.
The weight of her sister's disappointment bore heavily upon her shoulders.
"I... I made a mistake, Isabella."
Lina managed to choke herself out, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never intended for things to turn out this way. I didn't plan for any of this."
Isabella's anger started to waver as she looked at Lina's tear-stained face. The realization of her sister's vulnerability and the immense challenges she now faced softened her heart.
Her anger gave way to empathy, and tears welled up in her eyes. She reached out and pulled Lina into a tight embrace, her voice breaking with emotion.
We will see the doctor tomorrow to confirm this. I still can't believe this. She left with anger on her face.
The next day, She paced back and forth in the living room, her frustration evident in every step. Lina sat on the couch, her hands tightly clasped together, her face pale with worry.
She had insisted on taking her to the hospital to confirm her suspicions, and Lina couldn't shake off the fear that gnawed at her. "Come on, Lina," Isabella snapped, her impatience palpable.
"We've wasted enough time already. We're going to the hospital, and you're getting that test done." Lina swallowed hard, her throat dry with anxiety. She had hoped to avoid this moment and keep her secret hidden for a little longer.
But there was no escaping it now. She reluctantly followed Isabella out of the house, her mind racing with a mix of fear and uncertainty. The car ride to the hospital was tense, with Isabella fuming silently and Lina lost in her own thoughts.
They arrived at the hospital, and Isabella led the way, her determined strides matching her anger. Inside the doctor's office, Lina sat on the examination table, her hands trembling in her lap.
Isabella stood by her side, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the doctor with an intensity that could have melted steel. The doctor entered the room, her warm smile fading slightly as she took in the tense atmosphere.
"Good afternoon, ladies. How can I help you today?" She asked, her voice gentle but cautious. She wasted no time, her voice was sharp and demanding. "Doctor, we're here to confirm a suspicion. My sister believes she might be pregnant, and we need a test to confirm it."
The doctor nodded, her professional demeanor unwavering. She turned her attention to Lina and spoke softly, trying to ease her nerves. "Madam, I understand this might be a difficult time for you. We'll do a pregnancy test to determine if you're indeed pregnant.
Just relax, and we'll get through this together." As the minutes ticked by, Lina felt a knot tighten in her stomach. The silence in the room was deafening, and she held her breath, awaiting the doctor's verdict.
Finally, the doctor's face softened, and she turned to Isabella.