“Crossroad”
568 Words
Are you really sure you want to terminate this pregnancy, Miss Faridah?” Ibrahim asked professionally.
Faridah lowered her eyes.
“Yes, doctor.”
“If I may ask… what is the reason for the abortion?” Ibrahim asked, still looking at her, while she kept her head down and held her hands tightly.
“Can we just skip the question part and move to the signing?” Faridah said.
“No, I need to know the reason for termination. This is how it works, Faridah. Not that I’m intruding your privacy—you know it’s illegal to terminate a pregnancy without a solid reason,” Ibrahim replied calmly.
Faridah slowly lifted her head.
“It was a one-night stand… I don’t know who the father is… and you know how my mum is. Everybody knows… so that’s the reason,” she explained.
Ibrahim remained calm.
“That alone does not stand as a valid reason for termination. Not knowing the father is not enough. We can rather plan and manage the situation,” he said.
Then, more directly, he added,
“I can even take responsibility and marry you if that’s the issue.”
Faridah suddenly burst into laughter.
“You think I would marry you because I’m pregnant? Or use you to hide shame? Hell no. I still stand on my words. If you are not willing to help me with it, there are many hospitals I can go to,” she said firmly.
Ibrahim maintained a calm tone.
“Okay… okay. Let’s schedule it.”
He handed her the consent papers.
Faridah read through the document carefully and signed it.
After that, she stood up and left. Another patient was called in immediately after her.
⸻
The Scheduled Day
On the day of the procedure, Faridah got dressed and moved downstairs, where she saw her mother.
“Hi mummy, good morning,” she greeted.
“Good morning, Faridah. How are you? Where are you dressing to this early in the morning?” Mrs. Abdul asked.
“I just want to get something… I’ll be right back soon,” Faridah replied.
“Yes, be fast. You never asked me how the party I went to with my sister went. I need to gist you,” Mrs. Abdul said.
Faridah laughed slightly.
“Mum, I know how your party went. It’s always the same high-class things you always talk about.”
Mrs. Abdul looked at her daughter and smiled.
“Yes, it’s always the high talks… but now I understand you, Faridah.”
Faridah looked at her mother in disbelief.
“Understand what, mum?”
Mrs. Abdul paused briefly.
“The reason you didn’t want to marry Ibrahim… he’s not up to your standard,” she said, then continued, “There’s this senator’s son I met at the party. He’s very handsome and will be up to your taste, trust me.”
Before she could finish, Faridah interrupted.
“Mom, not again. I’m late. I need to go now.”
She quickly stepped out.
⸻
Faridah entered her car, drove to the hospital, and met Ibrahim to proceed with the operation.
Everything went well.
After the procedure, Ibrahim prescribed her some medication and advised her on recovery. He also assured her that he would check on her during follow-ups.
Faridah nodded quietly, her emotions hidden beneath her calm exterior as she processed everything that had just happened.
- Writer
