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1053 Words
(Yasmine’s POV)
"Finally, some peace." I exhaled, carefully balancing a tray in one hand as I delivered the last order.
The late afternoon rush was finally slowing, but my body still ached from hours of standing. I forced myself to keep moving, ignoring the slight dizziness that had been coming and going all day.
Today was special.
My birthday.
I should be feeling happier, more energized, but I was so damn tired. It was strange—no matter how much I slept, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. The smells from the café, which I normally loved, were starting to make my stomach churn. I inhaled sharply, willing away the wave of nausea before forcing a smile as I approached a waiting customer.
Just a few more hours.
And then, I’d finally tell leo.
The thought gave me the strength to push through the discomfort. He was going to be a father.
My fingers brushed against my stomach for the briefest second, as if the tiny secret growing inside me could give me reassurance.
I had spent weeks replaying every possible reaction he could have. Would he be shocked? Happy? Maybe even propose?
The last thought made my heart race. leo wasn’t the type to express his emotions easily, but I knew he loved me. And even if he had been distant lately, I told myself it was just stress from work, not from us.
It had to be.
"Yasmine, table four's waiting," James' voice cut through my thoughts.
I blinked, quickly grabbing the coffee cups. The sudden movement made my vision blur, my head spinning just enough to make me pause.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, swallowing against the nausea before forcing myself forward. I had been feeling this way for weeks now—dizzy spells, nausea, exhaustion. I had blamed it on stress, the long shifts at the café, the pressure of school.
But deep down, I knew better.
Still, I couldn’t afford to slow down. I needed this job. I needed to finish school.
I needed to tell leo.
"Yasmine?" James voice held a trace of concern now.
I shook off the lingering discomfort and plastered on a smile. "I'm fine."
He didn’t look convinced, but he let it go.
As I walked toward the waiting table, I took slow, measured breaths. Just a few more hours, I told myself. leo will call. He won’t forget.
By the time my shift ended, the city lights had flickered to life outside the café, casting a soft glow through the large glass windows. I leaned against the counter, peeling off my apron with shaky fingers.
God, I was so tired.
I reached for my phone, the excitement from earlier bubbling up again. leo always texted me first on my birthday. He always made it special.
The screen was empty.
My stomach twisted. I refreshed my messages. Nothing.
Maybe he was planning something? Maybe he was waiting until midnight for the big surprise.
Or maybe…
"No. Don’t overthink it.""
I quickly typed a message to Nana:
Have you heard from leo?
Seconds passed. A full minute. The three dots appeared, like she was about to respond, then disappeared.
That was… odd.
I exhaled slowly, my fingers pressing against my temples. Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe—
A sharp pain flared in my lower stomach, making me suck in a breath.
I pressed a hand to my abdomen, steadying myself against the counter. It wasn’t unbearable, just a dull ache. A reminder that my body was changing, adjusting to something bigger than me.
I was fine. The baby was fine.
leo will call.
Pushing the worry aside, I grabbed my bag and left the café, heading home.
The apartment was too quiet when I walked in, the stillness making my unease grow. I kicked off my shoes and checked my phone again.
Nothing.
I swallowed hard. He wouldn’t forget.
I turned on the lights, letting the soft glow fill the room. My stomach churned at the thought of eating, but I forced myself to make some toast, hoping something bland would settle the nausea.
Minutes turned into hours.
Midnight was getting closer, and leo’s silence was becoming impossible to ignore.
I chewed my lip, my fingers hovering over his name before finally pressing call.
It rang.
And rang.
And rang.
Then—voicemail.
My grip tightened on the phone.
Something was wrong.
leo always called. Even if he was busy, even if he was stressed, he always found a way to make me feel like I mattered.
I closed my eyes, taking a slow breath, ignoring the burning behind them. Maybe he got caught up with something. Maybe his phone was dead.
Maybe I was making excuses.
The phone buzzed in my hand, making my heart leap.
I grabbed it instantly, praying it was leo’s name on the screen.
Nana.
I hesitated before answering.
"Hey," I said, trying to keep my voice light. "I was just about to call you—"
"Are you home?" Nana’s voice was smooth, unreadable.
"Yeah, why?"
"I need you to come to an event. It’s important."
I frowned, shifting on my feet. "Now? It’s almost midnight."
"I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent," she said, then added, "leo will be there."
A sharp pang shot through my chest.
"leo?" I whispered, gripping the phone tighter.
A soft chuckle. "Yes. You’ve been waiting for him, haven’t you?"
I opened my mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in my throat.
"He’s been busy," Nana continued. "But you should come. Wear something nice."
My pulse quickened. Something felt… off. But I was too desperate for answers to question it.
"Alright," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll be there soon."
I hung up, grabbing my coat, ignoring the sick feeling twisting in my gut.
Outside, the night was eerily still. The streetlights flickered, casting long shadows against the pavement.
I didn’t notice the black car parked across the street, its engine quietly humming, its headlights off.
I didn’t see the way the driver’s gaze followed me as I stepped out, locking my door behind me.
I was too focused on getting to leo.
Too blind to see that the perfect illusion I had built was about to come crashing down.
- Writer
