Chapter 3 "Problem"
1170 Words
Archie paced back and forth inside Arwena's hospital room, occasionally glancing at his friend, whose face was still very pale.
Earlier, when she passed out, he blamed himself. He had insisted on taking her out. But after hearing what the doctor said, he could no longer stay calm. He didn’t know how his friend would take the news—another problem in her already burdened life.
She had just begun to forget the negative events that had befallen her.
Now, he stood by the side of her hospital bed, where she remained fast asleep. He quietly watched her, praying that her heart would stay open and that she wouldn’t lose hope in facing this new challenge.
“Archie...” Arwena called groggily.
“Wena, how are you feeling? Are you still dizzy? Nauseous? Is anything hurting?” Archie asked, his voice filled with concern as he gently stroked her forehead.
Arwena smiled and held his hand. “I’m fine. Maybe I just felt overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd earlier,” she replied.
She tightened her grip on his hand. “Sorry for worrying you again, Archie. I ruined our fun. Don’t worry, next time we go out, I’ll make sure I won’t feel dizzy or nauseous.”
Archie forced a smile as he stroked her hand. “You did worry me. I was terrified when you passed out. But you shouldn’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault,” he said—but he couldn’t look her in the eyes.
His mind was in chaos. He wanted to tell her the news, but seeing her smile—so genuine and unforced for the first time—made him hesitate. He didn’t want to ruin that light in her eyes.
“Arwena... do you want to talk to the doctor?” Archie asked, unsure how to ease into the conversation.
“No need,” she replied with a smile and let go of his hand.
“Are you sure?” he asked again, letting out a subtle breath. “You might want to ask the doctor about your condition—why you passed out.”
“No, I’m fine now. I feel much better. Besides, you already talked to the doctor, right? I don’t have any serious illness, do I?”
Archie let out a nervous laugh, which made Arwena chuckle too.
“That’s why you should just let me leave this place. I don’t want to stay in the hospital, Archie. I don’t want my bill to pile up,” she said, attempting to swing her legs over the bed.
“Wena, don’t move too much just yet. The doctor said you can leave tomorrow and advised you to rest,” Archie reminded her.
“Rest? It’s not like you don’t know I’ve been doing nothing but rest. That’s why you insisted I go out, remember?”
“Just lie down and stop complaining. It’s not just rest you need, Wena. You also need to avoid stress... and cut back on coffee,” he added carefully, trying to slip in the news. But it didn’t seem to register with her.
She didn’t seem to care about what he was saying. All she wanted was to get out of the hospital and rest at home.
“Cut back on coffee? That’ll stress me out even more! You know, coffee is my stress reliever. Just like your vape. Didn’t I tell you several times to quit vaping? But you didn’t—because it’s your stress reliever,” Arwena laughed.
Archie scratched his brow. “I’m going to quit vaping. I promise—I won’t vape again, especially when we’re together. The smoke is bad for your health... and mine, too,” he stammered.
“Good that you finally realized that. I guess I had to pass out before you decided to stop,” she teased, laughing.
But Archie couldn’t laugh. He fiddled with the blanket, avoiding her gaze like a child hiding something.
Arwena took his hand again and shook it. “Archie, what’s wrong? Why do you look so down? You seem more troubled than I am. Do you want to switch places?”
Archie forced a smile but quickly looked away. She was beginning to sense that something was off.
He was usually lively and always laughing, even with his domineering aura. He had a soft heart but could be bossy. He was kind and gentle only to Arwena, harsh with others. His masculinity attracted many women, especially those who didn’t know him well.
“Archie? Are you hiding something from me? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Archie closed his eyes. This was the moment he had been dreading. He took a deep breath and sat beside her. “Arwena, whatever you hear, please… don’t panic.”
“Archie, it depends on what you’re about to say.”
“Just keep an open mind and try not to let your emotions take over.”
“Why are you beating around the bush, Archie? Am I seriously ill? Am I about to die? Is that why you’re acting like this?” she asked, her tone turning sharp, though deep down, fear was beginning to grow.
What if I really am sick? She thought. What about my dreams? What about my parents, who already resent me?
“Archie, just say it! Don’t make me overthink!” Her voice rose, anxious and impatient.
“Well, Wena, the doctor said…” Archie trailed off again. He rubbed his head and moved toward the window as if afraid to see her reaction.
He took another deep breath and turned back to face her. “Wena, the doctor said... you’re seven weeks pregnant.”
But the reaction he expected didn’t come. Instead, Arwena smiled—a wide, frozen smile.
“You’re joking, right?” she asked, her voice light, but her eyes searching his.
Archie could only watch as the smile on her lips slowly faded. She already knew he wasn’t joking.
“Wena…”
“No!” Arwena shook her head repeatedly, shouting, “No, Archie! This isn’t true—you’re joking! This isn’t true... Archie... It’s not true!”
Tears poured down her cheeks like a flood. Her frantic questions and cries echoed as she thrashed about like someone losing her mind.
“Wena, please, calm down,” Archie begged, trying to hold her, but she pushed him away, grabbing anything within reach and throwing it. Even he wasn’t spared from her blows.
“Archie, I don’t want this! I don’t want this, Archie!” she screamed, hitting her stomach as he desperately held her hands.
“Wena… nurse!” Archie shouted, unsure whether to call for help or keep trying to calm her.
The nurses rushed in and administered a sedative through her IV. After a few tense moments, her body slowly relaxed.
“How can I start a new life now, Archie?” she whispered as tears fell freely. “How can I ever face my parents again?”
- Writer
