JUNEKristen has been busy with work since we returned from a three-day trip to Dubai. It was on a weekend, so it didn't necessarily affect my studies. I only had to do most of my assignments over there. We have been dating for a month now, and things have been good. Too good that I was afraid something might happen to shatter the happiness of the last month. I found myself, looking behind me whenever we were out on a date, scared that someone might discover our secret. I once voiced it out to Kristen, but he waved it off as me acting paranoid. And since then, I've tried not to say anything concerning it. “Are you okay?” Mark touched my forehead, furrowing his brows as he did so. “Your temperature is high.”“I know,” I placed my head on the desk, trying to keep my eyes open. For three days now, I've been feeling sick. Most mornings, I have to drag myself out of the bed. And this morning, I vomited thrice just at the smell of an omelette. Kristen wasn't around, so I had no one to
JUNEWe didn't have to wait too long. It only took less than an hour, mostly thirty minutes for the result. “Here." The doctor gave the results to me, smiling like one who has a secret. “Thank you,” I said as I took the envelope containing the test result, while Mark looked at it, eager to know what the outcome might be. I glared darkly at him, opened my bag and made to stuff the result into it before he grabbed it from me. “Aren't you going to open it up, miss?” The middle-aged doctor asked, smiling at me. He looked like one who had all the secrets in the entire world. “Nah, I don't think it's necessary,” I stuffed it into my bag. “I bet it's just the flu. Mark was just being too naggy," I rose from the chair. “I think you need to open it up, miss,” he said, pointedly looking at my bag. “I would have told you what the test result read, but I think you might prefer to be the first to see it.”I frowned at his words. What on Earth could it be? Why do I need to know what's in it?“
KRISTEN "Kristen speaking," I murmured into the receiver and held it with my shoulder to my ear while my fingers busily typed orders into the computer on the table."Kristen ."I knitted my brows, my fingers pausing as I tried to filter the voice."Dija?"From the other end, a hum I recognized aroused from pity, filtered into my ears. "You are a strange man, Kristen ." She paused for a while, and I was left to ponder why she had called my office line instead of the usual personal number she was used to. And how the hell had she even gotten my office number anyway? "I didn't receive your call or text."I looked at the cup of coffee I met on my table that morning—courtesy of Edith. I had not even taken a sip from it, but I badly wanted to. I don't know why it feels like a good coffee makes the day better. "I was expecting your call," I said. "You walked out of here really mad the other day."She exhaled. Then her voice dropped considerably low. "Of course, I was mad. You made me mad.
KRISTEN Edith stood at the door like her feet were glued there.The phone was still against my ear, and I was now divided between Dija's voice and Edith's confusing stare."I have to go now," I murmured into the phone, silently praying that she heard. She said something that sounded like a threat before I placed the handset back on the telephone and leaned into my seat with my eyes closed.I knew Edith was coming close. I could hear the clinking sound of her heels against the floor, and perceive the unmistakable womanly scent that perfectly combined with the waft of flowers in her perfume.When I opened my eyes, I gave her a once over. She was dressed in a tight-fitting blue gown that stopped just below her knees and had her hair tied in a ponytail, leaving some wavy-styled strands around the sides of her head."Good morning, Kristen ."She had greeted me early in the morning when I arrived, but I answered anyway. "Good morning. How was your night?""You asked me that same question t
JUNETo say I was nervous would be an understatement. Kristen didn't say anything last night. He just nodded slowly, turned and entered the kitchen, then returned with a towel which he silently wiped my face with.No words were exchanged between us during and after the meal. And when he retired to bed, he only spared me a 'good night.'This morning, before I woke up, he had already left for work. Though he made breakfast for me and even wrote me a sticky note, I still felt scared.The anxiety I feel whenever I check my school results isn't up to par with the one I feel at the moment. It feels like I am barely breathing.“So, how was it?” Mark asked the moment I joined him in the car. It took all my will not to dial the school and call in sick. Staying at home will only heighten my nervousness. At least I will be too occupied in school to think of his actions.My hands shook as I threw my bag into the back seat. It was a miracle how I had my bath without crashing to the bathroom floor.
JUNEI stared at my phone, puzzled and scared at the same time. The text was so formal. It was unlike my uncle. He has never sounded this way. And what is so important that he has to speak to me outside our home? Could it be about my pregnancy? “What's wrong?” Mark came up behind me, startling me from my thoughts. I almost threw my phone on the ground had he not caught it on time. He took the phone and read the message, creasing his brows in concentration. “When did he send this text?” he finally asked after what felt like an eternity. “Just now,” I replied, trying not to think about the message and the meaning behind those words. Mark returned the phone to me with a sigh, “Seems like there's something he wishes to speak to you about.” He tried to make it sound like it was nothing to be worried about. “What if he doesn't want the baby, Mark? What should I do? I don't—”“Shh,” he hugged me. “I will go with you tonight. You don't have to worry. I will always be with you.”I leaned
KRISTEN The night of the pregnancy announcement went in a blur.The minute the statement rolled out of June's lips, my heart flipped. A vibrating cold rocketed through my body, almost making me crash to the floor.Fear followed shortly after.I wasn't scared of the pregnancy, 'cause I would gladly accept it. The fear came from my thoughts which centered solely on seeing June freak out or rejecting the baby. From the sadness seeping out of her soul and the tears on her face, it wasn't hard to gather such thoughts.I was speechless from shock. After wiping her face and comforting her, I had my dinner and went upstairs to sleep. What happened during the entire night was in no way related to sleep or rest. I tossed and turned throughout, my mind flying in all directions, conjuring images of the worst thing that could happen.June's mood already showed that she didn't want anything to do with the baby. Hell, she looked scared! I can swear I saw regrets in those beautiful orbs of hers. W
KRISTEN My cup of coffee came with Edith.Just as I was preparing myself for a verbal attack, she dropped the coffee, muttered a greeting and started for the door."Edith?""Sir?" She turned back, her brows raised in questioning. Her expressions looked so formal that I knitted my brows. "You called me?"I was just trying to see why she dropped the coffee without a word. And I couldn't say that."Errm..." I sat up and cleared my throat. "Is there any file I am yet to attend to?""Yes, but not a lot. A sealed letter came in from Dija this morning. It's under your monitor stand."I followed the directions of her hand and saw a sealed white envelope slid beneath the stand of my monitor just as she said.I tore it open.It was a letter from her stating that she would like to terminate the contract with me and withdraw all her support.I wasn't surprised.Dija or no Dija, my company would firmly stand. Already, we have our name established in Seattle."Did you read this?" I waved the letter