Yulia's Baby

Yulia was pregnant. But she didn't want the baby.

She parked the car in front of the ash grey building. The appointment wasn't until another hour. Gasping for air, she limped out of the vehicle. Was it the morning sickness that everyone spoke about?

To make the matter worse, the bruise on her left leg hurt.

She sat on a dark metallic bench that overlooked a small park. It was a cloudy day, and there were no children around. She didn't want to see any children, anyway. Not today.

"Mama," said a voice from behind her.

She turned around to see a little girl in a blue dress. With her eyes wide open, the girl gave a toothy grin. And she stretched her arm, offering a sunflower to Yulia. "Mama," she said once more.

"Hush, Natalia," said another distant voice. 

"Sorry, young lady, did she bother you?" asked the elderly woman who came chasing after the little girl.

"Natalia's mum, my daughter, is away for a few days. I thought some fresh air would do good on this awful grey day. And here she is running around the park, and my poor old knees won't let me keep up with her."

"She's adorable," smiled Yulia holding the sunflower that little Natalia had pushed to her.

As they walked away, Yulia remembered her own mother.

She would be of the same age as Natalia's grandmother if she didn't die 12 years ago. She was a strong woman who raised Yulia on her own in a rough Kyiv neighbourhood.

Yulia didn't remember her father. He had abandoned them when she was a baby.

Her mother worked day and night to raise Yulia as well as she could. She could have remarried, but she chose not to - no man would accept her daughter from another man. And that meant she faced numerous drunk suitors and rape attempts. As she grew, Yulia had her fair share of attention from the thugs of the neighbourhood as well.

One day, she decided to escape. And she left behind her mother.

She came to this city to lead a new life. But as soon she called back to break the news to her mother, she heard her mother was no more.

What would her mother do if she were in Yulia's shoes today? Yulia wondered.

Would she stand alone in this strange city she now called home?
Would she go ahead and have the baby even if no one wanted it?
Would she raise her girl alone into a strong woman like herself?

Would her daughter be brave enough to have the baby even if her boyfriend knocked her senseless a few days ago?

Yulia stood up. She knew she wasn't going to the abortion clinic.