A different view

Chapter 19

This surely has to be some sort of nightmare. Any hangover I had was flushed away with the last words I'd heard and it was yet to sink in when Preeth said...

"Ma, I told you. Lin has nothing to do with this. I'll ask one more time. The supposed boyfriend is not the question here. My ask is your support for my pregnancy."

"That's unreasonable Preeth. You won't tell us who it is. You won't let us meet him. You are giving us no choice here." I saw her mom say frustrated

"Sweetheart" her dad called out "We are not angry that you have someone special. If there's a misunderstanding then we'll help you fix it. Talk to us. We're here for you"

"Pa... do you trust me?" Preeth asked her father

"Always"

"Then please don't ask me any more questions. I'll explain when the time comes, once you have given me a decision.

Whether or not he wants responsibility, whether we put up the kid for adoption, whatever the outcome, the question is, will you support my decision. If you cannot, I'll understand and move out because I really want this and if I have to, I will do it alone. Just let me know by tonight."

My throat was dry. Every breath I took in felt cold. What on earth was Preeth doing? She must be insane! She walked away and went into her room. I didn't dare follow. For all the times I'd been here, she had never invited me up to her room.

"Ma, I swear, I know nothing about this" I told her mother. "I don't think anybody else has a clue either"

"It's ok Lin." Her dad said patting my head. "Sorry to wake you up so early. You should go get some rest"

I was in a zombie-like state when I went home. I picked up the phone to message Preeth

Me: Hey

Not read. No response. I was torn between going back to her house and calling her. Just then the phone blinked

Preeth: Hey. Sorry you were dragged into this

Me: Preeth who is it?

Preeth: Give me until tomorrow. I promise you'll know before tomorrow is done

Me: Ok. I'm here for you. We all are here for you. You don't have to do this alone.

Preeth: Thanks Lin. I was hoping you'll say that

Me: Whoever it is, I'm going to kick his miserable ass

Preeth: You might regret saying that though

Me: Watch me!

There was no call from Preeth all day. I tried to put it at the back of my mind keeping myself busy with shopping and cleaning the room. Late in the night, the phone blinked

Preeth: Free tomorrow? I've invited the seniors for some coffee at the café near college.

Me: Yeah. Anything I should know?

Preeth: Meet you there at 9am

The café was empty apart from the seniors. Noone came in this early on a Sunday morning. P'Pha, P'Forth, and P'Beam were already there when I reached. I took my seat. Preeth entered soon after. I guessed she probably wanted to tell them what I'd learned and yet to digest. Maybe now I'd know who the bastard was. The seniors wouldn't let her go without finding out about it.

"Preeth, is everything alright?" P' Pha asked with concern.

She gave P'Pha a nod. "P'Forth, P'Beam first of all congratulations on your wedding" she started off. "I have an offer." she continued slowly. "I'd like to be the surrogate for your child."