Jennie
I awoke to the feeling of something cold being pressed against my chest but for all my might my eyes refused to open. I felt groggy and drowsy and extremely ill. Something banded around my arm tightened considerably as the cold metal moved lower to my stomach.
"Her blood pressure is incredibly high." Another said in a scolding voice as the band released its hold on me, "This can be very dangerous to both her and the baby."
The baby!
Willing my eyes to slowly open I met the friendly gaze of an older man most likely in his fifties who I assumed was the doctor if the stethoscope around his neck had anything to go by and the frowning face of Lisa.
"Welcome back dearie!" The doctor greeted enthusiastically, "You were out for quite a bit of time."
Gazing back confused at the older man, he chatted up a storm as he checked my temperature and rechecked my heart beat as he kept the band around my arm monitoring my blood pressure.
"Now tell me dearie..." The doctor asked, "Do you get dizzy spells often?"
Shaking my head to signal a negative he continued asking questions, "I understand you are pregnant, how about morning sickness?"
"She was terribly ill." Lisa surprised me by answering as our eyes connected briefly before she looked away.
"Have you visited any gynaecologist yet?" The doctor went on asking kindly as he scribbled notes onto his notepad.
"No I only recently found out." I answered hoarsely finding my aching voice.
"Have a sip of water." He offered as surprisingly again with Lisa's help I was able to drink as she assisted me into a sitting position against the headboard of her room as she guided the rim of the glass to my lips, our eyes clashing as I tentatively took a large gulp, "And what did you have for breakfast?" The good doctor asked pulling us out of our reverie.
"I did not have breakfast." I softly answered, looking away as the doctor paused his scribbles and Lisa glared at me as the doctor glared at her.
"I expected you to take better care of her." The doctor admonished Lisa.
It was actually a bit humorous to see Lisa getting scolded.
"You fainted because your body was not nourished. Remember you need to nourish yourself in order for the baby to grow healthily, however my main concern is your blood pressure which we must attempt to keep at bay. Ms. Manoban, she is to avoid stress and anything else that can potentially cause stress unto her. Failure to do so would meet with a difficult pregnancy for both the mother and the baby. It can also lead to complications during labour. Since it is the early stage it is an absolute must as everything is 50/50. In other words, keep her as happy and at peace as can be."
A knock at the bedroom door interrupted the good doctor as Lisa went to answer it coming back not a second later wheeling in a cart.
"That's a nice start." The doctor complimented as he grabbed his briefcase and stood up, "I recommend plenty of rest to settle her blood pressure, lots of fruits and fluids and the soonest visit to an gynaecologist." He said to Lisa who paid attention to his commands like a diligent student "I gave her an injection to reduce her blood pressure as she is in no condition to visit anywhere today. It shall put her to sleep but get some food into her system first...and you my dear..." He said turning to me and smiling warmly, "All the best and congratulations."
If only Lisa's 'congratulations' were as sincere, I thought to myself as silence penetrated the room ever since the doctor left. Expressionless eyes searched mine as Lisa brought the cart of food closer. Wordlessly she uncovered trays filled with mixed vegetable chicken soup, freshly baked oats buns, fresh fruits and a tall glass of chilled orange juice as she silently fed me until I had successfully cleared everything. Neither one of us made any attempt at breaking the silence...after all, what was there that needed to be said again?
The few moments our eyes connected throughout the meal, she looked as though she was in pain. Stomach filled and decreased nausea, the exhaustion set in as my eyes drifted shut on their own accord. As they slowly closed I took in the fact that she had brought me into her room, the one we had shared and the worry etched onto her face. I wanted to assure her that everything was going to be okay. That the baby was safe but my body would not cooperate. My eyes shut on their own accord with the lasting image of her still frowning face.
Sometime later into the evening, tired eyes awoke to the colourful lights of the city illuminating the dark night sky. My stomach growled in protest as a reminder that I had slept for a straight 7 hours which equalled almost the amount of a full night's rest. Sitting up groggily in bed I immediately took notice that Lisa was nowhere to be seen. Soon after that, I became aware that I was alone in the apartment. A strong sense of bitterness filled my mouth.
After the day's events I had somehow thought that she would have warmed to the idea of my pregnancy. Despite her cruel words I still had hope in her which had only proven to show how naïve I was. I blamed the few trickle of tears on hormones as I tried keeping down a late dinner she no doubt had sent up whether it was for her convenience or mine, well that was yet to be determined.
The hour was slowly approaching one into the early hours of the morning with no sign of Lisa, as a part of me became sick with worry as I stood on the balcony enjoying the chilly air as it offered a balm to my broken soul. Pulling the quilt tighter around my body I admired the view as though it was my first time seeing it all over again.
The city twinkled in delight to the hustle of the city's nightlife as down below the streets was filled with those stumbling along from pubs and clubs. Taxis honked noisily trying to make their way through the gathering traffic as peals of laughter travelled the air.
On a tired sigh I returned to the living room closing the doors behind me as I took a seat on the plush sofa riddled with anxiety. I desperately wanted the satisfaction of knowing that she was safe. She broke my heart. Shattered it to pieces. And I? I all but allowed it. If I had a tiny piece of my heart left I knew that I would still stupidly love her because that was what love did to you.
Would I ever learn?
Would any of us?
They can hurt us about the amount of infinity and beyond, yet we welcome them back with open arms.
Why was that?
Maybe it was mainly due to the fact that true love was once in a lifetime. When you meet your soulmate you just know. You accept each other for the good and bad and you fight to be together.
But was it really worth the pain and heartache if the war was one sided.
How much can we fight until we finally give up? Was there was no limit?
Maybe it was time to take Rosé's words into consideration. Her little speech from our first meeting boasted my confidence and I gathered that she was right. I fought so hard for everything all my life and I still had the strength to fight in me.
I have a baby to protect.
A baby that needed to be brought up in a stable, happy home and I would grovel if I have to but I would ensure that my child gets a much better life no matter what it takes. Shredding the last of self-doubt, I squared my shoulders and soothingly rubbed at my still flat bump right until the door swung open but nothing had prepared me for what I saw.
