When it rains

Chapter 2

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock. To Charmain Brown, the sound from her wristwatch reverberated through her bathroom, amplified as if by a concert hall's speakers. With each echoing tick, trepidation surged within her like a relentless tide, threatening to engulf her. The sensation of resistance faded into futility as she gasped for air, struggling against the overwhelming despair that washed over her.

She lay her caramel skin, on the smooth, pristine white tiles, her body ablaze with a feverish intensity, uncontrollable and scorching, like a stampede of wild stallions unleashed. Her once steady resolve had yielded to this relentless gush of emotions. The scent of floor detergent in the air was sharp and acrid. Her parched mouth and Sahara-dry tongue led her gaze to the toilet, a precautionary measure she hoped would remain just that.

Her heart and breath raced in a relentless competition, and any attempt to quell them only fueled her escalating hyperventilation. Sweat-dampened clothes clung to her skin, as tremors wracked her body. A sudden lull in her nausea provided the opening she needed to stand and pace.

Amidst the turmoil, hailstones rhythmically tapped against the bathroom window, their staccato beat adding a surreal and eerie backdrop to the already apprehensive atmosphere.

Charmain nervously brushed a strand of her fringe aside as she paced. She paused occasionally, casting an anxious glance towards her best friend, the beautiful dark skinned, Tyra Jones. However, Tyra's gaze remained fixed on what she held in her right hand.

"It should be ready by now," Charmain said, her voice laced with concern.

"Charmain, I've told you, like, a hundred times," Tyra replied, her voice patient but tinged with exasperation, "it takes five minutes. Asking every sixty seconds won't make it go any faster. Try to relax."

Charmain's response came in a voice that quivered with emotion, "I wish I could, T." Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry, Char. No matter what happens, I'm here for you. You're not alone in this," Tyra said, offering a comforting embrace.

Charmain leaned into the hug, seeking solace. Her emotions ran deep, and her world seemed to hang in the balance. She knew Tyra was right there beside her, supporting her through this challenging moment.

"You know what's so weird, this room use to be my source of solitude and joy in the world, because it was the first room I ever designed, but right now, it, and every other inch of this godforsaken world, feels like a dank, dark dungeon, that is draining me of my very being," said Charmain.

As Tyra glanced at the pregnancy test, she couldn't help but feel an outpouring of resentment toward Gabriel. He had unwittingly brought her best friend to this precipice of uncertainty and unease. His issues had eroded her fun-loving friend, who was full of life and left an empty shell in her place. Though Tyra kept these thoughts to herself, her concern for Charmain ran deep, knowing that their lives were about to change, regardless of the test's outcome.

Charmain took a deep breath, composing herself. Tyra looked at her friend with empathy. Then, before the words were even spoken, Charmain's legs gave way, and she slumped to the floor, her strength drained.

Sitting beside her, Tyra gently stroked her friend's hair. With a deep breath, Tyra finally spoke the words they both knew were coming, "It's positive, Char."

Charmain's legs felt like jelly as she crumpled further. Tyra held her close, her voice soft but resolute, "You need to tell Gabriel."

Charmain nodded through her tears, recognizing that her journey had only just begun. She knew Tyra would stand by her side, no matter what challenges lay ahead. However, Charmain also realized that if Tyra ever discovered the complete truth about Gabriel, her unwavering, steadfast support, might collapse like an unstable building, in the epicenter of an earthquake. The mere thought of the possibility of this, sent spikes of anxiety through Charmain. She vowed to prevent this from happening at any cost. In this endeavor, her resolve refused to see failure as an option.