Beloved Stranger

Chapter V: After 1 month

Sephora

"Bullshit!"

"Oh, why, girl? What's going on with you in there?"

"Girl, the PT is positive."

"Oh my gosh!!! What? What's your plan? How will you tell him? Oh no, I just remembered you two aren't in contact anymore! Oh my gosh!" Karina shouted in a panic.

"It's fine, crazy. Even if we don't see each other anymore, I can raise this child on my own. Duh, I've been saving for this for five years from working."

"Are you sure you can handle it? You know I'm busy too, so I won't always be able to help you." I walked out of the bathroom and hugged her. I started crying too because I didn't know how to feel—happy but scared at the same time.

"I can handle this, sis. It's okay, I know we all have our own things going on in life. I can do this, don't worry."

"Sigh. Congrats, girl! Haha, I'm going to be a godmother! Omg, this is so exciting," she said. We then decided to head home together, even though we take different buses.

We both got home safely. Tomorrow, I'm going to the hospital since I'm off work. I also want to find out how far along I am—whether it's been weeks or just days. It's been about a month since Harlan and I did the deed. I had dinner, watched some Netflix for a bit, and then went to bed.

The next day...

I was nervous about going to the hospital. I didn't ask Karina to come with me since I knew she was busy with her boyfriend. When I entered the doctor's office, she smiled and greeted me. She asked me about the symptoms I was experiencing, and I answered her. After the questions, she asked me to lie down on a small bed. She performed an ultrasound on my stomach, applying gel and rolling the device over my belly.

"Congratulations, miss, you're three weeks pregnant. But take note, okay? Your pregnancy is delicate, so you need to avoid stress and heavy work, as it could harm the baby or even cause a miscarriage."

"Omg! Thank you, doc, I will. I'll make sure to avoid those things, thanks!" When I went to pay her, she didn't accept the payment, saying it was already covered. I was like, why? I didn't make a personal booking or anything, but oh well, at least I got it for free, haha.

I headed back, smiling as I got on the bus. I smelled soup along the way and suddenly craved some spicy soup. When I got home, I ordered tofu soup stew—since tofu and soup are my favorites, it was perfect. After 30 minutes, my order arrived. I also requested a leave from work because I started feeling some cramps in my lower abdomen, and I was scared that I might lose the baby. While eating, I called our main artist.

"Yes, I really need to, sorry about that, Sir Amiel. My pregnancy is delicate," I said. He agreed and said Karina would fill in for me while I'm away. I agreed, since they didn't have any other choice. After the call, I continued eating my tofu stew. I gently placed my hand on my stomach and smiled, then continued eating.

3 PM.

I went out for a walk in the park since I had nothing else to do at home, having already cleaned the house earlier after lunch. I played some music on my phone and put my AirPods in as I walked around.

"Meow, meow."

I heard a cat meowing near some bushes by a bench in the park. I quickly went to check it out. It was a white cat with blue eyes, a gray nose, gray markings behind its ears, and a light gray tail. I picked it up and placed it on my lap.

"Aw, why are you here? Poor thing, don't worry, I'll take care of you," I said. People walking by were giving me strange looks for talking to the cat, but who cares?