SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Five months later, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the waistband of my skirt for what felt like the hundredth time. No matter what I wore these days, I couldn't escape the feeling of discomfort. My body had changed so much, and I wasn't sure what to make of it. The weight gain had been gradual at first, but now, it was impossible to ignore. My once-fitted clothes now clung awkwardly to my body, and the fatigue... it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

Sbani's voice called from the living room, "Babe, you ready? We don't want to be late!"

I sighed, taking one last glance in the mirror. My hair was tied back in a neat bun, my makeup carefully applied, but no amount of effort could hide the exhaustion that lingered in my eyes. I hadn't felt like myself for weeks now, and it was starting to wear on me.

"Coming!" I called back, forcing a smile as I walked out of the bedroom.

Sbani was waiting by the door, his car keys in hand. His eyes lit up when he saw me, as they always did, but this time, there was a flicker of concern behind his smile. He stepped closer, placing a hand on my arm.

"You okay, Hlelo?"

I nodded quickly, not wanting to worry him. "Yeah, just tired. It's been a long week."

It was true. Balancing work at the firm and everything else had been draining. My dream job, the one I had fought so hard to get, was everything I had hoped for and more. The late nights, the endless meetings, the rush of closing deals-it was exhilarating. But lately, my body had been betraying me. The constant fatigue, the random waves of nausea, and the bloating were getting harder to ignore.

Sbani and I had come a long way since the argument that morning in the kitchen. He had eventually warmed up to the idea of me working full-time, even driving me to work most days. His support had been incredible, and we were closer than ever. But still, something didn't feel right within me.

As we drove to work, the soft hum of the radio filled the silence. I glanced at Sbani, watching him as he focused on the road, his hand resting comfortably on the gearshift. He had been so good to me, so patient. But I couldn't shake the guilt that lingered. I hadn't been the best version of myself lately-moody, distant, consumed by how miserable I felt physically.

"Thanks for driving me," I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

He glanced over at me, smiling. "You know I don't mind. Besides, I love spending time with you before your day gets crazy."

I smiled back, but inside, I was battling a wave of nausea that threatened to rise again. Lately, it felt like my emotions were on a constant rollercoaster, and I didn't know how to control it. I had snapped at Sbani more times than I cared to admit, and each time, the guilt weighed heavier on me. He didn't deserve that.

We pulled up in front of my office building, and Sbani leaned over to kiss me gently on the cheek. "Have a great day, babe. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

I nodded, grabbing my bag and stepping out of the car. "Thanks. I'll see you later."

As I walked into the building, I tried to focus on the work ahead of me, but my mind kept drifting back to how I felt-fat, tired, and completely out of sorts. I hated feeling like this. I had worked so hard to get here, to land this dream job, and now it felt like my body was rebelling against me.

The day dragged on, each meeting blurring into the next. By lunchtime, I was so drained I could barely keep my eyes open. My stomach had been bothering me all morning, and the idea of eating made me feel even worse. I stared at my phone, debating whether to call Sbani and tell him how I was feeling. But I didn't want to worry him. He had been so understanding already, and I didn't want to seem like I was complaining all the time.

I pushed through the rest of the day, counting the minutes until I could go home. When I finally stepped out of the building, Sbani was already waiting for me, leaning against the car with his arms crossed, a small smile on his face. Despite everything, just seeing him there made me feel a little better.

"How was your day?" he asked as I climbed into the passenger seat.

"Long," I admitted, leaning my head back against the headrest. "I'm so tired."

He reached over and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We'll go home, and you can relax. Maybe you just need a break. You've been pushing yourself so hard."

I nodded, but deep down, I knew it was more than just needing rest. Something wasn't right. And as we drove home, I made a silent promise to myself-I would figure out what was going on with my body. I owed it to myself, and to Sbani, to get answers.