Ashley Kimberly- HE is the Woman

Chapter 6 : Stages of being woman!?

Surprisingly the man who never expressed his emotional pain cannot stand this physical pain. After becoming a woman for the first time Ashley realised being a woman is not easy. God took a lot of time to prepare a woman.

She did not realise how badly her abdomen ached when she was with Richard in the car. But as soon as she got off the car she couldn't stand with her back straight. Richard had to carry her in his strong muscular hands. Ashley like a child in pain, grasped Richard's shirt tightly as her head rested on his chest.

Ann and Uncle froze in astonishment. They did not imagine that Ashley will let another man carry her. Abbie rushed from her apartment to Ashley's as soon as she saw Richard's car. Watching Richard carry Ashley to her bed made Abbie insecure. Abbie , unsure about how Ashley feels about Richard, understood the pain Ashley's going through. Being a woman is a blessing, but she must go through the pain the blessing brought along with it.

Ashley curled on her bed. Crying like a baby. Richard patted on her head.

"It will be alright. You are very strong", muttered Richard as he placed the pain reliever, that he brought for her on the way back home, on the side table beside Ashley's bed.

"Thanks man..", replied Ashley with a lot of effort, clenching her fist.

Richard was surprised as he noticed Ashley Kimberly, the famous lawyer's photos on the wall and on the side table.

"This is my brother's room usually Ashley sleeps with me", said Ann interrupting Richard's thought. The surprise on his face was vivid.

" Why does both of them have the same name? I mean your brother and your cousin".

" Maybe their parents loved this name!. But right now we should let my cousin rest. Let's go to the living room".

That night Abbie stayed back to take care of Ashley. Abbie made brown sugar water for Ashley. Then massaged her abdomen. This seem to relieve Ashley's pain a bit .

" Richard is a good man. He only got to know me few days ago yet he has been so generous to me since the day we met", said Ashley out of blue.

"Yes he is", agreed Abbie.

Suddenly both of them noticed Dan standing by the window.

"The pain you are going through right now is the trailer of what a woman woman goes through everyday", said Dan with a wide smile on his face.

" Are you done?", said Ashley with a hint of annoyance.

In a fraction of second Dan disappeared into thin air.

Next day was Sunday. Ashley woke up late to find Abbie sleeping next to her, holding her hand tightly. Ashley felt loved and warm. She woke up Abbie for ice cream.

"I'm craving for ice cream! Let's go please hm?".

"Yes ma'am", replied Abbie with a smile.

Abbie and Ashley creeped out of the house without Uncle and Ann as they would take hours to get ready. The duo drove to a ice cream parlor at a distance. Ashley, excited ,ran into the ice cream parlor to find Richard with a young chubby girl. She must be his daughter,guessed Ashley.

Richard rushed to Ashley along with the small girl as soon as he noticed Ashley. Abbie joined them shortly. Four of them sat by the window.

"Rachel say hi to these aunties. They are daddy's friend."

"Hello", said Rachel with a shy expression.

Abbie pulled her cheeks gently which seemed to annoy Rachel. Evidently she did not like being treated like a child.

"Hello young lady", replied Ashley with a smile. Rachel gave a wide smile when Ashley addressed her as a lady.

Ashley and Rachel seemed to get along while Abbie and Richard chatted like adults do. Richard,with the corner of his eye, couldn't help but look at Ashley.

Suddenly Ashley noticed bunch of high school girls checking out Richard. Bunch of boys wearing same high school uniform joined those girls. After a while a girl in same uniform entered. She wore big glasses and braces.

"I guess this creep followed you here Jim. She definitely likes you but too bad she is not your type", said one of the girls loudly pointing towards the girl who wore braces. The others started to laugh loudly. The girl lowered her head in embarrassment.

Ashley couldn't stand that girl being bullied. Ashley got up from her seat and grabbed that girl's hand.

"Hey you are finally here!. Your date has been waiting for you for ages!", exclaimed Ashley as she dragged the girl to their table and made her sit next to Richard.

" I will take Rachel and Abbie to the kids playing area, sit here with her till those bunch of bullies leave", whispered Ashley to Richard's ear who seemed shocked and unable to absorb what is going on.

"But..",before Richard could finish his sentence Ashley gave him a glare.

" I mean sure why not", said Richard awkwardly. Rachel and Abbie giggled to see Ashley bossing around.

"Isn't it the man we saw in the supermarket the other night buying...", said one of the girl bully.

"Yes it is!", replied another one," so he bought that for this ugly duckling! ugh!".

" Who bought what?", asked Jim.

"Things you would not do for us ! Hmph!", said the girls and stomped out of the parlor. The bunch of boys ran after them.

Richard laughed hard as he understood the situation. Ashley is slowly taking over his mind, he realises that but unable to stop himself.

As Abbie and Ashley came back to Ashley's apartment. Abbie with a warm smile looked at Ashley.

" For the first time I have seen you standing up for a woman. I am so proud of you!".

Ashley for the first time felt that she did something right in her life. After coming across all these events she finally fathoms what a woman and girl goes through in every phase of their life . Yet they endure not because they are weak but because they are the ones to act sensible and are the ones with extreme strength.

The following night Dan showed up again while Ann combed Ashley's hair and Uncle read a book, all in the living room.

"Ashley! Hello!..My friend you are one step closer to your destination each day!", exclaimed Dan.

Ashley,Ann and Uncle stood on their feet.

Dan continued, " You must experience all the Stages of being a woman. You must experience the feeling of being a sister, daughter, wife, daughter-in-law and most importantly mother!".

"What!! mother!", shrieked Uncle,Ann and Ashley.

"How will I have a baby?...wait no I am not marrying another man!", shrieked Ashley.

"Best of luck!", said Dan and again smiled before disappearing.

Tears glistened in Abbie's eyes who stood at the other side of the main door. She left quietly without ringing the bell.