Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Positive
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Elena's pov
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I woke up feeling worse for wear, my head pinned and my stomach felt bloated. My first thought was that I might be coming up with the flu but when nausea hit me hard and I threw up, I immediately changed my mind. I surely had malaria and not the flu, or so I thought.
I managed to have a bath before going down for breakfast, mother had asked the servant to get me otherwise I would have preferred to stay in bed.
Another nausea hit me again as soon I reached the dining table. The assorted food displayed on the table made my stomach churn so badly but I forced myself to sit still. When I couldn't tolerate it any longer I ran up to my room and straight to the toilet, my body shook as I bent over the toilet and threw up, it felt as though my intestines were being ripped apart.
I had never felt sick or experienced anything of that nature in my life. I became worried as I slowly walked back into my room.
I wasn't surprised when I saw my mother seated on my bed, however, the look on her face and the question she asked me was very surprising and brought another reality to me.
"When last did you see your period." She asked me, she sounded worried.
"My period!" The realization that I was a week late came immediately so did fear and apprehension. I started to panic but got a grip of myself. I didn't want my mother's bickering and tantrums.
"I'm still expecting it," I replied it was the second time I was lying to her since I graduated. I hoped I wasn't forming a habit of lying, it had never ended well whenever I told a lie.
"You look horrible, I will send for the doctor as soon as possible." Mother came towards me and placed her hand on my forehead, she wanted to check my temperature as she used to do when I was still a child.
"I will be okay mum, I don't need a doctor. I must have eaten something that didn't sit well with my stomach." I hoped that was the case as I said it out.
"Are you sure?" Mother looked uncertain.
I wasn't sure, but I wasn't about to say that to my mum. "I will feel better when I rest a bit." I sat down on my queen-sized bed, I had been standing since and I was already feeling faint and dizzy.
"I will leave you to rest now, make sure you take some drugs. I had the servant restock your bathroom shelf with some aspirins and vitamins." Mother looked at me one more time and left.
When the sound of her footsteps died off, I bolted my door and wept. "What if?" Filled my mind. I couldn't afford to be...I stopped my train of thought immediately. It was impossible, after all, we used protection...except. Oh my goodness, it couldn't be that the one time we were negligent resulted in me being...it can't be.
I paced my room as a series of thoughts sprang up in my mind. This was not part of the plan, I wasn't ready for any complications, I was still young and haven't enjoyed life yet.
I shook my head vigorously, this can't be. I called my servant whom I trusted and asked to get me a pregnancy test kit.
"You must not tell anyone about this, be discreet please." I pleaded.
I could see the confusion in her eyes but I didn't bother to explain. "Ok, ma. I will go to the pharmacy now." She said and left, I had known Anna for four years now and she hadn't given me any reason to doubt her.
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20 minutes later
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I watched as the two red lines appeared on the test strip. Seeing the lines sent another wave of shock around me and I tried to throw up again but I had not eaten so nothing came out this time.
I didn't leave my room for the rest of the day neither didn't eat, I had no one to talk to about my predicament. Anna came back later in the afternoon with a plate of chicken pepper soup and convinced me to eat. The food tasted like sawdust in my mouth.
I went to bed earlier than usual, it was surprising that my mother did not come to check on me, however, I was grateful. I was in no mood for chit-chat, neither was I looking forward to being pampered by her. I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts.
The next day was no easier than the previous, the only difference was that I knew what was wrong with me. I still hadn't called Anthony to tell him about what was happening.
I wasn't sure how he would react to the news, he just got a job and I doubted if he had the financial capacity to take care of me and a child. I also wasn't ready to live in such a small space Like his apartment. I wasn't sure I knew what I wanted.
I was obviously in a dilemma, my parents didn't know about Anthony as I have kept it a secret from them.
Mother was still matchmaking me and her best friend's son. We come from the same social circle and I knew she wouldn't want me to marry outside our circle.
"Lord help me" I murmured as I placed my pillow over my head. The memories of the last dinner date my mother hosted for her best friend Mrs. Tolu and her son Mike came flooding back.
Mike had just finished his doctorate in Medicine and was making plans to set up a hospital here in Nigeria. He had charisma and charm which came from him being born into a rich and affluent family and also he was well educated. Mother would do anything to make him her son-in-law.
Throughout the dinner date, I couldn't help but compare him to Anthony, they both were so different in looks, finance, and education. But my heart yearned for Anthony who I knew my mother would never accept.
Mike had wanted us to go out on a date the next day but he had to cancel at the last minute as his father suffered a minor stroke and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Turning to the other side of the bed a tear escaped my eyes, I loved Anthony but I wasn't ready to live like a pauper, I wanted the affluence and comfort my parents provided me.
I made up my mind to inform him of my condition, whatever he decided would be fine by me especially if he doesn't oppose what I had in mind to do.