PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I was eating while giving two people in front of me a rather sarcastic stare. I guess it’s true that they were hiding something from me during my sick leave yesterday. Without beating around the bush, I immediately asked them to spill the beans, even though we hadn’t even sat down at the cafeteria yet. I couldn’t wait. Not at all.

Even though I tried to shake off my curiosity since I sat in the passenger seat earlier this morning until I returned to work feeling restless due to Krystal’s words, I couldn’t do it. The actions and behavior of my two friends were very suspicious. How could there be something they didn’t tell me? Am I no longer considered part of the group?

“Well… it’s just like that,” Dona said with her shoulders slumped. Her eyes pleaded with me not to suspect her again.

“Yeah, just like what? I don’t know.” I took a bite of my food while Naomi ate calmly. When her eyes met Dona’s, she gave a subtle grimace. See, I was right. They were hiding something.

“Tell her, Naomi. Can’t I know?” I finally urged. Naomi gave in. That’s what I was hoping for. How could she not give in for the sake of a pregnant woman? Besides, I usually know all the office gossip. Why am I not allowed to know this time?

“Sarman was taken by the police, accused of embezzlement of funds since a year ago. The amount is surprisingly large.”

This I knew. I had somewhat checked the misappropriation reports as well. On that fateful Friday, I was the one who handed the report to Krystal.

“But not at the office.”

I furrowed my brow.

“He was arrested at the airport. It caused a big commotion on TV. Didn’t you see the news?”

I shook my head. During my break, I watched the series I had left behind for so long. Also, I caught up on the dramas I had skipped because I didn’t have enough time. In other words, I fully used my break yesterday to finish many dramas and novels. There’s no news that I’m aware of.

“Well, that’s the story.” Dona shrugged. I saw a hint of relief on her smooth face. Then she resumed enjoying her potato soup without interruption from my piercing gaze. But for some reason, my heart wasn’t satisfied, and I still felt that they were hiding something.

“Is that all?”

Naomi nodded enthusiastically. Dona followed suit.

“Seriously? You’re not lying to me, right?”

“Oh my goodness, Anya! That’s all that happened on Monday when you were absent. There’s nothing special like a new boss we didn’t expect-”

“PAINFUL, Naomi!!!!”

They are all hiding something. Dona can’t keep a secret for too long, especially from the three of us. Her lips are accustomed to gossiping here and there, but it all leads back to us. When it comes to others, Dona is merely an information gatherer. She digs as deep as possible before turning it into gossip for us to consume.

It’s like every time there’s something that she thinks will create a stir in the office. And now, from just a snippet of her words, Naomi is already trying to cover it up.

“You two aren’t my friends anymore, huh.” Naomi nudged Dona, who was sitting right beside her. There you go again. It’s so obvious that they really want to hide something from me.

“It’s not like that.” Naomi still scowled at Dona. I know it all too well because their interaction is happening right in front of me. I waited, half forcing them to spill it out. “You’re so stubborn, Doni!”

“My name is Dona!”

Naomi sneered, “Fine. What is it?”

They both looked at me in unison and sighed at the same time. “We promised not to talk about this. The person involved will be the one to tell you later.”

“What is it, then?” Seriously, it’s making my curiosity even more unbearable. “What is it exactly? Apart from Sarman going to jail for his mistakes, what else is there? Is there something even more shocking than this?”

Again, they both nodded in agreement.

“Fine, then just explain it,” I said, almost shouting. I lost my appetite, feeling annoyed.

“Anya, eat first. You haven’t been eating at all. You might faint,” Dona coaxed, pushing the bowl of soup closer. “Come on, Nao. Anya is more important than a promise.”

“It’s not like that, Dona.” Naomi seemed frustrated about this. “Alright, fine! But you promise to handle this wisely.”

I remained silent, waiting.

“And you eat first, Anya. We won’t tell you anything if you don’t eat. It’s a waste.”

Finally, my lips pouted.

“Hurry up. Do you want to know or not?” Dona urged once again, pushing the bowl of meatball soup that I hadn’t touched yet. Giving in, I ate under their watchful eyes.

“Anya.”

I swallowed my last spoonful of soup as Cedric suddenly sat right next to me. Without informing me that he was coming over for the meantime? In the cafeteria. The cafeteria where many of our office staff also eat. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, but…

Oh my goodness! Do we really have to go public right away?

I mean, I know it’s not possible to keep hiding what I’m going through. I also don’t want to deny anymore who the father of the baby I’m carrying is. I don’t want to act foolishly again and end up with tremendous regret. During my leave, I read a lot of articles about pregnancy and stories about women who were blamed for not being able to conceive in their marriages.

Do they want that for us? Clearly not! If the one in charge, God, doesn’t will it, can we force it? Maybe that’s what Naomi meant when she said I’m starting to direct my strange thoughts in the right direction, no longer wandering aimlessly. I’m so grateful to have friends like Naomi and Dona.

Although it started with a tragic mistake, it doesn’t mean I should blame the baby. We were at fault, especially me, who should have let go of my selfishness for the baby.

“You’re not eating?” Cedric approached me, and I resigned myself to the fact that he came over. I also started building a thick wall called ‘indifferent’ in case I hear any unpleasant comments in the office.

As long as these three people are in my life, it’s enough for me.

“I already ate in the pantry. I came after you to make sure you’ve eaten,” I scoffed.

“Anya has calmed down, Cedric. You don’t need to worry,” Dona said as she pleased.

“Now, I’ve finished eating as you ordered. Now it’s your turn to tell me,” I said, looking at them, weighing something.

“Naomi? Dona?”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Can you hear the story later? This is the cafeteria, Anya. Gossiping here is so mean,” Dona added with an exaggerated tone.

“Yeah, seriously. This is some juicy gossip,” Dona said with a playful voice.

“You better go back to the pantry. We want to gossip. They probably won’t talk if you’re here.” I gently pushed Cedric’s shoulder, trying to get rid of him. I felt confident that Cedric’s presence made those two mischief-makers cancel their plans, as they were now smiling without any clear reason.

“Pregnant women shouldn’t gossip. Let’s talk about something else. I want to stay here.”

“Cedric!”

“What? I’m here, Joice. Not going anywhere.” He chuckled as he saw me giving him an angry scowl. “Oh, I want to order coffee. Do you want some, Doni? Naomi?”

They all shook their heads together.

“Juice?”

Again, they shook their heads.

“But I want to treat you guys. Don’t you like it when I treat you?”

“I’ll have it, well… Cedric. I want mango juice. Do you want some too, Anya?” Naomi’s voice sounded unusual.

“If it’s juice, I want some. Or I can order it for you, Cedric. What about you?” Dona is always the laziest when it comes to going to the juice or food vendor. She prefers to call the server instead of walking up to them. She says it’s part of the service, but in reality, she’s just lazy and doesn’t want to move.

Now?