Morning came faster than I imagined. Birds chirped outside, blending with the familiar hustle and bustle of the street below. I woke up feeling nauseous and fatigued, my body heavy and uncooperative. I supposed the pregnancy symptoms were becoming more obvious since the discovery.
The beep of my phone notification startled me awake. I quickly glanced at the screen, a small smile tugging at my lips as I read his message:
Arise and shine, my morning sunlight. How was your night?
I stared at the screen for a moment before typing back.
It was okay. I slept through most of it, I replied.
Almost instantly, the three dots appeared.
You must have been tired from the stress of going to the hospital. How are you feeling now? I hope you've started taking the drugs for the fever. I know how much you dislike the taste of medication, but try to take it—or I'll have to come over and force you myself, he wrote, followed by a laughing emoji.
I had told Jimmy earlier that I was feeling feverish, and he had persuaded me to visit the hospital for a check-up and medication. To him, it was Just stress-induced fever. He had no idea there was more to it than that. Before I could reply to his message, another one came through.
Couldn't stop thinking about that smile of yours.
My fingers hovered over the screen, my heart heavy—torn between warmth and fear.
Samehere, I replied briefly.
A pause followed before his next message appeared.
I'll be at our usual spot from 6 p.m. today. I really want to see you.
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening as I read it.
I can't wait to see you too hun, I typed slowly. There's something I'd like us to discuss_something not suitable to talk about over the phone.
Oh, alright. See you by 6 p.m., my love. Bye.
I stepped out of bed, brushed my teeth, took a shower, and changed into an oversized top Jimmy had bought for me after our first date, not knowing my clothing size at the time. I paired it with a pair of jean shorts. I didn't want to wear anything tight as it would make my slightly protruding stomach noticeable, and I couldn't afford to risk my mother finding out this early.
I needed to hear from Jimmy first before deciding how to break this devastating news to her.
As I reached the kitchen, I found Mom preparing breakfast.
"Morning, Mother. What are you making?" I asked, stuffing a few chocolates from the counter into my mouth.
"I'm making fluffy pancakes for breakfast, my dear_topped with lots of honey syrup and berries," she said, smiling at me. But then her eyes narrowed slightly, a tense look crossing her face.
My heart skipped a beat, wondering if she'd noticed the top I was wearing. I could feel my skin turn pale. She glanced at me once more.
"You look tired, Riley. Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Her voice held concern.
I felt relieved_I had been wrong. She hadn't noticed what I was wearing nor my protruding tummy. I forced a small smile. "I'm fine, just a little worn out."
She studied me for a moment longer but didn't press. Instead, she handed me a cup of tea she had brewed early that morning.
"Drink this. It helps reduce stress and calm the nerves. It's good for the mind."
"Thank you, Mom," I replied, stretching out my hand to take the cup.
"You're welcome, dear. I'm getting dressed now to head to the shop. I'll be back late as usual. Please make sure to arrange the house when you're feeling better." Her eyes softened as she continued, "And don't forget to take care of yourself while I'm gone. There's food in the refrigerator you can microwave for lunch."
"I will," I whispered, clutching the cup a little tighter than necessary.
And with that, I was left alone in the kitchen.
Mom had been distant ever since Dad died in that fatal accident. She worked hard every day to keep the bills paid. She was barely home anymore, leaving little time for mother and daughter moments.
The familiar silence of the house settled around me as Mom walked out the front door. The smell of pancakes lingered in the air; if they smelled this good, I knew they would taste even better. I took a few bites, savoring the sweet, rich flavor before tossing the rest into the bin. If I'd had any real appetite, I would have finished every last bit.
Minutes passed like hours, and the sun shone radiantly as its rays filtered through the window blinds. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my bag, checking once more to be sure I had everything. I considered taking the test result with me, but decided against it_I had already taken a picture earlier, intending to send it to him before changing my mind. Instead, I opened my drawer and tucked the envelope beneath a book.
My heart raced as I stepped outside, still unsure of how he would react.
The street was alive with the usual midday buzz. I greeted our next-door neighbor, who was watering her garden.
"Good morning, Mrs. Mateo."
"Morning, Riley," she replied, barely glancing up as she continued tending to her flowers.
The familiar beach café came into view as I walked through the gate, heading toward the spot closest to the ocean. It was our favorite place to sit. The shaded area near the shore, where we could hear the sea's steady roar while enjoying the peace and serenity of nature together.
I spotted Jimmy dressed in a vintage two-piece outfit. He sat with his back slightly hunched, his phone in one hand and a basketball resting in the other. When he looked up and saw me walking toward him, his face broke into a smile that reached his eyes.
"Riley," he said, rising to his feet. "I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."
"You know I wouldn't do that," I replied softly as I walked closer. "I'm really sorry for the delay. I had to tidy up the house before coming."
He pulled me into a brief warm and comforting hug, the kind that once made me feel safe without question. But today, my body felt stiff in his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked, pulling back to look at me.
I nodded, taking a seat beside him. My hands rested on my lap, fingers twisting together as I searched for the right words.
Jimmy's expression hardened with concern, his eyes digging deep as if trying to read my mind. "You're scaring me, Ril. You know I hate seeing you moody, and I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy."
Ril-the shortened form of my name he only uses when I've got him worried, anxious, or upset.
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. I opened my mouth to speak, but a phone ringing cut me off.
It was Jimmy's. He immediately rejected the call and waited for me to speak, but the caller kept calling.
"You can take the call. Seems like it's urgent. Whatever I wanted to say can wait till you're done," I said before I even realized it_replacing the truth, or maybe the misery, I was about to unravel.
"It's the assistant coach," Jimmy said with a delighted grin as he picked up the call.
"Jimmy, where are you? The game is about to start!" I could hear the assistant coach shouting through the phone.
"You know how important today's game is, not just for the team, but for your father, who has financially supported us over the years."
"Okay, sir. I'll be at the court in a jiffy," Jimmy replied, hanging up with a sly sense of relief.
He muttered under his breath, "My life seems to revolve around my father's failed dream of becoming an international basketball player, no matter if that's what I want."
I watched him, the weight of his words settling in my chest. It wasn't just the game or the pressure of a coach's voice. This was a burden he carried every day, invisible yet heavy.
Jimmy had always dreamed of becoming a musical instrumentalist. But that passion was crushed by his parents when he was ten, after his sports teacher noticed how well he performed in basketball during their inter-house competition.
His father, a former player who never reached the international heights he once hoped for, saw this as an opportunity and immediately enrolled Jimmy in a basketball team.
Since then, he has been training and competing relentlessly. He'd told me all this when we first started dating.
I reached out and touched his arm gently. "Everything's going to be fine, my love. You don't have to live the dream of someone else."
He looked at me, grateful. "Thank you, my love. You always seem to know just how to calm me down, and that's why I love you dearly."
He smiled, carrying his ball and phone as he took my hands in his. "If you don't mind, let's go to the court together. Knowing the one person I cherish most in this life is watching me play would bring me luck."
Watching him play would be thrilling and exciting. I walked slowly behind him as we strolled to the bus station.
I didn't want to ruin this moment or add to the pressure he was already feeling today, so I kept to myself what I had come to discuss initially.
"It could wait till tomorrow," I mumbled.