(ARIELLE’S POV)
“So, what are you gonna do with the packages?” Ashley asked when we were seated side by side on the couch watching Steve Harvey hours later.
I whipped my head to face her, realizing the packages were still outside, on the porch. “I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Probably send them back to her. Politely, of course.”
“Um, um,” Ashley said, shaking her head. “You’ll do no such thing. It’s disrespectful.”
“No, it’s not,” I countered. “She has to know that I meant it when I said I do not need anything from her family anymore.”
“Still, you should accept this one gift; maybe after it, you can tell her you do not want any more of them. Speaking of that, you should call her and let her know you saw the gifts.” “There’s no point, I’m not accepting them,” I insisted stubbornly.
“You already did.”
“Really? They’re gonna be there on the porch if you don’t let me return them.”
“And who said they are still on the porch? I brought them in already. They’re in the store room so you better go check what’s in them.”
“Ashley!,” I called, offended.
“I love you too, best friend. Come on, let’s go see what the old lady got you,” she said, pulling me up.
Reluctantly, I followed her to the store room. Ashley did the unboxing while I stood, watching with disinterest. The boxes contained jewelry, really nice ones. Dresses, shoes, designer perfumes, and even female supplements. “Look, she even got your favorite green tea,” Ashley exclaimed, holding out the pack to me.
“I’m not blind, I can see it.”
“Come on, Arielle, drop the attitude. This woman means well.”
But despite her persistence, I remained resolute. “I’m still sending them back,” I declared, folding my arms.
Ashley stared at me for a while and then sighed, “Fine, do what you want.”
I nodded. “I’ll have them sent back.”
The next morning, as it was too late to get a dispatch rider the previous night, I got one and had the packages sent back.
Next, I picked up my phone and dialed Jared’s mother’s number.
“Hello, dear,” she answered warmly.
“Hi, Mrs Smith,” I replied formally. “I wanted to talk to you about the gifts you sent over.”
“Oh, yes! I hoped you’d like them,” she said enthusiastically.
“I appreciate the thought, but I had to return them. I meant it when I said I don’t want anything from your family anymore,” I explained firmly but politely.
There was a brief pause before she spoke. “Arielle, I understand. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It was just my way of showing I care.”
“I appreciate that, Ma, but please, no more gifts. I need to move forward, and this is best for me.”
“I understand, dear. I’ll respect your wishes. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience,” she said graciously.
“Thank you, Ma. I appreciate your understanding.”
We exchanged a few more pleasantries before ending the call. As I hung up, Ashley walked into the room.
“How did it go?” She asked.
“Good. She understood,” I replied.
Ashley nodded. “That’s been sorted, I guess.”
“Hopefully. I have to go prepare for work now, and you should do the same too.”
As I took a step, the sensation in my stomach hit me, and I gasped, quickly holding on to the nearest couch for support.
Ashley was beside me the next second, concern on her face. “What’s happening, Arielle?”
I couldn’t say a word as I waited for the wave to pass. When it did, I felt dizzy and sat on the chair. I don’t know why, but this one felt worse than the rest. “What’s wrong?” Ashley pressed, kneeling beside me.
“It’s nothing,” I replied, trying to brush it off.
But her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Don’t give me that. Something’s wrong, and we’re going to the hospital.”
At the mention of the hospital, I swiftly whipped my head to face her. “No, I’m fine, really.”
I tried to convince her, but she wouldn’t budge. “No, we’re going. You are obviously not fine and you’re trying to handle your health with levity.”
“I’m fine, Ashley” I insisted. “See,” I said, taking her palm to my forehead. “I’m not running a temperature. I’m fine, no need for the hospital.”
But her expression turned stern. “Either we go to the hospital, or I call your mom.”
My heart sank at the thought of my Mom.
Reluctantly, I gave in. “Fine, let’s go.”
“We’ll get dressed and head out. We’ll call our workplaces to take the day off Hopefully, we don’t get sacked soon with how we’ve been missing work,” Ashley said the last words with a playful smile.
I managed a weak smile too.
“Come on, let’s get dressed,” she said, leading me to my room. “I’ll wait for you.”
I nodded and began to change. Minutes later, Ashley knocked on the door.
“Ready?” She asked.
“Yes,” I replied, opening the door.
Ashley was already dressed and ready to go. “Let’s go then.”
We headed out of the house, and Ashley helped me into the car.
“Which hospital should we go to?” She asked, starting the car.
“Anyone is fine,” I replied, trying not to wince as the sensation hit me again.
“Alright,” she nodded, and with that, we drove off to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital, and despite protesting that I could walk by myself, Ashley insisted on helping me.
“Let’s get you checked in,” she said, guiding me to the reception desk.
Ashley brought me to a different hospital from the last one I was admitted to, and after filling out the necessary paperwork we were ushered into a consultation room.
“So, what seems to be the problem?” The female doctor asked after we exchanged formal pleasantries.
I explained the reoccurring sensation in my stomach, and the weakness afterwards.
“I’m going to admit you temporarily, just for observation and some tests,” she said after I was done explaining.
I accepted, and the next few hours
were a series of blood draws, scans,
and barrages of questions from the medical staff. I was hooked up to an IV drip, to help me regain strength.
Finally, the Doctor returned. “You’re free to go home for now, Ms. We’ll need you to come back in three days for the test results.” Relieved, I nodded. “Thank you.”
“What do you think it could be, Doctor?” Ashley asked.
“Unfortunately, we do not work with assumptions. We’ll need the test results to confirm anything,” the doctor replied professionally.
We thanked her again, and she Left. Afterward, Ashley helped me get back into my clothes and we left the hospital.
“What if it’s something serious?” I voiced my fear to Ashley as we approached the car.
She wrapped a reassuring arm around my shoulders. “Hopefully, it’s not.”
*********
Three days later, Ashley and I returned to the hospital. As we approached the entrance, I clenched my fists to control my nervousness.
Ashley took notice and flashed me a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine.”
I nodded, wanting to badly believe that. We got into the hospital and this time, we didn’t have to fill out much paperwork before being led to the doctor’s office.
The doctor welcomed us warmly, her eyes sparkling with a knowing smile that unnerved me the more.
“Good morning, Ms Arielle and Ashley,” she said, her voice overly warm. “Please, have a seat.”
I sat down, Ashley by my side, holding my hand in a silent show of support.
The doctor pulled out a file and handed it to me, but before I could open it, she announced, “Congratulations, Ms Arielle, You’re pregnant!”