PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Anya, please! Just sit quietly and stop making so much noise! You’re so annoying today!” Dona yelled in frustration as I threw one of the sofa cushions. I glared angrily at her. Ever since she arrived, there hasn’t been a moment of peace. I really want to keep getting mad at Dona!

I don’t know why!

I’m incredibly annoyed with all of them, especially since Cedric left, and that guy seemed to intentionally cause trouble – he kissed my forehead as if to say I belong to him or something – and now I’m constantly being teased. Well… maybe they haven’t seen Cedric being so sweet to me. But being mocked all the time is really getting on my nerves!

They call me a hypocrite.

How could those words stick to me when I’m just acting normal? Dona is the number one exaggerator when it comes to situations. Right?

“Anya, just sit down. I’m getting a headache watching you wander around aimlessly. What’s the matter with you?” Now it’s Naomi’s turn to speak.

“I just want to walk around here. Why are all of you so uptight?” I retorted sharply. Instead of backing down, Naomi forcefully hugged me and made me sit next to Dona, who was ready to hold me back.

“What’s wrong with you? You’re so all over the place!”

“Ugh! What’s your problem?” I rebelled! It’s easy for them! Who’s the one all over the place? They’re probably the ones who haven’t stopped teasing me!

“What’s wrong, Anya?” Naomi asked in a softer voice. Her sympathetic eyes fixed on me. I couldn’t deny that something didn’t feel right in my heart, completely different from usual.

I’m used to this living room being filled with their laughter, no matter what we talk about. Every weekend, we gather here. Sometimes, if we’re not lazy, we go out to sit in a cafe with a cup of coffee for Dona, while Naomi prefers a latte. As for me, who doesn’t like coffee much, I go for hot chocolate or something else.

Since I got to know them, I felt closer to these two. We talk about everything, even though Dona doesn’t know much about my past. I only shared that with Naomi. Despite Dona being a half-woman, half-man, I still feel more comfortable sharing with Naomi when it comes to family matters.

She knows that my parents abandoned me, the ones who should have been my role models, my support, and the ones who should have showered me with love as their only daughter. But that wasn’t the case. They just left me behind due to their selfishness.

“I’m annoyed that you keep teasing me like that,” I said, pouting. I was serious; it really ruined my mood. From the corner of my eye, both Naomi and Dona looked at each other and finally hugged me.

“Sorry, Anya. We went too far,” Dona whispered. “But, you know, it’s just fun to tease you. When else can we see you being all lovey-dovey with a guy?”

Then the adorable guy in the pink shirt let out a yelp of pain. “Ouch, Naomi, that hurts!!!”

I chuckled softly.

“I got tempted because Dona teased you, Anya. So forgive me too, okay?” Naomi hugged me a bit tighter than before. When it’s like this, I can’t stay mad for long. After all, they are my best friends, always ready to defend me.

“Alright, then. Let go now. I’m feeling hot.”

In the end, we laughed together. Before leaving earlier, Cedric had prepared some snacks. There was popcorn on the top shelf, which he said was for gossip sessions. I chuckled at the memory of him being so relaxed in the kitchen area. Ah, why am I missing him now?

No, no, stop it!

“What’s wrong, Anya?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to suppress my nervousness and get rid of Cedric, who hasn’t been gone for even 24 hours.

“You’re smiling for no reason,” Dona replied, poking my cheek. “Whenever you’re like this, I suspect something fishy.”

I was ready to flick Dona’s forehead.

“You’re pregnant! Oh my God, Anya!!!”

“Hey, watch your words. When are you going back to the doctor for a check-up?”

All my annoyance instantly vanished upon hearing Dona’s words. She was right; I remembered my pregnancy book, which I left hidden in the office drawer. “Oh, I forgot. The book is at the office.”

“Tomorrow you should get checked, Anya. Stay healthy. You’re taking your vitamins, right? Milk?”

Dona is like that. Her hobby is being sarcastic and teasing, but she’s number one when it comes to showing care.

“Cedric prepares everything for me at night. I have to drink everything he prepares in front of him.”

“That’s great!” Dona is now sitting next to me again, grabbing a bunch of caramel popcorn from the table. “That shows he really loves you, Anya. I’m so happy to see Cedric treating you like that. It’s genuine. As a gentle man whom you can rely on.”

“Are you still thinking about what else you need to do to marry him soon?”

I shook my head. “We talked about that last night.”

“And then?” Dona’s excitement ignited as her eyes blinked rapidly.

“Well… I want to have a small wedding, you know. Just close family. You guys will be there. Your dad, Naomi. Yous mom, Dona. That would make me really happy.”

“What did Cedric say?”

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “He said it’s up to me, whatever I want.”

“By Cedric, I meant his parents, Anya.”

I laughed. When Dona gets annoyed talking to me, her frustration is so evident.

“I’ll prepare myself to meet them, even though Cedric said his parents really want to meet me.”

“At least, you’re starting to stop dwelling on the negative thoughts you had.” It was Naomi who spoke, making me fall silent. What she said was true.

I don’t know since when, but the thoughts of all the bad things have started to fade away on their own. Even though it all started with a mistake, it doesn’t mean that what’s growing in my womb deserves to be punished for it, right? The baby knows nothing. We are the ones who know best what the consequences will be if we’re not careful.

Cedric himself said that he won’t stop fighting for us. In case I run into problems at work, at least I can rely on Cedric, right? I don’t have extravagant expectations for his life either. It’s not luxurious. I have nice things too after working hard. I’m not born into a wealthy family. I know the meaning of struggling, which Sumi instilled in me since my parents left.

“My choice isn’t wrong, is it?” I asked, considering all the factors.

In unison, both my friends shook their heads.

“I think Cedric is the best for you.”

“I agree with Naomi. Although he’s not as handsome as a god or as cool as Kelvin. But Cedric is sweet too. Well… your baby will definitely be beautiful or handsome. Hey, when can you find out the gender? You should do a 4D ultrasound. We’re curious.”

I pouted. Dona always talks with a teasing tone.

“Oh, when you go for the check-up, we’ll go with you. We want to be good and proper aunties for Baby. So that the mom stays sane, she needs to be accompanied by sane aunties. Right, Naomi?”

Naomi nodded enthusiastically.

Well, that’s enough. They never seem to run out of teasing material for me. So I guess I just have to accept my fate.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Anya, your phone is ringing.” Dona half jumped and grabbed my phone lying on the table. I didn’t really care. I was enjoying this sweet popcorn and didn’t want to be bothered.

“It’s Henry, Anya.”

***