Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 2

As expected, no response after that. But, maybe, he is indeed sick. It is getting colder in Dubai. People usually get sick during the transition from summer to winter. And when you say summer, it means that the heat and humidity will make you feel like you are being grilled inside an oven when you go out. Even at night, you will hate going out. It doesn't snow during the winter, but the temperature can sometimes drop to 6 degrees Celsius.

She is going on with her life as if she is not carrying a child within her. She would work up to 10 hours a day without a break, or sometimes she would be standing the whole shift. She is a Reservation Agent cum Receptionist in a hotel, that's why. But she likes it because it keeps her off from thinking. Especially that Acwell still won't see her or communicate with her just to check on her. The idea of him running away from his responsibility creeps in from time to time. But she refuses to think that he will. She is still full of hope that somehow they will be together in facing this new and big challenge called parenting.

Another week has passed. She started to see the obvious changes in her body. Her breasts are sore almost all the time. It's even sometimes itchy, with stretch marks starting to show. They are growing that some of her bras do not fit anymore. Her appetite for eating is increasing day by day. But lucky for her, she still doesn't suffer from food aversion or morning sickness. Her stomach is becoming bigger and bigger that which made some of her clothes tight. Until now, she is keeping it a secret. She knows how fast rumors spread. She will be in trouble if the authorities find out. But for how long she can keep it, not for long. Soon people will notice the changes in her body. But Acwell, still, would not talk to her.

It's the third week of the month; still, Acwell has not got back to her. "What kind of sickness does he have that he still won't talk to me?" she thought. "Maybe he is running away. No! If he didn't want to be there for her and the baby, he could have said so. No one is forcing him to take responsibility," she said to quiet her mind. She just wanted him to know because she didn't want to keep it from him. And so she could make peace with all what if and to be able to think clearly of what she must do.

It's almost the end of the month; still, Acwell won't talk to her. She sends him a message again.

"How are you? Are you better now?"

"Yeah, somehow," he replied. "My stomach is growing bigger. You have to make a decision. I cannot wait for you forever. Tell me if you don't want to be there for us so I can resign and go home."

"When is your off?"

"On next Thursday and Friday, I am off."

"Let's meet up at the same hotel we usually go to on Thursday. I am off that day and doing an afternoon shift the day before. I will make the reservation myself. Message me beforehand at what time you can be there."

"Alright, see you there!"

"Finally! But I would still prepare my resignation letter just in case so I can hand it to my manager when I come back from off," she said to herself. She started checking job vacancies in the Philippines and even sending her resume for application. She must start taking action so that hopefully, if she must go home, there is a job waiting for her.

Thursday seemed like forever. But when that day arrives, she is feeling nervous. "You are strong! Whether he will be there or not, you can do this," she said while she was at the toilet applying a little makeup. She had become pale these past few days. She even vomited for the first time on that day. Her phone vibrated, and when she checked, Acwell had just sent her a message.

"I am here in room 424. I ordered pizza for lunch. I hope that it is still okay for you."

"Yeah, it's fine. I don't have a food aversion. But I vomited today after eating some fruits for breakfast. It's the first time it happened."

"Oh! Well, we will order something else if in case you can't eat this."

"Let me try."

"Ah, it was delicious," he said with a big smile. She smiled back at him and drank her can of Pepsi.

They were silent for a minute. They just looked at each other, thinking of what to say and what to hear. Acwell broke the silence by saying, "So, how are you? Don't say you are okay. What exactly do you feel?" he asked while having a serious look.

"I feel scared," she answered in tears.

"I know. But why?"

"I feel that I am going through this alone."

"Why is that?"

"I don't think you want this child."