Chapter 20: The Second Line
A Month Later
After the conversation with Ozaire, I returned to the shared apartment to gather my things. Sofie asked why I was moving out. I looked her dead in the eyes and said flatly, "I already broke things off with him. Now you can have him all to yourself." Then, without hesitation, I slapped her across the face.
I left the apartment without looking back.
I headed straight for the condominium Reese had bought for me. Unfortunately, it was right next to Ozaire's place. Still, we rarely crossed paths—he was constantly consumed by work, and I was immersed in my training.
One morning, i was feeling sick all of a sudden and throw up all the things i ate at dinner yesterday. The sudden illness was disorienting and made me question if it was just a stomach bug or something more serious.
After a while, I managed to clean up and rest, trying to steady my breathing. My thoughts were clouded with concern, and I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed recently and I didn't even think that my life would change even more.
For the following days, i was still throwing up but i decided to ignore it everyday until one evening Yasha knocked on my door.
"Ophira, sister, it is so nice to see you again after all this months, days, weeks" Yasha enthusiasticly said as she run up to me and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back the same.
"I miss you too" i replied "So why are you here" i ask as i let her come in "Where's Yuan isn't he with you"
"Oh Yuan is next door with Ozaire"
"How have you been" Yasha ask as she sat down on my newly bought couch "You're gaining weight, i see"
"Yeah, I guess I've been eating more lately," I said, trying to keep the conversation light despite my discomfort. "It's been a bit stressful, but I'm managing."
Yasha looked at me with concern. "You don't look too well. Are you sure you're okay?"
I hesitated, unsure how to explain the ongoing sickness without causing unnecessary worry. "I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but it's nothing serious. Just trying to take it easy."
Before Yasha could press further, there was a knock at the door. Yuan and Ozaire entered, and the room filled with their presence.
Yuan's eyes lit up upon seeing Yasha. " How's everything, Ophira?"
"Fine, i kinda like this place Reese bought" I said
"Why don't you guys help Ophira with the new equipment she didn't get to unpack" Yasha said as she dragged me away from there. "I didn't think Yuan would follow me here" she whispered as she dragged me towards my room. I look at her in confusion and when she stopped dragging me she sighed "Where are your menstrual pads?"
"Oh" I manage to say as i now get why she is acting that way "It's in the cabinet right below the night lamp" I pointed out in which she got. She immediately went towards the bathroom and i just sat down at the bed waiting for her.
As i was waiting for her. I began to think that i didn't get my menstruation this month. With the sudden illness and the late menstruation, i hope that what i'm thinking is not what it's suppose to be.
When Yasha came out of the bathroom, looking refreshed, we sat down to dinner. Yasha had ordered something before going to freshen up, so our meal was ready. We talked and enjoyed our time together. Afterward, Yasha and Yuan left, leaving me alone with Ozaire. He continued unpacking the things I hadn't yet gotten to.
I went to my room, feeling a surge of suspicion I couldn't ignore. I took out a pregnancy test kit and waited a few minutes for the result. "Shit, shit, shit, this can't be happening," I mumbled when I saw the two lines indicating a positive result. I repeated the test a few times, but the outcome was the same every time. It was positive.
I put my hands on my head, feeling overwhelmed. I can't mess up my life like this, not when everything seems to be falling into place, I thought. Suddenly, I heard a knock on my door. I quickly gathered all the pregnancy tests and hid them in my wardrobe.
How am I supposed to tell Ozaire about this?
I opened the door, trying to smile. "Oh, hi Ozaire."
"Ophira, can I use the restroom real quick? I've unpacked most of your stuff and was searching for the bathroom, but I couldn't find it," Ozaire said hesitantly.
I opened the door wider to let him in. "Oh yeah, there's only one bathroom here," I said. "You can use it, and I'll get out to wash the dishes."
Ozaire thanked me and headed to the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I walked into the kitchen and started washing the dishes, the sound of running water helping to steady my nerves.
What am I going to do? I thought. This news would change everything. As I scrubbed a plate, I replayed all the possible scenarios in my head. How would Ozaire react? What would this mean for us? I hadn't even fully processed the reality of it myself.
A few minutes later, Ozaire emerged from the bathroom, looking relieved. "Thanks, Ophira," he said, giving me a small smile.
"Anytime," I replied, trying to sound normal.
He joined me in the kitchen, drying the dishes as I washed them. The silence between us was comfortable, yet I couldn't shake the tension building inside me. I knew I had to tell him soon, but the words felt like a mountain I wasn't ready to climb.
"Ophira," Ozaire said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off."
I forced a smile, shaking my head. "Yeah, I'm just a bit tired, that's all."
He didn't look convinced but didn't press further. We finished the dishes, and as he turned to leave, I knew I couldn't keep this from him much longer. I needed to find the right moment, but tonight was not it. Not yet.
"Goodnight, Ozaire," I said softly as he walked towards the door.
"Goodnight, Ophira. Get some rest," he replied, giving me one last concerned look before leaving.
I watched him go, my heart heavy with the secret I carried. As I headed to bed, I knew that tomorrow, I would have to face this head-on. There was no more running away from it.
"The first time, it was just a kiss and years of silence. The second time, it left a mark that would change everything—even the parts I wasn't ready for."