Chapter 21: Taking the Next Step
Ozaire's POV
The thing that happened with Ophira was the one thing i didn't regret a bit at all. I might be guilty because it was filled with alcohol and pain. I admit I did like Ophira before and after dating Katie. If one of us ever did manage to confess before, would it have ended this way.
Yuan and Yasha went to visit us and when they left i continued on helping Ophira. She went into her room and i left her be. Moments later, I really wanted to use the restroom but there was no restrooms out here so i knocked on Ophira's door.
The only bathroom was in her room so she let me enter as she went towards the kitchen to wash the dishes. I went inside and I notice that there was a white thing peeking out from below of her bed. I pick it up and notice it was a pregnancy test. There were two lines in it.
I was shock but didn't bother confronting Ophira about it. I just put it in my pockets and went inside the bathroom. A few minutes later, i emerged from the bathroom. "Thanks, Ophira," i said, giving her a small smile.
"Anytime," she replied, trying to sound normal.
I joined her in the kitchen, drying the dishes as she washed them. The silence between us was kinda comfortable but there was undeniably tension going on in her mind.
"Ophira," i called out suddenly, breaking the silence. "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off."
I noticed she was forcing a smile, shaking her head. "Yeah, I'm just a bit tired, that's all."
I wasn't convinced at all but i decided to not press further. We finished the dishes, and as I turned to leave.
"Goodnight, Ozaire," She said softly as I walked towards the door.
"Goodnight, Ophira. Get some rest," i replied, giving her one last concerned look before leaving.
I guess she decided to tell me tomorrow then, I thought as I walked towards my place. Once inside, I headed straight to the kitchen and brewed some coffee, hoping it would help clear my mind. The aroma filled the room, offering a small comfort.
As I sipped my coffee, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was weighing on Ophira. It might be the fact that she was pregnant. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt a mix of emotions: worry, excitement, and uncertainty.
I leaned against the counter, taking another sip. Whatever it was, I hoped she would find the courage to talk to me about it. I wanted to be there for her, no matter what she was going through. The thought of her facing something difficult alone didn't sit well with me.
With this new understanding, I felt a sense of urgency but also patience. Ophira needed to come to me when she was ready. For now, all I could do was be supportive and prepare myself for the conversation that was bound to come.
Afterwards, i went to sleep.
As I lay in bed, thoughts of Ophira and the potential new life she carried filled my mind. I hoped that whatever she was dealing with, she would find the strength to confide in me. With a sigh, I closed my eyes, willing myself to relax.
Despite my concerns, exhaustion eventually took over, and I drifted into a restless sleep, filled with dreams of uncertain tomorrows and the hope that everything would be alright.
*8:00 pm*
I heard knocking on my door. I was still wearing a bathrobe since I had just gotten out of the shower. Without checking to see who it was, I walked to the door and opened it, already having a good idea of who it might be.
"Hi, Ophira," I greeted her. "What brings you here?" I asked.
"Um... You see, Ozaire, when you were in my room, did you... Uh," she hesitated.
I opened the door wider. "Why don't you come in first?" I suggested. She was hesitant at first but stepped inside anyway. "I think I know what you came here for," I said as I headed to my room to retrieve the pregnancy test I had found in her room. "Looking for this, I think?"
Ophira's eyes widened as she saw the pregnancy test in my hand. She looked up at me, a mixture of fear and uncertainty written on her face.
"Ozaire, I... I didn't mean for you to find out like that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I understand," I replied gently, placing the test on the table. "But it's out now. What do you want to do about it?"
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I don't know. I haven't told anyone yet. I haven't even processed it myself."
"Well, you're not alone in this," I reassured her. "We'll figure it out together, whatever you decide."
Ophira nodded slowly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, Ozaire. I really appreciate it."
I gave her a reassuring smile. "Let's sit down and talk about it. We'll take it one step at a time."
I guided Ophira to the couch and we sat down. She then pulled out the four pregnancy tests from her bag and placed them on the table, arranging them neatly. Each test looked similar but had slightly different markings.
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "It seems like you're taking all the precautions you can. If you want, we can go through them together, or if you prefer, we can wait until you're ready to discuss what's next."
Ophira nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the tests. "I just want to be sure," she said quietly. "I don't want to jump to conclusions."
I nodded in understanding. "Let's start by reviewing the results from each test, and then we can decide what to do next. We're in this together, okay?"
We reviewed each test one by one, comparing their results. Each showed the same result, which confirmed the pregnancy.
Ophira's face was a mix of emotions—fear, sadness, and a hint of relief. I reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I know this might feel overwhelming right now," I said gently. "But we'll face it together. We have options, and we can discuss them whenever you're ready."
Ophira took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm scared, Ozaire. I didn't expect this we're still young."
"I understand," I said softly. "We don't have to make any decisions right away. Let's take some time to think things through and figure out what's best for you."
She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you for being here," she said, her voice steadying.
"Anytime," I replied. "We'll get through this together, one step at a time."
We sat quietly for a few moments, letting the weight of the situation settle. I could see Ophira was deep in thought, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of one of the tests.
"Do you want to talk about what you're feeling or any concerns you have?" I asked, trying to give her space to open up if she was ready.
Ophira looked at me with a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "I'm just worried about how this will affect everything. My life, my future... I don't even know where to start."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of her concerns. "It's completely normal to feel that way. It might help to make a list of your thoughts and feelings, and we can work through them together. It might also be useful to consider talking to a professional who can offer guidance."
Ophira nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds like a good idea. I think I need some time to process all of this."
"Take all the time you need," I said gently. "Whenever you're ready, we can discuss the next steps or seek out any additional support you might need."
She managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Ozaire. It means a lot to have your support."
"Of course," I said. "We'll get through this, no matter what. You're not alone."
Ophira took a moment to gather her thoughts. "I think I'd like to take some time to think things over on my own, but I really appreciate you being here with me."
I nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Take all the time you need. I'll be here whenever you're ready to talk or if you need anything."
She stood up slowly, her expression softening a bit. "I'll start by taking some time to reflect and maybe talk to a professional for guidance, like you suggested."
"That sounds like a good plan," I said, standing up as well. "If you need help finding someone or just want to talk, don't hesitate to reach out."
Ophira gave me a grateful nod. "I will. Thanks again, Ozaire."
As she headed towards the door, I walked with her, giving her a reassuring smile. "Take care of yourself, Ophira. We'll get through this."
With a final nod, she left, and I closed the door behind her. I took a deep breath, hoping that whatever path Ophira chose, it would lead to clarity and peace for her.
After Ophira left, I took a moment to reflect on the situation. I needed to stay grounded and focused, knowing that there would be more steps ahead.
I made my way to the kitchen and began preparing some food. I found that cooking helped me think and calm my mind. As I worked, I considered how best to support Ophira and how to ensure we both navigated this situation thoughtfully.
Once I finished preparing a simple meal, I set it aside and took out my phone. I decided to look up some resources and contacts for pregnancy counseling and support. It felt important to have these ready in case Ophira wanted them.
As evening approached, I checked my phone for any messages or updates, hoping for any sign that Ophira was feeling better or had made some decisions. I also sent a quick message to a trusted friend to let them know about the situation, seeking their advice and support.
With everything in place, I focused on being patient and ready for whatever came next, knowing that being there for Ophira in any capacity was the most important thing right now.
The next few days passed in a blur. I kept myself busy with work and other tasks, but my thoughts frequently wandered back to Ophira and the pregnancy. I knew I couldn't rush her, but the uncertainty gnawed at me.
Every time my phone buzzed, I hoped it was her, ready to talk. But she didn't reach out, and I respected her need for space. In the meantime, I made sure to educate myself as much as possible about what she might be going through. I read up on pregnancy, the emotional toll it can take, and the decisions she might face. I wanted to be prepared, to be a source of strength for her when she was ready to talk.
One evening, about a week later, just as I was winding down for the night, there was a knock on my door. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly made my way to the door, half expecting it to be Ophira. When I opened it, I was relieved and concerned to see her standing there, looking slightly better than the last time but still burdened by something.
"Ophira," I said, stepping aside to let her in. "It's good to see you."
She gave a small smile as she walked in. "Hey, Ozaire. I'm sorry for showing up unannounced."
"No need to apologize. You're always welcome here," I reassured her.
She took a seat on the couch, her hands fidgeting nervously. "I've been doing a lot of thinking… and I realized that I can't do this alone."
"You don't have to," I said, sitting beside her. "Whatever you decide, I'll be here to support you."
She nodded, taking a deep breath. "I've decided to keep the baby."
A mix of relief and nervousness washed over me. "That's a big decision, Ophira. I'm proud of you for making it."
She smiled weakly. "Thank you. I was scared to tell you because I wasn't sure how you'd react."
"I'll admit, it's a lot to process," I said honestly. "But I'm here for you, every step of the way. We'll figure this out together."
Ophira's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she reached out to take my hand. "Thank you, Ozaire. I don't know what I'd do without you."
I squeezed her hand gently. "You'll never have to find out."
For the first time in days, the tension between us seemed to ease. We sat there for a while, just holding hands and letting the silence speak for us.
Finally, I spoke up. "We should start planning what comes next. Doctor's appointments, setting up a support system… all of it."
Ophira nodded, her expression determined. "You're right. I need to take care of myself, and this baby."
"And I'll be right there with you," I added. "As I said before, we'll take this one step at a time."
As we talked through the next steps, I couldn't help but feel a sense of resolve. This was uncharted territory for both of us, but together, we could navigate it. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I knew we had the strength to face it.
By the time Ophira left that night, there was a new sense of purpose between us. The fear and uncertainty were still there, but so was hope. We were in this together, and that was all that mattered.
As I watched her walk back to her place, I couldn't help but smile. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, with determination, patience, and, most importantly, with each other.
"The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: no matter what came our way, we would face it together, hand in hand."