Turning Of The Tide

Chapter 80

In the early hours of the following day, at 3:30 AM.

they both struggled to find restful sleep, consumed by their anxieties over their delayed menstrual cycles. Restless and anxious, they stood in the bathroom, clad in their sleepwear, taking turns to test the pregnancy strips.

Sherri was growing increasingly frantic, urging Natalie, who had been inside for five minutes, “Natalie, are you finished? Why is it taking so long for you to urinate?”

Natalie’s voice echoed from inside, “Just a moment, I’m not done yet.”

“You should come out first. The test strip must be left for 5-10 minutes to obtain accurate results. Waiting inside won’t make any difference.”

The door swung open, and Natalie emerged, clutching the test strip. It displayed a single line. “I see. I’ll use the restroom first. It’s your turn now.”

After four minutes, piercing screams reverberated from the bathroom, “Ah…”

Natalie pushed the door open and entered, glancing around. “What’s going on?”

Sherri’s face was stunned as she opened her mouth, gesturing toward the two test strips on the bathroom counter.

Natalie’s gaze followed Sherri’s gesture, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Mechanically, she turned back to Sherri, who seemed lost in thought.

The two stood there, staring at each other dumbfoundedly for a few minutes. Then, in perfect synchronization, they both exclaimed, “It’s positive.”

There was a brief pause, and they simultaneously repeated, “What should we do?”

Without skipping a beat, they said. “Stay calm.”

Both of them sighed deeply, leaning against opposite sides of the door frame. In perfect unison, they sighed, “Well…” Natalie snapped back to reality, realizing the irreversible situation they were facing. It was like hitting the jackpot, except this time, it was different. “Let’s go. We won’t find any answers in the bathroom. Staring at this test strip won’t miraculously change the result. You don’t possess any magical powers.”

Sherri followed with a gloomy expression as they exited the restroom. Both of them took their seats on opposite ends of the couch. Sherri crossed her legs and slumped, “Natalie, what do you plan to do? You just got divorced. Perhaps… you should consider…” She wanted to suggest that Natalie consider terminating the pregnancy, but as an obstetrician-gynecologist, those words proved challenging to utter.

too, felt the weight of exhaustion. She crossed her legs and leaned against the couch, tilting

living room was engulfed in a calm stillness, punctuated only by

contemplating for a moment. Sherri suddenly struck upon a thought. “Natalie, where did you buy your last batch of contraceptive pills? Could they have expired or been counterfeit? It’s perplexing how even imported pills couldn’t prevent

evading the effects of birth control pills?

evasive. “Ahem, perhaps we didn’t take them early enough.

using her expertise

plan then? You’re not married

discussion from the topic of birth control pill efficacy.

probably tear me apart.” Natalie contemplated momentarily, then slapped her thigh

eyes widened as she stared at her in disbelief. “Are you insane? Weren’t you planning to go abroad after the New Year? Will the university even

in my first or second year. The training programs at the university have students of

say something, but Natalie quickly interjected, anticipating her thoughts. “I know what you’re going to say. This chuld is his biological child, but we’re already divorced. This child is mine. Please, don’t let it slip. If you do, our friendship will come to an end. I want to have a

welled up with tears as she understood Natalie’s intentions. Since her grandfather’s passing, she had no blood relatives with whom she shared a true kinship. Despite the biological connection with that scumbag dad, having no ties at all felt better. She longed to have a genuine family member in

knew the days ahead would be

after being a doctor for so many years. I’ve never performed an abortion. I couldn’t bear

question it, she knew it was a deeply personal choice. However, Sherri’s unmarried status posed a dilemma, how would she navigate marriage with

not let

something to be taken lightly. If you decide to proceed with the pregnancy, you’ll be

a question, “And what about you?”

doesn’t necessarily need to be bound to a man for a lifetime. I can still cherish over 20 years of companionship and joy if I have a

the future, I happen to meet someone I genuinely love and who loves me in return, someone who can accept and

we can still lead fulfilling lives as independent women. We can enjoy our

a girl and you have a boy, we’ll pair them up. Or we can still make it work if you have a girl and I have a

What are you even thinking? It’s the 21st century. We don’t do baby

Don’t you feel sad that your godmother doesn’t want you as her child?”