Chapter 1
The afternoon felt too quiet that day.
Even the sun looked different — like it was watching me instead of warming me.
I stood under the jacaranda tree near the school gate, my bag hanging off my shoulder, feeling heavier than it should have been.
Not because of books.
Because of what I was about to say.
My fingers trembled as I held my phone.
I had typed and deleted the message more than I could count.
Finally, I sent it.
“Can we meet? It’s important.”
He replied quickly.
That alone made my heart race.
“Where are you?”
“At the school gate.”
I didn’t have to wait long.
I saw him walking towards me, his uniform slightly messy, tie loose like he had already mentally left school before exams even finished.
But when he saw me… he slowed down.
“Nomi?” he called.
His voice was normal.
That made it harder.
“Hi,” I said quietly.
My voice betrayed me immediately.
Something was wrong.
He noticed.
“What’s going on?” he asked, stepping closer. “You said it’s important.”
I tried to speak.
I really did.
But the words felt stuck in my throat like they didn’t belong in my mouth.
“I… I don’t know how to say this,” I whispered.
He frowned. “Just say it.”
That’s when my heart dropped.
Because I knew there was no turning back after this.
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
Everything around us stopped.
Even the wind felt like it disappeared for a second.
He blinked at me.
Once.
Twice.
Like he was trying to restart his mind.
“What?” he finally said.
“I’m pregnant,” I repeated, my voice breaking this time.
My eyes burned immediately, but I refused to look away.
He stepped back.
Not angry.
Not happy.
Just shocked.
Like the ground beneath him had shifted.
“That’s… not possible,” he said softly.
“It is,” I whispered. “I went to the clinic.”
Another silence.
Longer this time.
He ran his hand over his face like he was trying to wake up from something.
When he looked at me again, his expression had changed.
Not fully calm… but softer.
“Nomi…” he said quietly.
I braced myself.
For anger.
For denial.
For him walking away.
But instead, he stepped closer.
“We’re going to fix this,” he said. “You’re not alone in this.”
My breath broke.
Because I wanted to believe him.
So badly.
“But school…” I whispered. “My family… I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“We’ll handle it,” he said again, firmer this time. “One step at a time.”
I nodded slowly.
But deep inside me… fear was already growing.
Because something told me:
This is only the beginning.
