LITTLE TRAITOR

Lily Davids‘ eyes flickered open, a gruesome twirl in her stomach, her hands flew over her belly, her throat clogged with discomfort.

She sprinted to the bathroom, throwing up as though her throat followed suit.

For a moment, Lily tried to breathe, leaning against the wall.

“What's this… about?” she said.

Last she checked, she had been feeling lightheaded, weak, and feverish. She had even told her best friend, Damaris Mensah, that it might be the sudden change of weather when Damaris suggested taking a test at the hospital.

She opened the cupboard over her head and grabbed a test strip, her hands shivering, her breath hitching.

Some minutes later, Lily swallowed hard, taking a few deep breaths. A careful look at the strip in her hand made her heart sink.

The two pink lines.

Most ladies’ fear—at least it was her fear in that moment.

“I'm pregnant?” Her voice morphed into a whisper. “No!” she said quietly to herself.

Immediately, she tossed the strip, rushing out of the bathroom. She reached for her cell phone from the nightstand, furiously tapping and dialling.

Seconds later, it connected. “Dammy,” Lily called out urgently before Damaris could speak. “I'm pregnant.”

“What?” Damaris' voice fell flat.

***

A little after 9 AM, Lily and Damaris were seated in the doctor's office.

The morning sun rays spilt on the sterile floor, but all that Lily could see were the two haunting pink lines on that test strip while they waited for the doctor's report.

Doctor Tessy walked back in, a document in her hand. Damaris's and Lily's eyes followed her movement until she was seated. A warm grin on her face.

“Doctor, wh-what did it say?” Lily asked impatiently.

Tessy leaned slightly forward, handing the test result to Lily.

Lily’s eyes darted to the remarks. Boldly, PREGNANT, it said.

“Congratulations, Ms Davids, you're pregnant.” Doctor Tessy said.

Lily hung in her thought for a moment, unable to speak while Damaris took the document from her.

Damaris looked up at Lily, and then the doctor. “Um, how far along is she?”

“Four weeks gone.” Tessy smiled.

Damaris turned to her friend, wearing a small smile, not sure what Lily was thinking.

At the time they got home, Lily dropped on the couch, tears rolling past her cheeks, her leg drumming against the rug.

Damaris brought her a glass of water. Lily shook her head, her chest burning with something she couldn't explain. Something she couldn't describe.

Pregnant? 'No, no, this can't be happening,' she said softly to herself.

Damaris sat next to her, cradling the glass of water. Sceptically staring at crying Lily.

Damaris swallowed, her thoughts spiralling. “What are we going to do?”

Lily hesitated, sniffing. “I don't know—”

“You don't know? Ah, babes, we'll call him and tell him oo. He needs to know about the baby, don't you think?” Damaris pressed, her voice grounded.

Silence fell, confusion hanging in the air. A subtle wave of heat smearing the atmosphere. Both were dishevelled over the situation.

Damaris glanced over her friend and looked away. A part of her dared to call Tega Cole, but another part kicked against it. Perhaps it wasn't her place. Perhaps it wasn't his.

Last she gathered, Lily and Tega were just best friends. Even though she knew that they had had sex multiple times.

Damaris was torn between her thoughts. When she spoke, she asked Lily again.

"But what are you deciding? Are you… keeping it?”

Lily remained silent, unsure; her tears wouldn't stop betraying her either.

“I don't know,” she finally said, veering to Damaris.

“What do you mean you don't know again?” Damaris' brows knitted questionably.

“Beats me, Dammy, I have no freaking idea right now?!” Lily yelled, her voice shaking.

Damaris didn't reply immediately; she pulled Lily for a hug. She understood that Lily was only overwhelmed.

“Look, babes, whatever you decide, I'll support you. M’kay? Although I wish you'd keep it,” Damaris remarked, her eyes rolling.