Chapter 57

*CORA* I opened my eyes to a really bright light.My head hurt and I had no idea where I was. I looked around and found my dad lying beside my bed. I finally took in my surrounding and realized that I was in a hospital. I closed my eyes as I recalled what had happened,going to pee and seeing blood,trying to get help while feeling so weak. I shot my eyes opened with a gasp and that woke up my dad. His eyes widened when he saw me awake.He slowly placed his hand on my hair. “How are you feeling,my dear?” I stared at him,curiously.”What happened to me?”I asked,curiously. “I’ll…I’ll get the doctor to make sure you’re okay.”He murmured and then walked off. Was it me or did he look sad? Few minutes later,he walked back into the ward with a doctor and two nurses.The doctor asked how I was feeling and examined me. “She’s stable now,Mr Watson.”The doctor said. “Stable enough to take the news?”My dad asked. A cold feeling seeped into me. What news? I saw the doctor nod. “I’ll tell her myself.”My dad offered. “The nurses will be on standby in any case.”With that,the doctor walked off. My dad sat on the small space on the bed. “What’s going on?”I asked him,curiously. “You didn’t tell me you were pregnant,my dear.”He began,rubbing my hair. Tears pricked my eyes.”I was still coming to terms with it.” Even if I didn’t contemplate abortion.I really didn’t give much thought about the future with this child.Or try bonding with it.I just did everything to distract myself from the fact that I was pregnant with someone who didn’t want me.I didn’t even know if I was ready to become a mother. I didn’t even take care of my body like someone who was with child.I felt terrible.I had to do better. “You’re severely malnourished,my dear.And you…you had a miscarriage.” I stared at my dad,speechlessly. “Cora,I…” “I lost the child?” He slowly nodded. “This…I…” I didn’t know how to react to that. Tears fell from my eyes.”I killed the baby…” “No…you didn’t…” “But not taking care of myself did.” “It wasn’t your fault,Cora.Things weren’t going easy for us and you were doing all you could to fix it.It wasn’t your fault.”My dad said,hurriedly. “But I…I didn’t even acknowledge it..I…I’m such a terrible person.”I burst into tears and my dad quickly hugged me,murmuring soothing words to me. I felt like the most horrible person I know.I didn’t deserve to be anyone’s mother.Not now,not ever. I couldn’t even save what was supposed to grow inside of me.I was worthless. I hated myself more than anything. ********************** Zoe smiled when she saw a text popped up on her screen. It was from Noah. They had met at a club not long ago.He had told her that he had just gotten back to the country.Zoe had been smitten by his charm and she couldn’t say no when he asked her to dinner few days ago and today,he was asking her out again. She was about to reply when a phone call came in.It was Cora’s dad. “Hello,uncle Eddie.” “Hello,Zoe.I’m sorry for disturbing you but I didn’t know who else to call to cheer Cora up,Dylan isn’t in the country.” Zoe frowned.”What happened to Cora?” “She’s just been discharged from the hospital.She had a miscarriage.” Zoe stood up to her feet in shock.”What?!Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” She quickly grabbed her bag and headed out of the office. On the elevator,she shot a text to Noah about not being able to make it. **************** When Zoe got to the Watsons’ house,she was heartbroken to see her friend. Eddie and Zoe stood by the door. “She’s been like this since I told her she had a miscarriage.Anytime she opens her mouth,she blames herself for what happened.” “I’ll talk to her.”Zoe offered. “I’ll go make some food.”Eddie said and walked away. Zoe walked into the room and sat on the bed. “Oh Cora,I thought a lot of encouraging words to say to you but now seeing you like this,I don’t even know what to say.I can’t say I understand your pain or grief but one thing I want you to stop doing is blaming yourself.”Zoe said,calmly. She sighed when Cora turned around,her back was to Zoe. Zoe laid on the bed behind her and gently tapped on her arm. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk.Take your time,Cora.Take as much time as you need but you shouldn’t lose yourself because of this.”Zoe laid there quietly as she comforted Cora who was sobbing into her pillow. Soon,Eddie came in with the bowl of chicken soup. Zoe offered to feed Cora and after coaxing Cora for a while,Cora finally decided to eat. But as she took a spoonful,she started to cry again. “If…if I had eaten like this,I wouldn’t have lost the baby.” “Cora.”Zoe called,sadly. She genuinely there was something she could do to cheer her up. Eddie and Zoe didn’t give up on Cora no matter how crestfallen they were themselves.They kept trying to make her feel better.Eddie always got home early from work while Zoe took a week leave from work to watch over Cora. She sometimes forced her out to take walks so she could get fresh air. ***************** It was a cool Friday evening.Zoe headed out of her house to spend the night at Cora’s place. Her footsteps halted to see Noah leaning against a car. “How…what are you doing here?”She asked,curiously. He smiled and walked up to her.”Good evening to you too,Zoe.” She smiled,awkwardly.”Sorry,I’m just really sorry to see you.As I can remember,you do not know where I live.” “Yeah,I kinda pulled a lot of strings I have to find you.I even went to your company but I was told you were on leave.You barely reply to my texts so I thought you were avoiding me.I just had to see you to know what was going on,I thought we…I mean I know it’s only been one date but I thought we had something…a spark?I certainly felt a spark,didn’t you?”And then he laughed,nervously.”I’m sorry,I’m yapping too much.” “No…I should have properly explained why I kept canceling on you.I wasn’t avoiding you.I just…my close friend is going through something hard and I had to be around her.” Noah was genuinely concerned.”Is she doing okay?” Zoe sighed,heavily.”I can’t really say but I hope so,soon.” Noah walked closer to her.”She must be really important to you.You looked really worried,I hope she gets better soon so you wouldn’t be so worried.” Zoe smiled at him.She indeed really felt that spark he was talking about. He stared at her bag.”So you were heading out?”He drawled. “Maybe we could take a walk before I go.”She suggested.She really wanted to spend more time with him. He beamed at her.”Okay.” And then they started to walk,slowly side by side. Noah glanced at her hand wondering if they had reached the stage of holding hands or was that too fast. “So tell me how your week has been?”Zoe began. “Well,apart from stalking a girl I like to her company and to her house,I closed a business deal.” “That’s good.The business deal part though but I do not know how I feel about being stalked.” He laughed.”It’s a good kind of stalking.” Zoe laughed too. “I also…” And then his phone rang out. “I’m sorry,I have to take this.” As they continue walking side by side,he picked up. “Hello,man.” Tristan was at the other end of the call. “Let’s meet up.Elite club.” Noah could hear loud music coming from the other end of the call,he glanced at Zoe. Even if they had met at a club,he didn’t want to give her the impression that he always went clubbing.And just yesterday and the next before that, he had hung out with Tristan at the club. “I can’t tonight.” “Why?” “I’ve got things to do.” “Oh c’mon…” “Tristan,I really can’t tonight.And you seem to have lots of time on your hands lately.You used to hate leaving Godoy Group.” “Fuck you.” Noah knew Tristan’s real reason for always going to the club was to ease out his frustration of not being able to contact Cora. Zoe had stopped walking when she heard Noah mention Tristan and Godoy Group. Noah ended the call and turned to face her. “Where were…” “You’re friends with Tristan Godoy?”She asked,curiously. He nodded with a smile.”He’s my best pal.You know him?”