It has been a week since she and Acwell had exchanged messages on WhatsApp. She was debating within herself whether or not to send him a message. But sending a message won.
“How are you? Are you feeling better now?”
“I am still having a cold and a fever that goes on and off.” He replied.
“Let me know when you feel better so we can talk.”
As expected, no response after that. But, maybe, he is indeed sick. It is getting colder in Dubai. People usually get sick during the transition from summer to winter. And when you say summer, it means that when you go out, the heat and humidity will make you feel you are being grilled inside an oven. Even at night, you will hate going out. During the winter, it doesn’t snow but the temperature can drop to 6 degrees Celsius sometimes.
She is going on with her life as if she is not carrying a child within her. She would work up to 10 hours a day without break or sometimes she would stand the entire shift. She is a Reservation Agent cum receptionist in a hotel that’s why. But she likes it because it keeps her off from thinking. Especially that Acwell still won’t see her nor communicate with her just to at least check on her. The idea of him running away from his responsibility creeps in from time to time. But she refuses to think that he will. She is still full of hope that somehow they will be together in facing this new and big challenge called parenting.
Another week has passed. She saw the obvious changes in her body. Her breasts are sore almost all the time. It’s even sometimes itchy with stretch marks showing. They grow that some of her bras do not fit anymore. Her appetite for eating is increasing day by day. But luckily for her, she still doesn’t suffer from food aversion or morning sickness. Her stomach is becoming bigger and bigger, which made some of her clothes tight. Until now, she is keeping it a secret. She knows how fast rumors spread. She will be in trouble if the authorities find out. But for how long she can keep it, not for long. Soon people will notice the changes in her body. But Acwell still would not talk to her.
It’s the third week of the month; still, Acwell has not got back to her. “What kind of sickness does he have that he still won’t talk to me?” she thought. “Maybe he is running away. No! If he doesn’t want to be there for me and the baby, he could have said so. No one is forcing him to take responsibility,” she said to quiet her mind. She just wanted him to know because she doesn’t want to keep it from him. And so she could make peace with all what if and to think clearly of what she must do.
It’s almost the end of the month, still, Acwell won’t talk to her. She sends him a message again.
” How are you? Are you better now?”
“Yeah, somehow,” he replied.
“My stomach is growing bigger. You have to make a decision. I cannot wait for you forever. Tell me if you don’t want to be there for us so I can resign and go home.”
“When is your off?”
“On next Thursday and Friday, I am off.”
“Let’s meet up at the same hotel we usually go to on Thursday. I am off that day and doing an afternoon shift the day before. I will make the reservation myself. Message me beforehand at what time you can be there.”
“Alright, see you there!”
“Finally! But I would still prepare my resignation letter just in case so I can hand it to my manager when I come back from off,” she said to herself. She started checking job vacancies in the Philippines and even sending her resume for application. She must start taking action so that hopefully if she must go home, there is a job waiting for her.
Thursday seemed like forever. But when that day arrives, she is feeling nervous. “You are strong! Whether he will be there or not you can do this,” she said while she was at the toilet applying a little makeup. She had become pale these past few days. She even vomited for the first time on that day. Her phone vibrated and when she checked, Acwell has just sent her a message.
“I am here in room 424. I ordered pizza for lunch. I hope it is still okay for you.”
“Yeah, it's fine. I don’t have a food aversion. But I vomited today after eating some fruits for breakfast. It’s the first time it happened.”
“Oh, really! Well, we will order something else if in case you can’t eat this.”
“Yes, thanks! I’m on the way now. I am just waiting for my cab.”
“Take care then.”
She arrived at the Blu Rose Hotel and passed by the reception to hand them her ID. It must be scanned and entered into their system. An ID is mandatory and most of the time even a marriage certificate must be presented before a man and woman can stay in one room. The country is bound to follow Islamic rules and procedures. But, some hotels like this one are a little flexible if the guests are not locals. She took the lift to the fourth floor and walk towards room 424. She stopped when she was in front of the door, took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell. He opened the door and Acwell is standing there with a smile. He let her in and close the door. Then he pulled her and hugged her.
“How are you?” he asked.
“I am okay. And you?” she mumbled because at that moment she felt like crying.
“I am fine,” he answered and continued, “Let’s have lunch first. I am hungry. I did not eat breakfast earlier. Let’s save the serious conversation later, shall we?” He ushered her towards the sofa.
“Okay.”
“I hope you could still eat pizza.”
“Let me try.”