Chapter 7: Our love?

I couldn’t sleep that night. The decision I made at dinner still weighed heavily on me, and the words my dad had spoken—so harsh, so final—echoed in my mind. I knew that keeping the pregnancy would bring a lot of rejection, especially from my dad. His words, though sharp, weren’t what hurt the most. What really stung was how empty they made me feel. A deep sadness washed over me, knowing that my father, the man who was supposed to protect me, was so willing to cast me aside.

I tossed and turned, trying to shake the heaviness in my chest, but sleep wouldn’t come. Eventually, I gave up on trying to sleep at all. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, the silence in the room so thick it was suffocating. The only sound was the occasional rustle of the sheets as I shifted positions.

Morning came too soon. I woke up earlier than my mom, the light filtering through the curtains already. My stomach was growling, a steady reminder of how empty it felt—not just from hunger, but from everything that was happening. I went into the kitchen, but I found nothing to eat. Disappointed, I headed back to my room, slipping into a pair of sneakers. The only thing I could think of was to clear my mind with a walk. I needed to get away from everything, to breathe without anyone watching, without anyone expecting anything from me.

As I stepped outside, the cool morning air hit my face. It felt good, almost as if it could wash away my worries. I started walking, not really knowing where I was going. I just needed the time, the space, to think.

“Celine, is that you?” a voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turned around to see who it was, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw him standing there.

“Kaleth?” I asked, surprised. “What are you doing here at this early hour of the day?”

“I came out to take a walk and clear my mind,” he said, his eyes meeting mine. “What about you?”

“Same here,” I replied, feeling a strange mixture of relief and nervousness. “Then why don’t we take a walk together?”

He smiled, his eyes lighting up just slightly, as if he was glad I’d asked. “Yeah, sure,” he said.

We started walking side by side down the quiet street. The silence between us was heavy, almost too heavy. It felt like we were strangers walking next to each other, and I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to feel like I was drifting apart from him. I needed to tell him everything, to share what was on my heart.

“Kaleth,” I said, my voice shaking slightly, unsure of how to begin.

“Yes, Celine?” His voice was soft, but I could hear the concern in it.

“I want to tell you something. It’s really important,” I said, my words hesitant. I had kept this secret for too long, and now it was finally time to share it, no matter how much I feared his reaction.

“Of course. You can tell me anything,” he responded, his voice reassuring.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My hands were clammy, and my heart raced in my chest. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I couldn’t put it off any longer.

“Kaleth…” I began, but the words caught in my throat. It felt impossible to say. “I’m… pregnant.”

There was a long pause. I looked at him, waiting for some kind of reaction, but he didn’t speak. His eyes were downcast, his face expressionless. It was like he was frozen in place, his focus completely on the ground beneath him. I couldn’t read him, and it made my stomach churn with anxiety. I needed him to say something, anything. I needed to know what he thought.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that,” Kaleth finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Could you say it again?”

I swallowed hard, trying to gather my courage. This time, I forced the words out, feeling them hang in the air like a heavy weight.

“Kaleth… I’m pregnant,” I said, each word more fragile than the last.

Still, he didn’t speak. He just stood there, his gaze fixed on the ground. I could see the way his jaw tightened, the way his fists clenched at his sides. I wanted him to look at me, to say something, but the silence between us only deepened. My heart began to race, and the air around us felt thick with tension. I trembled, my legs growing weak beneath me. My body seemed to lose control as my fear grew.

The fear wasn’t just about telling him. It was the fear that he might reject me too, that I might be left completely alone in this. I couldn’t handle that. I couldn’t lose him, not now.

Just as I felt myself faltering, as if I might collapse right there on the street, I felt a strong hand grip my waist, steadying me.

“It’s alright,” Kaleth said softly, his voice warm and reassuring. “I’ve got you. No matter the situation, I’ve got you. Don’t you ever forget that.”

His words wrapped around me like a lifeline, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt something like peace. His hand cupped my cheek, and he leaned down, pressing his lips gently to mine. I didn’t want him to stop. I didn’t want his warmth to leave me. I responded, wrapping my arms around his neck as his arms went around my waist, pulling me close. We held each other so tightly that I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steady beat of his heart.

For a moment, the world disappeared. All the fear, all the uncertainty, melted away. It was just us, wrapped in each other’s arms. For the first time in a long while, I felt safe. I felt loved.

“Your problems are my problems, and mine are yours,” Kaleth murmured, his forehead resting against mine. “No matter what happens, no matter how difficult things get, I want you to know that I’ll never leave you. I love you, Celine. I will always be here for you.”

His words were like a promise, a promise that settled deep into my heart. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment, feeling the warmth of his love surrounding me. At that moment, I knew. I knew that I had love in my life, something real and unwavering. And with that love, I could face whatever came next.