Chapter one :

My Examination day

I stood outside the examination hall, my heart racing with anticipation. Today was the day I had been preparing for since I got into the university, my final year exams. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

As I entered the hall, I was greeted by the familiar sight of rows of desks, each one adorned with a nervous student. Just then, I spotted my friends, Annie and Nora, already seated and going through their notes; I waved at them with a smile, trying to appear more confident than I felt.

The Invigilator, a stern-looking woman who should be in her late 40s with a clipboard, checked my ID and handed me a copy of the exam questions; I scanned the pages, my eyes widening as I took in the scope of the exam.

I made my way to my designated desk, trying not to trip over my own feet; as I sat down, I felt a familiar ache in my stomach. I had been experiencing stomach cramps all morning, but I had attributed it to exam nerves.

The Invigilator's voice cut through the silence, her words echoing off the walls, " You have three hours to complete the exam; please ensure your phones are switched off, and all notes are put away. “

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I sat at my desk, scanning through the exam questions; it was my final professional exam; my mind was a jumble of nerves and adrenaline, but I was determined to do my best.

As I started to write, the pain in my stomach grew worse. I winced, trying to focus on the questions in front of me, But the pain was relentless, making it hard for me to concentrate. I gritted my teeth, to the extent that I felt a slight pain on my chin, trying to focus on the task at hand, just a few more hours, and I would be done with my final year professional exams

I then took a deep breath, trying to push through the discomfort. This was one step away from becoming a medical Doctor. I had always been a high achiever, and I wasn't about to let a little stomach pain hold me back now.

As the exam dragged on, my pain grew worse, I began to feel lightheaded, my vision was blurring at the edges, I could barely see the wording on my question paper, and my fingers were going numb, making it difficult for me to write, but I refused to give up scribbling down answers to the exam questions with a shaking hand…

Finally, the exam ended, and I rushed out of the hall, I saw Annie and Nora coming close, but my stomach cramps were becoming unbearable, as I stumbled through the campus, my eyes scanning through the crowded streets for a taxi, I hailed one finally, collapsing onto the back seat with a sigh of relief.

On getting to the hospital, I couldn't feel my legs anymore, a nurse came with a wheelchair and I was ushered into the crowded waiting room, I winced in pain, feeling like I was going to pass out, The room was a blur of faces and sounds, the smell of disinfectant hanging heavy in the air, it seems like my nose could pick every smell and scent that walked past me, and I felt nauseous.

My eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face, But I was alone, my friends and my family unaware of my sudden illness, I felt a pang of fear, wondering what was wrong with me, and then immediately I felt I was missing my mom, of which I never met, but I felt alone.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my name was called; I stumbled to my feet, my legs trembling beneath me; a young sympathetic-looking doctor greeted me, leading me to a cramped examination room.

The doctor's expression was kind as she examined me, " You are four months pregnant," she announced, her voice gentle.

My eyes widened in shock, Pregnant? How was that possible? My voice was almost screaming. Then I thought back to my last period, realizing it had been irregular lately, and I had attributed it to stress; medical school is not an easy one, so I assumed it would regulate once my exam was over.

But now, as I sat in the hospital bed, I felt lost and uncertain. Should I keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy? The decision seemed daunting, and I wasn't sure of what to do.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I thought about the future; I am a 24-year-old girl, my Dad's business is barely surviving, and I had dreamed of graduating, getting a job, and starting a family, But now, it seems like my whole world is crumbling right before my eyes.

The Doctor's voice cut through my thoughts, gentle but firm, " We will need to run some tests to make sure everything is okay with the baby; but for now, Let's just focus on getting you feeling better, okay?

I nodded, feeling a sense of numbness washing over me. The doctor handed me a gown and instructed me to change; I did; my mind was racing with thoughts of the future.

As I lay on the examination table, the Doctor performed an ultrasound. I watched her spread a cold blue gel on my flat belly, and then, I watched in awe as the image of my baby appeared on the screen. It was small, but it was there, and this creature was mine.

Irresistible tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as the thought of the future staggered in my mind. I felt like a mother already, but I had always dreamed of graduating; it was my final days in school; how do I survive this? Questions soon arose in my head, and it just seemed like my whole world had turned upside down.

The Doctor's voice cut through my thoughts, gentle and calm, "Everything looks good, the baby is healthy and you are doing great", she said smiling and continued, " We will need to schedule some follow-up appointments, but for now, let's just focus on getting you to feel better, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief, I was pregnant indeed, but everything was going to be okay.

As I left the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. What was I going to do? Was I going to keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy, And what about Jake?Did he even care?.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts , I would figure this out , one step at a time , But for now , I just needed to take care of myself and my unborn child

I hailed a taxi and headed home , my mind racing with thoughts of the future. I was pregnant, and my whole life was about to change forever, just then I felt my phone vibrate in my bag, As I reached it , I saw lots of missed calls from Jake . .. It was unlike him to call multiple times, but I just needed to head to his place to give him the news..