"Mr. Helen Kuki, if you are a man take responsibility for your actions," screamed Irene over the phone.
"I can't take care of a baby and a woman when I can barely feed myself.
"Get an abortion, it was just an accident!" I screamed back.
"It might be an accident but it is your baby! Our baby!" Irene replied in a choking voice.
"I can't risk my career and my reputation for a mistake," I said fiercely.
"You are a beast! A heartless monster!" she howled and cut off the call.
I drank a couple of shots and went blank.
'Damn this hangover', I swore.
It was the 3rd of June, 2017.
When I woke up it was 9:30 a.m.
The sun had risen and its bright rays were extremely piercing to my eyes as if it had a grudge against me.
I called Irene a few times but she ignored.
Maybe she hadn't woken up yet or she didn't want to talk to a heartless monster early in the morning.
But I was sure that she did not sleep a wink the previous night.
I knew my words were too uncharitable.
Distress when mixed with alcohol ends up in appalling disaster.
"Alcohol is the worst medicine for anxieties but it is what most idiotic people like me goes for," I cursed.
Having left with no option, I texted Irene 'Hi Irene lets meet at Smith's Family Café at 3.I'll be waiting till you come.'
I was not sure if she would read my text. She might have already blocked me.
But I was sure that Irene would keep on trying to persuade until the baby was born or at least until it was aborted.
I knew that she loved the baby so much so that no matter how harsh I was, she wouldn't miss any opportunity to meet me.
Or at least every opportunity to persuade me.
Those conversations were all I could recall from last before that strange dream.
I vividly remember that dream till today just like any of my memorable life experiences.
It still feels like I really did experience it in my real life but it was impossible to be true.
Whenever I passed out drinking, I never remember having any dream.
But strangely I can still remember that mysterious dream just like I remember my graduation day.
'Alcohol indeed is really bad.'
'It affects my mental health much more than my physical health.'
'It doesn't lessen my anxiety instead multiply my problems and anxieties in many-folds.'
'It made a fool out of me once again,' I regretted.
'I will be mentally retarded before I can be physically maimed,' I nagged myself (That is what all single people do, right?).
Memories of my first meeting with Irene slowly drifted into my mind as I had a cup of coffee.
Coffee's fragrance reminded me of the nostalgic day.
It brought about an involuntary smile.