"How did you feel...when you had to abort your own baby?" Octavia asked after a while, breaking the brooding silence.
"Well..." Mica sighed. "Trust me, Octavia, it really wasn't easy for me.
"At first, when I had gotten to know I was pregnant, I kinda felt happy and sad at the same time. I was happy because it was actually my first time and incredible to know that I had a life growing inside of me. But thinking of the circumstances around me, I felt sad because it was impossible to have a child here. We're to fight, Octavia, not to raise children or build a family.
As soon as Khalid heard of it, he asked me abort the child even before Zack got to know. And of course, he was in support when he eventually got to know.
I was broken Octavia, believe me. It really wasn't easy for me - watching the blood come out of me - the life flow out of me. Abortion should never be an option for any lady never.
And I feel so terrible you have to go through this"
Octavia listened attentively, taking note of everything she said.
For a long while, they didn't say a word to each other and looking at her face, Mica could tell she was feeling dizzy.
"I'II leave you to take some sleep. It might help" she told her and stood up, headed towards the door.
"Mica" Octavia called just before she opened the door, and Mica paused to look at her.
Then, in a mild voice, she said:
"I'm sorry".
Silence...
Mica smiled at her and opened the door, then finally left the room.
**
**
**
Octavia had slept for very long - she could feel it. Because by the time she was awake, it was already evening.
She sat up weakly on the bed, her hand
unconsciously holding her tummy tight.
She looked at the bed - in-between her legs. But there was no stain yet. And... no pain either.
But it's been hours already and Mica had said something like it was going to happen as soon as they got home.
So... what's happening?
She furrowed her brows in deep thought and the door opened shortly, revealing Mica.
"You're awake" she said as she walked towards her on the bed.
"I'd been coming back in to check up on you
regularly but, you were still sleeping. How... How do you feel?"
Octavia looked down at her tummy again.
"I...I don't know, Mica. I don't feel anything" she replied with a muddled tone and Mica's confusion increased.
"Are you sure?" She asked, even if it sounded inane and Octavia nodded.
Then they both went silent.
"Is something wrong?" Octavia asked.
"I don't know, Octavia. The process should be going on by now" Mica shook her head.
She truly couldn't understand it. It's been hours already, and there's been no pain? That wasn't possible.
"Mica... What is going on?"
"I don't know, Octavia. I don't know. But this isn't good". Her hand was over her forehead.
Immediately, a knock came on the door.
"Dammit. Who's it?" Mica asked gruffly, but there was no reply.
Then, she stood up and went ahead to check it out. And on opening the door, she discovered it was one of Khalid's guards.
"Santa" she called, a little surprised.
"Where's your sister, Mica?" He asked icily.
"Um... She's inside. Is there a problem?"
She answered anxiously.
"The Master wants her in his room, immediately".
Mica's eyes dimmed.
What????
"Re.. really? But why?" She stuttered.
"I don't know, Mica. But he wants her now. Go tell her to come with me" the guard answered and Mica nodded and shut the door.
Oh God! This isn't funny..
"The Master is calling for me?" Octavia asked, clearly overhearing them.
Her heart was beating faster than she could imagine as the words sounded impossible for her.
Khalid calling for her was something that hadn't happened in four weeks!
"Come on, Octavia. You shouldn't keep him waiting" Mica said and Octavia forced herself to leave the bed.
"Mica...Do you think he knows?" She asked, her face displaying extreme worry.
"Of course, not. That's... That's not possible. Don't be scared, okay? Just go on and face him" Mica cooed and Octavia swallowed hard and started walking towards the door.
But instantly, she lost balance and almost tripped, but Mica was fast enough to hold her from behind.
"Octavia...!" She called as she helped her regain balance.
"I...I feel so dizzy, Mica. I feel so week. I'm not sure I can do this". She stated feebly.
"You can, Octavia. You can. Just be strong, okay?" She held her hand and said and Octavia nodded.
Then, she assisted her to the door and finally, she got out and followed the guard to the Master's room.
**
**
**
Standing in front of Khalid's room, the guard knocked and after sometime, Khalid's voice replied:
"Let her in and leave".
The guard opened the door and ushered the nervous Octavia in, while he shut the door afterwards and left.
Octavia's hands were almost shaking beside her as she walked into the room and met Khalid in front of the window.
Smoke was emitting from his corner due to the pipe he smoked and at a point, they almost made Octavia choke.
She squeezed her eyes tight due to the smoke but when she felt Khalid turn to look at her, she quickly pushed them open.
"G...Good evening, Master" she greeted mildly, her heatt playing rhythmetical beats.
She couldn't recall the last time she had been in this room, and having to be in it at this moment was really making her nervous.
"Octavia..." he called gruffly as he left the window and started walking towards the table behind her.
Her eyes were glued to the floor the whole time as he walked past her and to the table, taking a bottle of wine from it.
"Some of my boys...had seen you entering an hospital earlier on today" he paused and decanted some of the wine into the glass.
Octavia's eyes were already widened in shock, she could feel her lungs running dry.
What! What hospital?
Oh God!
Khalid dropped the bottle when he had gotten the quantity he wanted, and then turned around with the glass.
"What were you doing there?"
*
*
*
To be continued!