Sana is pregnant?!!!!
"Did I hear her correctly?" Irina whispers to me. "I want to know the same thing, Riri."
I am just as stunned as she is right now.
The murmuring in the crowd grew louder making it difficult to hear what was being said. But I could still make out papa's voice.
"What is this, Sana?" He demanded, "What do you mean you're pregnant?"
"Sana, what is this about?" Babushka asked, her voice sharp with concern.
"I said I'm pregnant, Babushka." Sana repeated with that calm voice and a relaxed face.
I think Sana might be broken. Because how can she be so relaxed in a situation like this?
"I don't think Sana is in her right senses, Evelina." Irina pointed out, "Because why is she looking so calm in a situation like this?"
"I told you she's been acting weird lately," I pointed out to Irina, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "Now this has really proven that Sana has gone nuts."
And also, why would she announce this in the presence of all these people?! Doesn't she know her reputation and our family's honor are at stake here?!
How can she be so damn stupid?!!!!
"Mr. Ivanovitch, what is the meaning of all this?" The strange beau- I mean, Dmitri, spoke up, his voice laced with irritation.
"Mr. Petrovich, I'm sure this is all a big misunderstanding," papa tried to cover up, his voice dripping with desperation. "My daughter hasn't been feeling well lately, I'm sure it must have gotten to her head."
"I'm perfectly fine in the head,papa," Sana quickly responded, her voice still calm and face expressionless. "Nothing's wrong with me."
Yeah, definitely broken.
"Sana!" Babushka shouted at her, her voice sharp with anger. "What has gotten to you? What is this rubbish act?!"
"I've been trying to tell all of you before this day, but none of you was paying any attention to me," Sana said, shrugging so nonchalantly you would think she was simply just talking about the weather. "So I decided that I'll announce it today, since I'll have all of your attention."
"I apologize for this inconvenience, everybody," papa announced, his face tight with anger. "But please, I would like you all to take your leave."
The people began to leave slowly, their face etched with disapproval. They murmured about the disgrace Sana has brought to our family, their voices filled with disappointment and anger.
"Hey, Eve, I really gotta go join my parents before they leave without me," Irina said to me, her voice heavy with sadness.
"It's okay, Riri, I totally understand," I responded as I gave her a hug. "I'll miss you," she said as she hugged me back, her eyes laced with tears. "Me too couz."
I released her and she turned to leave. Once she was gone and the room was empty save just Papa, Sana, Babushka and Dmitri, all hell broke loose. The air crackled with tension, and the sound of their angry voices filled the room.
"Do you know the result of what you have just done, you silly girl?!!! You have just shamed our family in front of those people!!!!!" Papa's voice thundered with rage, echoing through the room.
"Sana, please tell me this isn't true. Do you know the shame we will endure? Do you think we can raise our shoulders high in society again? No, Sana, this tarnishes our family's name deeply." Babushka's usual calm demeanor shattered, replaced by rage.
"I'm sorry, papa, Babushka, but I did try to tell you guys before, but you just never gave me a listening ear," Sana responded, her face reflecting deep regrets.
Finally, she has dropped that damn mask.
"Fine, what is done is done, now, who's responsible?" Babushka asked, her voice tinged with defeat.
"I'm sorry, Babushka, but I can't tell you that," Sana replied, her tone firm.
Excuse me?!!! She announced her pregnancy in front of a full crowd and now she won't tell us who's responsible?!
"Stop this nonsense, Sana!" Papa erupted, his patience wearing thin. "Who is responsible?!"
"I'm sorry, papa, but I can't tell you," Sana responded softly.
"So you want to raise a child in this house and won't tell us who the father is? What is wrong with you Sana Ivanovitch?!" Babushka's voice trembled with a mix of anger and disappointment.
"Mr. Ivanovitch, I know this is not the perfect time for this, but you promised me a wife, and I cannot marry a woman who carries another man's child," Dmitri finally broke his silence.
He has been so quiet that I forgot he was in the room with us.
"Mr. Petrovich, I apologize for this misunderstanding, we will resolve this matter and you will get your wife," papa responded, his nervousness palpable in the room, his usual composed demeanor was a mess now.
"Mr. Ivanovitch, there's nothing to resolve here," Dmitri declared, his voice laced with icy contempt. "She's carrying another man's child, so you either give me a substitute bride, or the deal is off."
A substitute bride?
"You have three days to think this through and make your decision. I'll contact you after then." With that, he turned and strode away.
Okay, I don't like him. Why's he being so mean? It's not like this is papa's fault anyway. He should be a little understanding.
Papa's weary sigh echoed through the room. He seemed to have aged 10 years in just one hour.
"I'm so sorry, papa," Sana whispered, her voice trembling with remorse as tears streamed down her face. "I swear I didn't mean for things to happen this way."
"Sana, why would you throw your life away like this? Why would you do something so stupid and disgrace our family," Babushka said softly.
"I'm sorry Babushka, I'm so sorry." Sana whispered, her body shaking as she sobbed.
The weight of today's event pressed down on me, threatening to suffocate me. Today has been one hell of a day.
I went over to Sana and comforted her.
"Hey, it's okay. We'll figure things out," I said repeatedly as I wrapped her around my arms and comforted her while she cried.
"We need to give him a substitute bride," I heard papa say softly.
Babushka gasped. "Nikolai!" She rebuked him sharply.
"We have to, mama," papa responded, this voice thick with sadness. "This is the CEO of Innovative Artistry Creations INC. Mama, do you know how big this is for our family?"
"Nikolai, don't be so greedy. Let it go, call him and tell him the deal is off."
"I can't do that, mama, we have to give him a bride," Papa said, his voice heavy with desperation. He looked at me with a heart-wrenching look in his eye.
What is going on?
Papa got up from his seat and walked up to me. He kneeled down and held my face in his hands.
"I'm so sorry, my little sun." Papa whispered so softly I could barely hear him.
"Don't do this, Nikolai, she's still but a child." Babushka said angrily.
Somebody explained what
the hell is going on here!!!!!!
Papa ignored her and said to me, "You will be his substitute bride."