Once again Shaelyn stood before the mirror, the reflection staring back at her was a stranger.
Her cheeks, once full and vibrant, now appeared sunken, casting shadows that made the fatigue etched into her features all the more obvious.
"How could this have happened without me noticing?" she pondered, her heart sinking further as she gently caressed her hollow cheeks.
"Things can't continue like this," she thought, in concern. The realization hit hard; it wasn't just about her anymore. She had a baby to think about.
"I need to snap out of it… whatever this is," she reprimanded herself quietly, her fingers brushing against the dark circles under her eyes that seemed to tell a story of sleepless nights filled with worry.
"How could I forget to take care of myself?" Shaelyn muttered under her breath,
"It's no wonder Dr. Martin gave me that reminder! Babies need good nutrition!" She felt a pang of guilt as she recalled their last appointment when the doctor had emphasized the importance of maternal health for the sake of her unborn child.
In that moment of self-reproach, Tiffany's voice echoed in her mind—a gentle yet firm reminder from a friend who had always been there for her during tough times.
"You can't pour from an empty cup, Shaelyn." Tiffany would say with a knowing look whenever they discussed self-care. It was true; by allowing herself to drown in worry and neglecting her own needs, it would only result in her jeopardizing not only her well-being but also that of her baby.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Shaelyn began sorting through her chaotic thoughts.
"First of all," she declared aloud as if trying to convince herself with each word spoken into the quiet room, "I need to take a nice warm bath." The thought alone brought a flicker of comfort amidst the turmoil.
"And then," she continued with renewed determination, "I'll eat a nutritious meal for breakfast."
Nodding resolutely at her reflection, she added, "And after that? A walk! Fresh air will do me good." With each decision made aloud, Shaelyn felt a little more empowered.
With purpose in her stride, she stepped into the shower and let the warm water cascade over her tired body. As she washed away not just the grime but also some of the weight pressing down on her shoulders, clarity began to seep back into her thoughts.
Once refreshed and feeling slightly more like herself again, Shaelyn reached for her mobile phone resting on the counter.
Glancing at it quickly revealed a missed call notification blinking back at her—a small reminder that life outside these four walls continued on despite how lost she currently felt.
'Why did he even call me?' Shaelyn thought, she immediately erased it as if she didn't see it, when she saw Nixon's familiar phone number.
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After enjoying a delicious meal, Shaelyn leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. She gently patted her stomach and exclaimed, "Ah, just what I needed! I could definitely used to this."
But then she remembered her plan. "Oh no! I promised myself I'd go for a walk," she muttered to herself, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I can't let this good plan slip away."
With determination, she stood up from the table and stretched her arms above her head. "Time to shake off this food coma!" she said cheerfully as she made her way to the door of her apartment.
Stepping outside into the fresh air felt energizing. Shaelyn took a deep breath and smiled at the view of the world around her. Her destination was the park located just behind her district—a perfect spot for some relaxation and reflection.
As she walked down the stairs of her building, she paused momentarily at an old tree that stood proudly just outside. Its branches lush and green, almost as if they were trying to hug the entrance of her building.
"You're still here, huh?" she said playfully to the tree, brushing a hand against its rough bark as she circled it.
"Alright, let's see what today has in store," Shaelyn murmured as she bypassed the tree and headed toward the gate leading out of the compound.
Once outside, Shaelyn stepped into the park and slowed down to take in all of its beauty—the vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze and children laughing in the distance. "This is exactly what I needed," she thought with contentment.
She spotted a nearby bench under a shady tree and decided it would be perfect for a quick breather. As she approached it, however, something caught her eye—a familiar figure sitting with his back turned towards her.
"Wait… is that Nixon?" Shaelyn whispered to herself, feeling a mix of confusion and surprise wash over her. She instinctively took a step back but realized too late that he had already noticed her presence.
Nixon turned slightly at the sound of movement behind him, his brow furrowing as he tried to identify who had approached him.
"Shaelyn?" he called out hesitantly, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
"Yeah! It's me!" Shaelyn replied quickly, stepping forward again with curiosity etched on her face. "What are you doing here? You look… well, tired."
He sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair. "I've had quite a day," he admitted wearily. "I wrapped up everything at work but couldn't shake off this feeling that I needed to see you."
But as he walked up to her building, Nixon realised, that he didn't know what to say to her, especially after the way he had left the other day.
Shaelyn raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? You rushed out of your office just to see me?"
Nixon nodded slowly, looking both relieved and troubled at once. "I guess you could say so," he responded softly. "There's just so much on my mind right now."
"I don't see how that has anything to do with me." Shaelyn said nonchalantly, as she walked past him.
"Well, I am here already. Let's talk about it." Nixon said, as he hurried after her.