The morning air was crisp as Taenus walked through the bustling streets of the market, the scent of fresh produce and street food filling the air. Her steps were slow, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets, but there was a flutter of excitement in her chest. She had something she wanted to share with Eunseok—something that would change everything.
But as she passed a fruit stall, her stomach lurched. She paused for a moment, feeling a wave of nausea hit her. The feeling was sudden, and it didn't pass as quickly as it usually did. She grabbed onto the nearest stand to steady herself, her breath shallow.
"Are you okay, miss?" a vendor asked, concern in his voice.
Taenus forced a weak smile and nodded. "I'm fine. Just a little lightheaded." She felt the warmth of embarrassment rush to her cheeks.
But as she continued walking, the sensation didn't go away. Her head felt heavy, and her stomach churned with each step. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
After a few minutes of trying to ignore the discomfort, she decided it was best to go to the doctor. Maybe it was just stress or fatigue, but something told her it was worth checking.
---
The doctor's office was quiet, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling the air. Taenus sat nervously in the waiting room, tapping her foot, trying to distract herself. Her thoughts drifted to Eunseok. She had been planning a surprise for him—something to show him how much she cared, something that would make him smile. She had dreamed of this moment, of telling him their lives would be changing forever.
When the nurse called her name, Taenus stood up, her legs feeling a little wobbly as she followed her into the examination room.
The doctor greeted her with a warm smile, guiding her through the routine checkup.
"Everything looks good so far," the doctor said, but Taenus noticed the subtle pause before the next words. "I'll just confirm a few things. Are you certain of your last period date?"
Taenus felt a lump form in her throat. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been feeling a bit off lately."
The doctor nodded, a faint smile on her face as she handed over the test results.
"Taenus, it looks like you're pregnant," she said gently. "Congratulations."
Taenus froze, her world shifting in an instant. Pregnant.
Her hand went to her mouth, trying to process the words. She was pregnant. She was going to have a baby.
The doctor gave her a few moments to absorb the news, offering some advice and asking if she had any questions. But Taenus couldn't focus. All she could think about was the life growing inside her, the surprise she now had for Eunseok, and how he would react.
---
Once she left the clinic, Taenus felt a mix of emotions—excitement, uncertainty, and a strange sense of hope. She couldn't wait to tell Eunseok. He would be happy, right? This was the surprise she had been planning for so long.
But when she tried to call him, the ringing just went on and on, unanswered.
She felt a pang of doubt, but she pushed it away. Maybe he was just busy. After all, work was always important to him.
Determined, she went home and began preparing for the surprise. She set the table, lit candles, and even ordered their favorite food. She imagined the moment he would walk in, her eyes shining with excitement, and him realizing what this news meant for them both.
She waited. And waited.
But the minutes turned into hours, and the excitement she had felt slowly began to turn to anxiety. Where was he? Why wasn't he answering his phone?