Zoe couldn't shake the guilt, berating herself for her reckless decision to sleep with Bernard without protection, now fearing the consequences of her vulnerability.
She even told Bernard to continue fucking her while she closed her eyes.
While sitting in the hospital waiting room, Zoe was startled by her colleague's sudden appearance, mistaking her appointment for a prenatal check-up. Her colleague assumed she was pregnant because she looked like a pregnant woman. It made Zoe feel uneasy and anxious, she quickly changed the subject before her colleague left the hospital.
Zoe followed the hospital procedure for the STD test, she pondered on which test to prioritize– pregnancy test or STD test– each option stirring up distinct fear and anxieties.
Zoe's mind finally concluded as she paid for both tests to be conducted, she paid for the express so she could get her results within a few hours of the tests.
With a reassuring smile, the nurse from the lab inserted the needles into Zoe's vein, collecting the necessary blood sample for the STD and pregnancy test.
Zoe's anxiety spiked as she scanned around the doctors office, her eyes locking onto the posters that seemed to mirror her deepest fears " pregnancy symptoms" and "STD symptoms"
"Good morning, Miss. Zoe," the doctor greeted as she entered her office. After some hours of Zoe waiting, she had an envelope on her hand, which Zoe guessed to be her results.
Zoe's anxious expression softened slightly as she greeted the doctor. "Good morning, doctor," she greeted warmly. " How's the test results?
With a gentle smile, the doctor took her seat facing Zoe as she opened the envelope, with a deep breath, the doctor gaze at the lab results, her mind processing the data as she prepares to deliver the life-altering news to Zoe.
"Miss Zoe, I see nothing wrong with your body other than Just the normal symptoms that come with pregnancy, you are pregnant" the doctor said.
"Huh" Zoe's face froze, her lips parted in shock, as she struggled to process unforseen revelation that she was going to be a mother.
"How can I be pregnant? How can this be?" Zoe's voice trembled as she whispered.
"You haven't contracted any sexually transmitted diseases." The doctor continued.
Zoe sighed, "Oh, that's Good…" Zoe muttered firmly. I was eagerly waiting to hear what the STD results said."
The doctor puts back the results into the envelope and puts it on the table. She rested her elbow on the table and cupped her hands, "I apologize if this is too personal, but, may I know why you did an STD test, are there any symptoms?"
Zoe's discomfort grew as she was confronted by that question. She felt ashamed because this was the first intimate experience with a stranger.
"I don't think I can tell the doctor the truth, I'm pregnant and it belongs to Bernard, the stranger I had sex with, I will have to tell her something else." Zoe thought to herself.
But she knew the doctor was just doing her job. "I recently had sex with a man I had just met. So, I… got worried that he might've infected me with a disease.
The doctor seemed to have caught onto something she had said, so he prodded further.
"Please, don't worry about sharing personal details, it's essential for your care." The doctor's tone was reassuring. "Is the man responsible for your pregnancy, Ma'am? And when did that happen?"
"It happened a month and a week ago, and the man is responsible for my pregnancy." Zoe replied.
"Did you experience any changes in your body recently?"
"Well, yeah, unexplained exhaustion and vomiting.
"I see…" the door cleared her throat. "Is good that you got yourself tested for pregnancy. What you have been experiencing are the early signs of pregnancy, Ma'am."
"Pardon me, doctor, Zoe requested gently, could you explain these pregnancy results? I was surprised by what you just said now.
"May I know what's so surprising about it, Miss Zoe."
Zoe took a deep breath and shared her painful truth, she began, "I've come with the term with, doctor… There's no way I can get pregnant. I'm infertile and that is why I confidently had unprotected sex with that man without a worry. But I haven't done a fertility test before." Zoe added.
"There is no reason to claim that you're infertile, Ma'am, from the pregnancy test results I have here," the doctor picked up the envelope and brought out the test results as she went through it again. "It says that you are four weeks pregnant, Ma'am."
"But I have been trying to have a baby with my ex-husband for three years now and it always failed." Zoe said.
"Has he ever gone for a fertility test?" the doctor asked.
"He didn't but someone is pregnant for him right now. Zoe added.
"Congratulations, Miss Zoe!" the doctor exclaimed, presenting her with the positive pregnancy test results.
Zoe's eyes sparkled with tears and her hands trembled with joy, crading the pregnancy results as she attentively read it herself.
She always believed that she was the barren one, especially after Stanley broke the news to her that Jenna was pregnant for him on that day, Zoe convinced herself that motherhood wasn't in her future.
Zoe was silent as she processed what she would do next, the doctor realized she was deep in thoughts, the doctor interrupted.
"Do you have any other questions, Ma'am?" and Zoe shook her head in response.
The doctor detailed a food list highlighting vital nutrients and foods to avoid for a safe and healthy gestation. He also prescribed prenatal vitamins for a healthy pregnancy and handed it over to Zoe.
"You can get the prenatal vitamins from the pharmacy. Do take care of yourself and have a wonderful day, Miss Zoe." The doctor said,
"Thank you doctor" Zoe responded as she made her way out of the doctor's office.
Zoe's heart swelled with joy, threatening to burst, as she grasped the miraculous news of her pregnancy.
"Where am I going to see Bernard? Zoe asked herself, "I can't even remember the way to his house, shit! Well, the most important thing is that I'm going to be a mother after many years of trying."
While flagging down a taxi, Zoe stumbled upon the gentleman, who offered to give her a ride to the bar a months ago when she was heartbroken.