*EPISODE 6*
(STUCK IN BETWEEN)
When Stanley saw Susan being rushed to the hospital, he worriedly took over and quickly ran a general test on her to discover the cause of her illness or whatever it was that made her collapsed in broad day light. But the results left him dumbfounded. He was totally confused and curioused that he quickly called for Lilian who rushed over to the school clinic where she found Stanley going through Susan’s test results over and over again.
“Lilian, how did this happen?. Susan has been denying me s*x for the past three months of our relationship. But here, her test results state that she’s pregnant and not only is she pregnant, but she’s been infected with sexually transmitted infection. I honestly would have doubted the results if I didn’t carry out the test myself. So tell me, do you by any chance know what’s going on?. Is there something that I need to know that you aren’t telling me?.” He asked Lilian as soon as he set his eyes on her.
“Pregnant?. Who?.” Lilian asked totally confused.
“Please don’t give me that look cause I’m not buying any of your pretence. How come the girl I’ve been investing on for the past three months is found pregnant for another man?. Susan has been avoiding my touch yet, she gave herself to another man without stress. Or was she raped?.” Stanley asked totally heartbroken and disappointed.
“Stanley please calm down. I’m sure there’s a mix up somewhere.” Lilian said trying to pacify his anger.
“Don’t calm me down Lilian. I have been nothing but good to Susan. Why must she pay me back with such heartlessness?. What has she ever asked for that I haven’t done or gotten for her?. I have always made sure she never lacked anything academically, emotionally and materially. I have always been there for her. I cared, loved, and adored her. I have always shared her burdens with her. So tell me, what else does she want?.” He raged standing to his feet.
His head was literarily spinning as he fought back tears. He slowly placed his hand on the wall shaking his head in disbelief.
“I’m sorry Stanley. But how old is the pregnancy?.” Lilian enquired.
“Is that really important right now?.” Stanley asked turning to her in disbelief.
“I just wanted to confirm something.” Lilian said.
“What are you trying to confirm?. Okay. She’s 4 weeks pregnant. Are you okay now?.” He asked.
“4 weeks?. Then that must be the work of Gabriel.” Lillian said.
“Gabriel?. Who is he?.” Stanley asked totally curioused.
“It’s a long story Stanley.” Lilian said.
“Then make it short.” Stanley urged raising his voice in anger.
After much persuasion, Lilian opened up to Stanley telling him everything that had happened so far. The truth hurt Stanley so much that he felt used and worthless.
“What do women really want?. Why do they derive pleasure in taking a good man for granted?. I was ready to make her my wife. I was ready to adore her but she chose her ex over me?.” Stanley wondered.
When Susan regained her consciousness and realized that she was in the hospital, her heart skipped when she saw Lilian sitting beside her, and Stanley standing before her with her medical reports.
She was scared, worried and anxious for her fears had finally caught up with her. And she couldn’t bring herself to say a word to her roommate and Stanley.
Stanley composed himself and acted like nothing happened. He spoke to Susan like the doctor that he was. Reading her test results to her and telling her things to do and things not to do as a pregnant lady. Susan couldn’t look into his eyes. She kept avoiding his gaze by staring helplessly at the ceiling cause she felt ashamed and guilty.
As soon as Susan and Lilian got home from the hospital, Susan sluggishly walked to the bed where she laid down and suddenly broke into tears.
“Susan. Hmmmmm. I guess you are now happy cause finally, you can now get married to your Gabriel in peace.” Lilian said sitting on the floor with her back leaning on the bed.
“There’s no marriage anywhere Lilian. Gabriel is already married.” Susan sobbed.
“What?. How is that even possible?. How come?.” Lilian asked all at once in shock.
“Lilian. I’m sorry for not listening to you all these years.” Susan sobbed.
“That’s not the problem. The problem is, what is Gabriel saying about the pregnancy?. Haven’t you told him yet?.” Lilian asked.
“I did. But guess what?. He called me loosed and cheap. He said I had no control over my emotions. And that he only called me to that hotel that night because he knew how gullible, stupid, and senseless I can be. He said he knew so well that I can be easily manipulated. But that’s not true Lilian. Every girl act cheap and loosed to the guy they love. I loved Gabriel. And everything I’ve allowed or taken from him all these years, was because I sincerely loved him. And you were right. I couldn’t let Stanley touch me cause I haven’t completely gotten over Gabriel. I was so used to him going back and forth with me, that I saw nothing wrong with it anymore. The handwritings were all over the place but I paid blind eyes to them. How do I break the news to my parents?. How do I face Stanley again?. I’m totally confused.” Susan sobbed.
“It’s alright Susan. The deed has been done already. But the truth is that, Stanley was deeply hurt when he saw your test results. I had to explain everything to him. And I think he is currently going through a whole lot as well. You lost two men at a time. And for the pregnancy, why don’t we go to Gabriel parent’s house to tell them the news?.” Lilian asked.
“Do you know one funny truth?. I have never been to Gabriel’s parents house.” Susan revealed.
“Are you serious?.” Lilian asked totally amazed.
“Yes Lilian. It has been from one hotel to the other ever since he left school. I’ve never been to his house either except his room when he was in school. I think that was enough reason for me to walk away. But I ignored it.” Susan sobbed
“For real?. My goodness. Susan you were obviously used and dumped. I feel so sorry for you right now. But how about we trace their house?. Or we can go to their company.” Lilian said.
“Forget it Lilian. Gabriel is married. And I wouldn’t want to cause a rift between him and his wife. Just let them be. Cause they won’t accept my child. They might see me as one of those desparate girls that gets pregnant to tie a rich man to themselves. I might even be called a gold digger. So please let it slide. The most important thing is that Gabriel is fully aware that I’m carrying his child.” Susan sobbed.
“Hmmmmm. I don’t know what else to say right now. Honestly, I’m short of words.” Lilian said sighing.
That night, Susan had attempted taking her own life by consuming harmful substance. But fortunately, Lilian found her on time and she immediately contacted Stanley who came and rushed her to the hospital.
When she recovered, she broke into uncontrollable tears.
“What exactly were you thinking?. You think killing your self and the innocent baby will change anything?.” Stanley yelled at her.
“What else would you have me do?. I’m broken, lost, frustrated and Confused. I don’t know what to do and who to turn to anymore. Please Stanley can you help me get rid of the pregnancy?. Please save me from the shame and guilt of being a single mother.” She cried.
“And who said being a single mother is a sin?. I believe everything happens for a reason. And no child is a mistake. So therefore, I won’t let you terminate the life of this innocent child.” Stanley said.
“Then who will take responsibility for the child?. What will I tell my parents?.” Susan sobbed.
At this point, Stanley was almost about to say,
“Don’t you think you should have thought about that before having s*x with that good for nothing boy?.”
But he calmed himself and said.
“Don’t worry about that. As your friend and doctor, i will take responsibility for this.” Stanley said.
“What?. How?.” Susan asked.
“You have to take me to your parents.” Stanley said.
