CHAPTER 122- THE MAIL

CHAPTER 122- THE MAIL
Kiya was at home when she got an email from Asher. It simply reads, "We need to talk, pick a day and time that suits you." She stared at the mail long and hard, with her heart beating so fast, it could fly out of her chest.

She knew deep within her that something was coming. She could feel it, especially since she bumped into him the last time and he saw her bump. She was hoping he would not be curious as to whether the bump had anything to do with him or not, but she was not stupid, knowing who Asher is, she knew he was going to have questions.

Whilst she was still looking at the message and contemplating whether to just ignore it and carry on with her life or reply to it and have the difficult conversation with him, another text followed behind that read, "I know you are carrying my baby, and I don't want any trouble; I just want to talk."

At that, she froze. What does he mean by he knows? How could he know? What's to say she didn't sleep with another person and there is another person responsible for the pregnancy? What if it's a bait he's throwing at her so she would just give up the truth? Whilst she thought about all these, her friend walked into the room and shook her out of her thoughts.

"What's up, and why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Amarah asked as her eyes followed to look at the email sprawled across the screen in front of Kiya.

"Oh my goodness, how does he know?" Ama asked, equally surprised.

Kiya went on to narrate their last encounter whilst Amarah nodded in realisation.

"Maybe he is just guessing," Kiya said, trying but failing to sound confident of her assumption.

"You and I both know that Asher has the resources to get answers to any question he has, Kiya. I don't think he is guessing or bluffing," Amarah said.

Kiya let out a sigh of defeat. "What am I supposed to do now, Amarah?" she asked.

"Sweetheart, don't you think he deserves the truth?," Amarah said softly as though afraid Kiya might get offended by what she just said. "Listen, I know you had made peace with the fact that you wanted to singlehandedly raise this beautiful baby growing inside you, but Kiya, don't you think it's unfair, especially when you didn't even give the man the chance to decide whether he wants to be a part of this child's life or not?"

"But he hates me, and he made that pretty clear, and I tried to reach out in the past, and it was all futile, so I did give him a chance," Kiya said, her voice raised slightly.

"C'mon, Kiya, you know the man had the right to do all he did. He is hurt, and rightfully so. Now he has reached out to you; just hear him out, hear what he has to say, and after that, whatever decision you make, I'll be here to support you all the way," Amarah said whilst looking deep into her friend's now teary eyes.

'Okay, fine," Kiya said, resignedly.

"That's my girl," Amarah said, engulfing her in a hug whilst Kiya let the tears already built up in her eyes fall out.

After some minutes of pulling herself together, Kiya texted him back. "Tomorrow by 4pm at the ice cream shop. She attached the address to it."

She had a doctor's appointment tomorrow to have her regular check-ups and an obstetric scan done to check her baby by 2pm, so she would just meet up with Asher after her appointment. And if things go well and they can come to an agreement or compromise, maybe she would be able to even let him see his baby from the scan.

She replayed his face when she bumped into him. He was shocked, but most of all, he looked really tired, which is understandable considering all that his family has been through with their mom, but she was glad to see him, at least he seemed like he was moving on with his life.

She still loved him, no matter how much she tried to fight it and even deny it. The love she had for him was so deep and so pure, and it's not something that could just be wiped out, so she has just decided she was going to live with that feeling however long it takes. It didn't help that she was growing a part of him inside her.

At first, she wasn't interested in knowing the gender of her baby, but over time, she has gotten so curious and would like to know whether she is expecting a baby boy or girl. She didn't particularly have a preference, as she knows whatever the gender, she is going to love this beautiful baby with everything in her, as it's not even up to term, but she already loves him or her.

A part of her would actually like Asher to be present in this child's life, but she knows that if he isn't, this child would not lack any form of love, as she has a great support system.

Over time, she had come clean to her parents and told them all about her and Asher and the whole situation that surrounds them, and they've been really supportive. They promised to be there for her and the baby whenever, and they even already made plans to fly over to her city when it's close to her due date so they can be there physically to help her.

Amarah also has been a huge support. She has always been there for her as frequently as physically possible. She follows her to all her doctor's appointments, she helps her through basically anything and everything, and she just knows Amarah is going to be the best godmother ever, as she can tell she already loves this baby as well, as she buys a lot of baby stuff, and the child isn't even born yet.

Concerning work, right now, Kiya hasn't decided what she wants to do. With a baby on the way, she might not be able to give her best at work as before, but she didn't have to worry about that for now. Eventually when her baby comes, she will have to decide what her next line of action is career-wise because she has to also consider the risks attached to her career, but one thing she knows for now is that whatever decision she ends up making, her baby will always come first, and that is more than enough for her.