Chapter 68 THE CONFESSION
ARYA'S POV
“Creak…” My house door made that sound as I opened it.
The last three days were really tough and very crazy. The house was too quiet.
“Dad.” I called out but there was no response.
“Mum.” I called but still, just an eerie silence that responded back.
It seems everyone is not home. I walked into the living room. The television was off but there was a half-finished cup of coffee at the edge of the table. It was placed next to my Dads favorite armchair. That meant that my dad was home, probably he was in his room.
I felt relieved though, knowing it was just my step dad that was home. It would be easier to deal with him than with my mum.
My mum would have never let this happen. She had a way of knowing everything. She always made me feel bad when I did something wrong.
I headed for my room as I opened the door. Everything was just like I had left it. All clean and plain, just like my life was. I took off my shoes as I was ready to sleep in my own bed for a long time when I heard the floor outside my room make a noise.
There was a knock at the door.
"Arya? Is that you sweetie?" A voice called out. It belonged to my step father.
I sighed, not in fear or worry but in calmness.
“Yes, dad. It's me, you can come in.” I answered from inside.
My father walked into the room with a smile beaming on his face. He always wore that each time he saw me.There were lines around his eyes that got all wrinkly when he smiled.
“Hey pumpkin, you're back.” He said as he sat down on my bed.
“Yes daddy.” I replied with a smile.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked me as he stretched his hand to feel my temperature, placing his hand on my forehead.
“Dad, I'm much better now.” I answered, still smiling.
He pulled my cheek and smiled.
“Look how big you've grown.” He said as he admired me.
“Mmm-mmm.”
“How is Stella? She's really taking good care of you.” He continued.
“She’s doing fine. I came back home to have a proper meal, she just feeds me with veggies and fruits. I'm tired of it already.” I confessed with a sigh.
“You're the nurse but she is doing your job excellently well.” My dad chuckled.
“She really is very caring.” I added, complimenting my best friend.
“When are you going back to camp? Justin mentioned that the camp is short staffed with nurses.” My father asked.
The mention of Justin made goosebumps appear on my skin.
“Yes— yes, I'll be going in a week's time.” I stammered, my voice almost trying to sell me out.
The room fell into silence. No one was saying anything. I became nervous all of a sudden to mention a thing to my step dad.
I darted my eyes, pretending to be twisting my fingers together and brushing my temples to ease my nervousness.
“How about mummy? I didn't meet her when I came in.” I asked, trying to bring up a different subject and to break the silence that was already engulfing me with fear.
“She's fine. She's at work.” My dad replied.
“Oh, okay.” I answered and let the room fall into silence again.
“Baby girl, is there something you want to tell me?”
That question scared the shit out of me.
“Hmm?” I asked my dad.
“Something has been off with you. What's wrong?” He asked me again.
“I'm fine… I'm just stressed out.” I replied, not suspecting anything different.
“Sweetheart, something else has been on your mind. You can talk to me, please confide in me.” My dad said.
Why was he sounding as though he knew my secret? No, it wasn't possible.
Maybe he was just trying to be more caring, acting more fatherly.
Justin wouldn't have told him or my mum. There was no way they knew about it. I would just play along until he dropped the act, if he was having one on or until he left.
“Arya, when do you intend to tell me? Are you scared you will get scolded? Of course you would be, but we still love you, your mother and I, we love you genuinely.” He continued.
What was he saying? Why was he sounding as though he knew something? Should I just tell him? Or ask him rather?
“What are you talking about, dad?” I asked him.
“How many months are you?” He asked me.
What was he talking about? Could it be that he actually knew?
“I— I don't understand.” I replied.
“Arya, you're pregnant, aren't you?” My dad asked, dropping the bombshell finally.
Oh my goodness! How did he know? Who told him? Who spilled my secret? Oh no! Can anything be actually hidden under the sun? I guess not right now.
My eyes widened in shock as I closed my opened mouth with my hand.
“How— how did you know?” I asked my step dad, not hiding the truth anymore.
He sure did know so what was the point in beating around the bush, trying to pretend or lie?
“I'm your dad Arya. I know when something is right or wrong about you. Your mother kept complaining that you didn't look well, I already knew from them that something was up.” He explained.
Damn it! Was it that obvious? How did I not hide this well from them?
“You ate a little then suddenly, your appetite grew large. You slept almost all the time and you started gaining weight. The signs were there sweetheart.” He pointed out, stating his observations.
“I'm sorry dad.” I apologized, accepting defeat.
“You shouldn't be sorry. What are you planning to do with the child?” He asked me.
For him to ask that question, it meant that he wasn't aware of the abortion.
I rubbed my belly unknowingly as sadness washed over my face.
“Hey, hey, it's okay my love.” He comforted me.
I didn't know when I broke down in tears.
He pulled me in for a hug as he patted my back.
“It's okay darling. We are humans, we make mistakes. Just don't let them hold you down. We will get through this together.” He encouraged me as he kept rubbing my back gently while stroking my hair.
“Please don't tell mum.” I sobbed.
My dad was so nice and gentle but I didn't know that he would be so understanding. He didn't query me, he didn't spell it out for me that I made a mistake.
He was priceless to me.
“She won't know about it. I'm keeping this between us alright?” He said to me as I nodded with gentle sobs.
“Does the father know you are pregnant?” He asked me.
That question sent a lump to choke on my throat.
How didn't I think that this would escalate? Of course he would ask who the father of the child was.
I was scared, I didn't know what to say. My step dad must not find out that either Justin or Mike was the dad.
I couldn't bring myself to tell him that Justin and I had been ducking behind closed doors.