38. The coke and my Dress

He walked towards me and said, "There's no us." He was about to reach to the door when I came in between and stopped him.

"You can't leave this room until I'm done talking." I stated in a monotone.

He grumbled, dilating his nostrils, "Get out of my way, Sanaya. I've to go. I'm getting late."

He tried one more time to touch the doorknob, but I reached for it before him. Accidently he put his hand on mine. I winched a little. I moved my gaze at him. He was already staring at me. Our shoulders were brushing against each other. There was very little distance left between us.

I inhaled the fresh scent of his cologne – mixture of mint and musk. My heartbeats started to quicken. Some invisible cord was pulling me to him, maybe it was his eyes. I tried to read some of his mind through his cerulean gaze. The sparkling twirls that were dancing there, melting my anger for him. If I was good at reading eyes, I was certain that they were softened as they remained unblinked on me.

There was something – something soft, something warm that contradicted his cold-heartedness, callousness. The sweet essence was still flashing in them. I was surprised a bit why his eyes and his personality differ so much.

He moved his hand from mine and stepped back, breaking our eye-contact. He looked away. I noticed his Adam's apple moving up and down, indicating that he was hesitant or nervous.

"What do you want to talk about? Do it, fast." He glanced back at me, but this time his eyes flickered the same coldness, same emptiness I had been seeing since we spent the night together.

I also recollected myself and masked my emotions from my face, "Ashar, I'm pregnant with your baby. It happened after that night. Why are you humiliating me in front of everyone by denying this?"

"What? I'm humiliating you?" He fumed, "You're humiliating yourself on your own. I told you not to disclose what happened accidentally to anyone, but no...you came with a new drama – your pregnancy drama."

He shrugged, "I've nothing to do with what you're doing."

"You think I'm lying?"

"Yes, certainly." He confirmed, "Talking to me in a closed room is not going to change my opinion for you. You're just wasting yours and my time."

"I told you, you were my first. I was a virgin before." I snarled.

He tried to let out a fake chuckle, "Okay. But still it doesn't prove anything."

"What do you mean?" I crossed my arms.

"Sex is a very common activity among your age-group." He shrugged again, avoiding to look at me, in my eyes, "Maybe, it's the outcome of one of your carelessness."

I was stunned. Never in my dreams I could think that he was taking me that type of woman. I thought he was denying because he didn't want this marriage, but I just realized that the case was different.

He continued, "I saw you how you were dancing close to those perverts at your friend's party. What was his name Dylan? Dave who was with you? It could be him."

It took me few moments to recall the guy he was pointing out. It was David I met at Amelia's party. My meeting lasted with him for approx. ten minutes and I didn't see him after that day. I can't believe Ashar still remembered him.

"Or maybe, it could be your first crush, Ryan. I remember his name. He was so frank with you and you were so in love with him." He rolled his eyes.

I mentally laughed. He remembered Ryan's frankness towards him, but he didn't remember that I told him in clear words that I was over him ages ago. After mother's death, I hadn't even talk to him. I was surprised to see the huge of amount hatred for me he had been stuffing in his head all this time.

"So, you take me as a slut who has been whoring around?"

"I can't be sure." He said flatly, "You're a very shrewd woman. The woman, who could trick me and become my wife under my nose, can't be underestimated. I can't be fooled by you twice."

My heart crumpled apart at his thoughts about me. He was venomous, so poisonous just like Samara. I was just done now with him and everything related to him, "Fine."

Moisture glinted in my eyes as I looked at Ashar, "If that's how you take me, so let it be." I breathed lowly, "Let's go for a divorce."

He got astounded a little with my reaction. I turned around and about to open the door when he came forward and lightly touched my arm, "Wait. I know my parents are acting childish these days, but if abortion is still possible, go for it. I'll help you."

The stage for abortion had already passed. It was not possible anymore. I jerked his hand away, "You're late. Besides, I don't want to abort. I want to prove you wrong. Just man up and take responsibility after that."

My obstinacy and anger was compelling me to at least take a little revenge. I won't abort the baby. I would bring him to this world and prove his father and everyone else that I was not lying, that it's his father who is reprobate. And after that I would step out of this house and Ashar's life.

💙

Sleep can sometimes work as an escape, an escape from reality. Therefore, these days, I was sleeping a lot. Most of the hours of the day, I slept because it was the only way to disconnect myself from my merciless reality.

I was not even cooking for the Hobsons anymore because I was feeling weak, not only mentally, but physically as well. Now that Ashar had thrown me out of his life, I was trying the same.

I was trying to hate him, I was trying to forget him that's why I was using sleep as my stress-reliever. The hours I spent awake, only distressed me as my mind replayed Ashar's words over and over again.

On the other hand, now Ashar had told me his choice, so it was time I should think of my decision as well. I wanted to go away from all this pain and suffering.

I heard a knock on the door. I was lying on my bed sluggishly. I only turned my head to look who was there. An elegant woman in her early thirties stepped inside. "Hello, Sanaya."

Puzzled up, I rose to the sitting position. I positioned the pillow behind me to give support to my back. Since few days I was experiencing a terrible backache. I couldn't be able to sit or stand for a long time.

That woman came to me with a bright smile upon her face and sat beside my bed on a backless stool. She had brown eyes and peachy skin tone. Her golden brown, velvety hairs were resting on her back. She was wearing a silky, polka dot blouse with a high-waist, skinny pants.

"I'm Estella, Ashar's big brother's wife." She introduced herself. My pupils enlarged. She was the one who was unable to give grandchildren to the Hobsons. I had never seen her before in the mansion.

"Hey, nice to meet you." I tried to smile.

"We've never met before, but I've heard a lot about you."

Embarrassment flushed my face skin a little because I indeed knew what kind of stories she had heard about me. She laughed at my reaction, "Don't worry. I'm not here to talk about it. I'm here to greet and congratulate the woman who's giving heir to the Hobsons."

She had flawless, radiant skin. She seemed rich too. Ashar's brother had such a beautiful wife. I could now totally understand why this entire family was hesitant to accept me. Obviously, they would've been expecting that Ashar would bring a wife like Estella; gorgeous looking, graceful and a reputable family name. All of these qualities couldn't be seen in me.

"I've never seen you here." I said.

"Yeah, because me and Austin live in other city. And you know, it's not easy to leave work."

"What do you do?"

"I run a business, Sanaya. I manufacture my own skin products." She answered, smiling.

Exactly, that's what I was mentioning before rich and beautiful; just like Samara.

"Oh. I understand." I reacted, trying to act nonchalantly.

She nodded thoughtfully, "I've brought some of my products for you as a gift. They are in my car. If you'll like them, I'll bring more."

"Okay, sure." I agreed.

"You're beautiful." I couldn't stop myself from saying that out loud.

Estella laughed, showing her perfect set of milky white teeth, "Maybe. But, I've a big flaw." Her eyes moved to my tummy, "I can't be a mother."

Her smile faded.

"What's the problem?"

"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome." She said, "I've gone to many doctors, but nothing changed."

"There's nothing to worry about." I placed my hand on hers, "You'll have your own child, one day."

It was not lie. No one could say that she could never be able to conceive. The disease was curable.

"I'm not worried. Austin is supporting me a lot. He's very understanding." She shrugged, trying to hide her sadness.

"He is not forcing you?"

"No, not at all." She shook her head in negative, "Even he was the one who asked me to stop all the treatment. Maybe, we'll go for adoption sometime later."

"You've such a lovely husband." I commented.

Austin seemed better and smarter than his young brother. At least, he understood his wife's misery.

"I totally agree with you." Estella reacted mirthfully, "But, you don't take stress and don't think about anything. Hobsons are very kind-hearted. Your baby is lucky that he or she would get a lovely family."

"Maybe, I seemed to have everything in life, but you don't know how I try to stop my tears when I see Austin's sadness that he tries to hide from me. You're very lucky, Sanaya. You're going to have your own baby. You're going to be a Mom. Your heart will stop literally, when your little one will call you Mom for the first time." Estella looked at the floor, talking more to herself than me.

I felt her words. Goose pimples formed on my arms. That moment was definitely going to be unique when someone would call me Mommy.

"You'll get your moment too, very soon. Don't worry." I assured her with a small smile.

She touched my belly, "Baby's grandparents are so happy about their new family member. He'll be a happy child."

I sighed, thinking, "All I want that you all take care of him. Raise him with love."

I had to make sure that my child would get everything I had always desired.

Estella talked to me few more minutes, gave me some tips and suggested me healthy diet that would be beneficial for both, me and the baby. She also asked about doctor's opinion about my pregnancy.

"Anyways, I should leave now. It was pleasure meeting you."

"Same here, Estella."

"I'll come again." She said before leaving the room.

💙

If I choose to take my baby with me and divorce Ashar, it was certain that the baby would suffer with me. I didn't have any home or enough money to fulfill the needs of the kid. Hobsons could give a promising and luxurious life to him. He or she would not have to live on streets, or some shabby, rental place.

There was no way I was going to let him suffer because of my own problems. If I would be an obstacle in his or her happiness, I would leave, taking all my miseries with myself.

I walked out of the classroom after finishing off my final exam with all those bothersome thoughts in my head. It was not easy to put them aside and concentrate on the exam, but somehow, I managed to complete it.

It was the end of another semester. Katherine suggested me to take a break from studies because there was a chance that the crowd in the college would tease me or worse, could spread rumors about me, if they got to know about my pregnancy. She suggested that I could resume my college later on. It was like taking a maternal leave.

I was not even twenty yet pregnant. People could assume nasty stuff about me or even bully me if they began noticing my baby bump that had now slightly grown outward. I was hiding it through loose clothes. But in next few weeks, it wouldn't be possible. I thought of considering her suggestion because I was not strong enough to deal with rumors. I already had a lot to deal with right now.

It was my last week in the college as a normal teenager because soon, I would be becoming a mother.

I moved towards the cafeteria to buy something to eat because I was going through one of my food-craving moments. I wanted to have an energy drink plus some snacks. Thankfully, my nausea was in control due to my medicines so I could eat anything I want.

I stood in the queue for about three minutes and finally got myself a bag of plain potato chips and a strawberry milkshake. It was not enough to satisfy my craving. I was thinking to call Melanie to cook something for me.

"Hey, Sanaya."

I was walking towards the exit of the cafeteria when I heard my name. I turned around and saw Abigail and Eleanor were standing behind me with a coke can in their hands.

I sighed, "Not today."

Both of them continued teasing me after our wild encounter. They called me names every time I came across in front of them, even tried to embarrass me in front of other students.

I assumed that they were actually taking their revenge because they were just unable to acknowledge their defeat. Most of the time, I ignored them because I was too engrossed in my own traumatic thoughts to react to their childishness. Besides, I thought ignoring them was the best solution to deal with those weirdoes.

I was about to walk further when they came in front and blocked my way. "Oh come on. It's been quite some time since we last talked." Abigail jeered, looking at her friend.

Abigail's eyes moved to my snacks. In spur of moment, she snatched it from me. I jumped a little reflexively and titled the milkshake glass unknowingly at the same time, causing the liquid to fall on to my khaki pumps.

"Aargh!" I exasperated.

They burst into laughter. I placed the milkshake glass on the nearby empty table, muttering some swear words for myself.

"Give it back." I seethed, ignoring the icy, sticky liquid that felt under my shoes, "Go bother someone else."

"Awww, baby." Eleanor mocked, giggling, "First tell me, how much you take for a single night?"

I got fumed. These days, everyone assumed me a whore; first Ashar, then Samara and now those psychopaths.

I clenched my fists, "I'm out of your reach. Now, get off."

If people weren't there in the café, I would have slapped them at their foul questions. But now, I swallowed my anger and stayed calm.

"Let's further ruin your clothes for your big, fat mouth." Eleanor smirked.

"Right." Abigail responded, came forward and splashed her entire coke can on my dress.

I flinched and stepped back. Her friend imitated her and again I felt an icy drink against my skin. She spilled the remaining drink on my potato chips and threw the bag on the floor. They began laughing loudly, catching other peoples' attention.

"Are you guys crazy or what?" I yelled at the top of my voice, "Bloody nutcases!"

My dress was now soaked to the level that the droplets of the coke were dripping down on my pumps, making them more soggy. I would want to strangle those bitches right this moment. They were seriously in need of a psychiatrist.

I let out a small shriek in exasperation and saw Abigail and Eleanor ran away while their faded sound of laughs was reaching to my ears.

"Good luck, low-life whore." Abigail hollered.

"Die you, psychopaths." I cussed them aloud.

Some of the people turned their heads on me. I ignored them because I was too angry right now to feel embarrassed at my present state. I ignored my snacks and began scurrying towards the restroom. My shoes became heavy and slippery, making it hard for me to walk straight. I stumbled few times, but thankfully, didn't fell.

I passed through the crowded corridor and saw people gave me surprised glances, even giggled at me. I increased my speed and scurried faster towards the restroom.

Stupid me. Stupid them. Stupid life.

I stepped inside the restroom and saw myself through the mirror in front. My floral printed, chiffon dress was completely stained. It was one of the maternal dresses Katherine bought for me. The expensive, light-weight dress was now a waste.

Almost all of my front side was now blemished, changing the dress of the color from light peach to nude brown. I slipped out my feet from the soggy pumps. The liquid was still dripping from my dress, drenched the floor with brown water.

I rinsed my face, arms and feet to get rid of the stickiness. I also tried to wash away the stain, but it didn't work. Instead, the fabric became more soaked.

I shrieked lowly. Abigail and Eleanor humiliated me in front of entire college by making me a figure of fun. Now, I had to bear the outcome and go out of the restroom in the same state.

I rolled up my hair at the top of my head, few tendrils managed to slip out of my messy bun. The anger inside me was boiling me up. I took my soggy pumps in my hand and walked out of the restroom in barefoot. I again witnessed people's amused expression as they took a full view of my devastated appearance. The rotten reek of coke was escalating my fury.

I was just tired of being used and abused for no valid reason. The tears prickled at the back of my eyes as I moved forward. I hurried out of the building and realized that another unwanted surprise was waiting for me.

Ashar was there, instead of his bodyguard, standing against his car. He was like always in formal attire. Seeing him in a perfect, clean tux, I felt embarrassed at my own current appearance. I was looking like a mess and he was looking so crispy.

I danced my gaze around to find Aaron who was probably not here today. Ashar bent his arm, checked the time from his wrist watch and then raised his gaze at me. I contracted my jaws in absolute mortification. His eyes flew up as he scrutinized me from head to toe.

His gaze stopped at my face again with an expected question flashing in them. I looked away. He never came to my college and now when today I was in this devastating look, he was here certainly to escalate my embarrassment. I let out a sigh in aggravation and walked to him.

"Where's Aaron?" I muttered.

His face depicted astonishment as he took a step towards me, "What's that?" He gestured towards my dress, "How this happened?"

"This is not an answer to my question. I asked where Aaron is?" I gritted.

"He's not here. Now tell me did u have a fight with someone?"

Oh. So he was here to take me back to mansion. Why did he bother himself for me? "You don't have to know."

He sighed in defeat, "Fine. Get inside the car."

"Why would I go with you? I'll use the public transport."

He laughed. Amusement was flaring in his eyes, "Like this?" He looked at me from head to toe, "You are even barefoot. Aaron is on leave for three days, till then I'll drive you."

"You'll give a good laugh to everyone. Take my help. It's just a car ride." He added, pursing his lips as if he was stopping them to laugh at me in a mocking way.

I narrowed my eyes angrily. The ultimate beast!