Chapter 6

• When Maya got home, she dropped her bag on the couch and sank onto the bed, her mind swirling. She couldn't believe it. Pregnant. She closed her eyes, replaying the doctor’s words over and over in her head. It felt unreal, like she was trapped in someone else’s life. She was in her final semester, about to graduate and step into a new phase of life. This wasn’t part of the plan. And to make it all more complicated, the father of her child was a stranger she’d had a one-night stand with, a man who had vanished as quickly as he’d appeared.
• A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. How would she manage a baby? She didn’t have the resources, the support, or even the mental space to raise a child. The logical choice, the only choice that made sense, was to end the pregnancy. The thought filled her with guilt, but she couldn’t let her whole future crumble because of one night.
• After a sleepless night, she called Jane. She needed to talk it out with someone she trusted, and Jane had always been her rock.
• When Jane arrived, Maya wasted no time. “I don’t think I can do this, Jane,” she confessed, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m not ready to be a mother. I don’t even know where Jack is, and I… I can’t do this alone.”
• Jane took her hand, her face soft with understanding. “Maya, whatever you decide, I’ll be here with you. You don’t have to face this alone.”
• Maya’s eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Jane’s hand. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
• Jane wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Just take it one step at a time. No matter what, I’ll be by your side.”
• With Jane’s support, Maya gathered the courage to schedule an appointment at the hospital. She told herself that this was the best decision, the right decision. She was young, still finding her place in the world. She couldn’t raise a child, let alone one whose father was a mystery. She needed to get her life back on track.
• The morning of her appointment arrived, and Maya sat in the waiting room, her heart pounding. She felt a mix of fear, guilt, and sadness, all tangled together. Jane sat beside her, offering silent support. When her name was called, Maya followed the nurse into the examination room, her hands shaking.
• The doctor greeted her with a kind smile. “Maya, I understand you’re here to make a difficult decision. But before we proceed, I’d like to do an ultrasound to make sure everything is okay.”
• Maya nodded, lying back as the doctor prepared the machine. She tried to keep her emotions in check, telling herself that this was just a formality, a step in the process.
• But when the doctor placed the wand on her belly, Maya’s heart skipped a beat. She could see the image forming on the screen, small but unmistakable. The doctor’s expression changed, a look of mild surprise crossing her face.
• “Maya,” the doctor said softly, her tone careful. “It appears… you’re having twins.”
• Maya felt her breath catch. Twins? She stared at the screen, her mind unable to process the words. There, on the monitor, were two tiny forms, side by side. Two little lives, barely begun.
• In that moment, something shifted inside her. She felt a wave of emotion rise up, overwhelming her. Her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. She hadn’t been prepared for this. One child was a shock, but two? It was as if the universe was speaking to her, showing her that these lives, these tiny beings, were real, were hers.
• The thought of ending the pregnancy suddenly felt impossible. These weren’t just cells or a future she wasn’t ready for. These were two lives, two souls growing within her. Her babies.
• Maya covered her mouth, her heart breaking under the weight of her emotions. She knew, in that instant, that she couldn’t go through with the abortion. She couldn’t bring herself to end the lives that were already part of her, that had already claimed her heart.
• The doctor, noticing her reaction, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, Maya. Take your time.”
• Maya nodded, wiping her tears. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. She knew this was going to change everything, that her life would never be the same. But she also knew she couldn’t walk away from her decision. These babies were hers, and she was going to do whatever it took to give them a chance.
• After the appointment, Maya walked out to find Jane waiting for her, her face filled with concern.
• “Maya, are you okay?” Jane asked, noticing the tears in her eyes.
• Maya took a shaky breath, her voice barely steady as she spoke. “Jane… I’m having twins.”
• Jane’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. “Oh my god, Maya. Twins?”
• Maya nodded, feeling a mixture of fear and acceptance. “I was ready to end it, Jane. But when I saw them on the screen… I couldn’t. I can’t go through with the abortion. I’m going to have these babies.”
• Jane’s expression softened, her eyes filling with tears as she hugged her friend tightly. “Maya, you are so strong. And I know this is scary, but you’re not alone. I’m here for you, every step of the way.”
• Maya held onto her friend, feeling a mixture of relief and terror. She had made her choice, but the road ahead felt overwhelming. She knew that keeping the babies meant sacrifices, challenges, and an uncertain future. But with Jane by her side, she felt a spark of hope, a tiny glimmer of strength.
• As they left the hospital together, Maya took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her. She had chosen to keep her babies, to face whatever challenges came with raising them. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing: she would give these children all the love and strength she had.