Chapter 1 break up with Nick

“I just came from the hospital and I confirmed that I am three weeks pregnant,” Grace said to her boyfriend of three years. They had been dating since campus and when they completed their education, they decided to stay together as they tried to figure out life. This statement had been one of the triggers for the eruption of Nicholas. Eyes bulging out of their eye sockets and veins showing on his forehead, neck taut with anger, he spat words that rang in her ears for days to come.

“You cannot be serious, pregnant, we used protection, how could you be pregnant? Please tell me you are just joking. You know that we cannot start a family right now, how will I support the two of you. Besides are you really sure that this baby is mine and not somebody else’s.” Before Nickolas could even finish his ranting, a hard slap fell on his face. “Are you serious Nick, we made this baby together and you dare question the paternity when you know full well, I have never been with another? Is this even love, what the hell is wrong with you, I thought that after dedicating three years of my life to you, you would at least trust me.” Grace said as tears welled in her eyes.

Since they had started dating, they had been on and off but with time, Grace had realized that she loved Nick too much. So, with that knowledge, she had let go of every inhibition and decided to create a life with him. Yes, she had not planned for the pregnancy but since it had come, she had to deal with it. Coming to terms that her boyfriend may not want the baby, she packed an overnight bag and left to her best friend’s house. While there, she would give them both enough space to decide on the way forward.

An hour later, she got to her friend’s place, Anna. They had known each other from campus and had even stayed as roommates in the hostels before Grace went to stay with Nicholas. In as much as Nicholas and Anna did not see eye to eye, Grace still maintained their friendship. The two had met during the admission day at the university. Standing in the queue for some time had been boring and making small talk with the people around seemed like a good thing to pass the time.

They had clicked the instant they talked and, on that queue, a lifetime friendship had been formed. Anna, was courageous and outgoing, having a sunny nature while Grace had been shy and a bit of an introvert. With time, the two had known each other, complimenting each other perfectly. Picking a key beneath the doormat, Grace entered the house knowing that she was welcome anytime to that place.

In the evening, when Anna came, they sat down on the couches, dressed in the comfiest yoga pants and fluffy socks they could find. Holding a hot mug of chocolate, Grace struggled to get the drink past her clogged tubes. Tears welled and she felt stuffy, breathless even. She had expected Nicholas to be surprised at her news but not in her wildest dreams did she ever think he would doubt her faithfulness. Explaining to her friend that they had had a fight with her boyfriend, her friend consoled her.

A week had gone by since the last time Nicholas and Grace had met. Every moment that passed, Grace grew sadder because Nick had not even called her phone once. She did not know what his decision about the baby would be. She felt in her heart that if he did not support her, she would die. Deciding that one week had been enough space, she walked back to their house. Getting on, she found the door unlocked and got in. As she stepped in, she heard grunting noises and as much as her head told her what was happening in the house, her heart denied it.

Right there in their bedroom, Nicholas lay sprawled against a lady, thrusting fast into her. The lady kept urging him to go faster and faster. Grace could not believe her eyes, her boyfriend of three years, the one to whom she had lost her virginity to was cheating on her. Suddenly, the only thing she could see was red, blinding rage filled her heart and mind and tears clouded her eyes. She felt so much anger, that she did not even know when she had moved towards the bed, grabbed Nick, and started beating him up. The other woman blushed furiously as she attempted to cover herself.

At that time, Grace felt as though she had been possessed, extraordinary strength filled her, and tears falling, her nose clogged with mucus and her voice nearly hoarse from her shouting, she kept beating him. That was until Nick stood and rammed her head in the nearest wall. She saw darkness enveloping her and then stars. For the first time in her life, she knew fear, extreme fear.

Before she could hit the ground, Nickolas held her and supported her. He started shouting at her frantically. “You are the one who forced me to push you. I did not want to, no! no! you are bleeding, what do I do?” Nick had gotten frantic in his murmuring while shaking her up and down. The moment she had heard that she was bleeding, Grace felt nauseous and before she could think further, she passed out.

In fear that she had died, Nick gathered his belongings and rushed out the door, leaving Grace lying in her own pool of blood. The woman who had accompanied Nick stood right next to her shaken and stricken. She fumbled with her phone to call the emergency unit in the hospital and thereafter left.