Ch. 6 He Knows
I was officially two months pregnant.
Things had been very difficult for me after that ghost incident that happened a couple weeks ago. Lucky for me, the baby was not harmed in any way. It kind of surprised me a bit. I lost a lot of blood, but it didn't affect the baby at all; not that I was complaining or anything. The doctor also said I would be due some time in late January. I had to be more careful or I'd have a miscarriage. Once I was checked out of the hospital, the others weren't taking anymore chances. Bou-san put these specials seals around every door in my apartment to ward off ghosts that might try to harm me. Bou-san, Ayako, and John took turns performing exorcisms in my room before I went to sleep and in the morning when I woke up in case there was an apparition following me. Ayako and Bou-san were doing most of the work due to John's side job at the church. It was like ever since I almost had a miscarriage. I didn't have any admonitions since; I was relieved the seals were working.
The condition of my pregnancy also changed. Mood swings replaced my morning sickness. I also started having these wild cravings for strawberries. One minute I would be all cheerful, then the next thing I knew, I was yelling at John to get more strawberries, then I'd start sobbing and apologize to him for yelling. I knew I was driving Bou-san and John crazy. Ayako, on the other hand, was fairing well with my mood swings. She told me all women are like this when they're pregnant. It just takes plenty of patience and a lot of love. I was glad Ayako was staying to help with my pregnancy.
One day, I decided to take a walk alone to think. I wasn't sure if it was safe to walk alone, but I needed the thinking space. I decided to go to the park. My mother used to take me there when I was little. She would watch me play on the playground and even join me if I was having too much fun. I sat on a bench and watched children play their hearts out and their parents join their fun. It made me feel more anxious to be a mother.
I put a hand on my flat stomach. "Once you come out, I'll make sure you're as happy-go-lucky as those kids over there."
"Who are you talking to, Mai?" I quickly removed my hand and looked to see who asked me that question.
"Oh, hey Masako. I didn't see you there. I was just talking to myself."
Masako bowed, which was an unusual gesture for her to do towards me. Then she sat down next to me. "How have you been?"
Did I hear right?
"I've been better. Why?"
"You haven't showed up at the office in such a long time. I'm just worried about you." I did hear right. Masako was being nice to me! There was probably some kind of scam behind her generosity. "You look quite unkempt."
"Well, I haven't been feeling very good lately."
"You should tell Naru."
"It's nothing to be concerned about."
"Well, if you don't tell him," Masako stood up then gave me a sly grin. "I will."
I knew Masako was up to something. I stood up in front of her so we were eye-to-eye. Her eyes narrowed more, which made me a little frightened. It was like she was possessed. It was then I realized it. "Why are you doing this to me?"
Masako didn't answer me. Instead, she smirked at me and started to walk away. "You better do something about that little problem before... well, you know..." She made a little, maniacal laugh then walked off. I wasn't really sure if it was the ghost or the medium herself, but why did Masako always have to make this into some kind of battle? I didn't love Naru the way she did- I didn't love him at all! That was what I thought. He made me so frustrated! Just thinking about him made me want to scream and cry and… just cry even more.
I sank to my knees and started sobbing. Naru made my life complicated enough and Masako was just making things worse.
Naru... please... why can't you tell me what's wrong. I don't know what to do. I may not love you, but I still care. Please... I don't think I can handle these mysteries anymore...
-X-
Don't worry about me, Mai. I'll protect you...
-X-
I told the others about my encounter with Masako at the park. I didn't want them to make such a big deal about it; the more we worried, the more complicated things would become. Besides, if she did tell Naru about the ghost, he would be decorating my apartment with ghost hunting equipment by now.
Bou-san made me stay away from the office in case I ran into Masako again, so I was out of a job. Things weren't as bad as I thought they would turn out, especially since no ghosts had come to try to take my baby's 'power' (whatever it is). I let my guard down since I had the others to protect me.
I was now in my third month and I could feel the bump on my stomach. I was glad it wasn't very perceptible. School would be starting tomorrow, but I didn't think I could go back. Not now, anyway. Instead of getting ready for school, Ayako was helping me set up the nursery. My apartment was fairly small but it was as big as the SPR office, so I had room to put everything I needed in place. I wanted the baby to be somewhere safe and somewhere I could reach him/her in case of an emergency, so the crib was set up across from my bed. John donated it. I couldn't afford much more, except for small essentials like diapers and baby clothes. The only toy I had for the baby was my old teddy bear.
"Are you sure you don't want to set up the nursery in the guest room?" Ayako insisted. "I don't mind sleeping on your couch."
"No. I want to be able to reach the baby in case of an emergency. Besides, I don't want to spoil her too much."
"Her?"
"Yeah. I think the baby may be a girl. It's one of my motherly instincts."
"Maybe it's just your psychic powers. That or you're just crazy." Ayako laughed.
"Hey! I'm serious. When you're expecting a baby, it has an effect on you."
"The only effects I see in a pregnancy are mood swings, cravings, swollen breasts, and stomachs the size of watermelons."
"Are... are you saying I'm... I'm... fat!"
"No, no, no! I'm just saying those are some of the effects in a pregnancy," Ayako tried to console me. "Sure your stomach will... Grow, but that's perfectly normal."
I couldn't believe myself. I was acting like a child. Ayako was right. It was perfectly normal for pregnant women to show. But not pregnant teenagers. Going out in public, knowing people would stare at me because they thought I was a careless teen, eyes with scornful looks glaring at me everywhere I went, ashamed. How could I ever go out in public, again? How could I tell my friends? I couldn't stop going to school, but what other choice did I have? Once I started to show, the other students wouldn't stop staring at me.
Stop it, Mai! I thought. You don't care what other people think! You're going to be a mother and you're going to be proud of it!
I had to start listening to myself. Being a mother wasn't shameful. It was a wonderful thing. I put a hand on my stomach. "I can't wait for you to come out, baby," I said to my growing belly.
Ayako put her hand over the mine. "Neither can your Aunt Ayako," she said to my stomach.
"We're all anxious for your arrival."
I just hope you aren't as cold-hearted as your helpless father.
-X
I can help you, Mai. Just tell me the truth...
-X-
School started over a month ago, but I didn't bother to go. It was my fourth month and the beginning of my second trimester. If I wore my uniform, anybody would be able to see a change in my appearance. Plus it had been a very long time since any ghosts had tried coming anywhere near me. I didn't want to risk it, though. I could put other people in danger.
The others weren't too happy about my decision. I told Ayako and John that I would think about it, but Bou-san wasn't satisfied.
One day, I was happily eating a bowl of cereal, and then Bou-san came into the kitchen. He sat next to me and had an eager grin on his face. Too eager. "Mai," he sang.
"Yes?" I said with a mouth full of cereal.
"Are you planning on going to school today?"
Here we go again. Everyday ever since the day school started, Bou-san tried to persuade me to go back to school. I wanted him to get over it, but he wouldn't suffice. I wasn't going back, not when there was a ghost out there trying to kill me and my baby.
"For the last time, Bou-san, I'm not going to school!"
Bou-san frowned. "You can't stop going to school, Mai. Your education is still important."
"My education is the least of my worries." I put my spoon in the bowl angrily. "How do I know when it's safe to go back? What if the ghost attacks in the middle of one of my classes? You can't put seals all around the school without giving the principal an explanation."
"Mai's right, Bou-san." Ayako came into the kitchen with a cup of coffee. "If you tell the principal about this, he may not let Mai return to the school. She just has to stay here until we know it's safe."
"Whatever. One of us is going to have to home school you, for now."
"Let's not talk about this right now," I said in an annoyed tone. I held my stomach as I got up from my seat. "I'm going grocery shopping," I announced as I grabbed my jacket.
"You shouldn't go alone, Mai."
"I'll be fine."
I needed some space. I couldn't talk to either of those two without the topic being about school, ghosts, or the baby. It was really boring. I had been cooped up in that apartment too long. I wanted to talk to my friends, but they're in school. I kept avoiding their calls over the summer. They were probably worried about me. Naru might've even gotten suspicious. He kept records of my absent days. Once he knew I wasn't going to school he may drive up here and ask for an explanation. Maybe he won't care. Maybe. Hopefully.
All I bought from the store was some rice balls and sushi. I had a killer craving for rice nowadays. I didn't buy a lot because I wasn't suppose to carry heavy things. It brought stress to baby. Maybe I should've let Bou-san come with me; he could've helped carry more groceries. When I reached my apartment door, I didn't have anymore groceries. I ate everything on my way home (stupid cravings!). I didn't feel like going back, especially since my feet were aching, so I went home with empty bags.
When I opened the door, I saw someone I feared to see within my 9 months of pregnancy:
Naru.
He was here, alone, and in my apartment. He sat on my couch as if he was expecting me. How could this have happened? I looked around the room for clarification. No one said a word. No one looked at me. I was too dumbstruck to even ask. I couldn't help but notice Naru was staring at my stomach. My hand was still placed on top of it. I gripped onto that part of my shirt when his stare intensified. I wanted to run but I couldn't find the courage.
"Mai," he finally said. He stood up and walked up to me until his shadow enveloped my entire body. "We need to talk."
That was what I was afraid...
-X-
You gave me no choice, Mai...
