Esaaba was furious. “How did this happen, Reggie? Didn’t we use protection?” she demanded. Reggie sat silently on the couch, guilt etched across his face.

“My mother expects me to earn good money and send some back home,” she continued, “Pregnancy is supposed to come after marriage—how do I face her now?” His silence only made her angrier. "Are you going to leave this for me to handle alone?”

Reggie shook his head. “I know we’ve only been together three months, but if you keep it, I’ll take responsibility.”

Esaaba sighed. “I need time to think; this is all too much.” Later that day, he sent her gifts, hoping to influence her decision. Still confused, Esaaba turned to her friend Ruby after work.

“Pregnant? Esaaba, it’s only been three months!” Ruby exclaimed.

“I know. What should I do? I just started this job; I don’t have the luxury to keep a baby,” Esaaba confided.

“And what’s Reggie saying?” Ruby asked.

“He sent me a hamper at work and said he’s sorry, wants me to keep it, and that he’ll support us.”

Ruby frowned. “Did he promise marriage or just support?”

Esaaba hesitated. “I didn’t ask.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow. “Ask him now. If he says no—”

“Then what?”

“Abort the baby instantly,” Ruby said firmly.

“What? I could never do that! That’s wrong!”

Ruby shook her head. “Technically, sleeping with someone you’re not married to is also ‘wrong,’ so don’t act holy now.”

“It’s still different. I can’t do that,” Esaaba replied, her voice firm.

Ruby shrugged. “Then why did you come to me?”

“I just needed to rant,” she admitted. Ruby let her vent until she felt ready to head home.

Meanwhile, Reggie returned to his home with Nancy, who grew anxious as she saw him packing clothes. “Where are you going?”

“To Esaaba’s,” he replied. “She’s pregnant. If I don’t go, she might abort.”

Nancy’s face fell. “What about me? What about our future?”

Reggie sighed, “Nancy, stop. I did a follow-up at the hospital—you can’t get pregnant.”

“Reggie, please don’t leave me!” Nancy cried, clutching him.

He hugged her tightly. “Just make this one sacrifice for us. In the end, we’ll both be happy. Trust me.” He kissed her, then left for Esaaba’s.

But Esaaba wasn’t smiling when he arrived. “Reggie,” she began, “I want us to get married before this baby is born.” Her words drained the smile from his face.

Other chap: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22