Chapter 7 Whispers of Tomorrow

(Amara's POV)

The day I left the hospital, Lagos felt louder than I remembered. The sky hung heavy with clouds, the kind that promised rain but refused to fall. I sat in the back seat of the taxi, my fingers pressed against the strap of my handbag as if holding on to something solid could stop everything from spinning.

Pregnant. The word still didn't fit in my mouth. It sounded too grown, too final, too unreal.

The nurse had smiled kindly as she handed me my discharge papers. "Take things easy, Miss Obi. Your body needs rest."

Rest. I almost laughed. How do you rest when your whole life is about to change?

My apartment in Yaba looked smaller than usual. The peeling paint, the flickering bulb in the corridor, the faint smell of kerosene from the neighbor's stove - everything felt sharper, louder, more alive. I locked the door and stood there, listening to the quiet hum of the ceiling fan.

Mama was sitting in the living room, her wrapper tied neatly around her waist, a Bible on her lap. She looked up when she saw me. "Amara! You didn't even tell me you were coming home today."

Her smile was soft but tired. Her illness had carved shadows beneath her eyes.

"I wanted to surprise you," I said, forcing a smile as I dropped my bag.

She reached for my hand. "How are you feeling now? That fainting spell you had - I've been praying nonstop."

"I'm fine, Mama. It was just stress from school."

She studied me for a moment longer than I liked, her eyes narrowing in that way only mothers could manage - seeing through words to the truth beneath. But she let it go.

"Hmm. Make sure you eat something," she said, standing slowly. "I kept some ogbono soup for you."

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I lay awake listening to the soft rain tapping against the window, my hands resting over my stomach. I wasn't showing yet, but the knowledge pulsed inside me like a heartbeat that wasn't mine.

I thought of Ethan. His quiet eyes, the steadiness in his voice when he said, "We'll figure it out."

I hadn't replied to his message yet. I'd read it over and over - If you need anything - anything at all - don't hesitate to call.

He sounded so certain. So... safe.

And that scared me more than anything.

Because I didn't want to depend on anyone. Not again. Not after years of struggling to stand on my own.

But the truth was, I couldn't stop thinking about him.

---

Two days later, there was a knock at my door.

When I opened it, a woman stood there in a neat grey suit, holding a paper bag.

"Good afternoon, Miss Obi," she said politely. "I'm Sade. Mr. Cole asked me to bring you some supplies."

My heart stumbled. "Supplies?"

"Yes. Just a few things - vitamins, groceries, and a prepaid medical card. He said you might need them."

I blinked, speechless. "He didn't have to-"

"He insisted," Sade said with a small smile. "He also said to tell you there's no expectation, just care."

I swallowed hard, emotion catching in my throat. "Thank you."

She nodded and turned to leave, but paused. "He's a good man, Miss Obi. Don't be afraid to let him help."

When she left, I stood there staring at the bag like it might explode.

Inside were fruits, supplements, a few grocery items - and an envelope with my name written in neat handwriting.

Inside the envelope was a note.

Amara,

I know you said you needed space, and I'll respect that. But please don't think you're alone. You don't owe me anything, but I meant what I said - I'm here. Always.

– Ethan

I pressed the note to my chest and sat down on the couch, tears slipping down my cheeks before I could stop them. I didn't know what to do with a man like him. A man who didn't demand, didn't pity, didn't disappear when things got complicated.

---

The following week was a blur of classes, hospital visits for Mama, and endless thoughts I couldn't silence.

I'd catch myself daydreaming - about his voice, his calmness, the way he'd looked at me in the hospital as if I wasn't something broken but something fragile he wanted to protect.

But reality didn't give me much time for fantasies. I still had bills, tuition, and now a secret growing inside me.

One evening, after helping Mama take her medication, she looked at me and said quietly, "Amara, you've been distant lately. What's wrong?"

I froze. "Nothing, Mama. Just school stress."

"Hmm." She studied me for a long moment. "You're sure?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, Mama."

But guilt sat heavy in my stomach, heavier than anything I'd ever felt. I hated lying to her. She'd sacrificed everything to raise me after Papa died. She deserved the truth - but not yet. Not when she was still recovering.

Later that night, I sat outside on the balcony, the city buzzing softly below. I scrolled through my phone until I reached Ethan's number. For several minutes, I just stared at it. Then I typed a message.

'Thank you for everything you sent. I appreciate it. I'm still trying to process everything. Hope you're well.'

I hesitated, then pressed send.

He replied almost immediately.

'I'm glad you got them. Take all the time you need. I just wanted you safe.'

I smiled in spite of myself. His words always felt like an anchor in the storm.

For a moment, I imagined what it would be like to see him again - not as the stranger from that night, but as the man he was now: steady, present, unexpectedly kind.

Then I shook the thought away.

This was real life, not a fairy tale. And in real life, billionaire CEOs didn't end up with struggling students from Yaba.

---

A few days later, my best friend Zainab came by. She was the only one who noticed something was different about me.

"Amara, you've been glowing lately," she teased, grinning as she flopped onto the couch. "What's going on? New man?"

I choked on my drink. "What? No!"

Her eyes sparkled. "Aha! That means yes."

"It doesn't," I insisted.

Zainab tilted her head, her grin softening. "You can tell me anything, you know that."

I sighed. "Zee, it's... complicated."

"Then start with complicated," she said gently.

I wanted to tell her everything, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I said, "I made a mistake. And now I'm trying to fix it."

She frowned. "You? Amara Obi, Miss Responsible? Whatever it is, you'll handle it. You always do."

I smiled faintly, but deep inside, I wasn't so sure.

That night, after she left, I sat by the window again. The city lights shimmered like they were whispering secrets to the stars.

I thought about the baby - the life growing quietly inside me.

I thought about Ethan - his steady hands, his quiet strength.

And for the first time since the doctor's words, I whispered aloud, "We'll be okay."

Maybe it was a lie. Maybe it was hope.

But in that moment, it felt like the beginning of something new.

Something fragile.

Something real.