“What’s this nonsense? Why are phones banned here? Is this some kind of joke?” Rest jabs at his phone screen in frustration, but it doesn’t respond.
“The bar owner’s an ex-IT guy. Retired and opened this place. But he installed some kind of signal jammer in the building. All phones glitch out here. Easier to just go to another bar or put the phone away,” I say calmly, sipping my juice through a straw. “And you know, people laughed at him at first. Said everyone would avoid this place like the plague, since we’re all so glued to our phones. But then others started doing the same thing. People come here when they’re tired of gadgets and just want real, face-to-face conversation. Like us, right, sweetie?”
I flash a sly smile, and Rest gives his phone one last glare before stuffing it into his pocket. He’s still annoyed. I know he wants to send work-related texts. He’s a control freak like that. But it’s nine at night. Let people rest, and let’s talk. Maybe. Because I’ve got news for him. Good news. Probably.
“Fine, let’s talk,” he says, sipping his tonic in small, deliberate gulps, eyeing me from under his thick brows.
He’s handsome, the jerk. A real looker. The kind of guy women fall for. And I’ve fallen for him too. He knows it. We’ve been together for a year, and almost every day, I can’t take my eyes off this gorgeous man. Good thing we don’t live together—domestic life might kill the thrill and excitement of our meetings. Or maybe not.
I can’t figure out if I want to marry him or not. But a kid? That I definitely want. We’d have a beautiful son or daughter. And it’s high time I started a family. The doctors are all on the same page, like they’ve conspired: “Time’s ticking. You need to have a baby!” So, tonight’s conversation is going to be about a child. There already is one. Inside me. Mine. And Rest’s. I’m going to tell him now.
“Rest, I’ve got something important to tell you,” I start, my nerves making me tremble a little. I wonder how he’ll react. He’ll probably be thrilled. I was over the moon when I saw those legendary two lines on the test. So happy. “The thing is, I’m… We’re going to…”
My words are cut off by a phone ringing, blaring a trendy love song that’s all the rage this season. Every song’s about love. And that’s beautiful.
“I thought you said there’s no signal!” Rest exclaims with glee, fumbling in his pocket, pulling out his phone, and hitting the green button on the screen.
But he must’ve pressed something wrong, because the speaker blares loud. From the other end, I hear a dry, female voice, her short phrases hammering into me like nails, crucifying my rainbow-colored hopes.
“Rest, I’m pregnant with your child! We’re having a baby!” the woman on the other end repeats the very words I was supposed to say to him right now.
Me! I was supposed to say that! I’m the one pregnant with this handsome man’s child! But apparently, I’m not the only one today. There are at least two of us… It’s almost funny. I let out a quiet, nervous giggle, start chewing on my straw, and suck down my juice.
Rest glances at me, presses something on the screen, and the woman’s voice stops shrieking about pregnancy, now murmuring softly into the phone.
“I’ll be right there,” he says curtly. He looks at me and adds, “This is some kind of misunderstanding. I’ll sort it out. I’ve gotta go. You wanted to tell me something important? Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure, it can wait,” I nod and turn away, praying he doesn’t see the tears welling up in my eyes. “But it’s pretty clear anyway: that woman’s pregnant with your child. And you’re gonna be a dad soon. That’s great!” I hope my voice isn’t shaking.
“You’ve got it all wrong,” he says. He stands up, tosses a five-hundred hryvnia bill on the table. “Pay for the drinks. I’m out.”
He walks out of the bar, and I tear the bill into tiny pieces. Nerves. Of course, I’m pregnant. We all get jittery. Pregnant. Yes. With this handsome man’s child. But I don’t need his money. I don’t need anything anymore. And I definitely don’t need him! Not him!
I pay for our drinks with my card and leave the bar. Outside, it’s night. The city lights drown out the stars, but I can still see them. I can even spot the Big Dipper.
I need to get out to the countryside. Take a break. Then I’ll figure out what to do next.
I call a cab and head home.
The next morning, my friend Barbara from the office calls. She’s got shocking news: the boss is getting married! The whole office is buzzing! His fiancée is Mariana, the daughter of our company’s owner, Gregory Petrash.
“Rumor has it she got knocked up by him, and now Petrash is demanding a wedding,” Barbara whispers into the phone. “And the boss, I think, isn’t against it. He’s been gunning for a promotion forever. And this? This is a huge leap! They’ll probably bring him into the family business. A company with millions in profits isn’t something to sneeze at!”
“Cat,” I say.
“What cat?” Barbara asks, confused.
“The saying is, ‘not something a cat sneezed at.’ I think,” I explain slowly.
“Oh, come on,” she laughs and dives back into her bombshell updates. “The boss isn’t even resisting. He’s walking around looking pleased. He’s already ordered wedding invitation templates from the PR team to review.”
I stay silent. The sun shines through the window, and the world keeps turning. Nothing’s changed since my love shattered into pieces. Strange. I once read that some philosophers claimed the whole world exists just for you. But apparently, that’s not true.
“So, when are you coming in?” Barbara asks.
“I’m quitting,” I whisper into the phone.
“Why are you whispering?” she asks. “Are you with someone?”
I’m whispering because if I raise my voice, I’ll scream. Loudly, bitterly, from pain and despair. I love this jerk, and he knows it. But he’s marrying someone else. Because she’s pregnant. And me? I’m also…
What a mess!
“I found a new job, Barbara,” I explain, still whispering. “Far away. Not in our city. I’m moving. They urgently need me to start today. It’s… a new project. Very serious, with good pay. So I can’t come into the office. I’ve got a bus in an hour.”
I remember there’s actually a train to the countryside leaving in an hour.
“Can you handle everything for me with HR? I’ll send over any documents they need. Thanks.”
I hang up and lie on my back, because tears are threatening to pour out of me in streams.
No, I won’t cry! I have someone to live for! For my child, who’s just beginning to grow inside me. Only two weeks along. So tiny, but I know they can already feel everything.
An hour later, I board the train and head to the countryside, to the boarded-up little house my grandmother left behind. I was there as a kid. It’s probably all rundown and abandoned now, but that’s exactly what I need: nature, lots of physical work, and solitude.