Third Person's POV
Eda's words left Benjamin dazed for a second, and the next moment, his lips pressed firmly against her chattering mouth.
Eda's mind went completely blankâhow could she possibly recall anything with such a surprise? Her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.
Fortunately, Benjamin only kissed her for two seconds before he let go. Then, he whispered reassuringly into her ear, "It's okay. Maybe the doctor misdiagnosed it. Let's get it confirmed."
"I'm such an idiot!" Eda suddenly slapped her forehead. "Pregnant people do have constant vomiting. I initially thought it was just something I ate wrong. Now it looks like I might really be pregnant. Benjamin, what are we going to do?"
Benjamin gazed deeply into her beautiful eyes and said firmly, "What else can we do? We'll get married and have the baby. Then we'll start a little family of our own."
"No way!" Eda froze, and then her lips began to tremble. "I'm not ready to get married, and I don't want a baby. I really can't do this now!"
"Eda!" Benjamin didn't expect her reaction to the idea of marriage and having a child to be so extreme. She pushed him away and ran down the stairs.
After a few seconds of shock, Benjamin quickly snapped out of it and sprinted after her.
"Eda, don't run! Be careful you don't fall! Stop!" Seeing her rushing down the stairs in high heels, Benjamin was terrified. If she tripped, it could be disastrous.
"Don't follow me, Benjamin. Let me be alone for a while. Please don't come after me!" Eda's voice echoed through the stairwell. Benjamin had no choice but to stop.
"Alright, I won't follow. Just take it slow and be careful," Benjamin shouted down the stairs.
Eda didn't respond. Instead, she ran even faster.
She didn't know how long she ran before she finally collapsed, exhausted, in a dimly lit corner.
She was about to close her eyes and catch her breath when she suddenly heard the cry of a baby. Her heart skipped a beat, and she peeked out from behind the door.
Outside, a crowd had gathered, and one of the grandmothers was holding a newborn baby.
The little one's tiny arms were flailing about, and its loud wails seemed to be demanding attention from its family.
People around them were all praising the new life and offering their congratulations to the parents.
A man carefully reached out to hold the baby's tiny hand.
The baby's hand was so small it was barely the size of one of the man's fingers, yet its five tiny fingers clutched tightly onto one of his. The man's face immediately lit up with joy and excitement.
"Baby, this is your daddy. Say hello!" the grandmother holding the child said with a smile.
The man was so moved that his eyes welled up. In the next moment, the baby released its grip, and the man turned away, instinctively wiping his eyes.
Just then, a doctor pushed a cart with a woman who had just given birth. The man quickly went over to her.
Soon after, several family members rushed up to her, showing their concern.
Eda stood there, dazed, watching the scene unfold.
She had run all the way to the maternity ward without realizing it.
She stood there, stunned, for a while. Then, another nurse came out with a newborn, called out for the family, and another group of people came forward. The elderly grandmother happily took the baby. The arrival of a new life was indeed something to celebrate.
Eventually, Eda stepped out and leaned against the door, watching as one newborn after another was taken from the nurses' arms into the arms of their families. She saw the exhausted mothers, who, upon hearing their babies' cries, broke into happy smiles.
Benjamin, feeling lost, slowly descended the stairs, one flight at a time. Although he had promised Eda he wouldn't chase after her, he couldn't help but worry and followed at a distance.
After walking down what felt like endless stairs without seeing her, he became increasingly anxious.
When he reached this floor and heard the cry of a baby, he stopped and walked out the door.
At that moment, he saw Eda standing there, stunned. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Eda, with a dazed look, stared at Benjamin as he emerged from behind the door. Their eyes met, and then Benjamin reached out and took her cool fingers in his. "Let's go," he said.
"Where?" Eda's voice still carried a hint of negativity.
"To get the test done," Benjamin replied.
"I really hope the doctor was wrong," Eda sighed. This time, she didn't pull away from Benjamin's hand. Instead, she followed him resignedly towards the lab.
After having her blood drawn, they sat on chairs waiting for the results.
The glances from others didn't affect them. They just sat there, hands tightly intertwined, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Benjamin, do you regret it?" Eda suddenly spoke up, her voice tinged with self-mockery.
"Regret what?" Benjamin's eyes paused for a moment before he spoke in his usual gentle tone.
"Regret being with me, being my boyfriend." Eda turned her head this time, her eyes like water, staring intently at the man's face, as if trying to read his expression.
Benjamin's expression remained unchanged. His voice was as gentle as ever. "No, I don't regret it. Never."