Baby Revenge

Shalini

Life in New York seems to be carrying on as usual. Sirens are wailing in the air, the smell of hot dogs and coffee mingled in the air. The noise of the traffic, honks blaring, traffic and pedestrian lights beeping filled the air along with jazz music coming from shops. Somewhere, I could hear the subway train rumbling into the station.

But in every New Yorker's mouth is the latest gossip news--the murder of the infamous supermodel, Lara Myers who was pushed from her balcony of her penthouse and plunged to death by her ex-boyfriend, Lyle Sommers. And few hours ago, Lyle Sommers confessed for the murder of Lara Myers.

I walk down the sidewalk, bumping on to people, hurrying back to my apartment. On the way, I stop over at the newsstand. On the front page of every magazines and newspapers was the picture of Lara Myers, looking glamorous in a photoshoot on one side with the picture of Lyle Sommers, looking gaunt and disheveled, leaving the Manhattan Police Precinct. I pick up a newspaper and read the front headlines.

THE SUPERMODEL FELL ON HER DEATH--BOYFRIEND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER.

The headlines sounds like something out of a crime show. I paid a disgruntled looking man who owns the newsstand and then shovel the newspaper into my bag before heading towards the subway station.

My phone starts ringing and I groaned as I look at the number on the screen. It was my friend, Jenna who was calling.

"Hey Jen I--" I answered but Jenna broke in.

"Shalini! Have you heard the news?" Jenna shrieked. "Lara is murdered,"

"Yeah it's the talk of the day," I mumbled as I climb down the stairs to the subway station. "Hey Jen, I am going to be on subway I'll call you back--"

And I cut off the connection before Jenna could reply.

I got into the train and then sit next to two women who seemed to be carrying on some excited conversation. Little did I realize as I sit next to them that they were of course talking about Lara Myers' murder. I anyway sit next to them and pretend to be absorbed into my phone.

"Oh my God! I can't believe Lara is dead!" one of the women exclaimed, as if she was sad that she lost her sister or something.

"Rather murdered--by her boyfriend Lyle," the other woman snorted.

"God, Lara and Lyle are not made for each other--I mean I don't even know why a glamorous supermodel like Lara would date a nobody like Lyle--after all I heard he is just a bartender working in some bar in Brooklyn,"

"Did you hear the latest grapevine? Apparently, Lara was having an affair with Joshua Schoenberg,"

"The Joshua Schoenberg? Like the Senator Schoenberg's nephew? The one who looks so handsome like a movie star like Ian Somerhalder,"

"Yeah that one, that's Lyle was jealous and upset and that's why he ended up killing Lara." the woman shakes her head like she is disgusted. "About a month ago, at a fashion show, Lara and Lyle got into a heated argument that the security had called in to escort Lyle out,"

"Well, finally Lara decided to move with someone of her league," the woman replied. "Joshua and Lara would make perfect couple--rather than her and that bartender,"

I didn't realize that I was gripping my phone so hard that my knuckles were turning white. I had to prevent myself from lashing out at them but they don't know who I am--to them I am just a working woman on my way home after a busy day at work.

Thankfully, I got off from the train and walked quickly towards my apartment, leaving behind the noise and into a somewhat calm and quiet neighborhood. I fumble with my apartment keys and quickly enter into my room, closing the door behind me. I dump my bag on the sofa and then sit heavily on the sofa and start sobbing. I then wipe my eyes with my hands and then get up, breathing deeply.

Slowly, I dialed a number. After about a few rings, she picked it up.

"Mama!" I started sobbing into the phone.

***

A few days before...

I look at the pregnancy test and see the two lines on the stick.

I am pregnant.

I am pregnant with Joshua Schoenberg's child. Should I feel joyous? I should.

But lately, I didn't.

Joshua was not like the man I used to love. He told me that it was "embarrassing" to introduce me to his family because...I am not white. I am a Sri Lankan.

"Then why did you date me?" I have yelled at him.

To my anger, Joshua simply shrugged.

"Because I enjoyed dating you," he replied with a smirk on his face.

And gradually, I realize that he was having an affair--not just with an ordinary woman like. But with a glamorous supermodel named Lara Myers. He had taken her to places where he would never take me and had even introduced Lara to his sister, Margot. Tears streamed down on my cheeks as I realize that he doesn't love me the way he does with Lara Myers.

Racism is involved in this. I though Joshua didn't have any racism in him, considering he was half Jewish through his father whose family emigrated from Europe. But Joshua was too embarrassed to introduce me even to his family, because I was not white.

Nonetheless, I decided to call Joshua and tell him the news.

With shaking hands, I dial his number. After about five minutes, he answered the phone.

"What now Shalini?" he answered gruffly. "I am busy,"

"Joshua..." I stammered and for a moment, my voice was frozen, as if I am unable to speak anything.

"Shalini, I don't have time, I thought I gave you money--" his tone was impatient.

"I am pregnant!" I blurted out loudly.

There was silence on the other end and for a moment, I thought Joshua had ended the connection. But I heard his raspy outtake of breath.

"Pregnant? What? I thought I made it clear--" he began.

"Please Joshua, please don't tell me to abort the baby," I pleaded. "The baby can bring us back to-"

"Shalini, I don't want a family with you. I have already chosen someone to spend life with," he said gruffly. "Do what you want with the baby, I don't care,"

And the line went dead.

I stared at the phone.

Do what you want with the baby...I don't care...

Those words felt like sharp icy words in my heart. Joshua Schoenberg is heartless and a complete different person from the one I used to love.

And then I made a decision. I pick up my bag and set off to find Lara Myers. I am going to ask her to leave Joshua Schoenberg alone.

Because I will do anything to keep my baby and make Joshua responsible for the baby...after all, he is the father.