Chapter 74

Zara's POV
“Look at this, Zara! This baby is going to look so cute in this!” Ismaya shouted, holding up a pair of brightly colored little outfits. Her smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I imagined our baby in those clothes.
“Yes, it must be so cute! I feel even more excited when I see all of this. Thank you for accompanying me,” I said, feeling grateful for Ismaya’s presence.
The two of us continued shopping, chatting about all the necessities we could find. Ismaya enthusiastically came up with creative ideas for decorating the nursery, and her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. In the process, I felt stronger and more capable of facing whatever came.
After a day of shopping, we came home with several bags of baby supplies. As we unpacked the items, I felt like we were building a foundation for a hopeful future. Each product we chose represented the love and commitment we had for our baby.
For the next few days, I focused on the nojak that was setting up the nursery. Designing a space that was comfortable, cheerful, and full of love was such a joy. Every time I hung up decorations or arranged supplies, I remembered Leo’s words that we would do this together.
Despite all the busyness, I still kept in touch with Leo. Despite the distance between us, our emotional connection remained strong. He would often call me to ask about the progress of the pregnancy and how we were preparing. It was hard to admit, but each conversation strengthened me.
One night, sitting on the couch after a long day at work, I remembered everything I had been through. With every touch on my belly, I felt our baby move—a reminder of the life growing inside me. Gratitude overflowed, and faith-filled my mind that I would get through this.
In the face of all the challenges, I realized one thing: The love, friendship, and support of my loved ones are my greatest strengths. As the birth of my baby approached, I knew I could walk into a new future, filled with hope and happiness.
The next day, I decided to visit my parents’ house. Carrying a suitcase full of necessary supplies, I felt a mixture of anxiety and hope as I walked up to their door. As I knocked, my mother and father opened the door with confused faces.
“Zara? You’re coming? But why with a suitcase?” asked my mother, her voice full of questions.
“I’ll be staying here starting today,” I replied, trying to sound confident even though my heart was still pounding. “Leo is going back to his planet for two months, and I feel better staying here until he gets back.”
My mother looked surprised, but she quickly replaced her confused expression with one of empathy. “Oh, honey. Of course, you can stay here. We’ll miss you if you’re not here. Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom. It’s just that I need support as I go through the rest of my pregnancy leading up to the birth. And you know, sometimes I feel more comfortable when I’m surrounded by people I love,” I said, feeling the warmth of her love.
“Zara, we’ll help you all the way. This is an important time for you,” my father added, giving me a loving smile. The two of them helped me carry my suitcase into the house.
After putting away all my things, my mother began to give me advice. “Now, there are some preparations you need to make for the birth. First, we need to set up a space for the baby,” she said excitedly.
She began explaining the essentials of preparing for the birth. “Make sure we have all the baby supplies—clothes, bottles, bedding, and toiletries. We also need to understand what to bring to the hospital when the time comes, like documents and other important supplies.”
I nodded, listening intently to her every word. “Yes, Mom. I’ve started shopping for some things, but I’ll definitely need some help getting everything done,” I said.
She continued, “Don’t forget to take care of your own health, too. Make sure you’re eating nutritious food and getting enough rest. Talking to your doctor about anything that needs to be taken care of is also very important.”
“I promise I’ll do my best,” I replied, feeling the encouragement in her advice. “I know I can depend on you.”
As my mother explained more about the stages of labor and what to expect, I felt calmer. There was a comfort in being able to talk and get support directly from my parents.
The atmosphere in the house was warm and loving. Every conversation reminded me of how precious family relationships are. Although Leo is not by my side right now, I have my family—a priceless strength, and it gives me the courage to go through every moment leading up to our baby’s birth with peace of mind.
With all the preparations to come, I feel a new hope born within me, and I am ready to take every step with enthusiasm. Spending time with my mom while shopping for baby supplies is so much fun. The experienced mom guided me in choosing all the right supplies, from clothes and bath supplies to baby feeding equipment.
That day, we went to a baby supply store that we had visited several times before. We explored every corner of the store, and Mom gave us many useful tips on what to have and what to avoid. With laughter and stories of past experiences, the atmosphere was warm and loving.
Suddenly, as we were picking out some baby clothes, I saw a familiar figure. I squinted, and immediately I realized who it was—Mike, my ex-boyfriend. He was standing not far from us, looking at other products.
“Zara!” Mike’s voice cut through the noise of the store, and I felt a pang in my heart as he suddenly appeared before me. Despite my hesitation, I decided to say hello. “Hey, Mike. Long time no see!”