Chapter 76

Zara's POV
She looked at me and immediately replied, “Sure, honey. What’s wrong?” Her voice was soft and caring, making me feel at ease.
“I just… feel a little worried about Leo. Ever since he left, I haven’t been able to contact him at all. It feels so uncertain,” I said, sighing as I felt my pent-up anxiety rise.
Mom nodded, looking at me with understanding. “I can understand how you feel, Zara. Sometimes, we can’t control the situation, especially when we’re dealing with things that are beyond our control,” she said, trying to calm my heart.
“Maybe this is all temporary, and Leo must be doing well on his planet. He’s probably busy,” she continued, trying to put things in perspective.
“But Mom, what if something goes wrong? I’m worried that he won’t make it back in time to see our baby,” I said, feeling anxious.
Mom came closer, holding my hand gently. “Zara, remember that you are not alone in this. We will continue to pray and hope for the best for Leo. Don’t let worry stop you from enjoying this time. Focus on preparing for the arrival of our baby. He will come and need your attention.”
Mom’s words began to sink into my mind. “Yes, Mom. Maybe I need to change my focus. Should I prepare more for the arrival of the little one?” I asked, trying to push my thoughts toward positive things.
“That’s right! We can do a lot of things together. We can plan a baby shower or just organize the nursery. It will help take your mind off your worries,” Mom replied enthusiastically.
The conversation gave me a little peace of mind. When Mom suggested that we start planning some activities, I felt my enthusiasm slowly returning. With the support and love of my family, I could channel positive energy into welcoming our baby, even though I missed Leo.
With new determination, I began to plan what I could do. Maybe preparing something special for Leo when he returns could be a positive step. We will get through this, and I will be a strong mother to our son.
As the weeks went by, I started to incorporate a new routine into my life. Being in my third trimester made me feel less energetic than I used to, but I was determined to stay active. Signing up for a prenatal exercise class at my hospital was a great and enjoyable step for me.
After work, I would join these classes. There, I met other pregnant women who were in the same stage of their journey. Doing exercises specifically designed for pregnant women was fun and helped me feel better physically.
We did breathing exercises, stretches, and movements that can help prepare the body for labor. The atmosphere in class was always full of laughter and enthusiasm, and it made me feel less alone even though Leo was not by my side.
One thing I found really valuable was how supportive we were of each other. We would share pregnancy stories, share tips, and provide emotional support for each other. This helped lighten my load, making me feel more connected to other pregnant women who were on the same journey.
In addition to being active in gymnastics, I also started to get permission for maternity leave later. I discussed with my superior at work to get approval and ensure that all tasks would be completed before I left. "I plan to take leave for about six months to take care of the baby that will be born," I told my superior with a confident tone.
My superior nodded. "Of course, that's reasonable. Make sure all your work and responsibilities can be handled before leaving, Dr. Zara. We will arrange everything so that you can focus on labor and time with the baby," he said with support that strengthened me.
Every step I took made me feel more prepared. Although there were challenges, from reaching the limit of physical energy to being a new mother full of questions, I was sure that everything would pay off with the presence of our baby.
Days passed, and even though Leo was not with me physically, I felt his presence in every heartbeat of the baby growing inside me. With thorough preparation and support from family and friends, I felt more prepared to face this journey.
After returning home from gym class, I occasionally took the time to sit on the sofa, gently rubbing my growing belly. Every movement of the baby inside me filled my heart with happiness. It felt like a small life was growing inside my body, and the belief that we would soon meet strengthened my spirit to live each day.
In the midst of busyness and various uncertainties, there was one person I could always rely on to encourage me—Ismaya, my best friend. She was always there to support me, both physically and emotionally. We often spent time together, sharing stories, and encouraging each other through this journey.
One afternoon, after dinner, I received a message from Ismaya. “Zara! How are you? I miss talking! Let’s meet at a cafe near your house tomorrow!” she wrote.
A smile spread across my face. “Of course, Ismaya! Miss you too! We can definitely share stories,” I replied enthusiastically. Conversations with Ismaya always bring their own satisfaction.
The next day, we met at the cafe. As usual, Ismaya entered with a cheerful smile and a positive aura that could always cheer me up. “Zara! It’s so good to see you! How was the exercise class? How’s the baby?” she asked, showing genuine interest.
“The exercise class went really well! The baby was very active, it seemed like he enjoyed moving around. I feel better and more energetic after joining,” I said, feeling euphoric as I shared my story.
“That’s great! You’re going to be a mom soon! It’s such a life-changing moment,” Ismaya replied, her face glowing with happiness.