49 ??Was this really happening? NOW???

LEIA

I prepared some popcorn for myself since there was nobody home. Ammar was out for his usual, still mysterious, business and my parents went out to some school event with Labeeb.

I switched on Ammar's Netflix, and let out an exaggerated scream at the scenes in front. A few reassuring seconds later, I peeped at the laptop screen, putting on Diriliş: Ertuğrul.

Watching shows felt more of a waste of time but this one was special. It wasn't useless entertainment. It had a purpose and motivated me.

The entertainment was just a plus.

I had just sat in the plush chair, a bowl of popcorn hugged to my chest, when a pain unlike any I'd ever felt rose into my back and spread all the way to my legs.

I cried out, the popcorn falling out of my arms. I quickly reached out to the side table and snatched my phone, dialling Ammar's number.

It went straight to the voice mail.

Oh nooooooooooo.

Was this really happening? NOW?

OH GOD who do I call who do I call who do I call—

Dad wasn't picking up and Mom's phone must be on silent as usual.

My fingers hovered over the screen but I didn't have the chance to overthink because I was sure the pain was going to kill me.

"What's wrong?" His voice was breathless with worry.

"Zayn . . . I . . . Oh my God—" I lurched over and my phone landed on the floor next to my feet.

It felt like someone was ripping apart my insides.

"Leia?" Zayn probed, and I heard the sounds of his footsteps as if he was running. "Leia! I'm coming there right now. Is the bastard with you?"

"Bas—what?" Realization dawned on me. "It's not that! The . . . the baby . . ."

"Oh no," he murmured. "Right now?"

"YES! Can you stop talking and . . . call the ambulance or something? Zayn . . . I'm not going to live."

I couldn't feel my legs but oh boy, could I feel the pressure along my back.

"Shh, just calm down, okay? I'm coming." And then the line went dead.

He was coming?

What was I going to do with him?

I literally needed a doctor. Not him.

I dialled again, bending so low at the waist I was worried I'd keel over any time.

"Yes?" His sound was muffled this time, almost as though he was far.

"The doctor, Zayn! For God's sake call a doctor!"

Ohhhhh Lord.

I think he must have heard my choke-like sound, because I heard the screeching of tires, followed shortly by honking.

"I know, Leia," he breathed. "The ambulance is on its way."

"Okay," I snuck a breath through my nose, trying to calm down like he told me.

But the pain . . . Oh God, the pain.

"You'll be fine, sweetness. I swear everything's going to be just fine."

A few seconds later, my heartbeat was pacified and I had gotten used to the pain. Then, the doorbell rang.

"You're here?" I slurred.

"That must be the ambulance. Do you think you can open the door?"

"I . . . I can try,"

"Okay," he muttered, "Okay. Please just be careful."

I cut off the call.

The time had come.