PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I might as well label myself as crazy too. I’m really sitting on Cedric’s red motorcycle. He drives it carefully, rarely overtaking other cars or motorcycles, waiting for vehicles in front to turn if there’s a speed bump or pothole, he doesn’t press the brakes too hard. Occasionally, he asks how I am behind him.

I enjoy it. Honestly. Sitting sideways with some of my legs covered by a pashmina, my body wrapped in his scented jacket. I’m confused; even though the jacket was inside the motorcycle seat, its smell is still pleasant. I like it. Well… I mean, I don’t really smell the usual vehicle odors even though I’m wearing a mask.

The helmet I’m wearing is also clean, with no dust on it. Shiny. I guess Cedric is the type who takes good care of his belongings. His motorcycle is spotless.

“Do you want to eat at the apartment or outside?”

I flinched. “What did you say? I didn’t hear.” I held onto the metal at the back of the motorcycle. I didn’t want my hand to touch Cedric; he might get even more conceited. Damn, the motorcycle stopped on a not too busy side of the road.

“Do you want to have dinner outside or at the apartment?” Cedric turned towards me, opening the visor of his half-face helmet. “Don’t sit too far from me. It’s heavy, Anya.”

I pouted. “Are you asking me to sit close to you like that? You’re so sly!”

I’m sure that behind his mask, he’s annoyingly smiling in response to my remark.

“Not like that. It’s heavy if you’re holding onto the metal at the back of the motorcycle.”

“So I have to hold onto you?” I glared at him in anger.

“Whether you like it or not.”

“Why are you so irritating?”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Cedric is really crazy!

“Tomorrow, don’t wear a skirt or bring pants. It won’t be difficult to ride the motorcycle then. If you wear pants and don’t hold onto me, it’s also fine.”

I rolled my eyes to indicate that I didn’t want to talk about it any longer.

“Just get mad; you look pretty that way. Oh, I’m really crazy around you.”

“Are you just realizing that?!”

Cedric restarted his motorcycle. Preparing to hit the road again in Washington DC. “Let’s eat at the apartment, then. Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll get it.” Before Cedric could speed up, his fairly large hand grabbed mine and placed it on his abdomen. When I tried to protest, he stopped me.

“Stay here. For safety.”

In the end, I gave in. Allowing his other hand to hold mine, right above his waist. Staring at his broad back from such a close distance, I deeply inhaled the sweet perfume mixed with a hint of nicotine.

“Hold the handlebar properly. It’s dangerous,” I whispered.

I’m not sure if he smiled or laughed behind his mask. Either way, I didn’t intend to retract my hand that had already circled around his waist to his abdomen.

“Don’t let go of your grip.”

“You’re annoying!”

In the past, I was infatuated with a certain guy. He didn’t speak sweet words and had principles that made me cringe at his challenging views of the world. He also had a distinctive face, a mischievous but charismatic boy. In my high school days, who wouldn’t fall for someone I still remember to this day?

But in the end, I decided to part ways. There was no drama or anything. I chose to work in Washington DC, and he went to New York. He joined his sibling’s business there. Neither of us came from affluent families. We only had the opportunity to study up to high school. But my dreams were big, especially because of the promise to Nek Sumi. I had to earn a bachelor’s degree and be proud of it.

Maybe he had similar ambitions. What’s clear is that he wanted to elevate his parents’ status. The mischievous boy who loved his parents dearly. I admired him for this. I was charmed to the point of being naive and reckless. Experiencing being abandoned by my father, then finding a replacement whom I thought could stay with me without facing any resistance, and enjoying countless opportunities for young love at that time.

I chuckled at how funny it was for me to fall in love. Unknowingly, the red motorcycle had entered the guest parking area next to the apartment building where I lived.

“What do you want to eat? I’ve been waiting, and you didn’t say anything.”

Indeed, Cedric managed to make me feel embarrassed. When I got off the motorcycle, he slowly unbuttoned his helmet and helped me take off my jacket. He tidied up my slightly messy long hair, making me feel like a statue. I didn’t move at all.

My experience with men was not lacking at all. However, maybe it was because of my personal choice to maintain distance when I sensed something I didn’t like about a guy approaching me. For example, Kelvin. Sometimes, when we had dinner together, I felt like I had to act like a woman swooning in his arms. As if Kelvin was the perfect person to receive my coquettishness. But I didn’t want to do that at all.

Or Dewa. His sweet talk often gave me a headache. It didn’t mean I liked it. No. Oh, no… not at all. I just felt like, oh dear… is there anything else he could say apart from those weird things? It’s fine for a woman to enjoy sweet talk, but not excessively, right?

As for Cedric…

***

“This is delicious,” he said, causing me to pause my spoon in the air. I wanted to savor the fried rice I made while it was still warm. The sweet and savory aroma, combined with the eggs in the fried rice, made my stomach crave for a larger portion.

“Thanks.” I resumed chewing and took a piece of tomato as a side dish.

“I’m really lucky to be able to eat your cooking.”

“I feel like I’m talking to a kid.”

He only chuckled. “Is it okay if I call you something else?”

“Sure. This isn’t the office.” I’m right, right?

“Can I call you Joice?”

I choked. Damn Cedric! Out of all the nicknames he could have used, why Anya?

“Not allowed, huh?” Cedric quickly handed me a glass of water, helping me drink until it’s almost half gone.

“If you’re just going to be honest, Cedric!”

My remark received a loud laugh from Cedric. Even the corners of his eyes disappeared slightly from laughing so hard. I saw him laughing and wanted to join, but I felt embarrassed, so I chose to look at him sternly and dismissively.

At the end of his laughter, Cedric said, “Anya can be funny too. I thought you could only be serious.”

My lips tightened. Even my gaze changed without an aura of animosity.