STIGMA

"I'm having a baby, " Annie said out of the blue, making Ella, her best friend, choke on her orange juice.

Annie was relieved that she let it all out to her best friend even though she wasn't sure about her reaction. It hadn't been easy keeping something this sensitive away from Ella.

"You're wha tjQuery" Ella asked in shock, her eyes not leaving Annie who was seated opposite her.

Annie sighed. She knew Ella heard her loud and clear but she didn't mind saying it again. "I'm having a baby."

"I heard you. I don't just understand how?.....I mean, I know how a baby is being conceived but when did it happen? I never knew you were seeing someone." Ella voiced out, looking as confused as ever. As far as she knew, Annie had been single for a while now.

Annie sighed. "I'm not seeing anyone and neither am I pregnant, yet."

Ella was even more confused now. She placed her glass cup which still had some juice in it on a small table beside her. They were seated in Annie's living room. "I want to believe you were only pulling my legs." Ella said.

Annie Davis shook her head. "I'm having him or her by Insemination. The procedure will be done tomorrow."

Ella couldn't believe her ears. She opened her mouth to give a response to what Annie said but no words came out. Her brain was finding it hard to process the reason behind her best friend's decision.

After a while, Ella spoke. "Okay, You win. I'm known for pulling expensive jokes on you but this is way more than all I've ever done to you." Ella said, hoping it was all a joke. But she wasn't that sure because Annie was looking very serious.

"None of this is a joke, Ella. This is something I've thought about and also acted on. I've been in contact with my doctor and the whole procedure started a couple of weeks back. Getting the right sperm donor, I also had to do a couple of tests, I've been eating according to the meal plan given to me and I've also been on prescribed medications. We are anticipating that the procedure will be successful on the first trial."

"I'm sorry for not opening up to you sooner. I had to come to terms with myself to know if this was what I truly wanted. You would have talked me out of it if I told you earlier."

"Of course I would have talked you out of it. What were you thinking Ann??? You're just 27 and already thinking about having a baby by Insemination. Who does that?"

"I did." Annie shrugged like it was no big deal.

Ella sighed, running a hand over her hair. "I mean, You're still young, Annie. You're smart, you're beautiful, You're attractive, You're the sweetest and kindest person I've ever known. You had no reason to think in that direction. You may not be dating anyone now but your soulmate will surely find you. You'll have your dream wedding and start a family with your prince charming. All you needed to do was to be patient." Ella explained.

"You should have believed me when I said I was done with men, " Annie said.

"Annie." Ella groaned. "Not anyone will be like the douchebags you've dated. There's someone out there who's meant for you."

"I don't want to dwell in that. I've made my decision. I wouldn't forgive myself if I go through with the procedure tomorrow without telling you. That's why I'm opening up to you now."

Ella sighed, burying her face in her hands. She spoke after a few seconds of silence. "You realize raising a child alone comes with a whole lot of responsibility. Are you sure you're ready for this? I want to be assured you know what you're doing. What if your baby grows up and asks for its father. What will you tell him or her?"

"I'm certain that this is what I want and Yes, I've prepared my mind for all of the responsibilities. I never imagined myself bringing up a child alone but it is what it is. Life is full of surprises. As for the baby asking for its father when he or she grows up, I have no idea what I will say to that but I know I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'll love the baby so much and make sure he or she doesn't lack anything. I'm ready to start a family, I want to have a child."

Ella sighed. "If I could see any of your exes right now, I won't think twice before strangling them, especially that douchebag calle…."