A Terrible Revelation

He breathed heavily.

The anger still showed in his chest, rising and falling hard, as if he hadn't finished unloading.

"I was so worried about you," he said suddenly, his expression shifting.

I nodded, but my mind was somewhere else.

I needed to go to the pharmacy.

I needed something... though I didn't even know how to ask for it.

I'd heard my friends talk about the morning-after pill.

"What if I contracted a disease..."

What if...

My head wouldn't stop working against me.

"I have to get back to work," I said, trying to move past him.

He blocked my path.

"I'm sorry, baby. I went crazy with worry."

He hugged me.

I hugged him back, pressing against him with desperation, as if his body could restore some sense of control, some calm.

We walked back together.

We said goodbye.

I watched him leave and then walked straight to Sofia.

"I need to ask you a favor," I said quietly. "But don't tell anyone."

She looked at me carefully.

"Can you help me get the pill you take after... you know?"

Sofia coughed as her food went down the wrong pipe.

"Well... my sweet Ania isn't a girl anymore."

I looked around, nervous.

"Please."

She sighed.

"Fine. I'll go to the pharmacy."

I handed her the money with trembling hands.

"Thank you."

I went back to my cubicle. The headache didn't let up — if anything, it grew more intense, like a hammer pounding from the inside.

When Sofia returned, she slipped me the box discreetly. She uncapped a bottle of water and brought it to me.

I took it without thinking.

Without feeling relief.

I finished my shift and checked my phone.

Messages from Rene.

Missed calls from my father.

"This can't be happening to me."

My phone rang. An unknown number.

"You have a dress fitting today," the ceremony planner said.

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me.

I gathered my things and left. I took my usual route, but this time decided to walk.

I tried to remember.

I saw myself going to the bathroom.

After that... nothing.

The void.

I got on the bus and arrived home sooner than I wanted.

Laughter in the living room. Yajaira was with her friends.

I went straight upstairs to my room and lay down.

I had a fever.

The music downstairs drilled into my head.

I went down for water and heard Rene's voice.

I peeked in.

He was surrounded by Yajaira's friends.

When he saw me, he stood immediately and walked toward me.

"Hi, baby. I came to take you for your dress fitting."

"I don't feel well," I said.

He touched my forehead.

"You're burning up."

"Ania, you shouldn't have gone out partying," Yajaira said. "There are the consequences."

"Come on, I'll take you to the doctor," Rene said.

I shook my head.

I wasn't sure what was wrong with me... and I didn't want to be examined in front of him.

"I'll go with you," Yajaira offered.

I took Rene's hand and we moved down the hallway.

"I think we should postpone the wedding," I whispered.

"Why? Did your friends talk you into it?"

"No... that's not it."

"Then what?" he asked, impatient. "Did you meet someone else?"

"Rene... you're the only man I love. I want to spend my life with you."

"Then what the hell is going on?" he said, squeezing my arm.

He released me when my father walked in.

"I heard they're fitting your dress today. I want to accompany my princess."

My father hugged me and frowned.

"Are you sick?"

I nodded.

"She doesn't want to go to the doctor," Rene said.

"I'll take her," my father replied. "You go home — I just saw your mother and she wants to talk to you."

Rene nodded. He kissed me before leaving.

I went out with my father.

At the clinic, I was grateful they gave me privacy.

They drew blood.

I waited.

My father talked about Yajaira, about her plans to go abroad.

I barely listened.

Then they called me in.

I went in alone.

"Do you use drugs? Do you consume any substances?" the doctor asked.

"No."

"There are traces of a substance in your blood. There's little left in your system, but your body has reacted to it."

"I don't use drugs... I only had a couple of drinks."

"The alcohol was minimal. It wasn't that."

He handed me a prescription.

"This is for the infection, since your body is reacting to the drug."

I was about to leave when he stopped me.

"Be careful where you go and who you go with. I've seen similar cases. Some victims are left with lasting effects."

I moved closer.

I couldn't hold back the tears.

"I woke up not remembering anything. I was in a hotel. I was with someone... and I don't know who it was."

The doctor sighed.

"Based on your symptoms, everything points to chemical submission. Better known as the date-rape drug."

The world crashed down on me.

"How did this happen?"

And worst of all...

"Who put it in my drink..."

"if the only ones there were my friends and me?"

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