Do We Let Go?

22| Tempers Running High

He'd once or twice considered consulting their Doctor, but she had already warned them about these sudden changes in moods and food preferences. They could come anytime during the span of pregnancy since every pregnancy case differs from the last.

Dr. James only offered one solution; Patience. He needed to have the utmost patience, while she needed to accept the changes happening to her and her body.

Easier said than done, obviously.

Zach was patient, but that didn't mean that on the inside it wasn't annoying or irritating him. It's tough to relax around someone who might snap at you any moment.

He couldn't imagine how hard it must be on Zara. Pulled into this pregnancy headfirst and then now such mood swings. She definitely feels tired. He can see it, so he lets her do her things, giving her space and time.

He seemed to be handling it, and then one day he wasn't.

It was in the evening when he'd returned from a sixteen hours long job full of editing and watching every scene for every minute detail that left him with a headache.

He'd just set down his bag and keys down on the table when he heard a groan from her room, followed by a loud, "No!"

Worried that she might be in pain, he ran inside her room, frantically staring at her for any visible signs of hurt. She wasn't still quite out of the miscarriage danger period of the pregnancy that is usually in the first trimester.

With a painful expression, she turned to face him, her back then to a mirror and that's when Zach saw it.

It was quite clear to him. She had somehow worn a very tight pair of jeans without tearing the fabric around her hips and thighs, but the zip and the buttons were open and it looked like they won't be closing anytime soon. She had gained weight.

"I'm fat!", she complained to him.

Zach took a deep breath, relieved. "Oh thank god. I thought something happened."

Zara's eyes widened. "It has! I'm growing fat, Zach! I don't want to be fat."

Massaging his temples, he moved further into the room. "Zara, honey,", he said softly. "This is okay. It's alright. All pregnant women gain weight. You don't have to worry about it."

"No, it's not alright.", she snapped. "I'm growing fat! Because of this--this stupid baby!", she spluttered in anger, her cheeks flushed.

"Zara--", he was running very thin on his patience.

"Fat is ugly!"

That's it. The chains on his patience snapped. "Oh my god! Could you be any more shallow?", he snapped at her. Just as he said it, regret filled every fiber in his being. What did he just say?

Zara glared daggers at him. Oh, if only looks could kill. "I'm not Shallow! I'm pregnant! I'm growing a baby inside of me. A human. It is painful and uncomfortable, you dumb idiot!"

Never heard her curse before, even 'dumb idiot' felt like such a slap to him. He sighed. "Yes, you're right.", his voice returned to soft and gentle. But she took it wrong.

"Don't you dare use sarcasm with me!", she yelled at him.

"I'm not!", he defended himself.

Tears appeared in her eyes. There was something cynical and distrustful in her eyes. Once more, frustration built in him. He had to do one thing. Be patient. And he couldn't even do that right.

"Just leave me alone. Please!"

"I--yes.", he controlled himself. She's pregnant. She's hormonal. This is not her.