An unexpected pregnancy can test the bonds we hold dear, challenging and changing families in ways we do not expect. This is a 3-part mini series on a family thrown into turmoil when seventeen-year-old Hana announces her unexpected pregnancy. Series 1 is told from a sibling's point of view, Series 2 - a mother's perspective and Series 3 - a father's perspective to highlight the complexity of love, disappointment and the struggle to understand one another through difficult decisions.
Series 1: A Sibling’s Burden
Part 1: At the Tip of A Downward Slope
I was sitting on the couch, watching TV, after a long day of work. That's when Hana
came out of the bathroom. I didn’t even notice her at first—she just kind of appeared,
standing in the doorway like a ghost. Her face was so pale I thought maybe she had
seen one.
“Hana?” I said, blinking at her in confusion. She looked like she was about to collapse,
her eyes wide and unfocused. She just stood there for a moment, her hand gripping the
doorframe, like she was trying to keep herself steady. I was about to ask her what was
going on when she opened her mouth, her voice barely a whisper.
“I… I think I’m pregnant,” she said, her words hanging in the air like they didn’t belong to
her. It was one of those moments where everything freezes.
“What?” I asked, unable to process what she’d just said. She took a shaky breath, the
words coming out slowly, like she was trying to convince herself as much as me. “I’m
pregnant,” she repeated.
I stared at her, my mind doing that thing where it tries to run through every possible
explanation, but it all just loops back to the same point: Hana? Pregnant? No way. We
were supposed to be the ones with our lives together. Not perfect, but at least not a
mess like... this. Hana was always the strong one, the one who had it together, who
made sure everything in our chaotic house somehow stayed afloat.
I felt a wave of anger and disbelief rush over me. I didn’t know what to feel. Part of me
wanted to run away and forget this ever happened. But I couldn’t do that to her. She
was my sister. Yet somehow, this felt like a betrayal.
Part 2: Silent Guilt and Anger
For days, Hana kept to herself, not speaking to anyone but me. I could see how terrified
she was, but I couldn’t bring myself to offer her much comfort. Our lives were hard
enough already, and her mistake seemed to pile more weight on our already-crushed
shoulders.
I had become her reluctant keeper of secrets. Our house became eerily quiet, as if
everyone was pretending nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
I caught myself staring at Hana’s face at the dinner table, wondering how we’d gotten
here. How did this happen under our roof? How would our parents react? I didn’t know if
Hana was scared or just too ashamed to face the truth. But every time I saw her, I felt
like I was looking at someone I didn’t know anymore. And the worst part was, I didn’t
know how to help.
My immediate and best idea was to save up money and get Hana a quiet abortion, as
discreetly as possible. It felt like a cold, practical solution—insensitive, maybe even
selfish. But in that moment, I didn’t care. I just wanted to make this disappear before it
tore our already delicate family apart.
Part 3: The Confrontation
It was a Sunday afternoon when it all came crashing down. Hana and I were in the
kitchen, making lunch, when Mom came in.
I guess Hana wanted to tell her abruptly, casually with no warning so she wouldn’t be
able to stop herself. Before I knew what was happening, Hana blurted it out. She said it
so quickly, like she wanted to get it over with. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice shaking.
For a long moment, there was silence. Mom’s face turned pale, and I could see her
eyes flicker between shock and anger. Dad wasn’t home yet, but the tension was
already thick in the air. Hana looked down at the table, her hands clenched into fists.
“You what?” Mom finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
The look on Mom’s face said everything—disappointment, confusion, and fear. I could
see her trying to hold it together, but it was clear she wasn’t sure what to say next.
Dad walked in a few minutes later, and when he saw the looks on our faces, he froze.
“What’s going on?” His tone was sharp, and I could tell he was already on edge.
Nobody looked at him. Instead, mum furiously cried out “Your daughter just told me she
is pregnant.”
And just like that, everything shattered. Dad’s face darkened, his jaw clenched. “This is
a joke, right?” he asked, his voice rising. “You’re supposed to be the responsible one,
Hana. What nonsense are you up to???”
I could see Hana shrinking in on herself, but she didn’t back down. She didn’t run away
like I thought she might. Instead, she looked up, and for the first time in days, her eyes
were clear. “I’m not perfect,” she said, her voice steady. “I made a mistake. But I don’t
know what to do.”
I wanted to step in, to say something to break the tension, but I couldn’t find the words.
All I could do was watch as the room filled with this heavy, suffocating silence.
If you or anyone you know is going through an unexpected pregnancy, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 9183 4483. Remember that you're not alone.
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