The Struggle of Women
Episode 7's

The first trimester of pregnancy is clearly the most difficult time that Elma must experience, because in addition to having to control her tolerance to the smells around her, on the food she eats, and on the food she eats, the girl should also try to cover it from the people around especially the mother.

In fact, the schedule of her mother's transplant surgery is in sight, and that means Elma must always be beside Mom and accompany her even until later in the recovery stage. Time is not short, and Elma must hold all that.

“You can take this medicine and vitamin to reduce your nausea. A little help, but can not eliminate the whole.” Jenny pulls the medicine pack off her desk, just as Elma visits her room and complains about the recent severe nausea. “But if you can't tolerate the smell of disinfectants and such, it helps you stay away from the treatment room for some time El. Big brother who will often see Aunt Arini instead, you do not need to worry.”

It felt like Elma wanted to do that. This is the first time in his life he is unable to tolerate something, whereas since childhood Elma has been accustomed to endure pain or something like that.

Elma grew up as a girl who was not spoiled and easily fussed, but this time she really felt that the determination that had been shown was useless, but this time, because this pregnancy hormone clearly defeats her efforts to remain the same Elma for the past dozen years.

“But tomorrow is Mom's schedule for surgery, I even have permission not to go to work because I want to be with Mom all day. But the smells here really make me nauseous and can't help it, I can worry if I see me on the toilet and vomit.” I don't know how much Elma put out the word ‘tapi’ in every sentence since, because it's how balanced he is.

“That means you have to know when you can hold on and when you can't hold it. At a time like this you know better what you feel, Elma. So do not force yourself, your mother will be fine in the treatment of Doctor Dina, no need to worry.”

In the end Elma just nodded stiffly. Although somehow his realization when he was faced with the situation later, obviously Elma had to start looking for excuses, just in case Mom started to wonder.

“By the way, did you say you still work?” jenny asked after recalling Elma's previous words, the girl nodded.

“They give you four times what you need, Elma. All hospital costs have even been paid off with the estimated cost of care after the stage of surgery, should you not just stop?” look at Jenny worried.

Elma's face suddenly turned mellow, sullen and anxious at the same time. “Come on, Brother Jen. I just feel like I don't want to lose myself just like that with all these events. I still want to be Elma who knows how to work hard, because big changes are often scary, that's why as much as possible I'm still trying to keep what I know from myself.” Both of Elma's shoulders were piqued indifferently. “But once again, I don't know in the future .. so let me live like this first.”

Jenny took a heavy breath, then nodded in understanding. “Just if you already feel unable to quickly stop, yes? Working in a state of pregnancy is definitely not an easy thing.”

Elma smiled, nodding in understanding.

***

A heavy fight, between his desire to stay in front of the operating room with his desire to go from there because of nausea and dizziness that continue to attack. Elma had several times in and out of the toilet located not far from the place, only to resolve the nausea that became, but instead of feeling better, with her increasingly sensitive kiss, Elma feels worse.

The girl stood back up, about to step into the toilet again before it all felt humming and something heavy hit her virtually. His body immediately lost energy, dazed to not know where to stand, when everything began to feel dark, Elma felt someone supporting her before falling to the floor.

“Hey, are you awake?” that greeting was the first time Elma heard while trying to scan the surroundings. His head still hurts, but it's not as heavy as before ... Ever before? Waitaminute!

“Mother? What about Mom?” The body suddenly rose in a sitting position, making his head feel suddenly attacked by something hard.

“Slow-slow, El. You just got out.” Jenny approached with a worried look, checking if there was anything wrong with the girl.

“Mother, Sis. Operation mom—” is still with eyes closed because it processes the pain that has not subsided, Elma focus is on one topic that will not make him calm if he has not received a definite answer.

Unbeknownst to Elma, Jenny smiled faintly. Back to the nightstand next to her then concocted some warm tea for Elma.

“Your mother is good, very good, El. Operation is running smoothly, and it has been moved to the treatment room at the moment.”

Slowly Elma's eyes opened, seeking the truth from the face of the doctor beside her. And the smile Jenny gave upon turning to her made all the heavy burden she had originally carried now lift up entirely. “Kakak's right, right? No lie?”

“Does my face look like I'm lying? With a smile like this?”

“Tante Arini even woke up, had asked you earlier. But I immediately gave an excuse that you have important business to go first, calm down. I told Auntie that you were with her throughout the operation.” Jenny shrugged her shoulders indifferently. “I'm not completely lying, am I? You are still in the same hospital.”

Elma smiled and was about to respond with a sentence of thanks when suddenly the door of the nursery she lived in was open because of someone's arrival.

“Oh, you are back,” greet Jenny welcome.

“Pak Brian?”

“Eiits, no-no... Don't call me Father! Didn't we agree on this the other day, Elma? The call was old, and definitely not cool. Call me big brother like you called Jenny, okay? That sounds better.” Not to mention that the man had already rambled at length as usual.

The nod he received from Elma made Brian smile with satisfaction. Then with the two shopping bags that had been in his hand since entering the room, the man stepped over to Elma, putting all the bags on the bed, making Elma throw him with a questioning look.

“Hey, at least you should explain first why you can be here. Don't confuse him, especially with your stupid behavior.” Jenny commented after seeing Elma's helpless expression. “Ah, let me explain. If you are asked to speak, surely the edges are inconsequential. So Elma, why is this fool here, of course, because he found you unconscious in front of the operating room earlier, and he also took you to the treatment room and called me your doctor in charge.”

It was short and dense, so Elma could imagine more or less how the situation was. The one who propped him up when he almost fell to the floor was Brian?

“And, euh..” Jenny wants to continue, but as if asking for approval first on the concerned. Brian gestured to Jenny, that she would say the rest.

“Maybe you are wondering why I am here, when I am obviously not sick or intending to visit someone. No, I'm not the one who's going to do that because I don't have any acquaintances that I have to treat like that in this country—aduh!”

Brian's upper arm hit Jenny because like his concern, the man began to rummage off the track. “You even made him confused because it did not directly tell the point!” jenny's Scolding.

Brian raised his hand, nodded in understanding and tried to persuade Jenny to be patient and again gave her a chance to continue her words. The man again focused his eyes on Elma.

“So the point is Elma, the father of your baby is forcing me to make sure that you and the baby are okay, one of them by following you and monitoring what you do. No—do not cut first, okay?” Brian raised his hand, this time at Elma who looked about to interject.

“I'm not a stalker, okay? Don't be so prejudiced that I want to do such a shameful thing. You can think of me as your bodyguard remotely, well that's more or less so.”

Kernyit on Elma's forehead still showed objection. “But essentially Brother followed without my knowledge and permission. How is it different from a stalker? That sounds just as bad.”

“That's why I'm saying it now. Because from now on I will be watching you blatantly, especially after you passed out earlier. Your eating is also irregular and not much because of the nausea you feel, right? And that's why I bought you all this.” Brian showed me a bag of groceries still fluttering on Elma's bed.

“According to someone I know and know a lot about pregnancy, whatever, pregnant women still have to eat. It's okay even a little, but make it as often as possible, because pregnant women still need intake. In fact, the intake should be twice as much, because pregnant women do not only eat for themselves but for the fetus in the womb.”

Unbeknownst to Brian, Jenny who listens behind him is shocked by the man's attempt to find out about the pregnant mother. A little touched even though Jenny was still trying to deny it with a voiceless sneer.

“The father of the baby is one of the heirs of the largest business empire, which the baby will also be the heir just like his father. So, don't be surprised if he wants the best for his son. You just need to obey and follow what the doctor suggests, understand?”

“Including putting me in this VVIP room?” elma asked suddenly, circulating her gaze at the luxurious room that was her current resting place.

Brian nodded without hesitation. “Includes this place and the special facilities that you will soon receive. Oh don't forget, your resignation at work is also one that includes.”

Elma knew, her life would not be the same again after today. Although it may be, it only lasts a while.

📽To be continue🎞