Maria emerged from the secret basement with frantic steps, the air around her heavy with the lingering scent of dust and desperation. She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt, her pulse pounding like a war drum in her ears. As she reached her bedroom door to sneak out, the laughter of two familiar voices met her ears—carefree, youthful, and chilling in its timing.
She froze.
From down the corridor, Star and Bonita strolled out of Bonita's room, giggling like old friends sharing an inside joke.
Maria's eyes narrowed, lips parting slightly in disbelief.
"How did she get here? They're back… already?" she whispered under her breath.
"You know," Star chuckled, still mid-laugh, "at first, I thought it was a rat—"
Bonita playfully rolled her eyes and shut her door.
"Madam," Star said, catching sight of Maria. Her smile dimmed, but her poise didn't crack. "Mandume was looking for you earlier."
Maria blinked rapidly. "Yes, uh… I'll… I'll go to him right away," she muttered, disoriented, then slipped past them and disappeared down the hall like a ghost chased by sunlight.
Bonita frowned. "Weird. If Mandume was looking for Mom, why didn't he just check her room? It's Saturday. She's not working."
"I met him on my way here," Star replied. "He seemed tense. Said he'd searched the whole house. Maybe she slipped out without telling anyone and came back just now."
Bonita shrugged it off. "Whatever. Forget it. Come on, my show's about to start!"
They headed downstairs, light chatter trailing behind them. But halfway down, Star clutched her abdomen and hissed through clenched teeth.
"Ouch."
Bonita's smile vanished. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Star winced, her steps faltering. "Cramps. Really bad abdominal cramps…"
Bonita's eyes widened. "Cramps?! But—Star, you're pregnant."
Star leaned against the rail. "I don't get it. It hurts. A lot."
Bonita steadied her. "Did you eat before taking your meds?"
"I had breakfast."
"Breakfast? Star, it's almost noon! You haven't eaten anything since then?"
"I wasn't hungry," she murmured, grimacing.
Bonita pulled her gently toward the nearest seat. "Four hours with no food, no snack? Star, that's not okay! You have to eat, especially now!"
"I just don't understand this pain," Star whispered, rubbing her belly. "It's sharp, and it's deep. Maybe it's just… first-time pregnancy weirdness?"
"Or hunger," Bonita said, grabbing her hand. "Or stress. Or both. Or all three. Sit down, I'm making you noodles. Simple and fast."
Star muttered beneath her breath, "Bonita thinks this is the perfect time to poison me. Now she wants to make me food…"
She tried to rise. "I'll cook for myself—ouch!" She gripped her side and dropped back into the chair.
Bonita folded her arms. "Ms. Stubborn. Sit down and trust me. I know you still don't trust me with your food, but I swear, I'm genuine this time."
Star looked at her, eyes narrowed, then softened. "Okay… Can I at least come to the kitchen with you?"
Bonita smiled. "Deal. Come on. Let's not burn the house down."
As they made their way, Bonita asked, "And where's Mandume hiding now?"
"He's probably busy," Star muttered. "Otherwise, he'd be buzzing around me like a worried bee. Especially now…"
"You need to see a doctor," Bonita said with genuine concern. "You've been having these weird pains and episodes lately."
"It's not that serious," Star insisted. "Feels like period cramps."
Bonita blinked. "Wait—what?! Girl, are you sure you're even pregnant?"
Star shot her a tired but amused look. "Then where was my period last month, Doctor Bonita?"
Bonita threw up her hands. "Okay, okay! I'm just saying… there's a lot going on here."