A Walk, A Smile, A Secret
The scene changed. Before leaving in the morning, amidst the quiet of the night and the preparations, Ira felt the need to take a walk alone. Onik was on the phone with Kenji, finalizing the return flight details.
Then Ira was walking alone on the streets of Japan.
The streets were clean, calm under the neon lights. The unfamiliar beauty of nighttime Tokyo gave her a different kind of peace. Ira looked at the diamond ring sparkling on her finger. It was not just an engagement ring; it was a symbol of the victory of their love.
As she walked, Ira started to smile, and said in her mind:
"My mother knows, your mother knows, we have love, but they don't say it, because..."
Ira paused for a moment, as if she wanted to toss the answer towards the sky.
"Because my mother knew that if this love came to fruition, it would create a huge conflict in society. Your mother was afraid of losing her family's honour, and my mother was afraid of the rigid walls of our religion. They both knew the love in our eyes for each other was real, but no one had the courage to speak that truth aloud. They thought this problem was impossible to solve."
Ira tightly squeezed the diamond ring in her fist.
"But they didn't know that you have done that 'impossible' thing. You have changed your entire being and created such a new path for our love, where there is no more conflict. Now, when we stand before our mothers, they won't be afraid anymore. They will only see the love that they used to see deep in their hearts all along."
Ira then headed back to the hotel with a sense of relief. Now there was no fear, only the courage to fight for a new, shared life with Onik.
Noodles, A Call, and The Panic
The next morning.
After the dreamy night at Hitachi Seaside Park, Onik and Ira were preparing to catch their morning flight. The suitcases were almost packed. Onik was looking at his phone by the window, and Ira was hastily having a Japanese breakfast at the small dining table.
Ira was eating Japanese noodles—probably instant cup noodles, which are very popular in Japan—when her phone rang. The name 'Ammu' (Mom) appeared on the screen.
Ira was slightly startled. Onik looked at her. Ira picked up the phone, winked at Onik, and signalled that everything was fine.
Then Ira's mother called.
Ira (Trying to sound normal): "Hello Ammu! How are you?"
Mom (From the other side, in a worried tone): "How can I be? You didn't even answer your phone yesterday. Where were you all this time, what were you doing? Don't you worry at all?"
Ira (Putting down the noodle spoon, trying to smile): "Oh, why are you worrying? I'm fine. I just went out for a little sightseeing here. Yes, sightseeing... I've arrived."
Mom: "You didn't leave the hotel, did you? Where are you now? Are you two still at the same place?"
Ira: "Yes, yes! Now we... we have come to a new place, Ammu. It's very peaceful here, completely calm... very clear." (Ira subtly used the word 'peace' to denote her trust in Onik and their new life.)
Mom: "What are you talking about? What do you mean by calm? Tell me clearly."
Ira (Quickly changing the subject): "Listen Ammu, I'm very busy right now. We are going out for some work right away. I promise I will tell you everything when I get back. I'm hanging up now, be careful! Bye!"
Ira quickly cut the call and breathed a sigh of relief. Onik walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Onik: "Everything alright?"
Ira (Nodding, with a smile): "Yes. She thinks we are still at the old place. She doesn't know we are returning to give her the biggest 'surprise' of her life."
Onik held Ira's hand and turned the diamond ring on her finger. Now only the wait for the journey home remained. Ira put the phone down with a smile and turned to Onik. She picked up the noodle bowl again, but suddenly her stomach churned. It wasn't just the stress of talking to her mother; it was an intense discomfort that began in her entire body.
Ira covered her mouth with one hand and, without a chance to speak, quickly went to the washroom.
The loud sound of vomiting started coming from inside. She continued to vomit. Her body became so weak that she could barely stand. This sickness was not like a common stomach bug; her body was so ill that it was beyond description. She was gasping in pain.
Such a sudden incident left Onik completely bewildered. He had just seen Ira rush away with the noodle bowl in her hand. Onik quickly went to the washroom door.
Onik (In a worried tone, gently knocking on the door): "Ira! What happened? Why are you acting like this suddenly? Is everything alright?"
Ira's weak, muffled reply came from inside, increasing Onik's worry.
Ira (From inside, in a weak voice): "O... Onik, I... I feel really bad. I can't stand..."
The Doctor's Direct Question
Hearing Ira's weak voice, Onik's fear intensified. He didn't waste a moment.
Onik (In a loud voice): "Ira! I'm going to break the door. Can you open it?"
There was no answer from inside, only a faint groaning sound. Onik quickly pushed the handle—luckily, the inner lock was probably not properly secured, or Ira had weakly opened it. Onik pushed the door and entered.
Onik entered and saw Ira kneeling beside the basin, her body shaking, her face completely pale. The struggle of vomiting was clear near her throat.
Onik's face turned white with panic. He quickly went to Ira, gently held her, and helped her up.
Onik (Almost shouting): "Oh my God, what state are you in! Does anyone get sick like this? Didn't the Japanese noodles digest, or is it something else? Why didn't you tell me!"
He quickly took Ira out of the bathroom and laid her on the bed. Ira shook her head to indicate she was not okay.
Ira (Lying on the bed, in a trembling voice): "I don't know, Onik... there's no pain in my stomach, but the vomiting is so sudden! I'm... I'm very scared."
Onik then realized this wasn't just ordinary food poisoning. A difficult and unexpected suspicion formed in his mind. Was this sickness at their moment of joy hinting at something else?
Onik (Quickly composing himself): "Calm down, Ira. Don't worry at all. We can't leave right now. I'm calling the doctor from the hotel immediately. I am calling a Japanese doctor for you. I won't go anywhere, leaving you like this even for a moment."
Onik didn't say anything more and quickly picked up the phone for hotel services. Onik quickly contacted the hotel service desk. Since they were in a luxurious hotel, a Japanese doctor and an interpreter arrived at their suite shortly.
Then Onik took Ira to the doctor. The doctor examined Ira right there.
Doctor (Calmly, through the interpreter): "She is very weak, and this nausea is extremely intense."
He checked Ira's pulse, measured her blood pressure, and asked for her food log for the last few meals.
Doctor (After examination, shaking his head): "I can't figure out what happened to her. It doesn't look like food poisoning. There is no fever or stomach pain. Mr. Onik..."
The doctor now looked directly at Onik through the interpreter.
Doctor: "Well, please don't mind, have the two of you been physically intimate?"
Hearing the doctor's direct and personal question, Onik was instantly embarrassed. He had just accepted Ira as his new life, and after this emotional event, they couldn't control themselves. He felt shy talking about this even to Kenji or their mothers, and now in front of a complete stranger of a doctor...
Then Onik turned red with embarrassment. He quickly lowered his head and just nodded affirmatively without a word.
Doctor (In a calm and professional manner): "Thank you. Then I have a suspicion. There is a common cause for this kind of sudden and intense nausea, which sometimes seems like a digestive problem. We need to do a simple test to be sure."
Onik then understood what the doctor was hinting at. His heart was filled with a mixture of fear, excitement, and ultimate love.
Doctor (Addressing Ira): "We will do a pregnancy test. Don't worry, it's a very simple test."The Anxious Wait
Hearing the doctor's words, Ira and Onik were both stunned. The suspicion that had been playing on Onik's mind was now on the verge of becoming a reality.
The doctor calmly said through the interpreter, "This test needs to be done immediately. You can choose to bring a kit from outside, or someone will be sent from the hospital."
Onik did not hesitate and quickly called Kenji. Kenji promptly arranged for a reliable kit. Within moments, the nurse arrived, and the test was swiftly conducted. They had to wait for the result to be revealed, which would take about a minute. These few minutes felt like an eternity to Ira and Onik.
Ira, with a pale face, held Onik's hand tightly. In her eyes, there was more than just fear; there was the wonder of a new life's arrival.
Hearing the words 'Pregnancy Test' from the doctor, a deep silence fell over the room. Onik was speechless with surprise and excitement, while Ira was still overwhelmed by weakness and fear.
The doctor calmly handed Ira some equipment and sent her to the washroom.
Afterward, the two of them waited.
Those few minutes of waiting felt like an eternity to Ira and Onik. Onik sat beside Ira, holding her hand tightly.
Onik (Gently stroking Ira's hair): "Listen, whatever happens, don't worry. We are together, and this is the biggest test of our love."
Ira just stared blankly. In her heart, the fear of a new life was even greater than the concern for their mothers.
A short while later, the doctor and the interpreter returned to the room. The doctor held a small report in his hand.
Doctor (Calmly, but with a smile): "Mr. Onik, Ms. Young..."
The doctor hesitated for a moment and then handed the report to Onik.
Doctor: "Congratulations! Ira-san's result is positive. She is expecting a child. That is why the nausea was suddenly so intense."
The news exploded in the room like a bomb.
Onik's entire body trembled instantly. The engagement ring, the religious conversion—all were proof of his love; but this new life, this child, was the biggest, most undeniable truth in the world. He was going to be a father! His eyes welled up with joy.
Onik (Hugging Ira, overwhelmed with joy): "Ira! Do you... do you know what this means? No one can separate us now! This baby will be the bond between our two religions, our two families!"
Ira (After the initial fear, with a deep peace): "Onik... we don't need to catch tomorrow's flight anymore. There is no better time than now to take this news to our mothers."
They both understood that this unexpected news was the ultimate turning point in their story. Now they not only had proof of their love, but they held a new life in their hands, which was enough to break down all social and religious walls.
The Fear and The Final Acceptance
Onik's joy and bewilderment instantly turned to concern. The doctor and the interpreter gave their final advice and left the room. Only Onik and Ira remained in the room.
Onik was still holding Ira, tears in his eyes. But Ira slowly pushed herself away from Onik's arms. There was no trace of happiness on her face, only deep fear and despair.
Then Ira cried out of fear.
Ira (In a trembling voice, looking at Onik with tear-filled eyes): "What... what have you done, Onik? Why did you do this?"
Onik (Surprised, holding Ira's face): "Ira! Why are you talking like this? This is happy news! We are having a baby! Why are you crying?"
Ira (Breaking down in emotion and fear): "Why did you do this, Onik?"
She hit Onik's chest with both hands, but the blows were weak, filled with all her anger and helplessness.
Ira: "You changed your religion, you had such a big engagement without telling my parents, and now... now this child! Did you leave us no path at all to stand before our mothers? What will they think now? They will think we did this by force, breaking society and insulting them! Did you not think about the honour of my family and yours even once?"
Onik gently held her hands. His voice was no longer joyful, but filled with deep conviction.
Onik: "Yes, I didn't think about it. Because I know that there can be no greater 'honour' than this child. Ira, this is the biggest shield of our love. Now when we go to our mothers, they won't be able to stay angry with us. This child, this new life—this will dispel all their fears, all their resentment. We don't need any more proof of our love. This little life will open all the doors for us."
Onik placed Ira's hand on her stomach.
Onik: "This baby is the start of our new life, Ira. There is no turning back now. We must only move forward, together. Are you ready?"
Ira's mind was still not free from social fear and the thought of her mother's displeasure, even after Onik described the child as their 'shield' of love. The pressure on her mind and her physical weakness made her feel even more helpless.
Ira (Shaking her head, amidst intense sobs): "I don't know, Onik, I don't know! I can't understand anything anymore. What has happened! Have we made such a big mistake? Ammu will never forgive me, Onik. She will never accept this!"
Onik gently wiped away Ira's tears. He knew that this moment required assurance, not logic.
Onik (In a firm and calm voice): "You are forgetting who you are. You are the Ira who took such a big risk to stand by my side for her love. And there is no mother in this world who can hold onto all her anger after seeing the face of her own grandchild. This child is not our mistake, Ira. It is the biggest truth of our love. And everyone bows down to the truth."
Onik took Ira's hand and helped her up from the bed.
Onik: "We will not delay here for a single moment more. We are going back now. Go wash your face, calm down. You are not alone now. We have a new life with us, and this life will bring us victory. Just have faith in me."
Onik's strong confidence finally helped reduce the intensity of Ira's crying. She wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded.