Why I Whispered ‘Abortion’ and How It Changed Everything
It had been five years since I last uttered the word ‘abortion’.
The word, “abortion”, often shrouded in silence, had been a part of my own journey of self-discovery and healing. In that time, I had battled numerous women’s health issues. There was a significant wound on my cervix. Talking about my uterus felt like reopening an old wound, but it was a story I needed to share.
Then one day, years after the event, it all came rushing back to me — the memories of when I was 22, deeply in love and in a year-long relationship. We were incredibly happy, dreaming of children, but only after marriage, settling down, and becoming the perfect parents.
The moment we learned I was pregnant, we held each other and wept. In a society that often has rigid expectations for women, this news felt like a crossroads. The man who handed us the hospital test results said ‘congratulations.’ His words, meant to be joyful, only deepened our dilemma.
We went to a café and sat on cushions, still holding each other.
“What do you want to do?” my boyfriend asked.
A myriad of conflicting emotions swirled within me. I wanted to run, to scream, to tell everyone I was pregnant. And yet, I wanted not to be…
