TENDER BEAUTY 2 (Life after the wedding)
EPISODE 18
The pain coercing throu-gh me is so unbearable. It felt like the end of the world was just a breath away. Everything I thought of, everything I saw, everything I felt was pain. My water broke just as I pla-yed chess with my step-mum. She had been staying with us for two weeks now. Richa-rd ‘s mum wanted to stay also but Richa-rd still could not see eye to eye with his mum. Throu-gh my efforts, he has been able to re-lease some of the hurt he felt but he still could not handle having his mum helping me throu-gh the pregnancy period. He lamented that some of her promiscuous nature could be transferred. I felt he still held a level of grudge against her. Months flew by without me actually noticing it. My belly rose and rose and with each pas-sing day, my joy increa-sed and anticipation rose. Richa-rd stayed at home most times, leaving the hospital in the hands of Doctor Felix. Something I never anticipated happened: we bec@m£ friends with Kelvin. The past was buried and we bec@m£ family friends. Life is a lot better when we forgive. I had always said that most women always exaggerate their labour pains. Even when Prisca was heavy and in labour, something still told me that it could not be that painful. Experiencing it now was giving me the first hand idea of what it is all about.
Richa-rd drove into the compound from the hospital like a mad man when mum called him to tell him that I was due. He did not even kill the engine or shut the door of the car, instead, he rushed to take over from my mum so that she can take the box filled with baby clothes instead. The scan had confirmed Prisca’s suspicions; I am expecting a boy. I tried to be br@ve, holding back the pain but I let out exclamations unconsciously every now and then. He murmured endearments, slowly moving me to the backseat. Mum ordered him to hand her the keys and seat with me at the back. There was really no time to argue, so he obeyed immediately. She drove in a sane manner, still on t©p speed.
Richa-rd ‘s face was carefully guarded as he ca-ressed my hair, dropping k!sses on my forehead. He was visibly worried. I looked at him and smiled throu-gh the pain. Even in pains, my head still worked to capacity.
“Honey” I whispered and g@sped as another wave of pain seared throu-gh me.
“Yes baby. You would be fine. Just take in lots of air.” I nodded, filling my lungs with much nee-ded air.
“Would you make me a promise?”
Richa-rd looked at me with dre-ad. We had watched so many movies with this line of action, they don’t always end well.
“Don’t scare me Bell, plea-se don’t. You would be fine” he murmured, his hands shook as he held mine.
I smiled weakly. “If our son comes out and he happens to be as handsome as you are, especially possessing your blue eyes, promise me that you would forgive your mother. Totally”
Richa-rd heaved a sigh of relief. “I promise, just promise me you would be fine. We are meant to grow old together, remember?”
I smiled and g@sped as another wave of pain took over. “I love you”
Richa-rd paced the waiting room restlessly. He could not even sit down for two seconds. People who were also nervous were trying to calm him down but it did not work. His parents, step mother, Tony, Prisca, Mr. and Mrs. Jeg@s, and Kelvin were also with him. All the BRH workers were also in anticipation and seeing Richa-rd so distressed made them even more anxious. Everyone had a prayer in their mouth. Doctor Felix was with Belina along with four nurses. They had refused to allow Richa-rd in. Richa-rd had wanted to go in, even if only to hold Belina’s hand throu-gh it all but Doctor Felix had refused.
Mr. br@nson, Richa-rd ‘s father went and held Richa-rd in a ti-ght hvg. He had watched his son move restlessly and felt the de-ep urge to reas-sure him.
“She would be fine. God is in control. She nee-ds your faith, now more than ever” he patted Richa-rd ‘s back while Richa-rd nodded. He has never been in this situation before and now that was, his heart has changed location and is now residing in his mouth but that did not st©p him from praying.
“I remember feeling this way when you were to be born” Richa-rd smiled when he heard that. “It is well” Mr. br@nson whispered.
Richa-rd heaved a sigh and said, “Amen”
********************
Oyinade rolled and tossed on the uncomfortable mattress in her one room ap@rtment. The mattress l@yon the floor without a be-d and the more she la-id on it, the more her discomfort. She had rushed out of her own house some months ago and since then; her life has been a living hell. She had heard of the visit of the officials s£nt to her house to get her ba-rely five minutes after her dep@rture and she had thanked her stars that she had left early enough although her leaving happened to be the worst thing that had ever happened to her. Her account was frozen so there was no way she could withdraw any money. Her house was seized and she was left with only one thing: her car.
She had to pawn her expensive car for two hundred thousand in order to secure an ap@rtment. Due to the fact that she was on the run, she left Lagos totally and got an ap@rtment in Ogun state. She was only able to secure a one room ap@rtment in order to buy some foodstuff and clothes cos she had only left her house with the cloth she had on.
Hunger raked her tummy and she grimaced. All she had left from the bag of rice she bought months ago would not last her a week. All her foodstuff was on the edge. Getting a job had proved to be a futile effort because she had to lie low for fear of being arrested. All these happened because of Belina. That little witch. Oyinade hissed, combing her hair with her f!ngers. She had watched Belina on television ba-rely a month ago attending a red carpet event with Richa-rd , Tony and Prisca. She almost used her eyes to ab-ort the pregnancy throu-gh the screen. She made a pledge to have her revenge. She definitely would do that, even if it happened to be the last thing she did, she vowed.
********************
Tears rolled out of my eyes, going in the direction of my ears. I l@yon the hospital be-d, in labour. Sweat covered my face in the air conditioned room and a nurse was mopping my face, with words of comfort floating out of her mouth. I g@sped as I took in enough air, as directed by the doctor. All their names faded from memory as I concentrated on pushing.
“Push”, I heard the doctor say. I gathered all my will and gro-an ed as I pushed ha-rd . I g@sped, filling my lungs. I had been pushing and pushing but it seems like the baby would never come out. The pain was so unbearable that I started doubting my ability to go throu-gh it all. I held on to God, the only one that could help me throu-gh it all. I envisioned God standing there with me and I got a renewed strength. The echo of ‘push’ rang in my head and I gave it all I could. I could only feel pain coercing throu-gh me like a thousand knives.
The cry of a baby pierced the room and I swallowed. A weak smile was displa-yed on my face as I weakly took the baby from the doctor. I laughed weakly in tears as I stared at the tiny creature I was holding. The love I felt there and then is one which I have never experienced before. Even though I felt weak and semi-conscious, I knew that I would not leave my baby for anything in the world. The second I held him in my arms, I knew I would love him forever.
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Ronke grimaced as she stared at her profile in the mirror. She did not believe she could be dressed so moderately. Her usual bu-m shorts p@n-t and showy t©ps were not the ones she had on. Who would have thought that change could locate her? She had been visited by the person known as Christ and everything about her had changed. Even though she had been spending stolen money, she hadn’t been able to get happiness. She felt more miserable by the day. She hadn’t even spent quarter of the money.
One day she just stood up and started walking on her street in Abuja. What prompted her, she could not even pinpoint. She had entered the church that always caught her eyes. Since that day, her life had changed. She st©pped spending the money and started a teaching job. Returning the money was foremost in her mind but she was too scared to do it. She hoped that she would gather that courage after meeting with the pastor. She hoped that the people waiting to see the pastor would be few, being a mid-week service. She gr@bb£d the small bible she purchased some weeks ago, put it in her bag and marched out with a song on her head.
********************
Richa-rd was becoming more restless by the minute. He could not un-derstand what could be taking them so long. He swallowed ha-rd as he stared at the door countless number of times. If he hadn’t been so worried, he would have known that the time he had spent, waiting was not over-stretched. The time only seems longer when you are involved with the patient personally.
His heart skipped several beats as the door opened. He rushed there, along with everyone. Doctor Felix had a smile on his face. “Congratulations sir, you have a bouncing baby boy”. The once quiet room bec@m£ noisy with jubilations. “And Bell?” Richa-rd asked hastily.
Doctor Felix smiled. He had expected that. “She is resting now”
Richa-rd unleashed his joy as he yelled happily. He knelt down there, giving all the glory to God. He started receiving hvgs from everyone. He even hvgged his mother without noticing it. The last person he hvgged was Kelvin. Prisca lifted Patricia in her arms, turning round and round until she bec@m£ dizzy, saying ‘now you have a baby brother’. Patricia giggled and giggled, like she knew what had just happened.
Kelvin felt genuinely happy for Richa-rd and Belina. Belina definitely deserves happiness and no other person can give her ap@rt from Richa-rd . He had felt a sickening dre-ad during the waiting period and seeing Richa-rd that worried had given him cause to panic. He had kept his extreme worry hidden even though his restlessness often took over him. He knew still loved Belina. He has accepted that they could only be friends but that did not st©p him from feeling the way he did. He was content though. It is better to be her friend than have her as an enemy.
Richa-rd finished his displ@yof gratitude to God, and headed towards Belina’s room. All the workers in BRH were full of rejoicing. Not only is Richa-rd the best employer you can have, he is also a friend. The most humble man you can ever come by. They had all prayed for a day like this for him. Belina was also more of a friend and confidant to them than a boss. If there is anything like a perfect match, the coming together of Richa-rd and Belina would be their own description of a perfect match. Their childlessness had affected everyone and they never failed to pray for them. Individually, they started thinking of what to wear to the naming ceremony.
********** **********
It is the naming ceremony day. Saying that I am the happiest woman alive is definitely not an exaggeration. Our extra-large compound seemed to have become as crowdy as a market place because everywhere was filled with people. Everyone in Nigeria seemed to have their eyes fixed on Richbel’s Estate, as journalists c@m£ enmas-s just to capture the event.
The large and beautifully crafted events’ center in the estate is the venue for the naming. The crafts and art works were inspected by everyone that c@m£. The flowers gave the environment a sweet smell and those who were not flower freaks started developing interest in them. My native attire dazzled and accentuated my b©dy as I went from one place to another greeting people. It is certain that I would not be able to greet half of the guests but I still went about welcoming people. My mum was taking care of the baby and Richa-rd has been held down by a group of friends. I saw some of those friends coming with Richa-rd and I smiled. Richa-rd and I had the same costume on and my heart swelled with pride as I gazed at my handsome husband. They took me before I could even protest and placed me beside Richa-rd , with their c@m£ras in hand. I laughed as we both tried to find a wonderful position and style. I ended up standing right in front of Richa-rd . He had his hands on my w@!st and my hands were placed on his, my back resting on his broad che-st. Everyone around joined the friends, bringing their phones and Ipads out and cl!çk!ng away. We laughed and smiled as flashes of c@m£ras continued to beam.
“How are you feeling today after close to three years of no issue” I heard a journalist say, standing right in front of me.
I smiled at the c@m£ra as all the journalists gathered round to capture my speech. “I feel ecstatic. I am so grateful to God for a day like this. I feel like the happiest person alive. Nothing compares to the joy of being a mother. To my loving husband who stood by me throu-ghout the waiting period, you are the best husband ever. I owe it all to God. Speaking of children, I have to get back to my angel. Chao” I turned back and hurried inside.
The ceremony was very interesting and wonderful. It ended after about two hours. Our pastor was the one that did the naming. My son was giving three names: Roland, Samuel and Promise. We were asked to dance after the ceremony and we danced and danced. People c@m£ around and danced with us. Immediately after the dance, someone stood in front of Richa-rd and i. Richa-rd ‘s mum was glowing in her native attire and her beauty was evident. How could she not give birth to someone as handsome as Richa-rd ? Even at fifty, she easily turns heads. I looked at Richa-rd , reminding him of his promise with my eyes. He smiled. The reconciliation is long overdue. He went forward and hvgged his mum ti-ghtly. Cheers filled the air, as c@m£ras cli-cked. Tears flowed from the eyes of Loretta, as well as Richa-rd . They helped wipe the eyes of each other and held on to each other again. Tears threatened to go down my eyes and I let it flow down unhindered as I looked at them. She took little Roland from my hands for the first time, beaming with the joy of being a grandmother.
“I am proud of you” I whispered to Richa-rd and he beamed. We both watched as my mother-in-law held Roland with so much love. Richa-rd ‘s friends c@m£ and took Richa-rd away for some ‘men’s time’. Then it happened! It all happened within the twi-nkling of an eye. Loretta let out a scream and before we knew what was happening, a gun was placed against her head.
“Nob©dy moves or I’ll b!ow off this woman’s head along with this thing she is carrying” I heard a familiar voice say.
I saw with horror as Oyinade’s face c@m£ into view. Richa-rd was moving closer slowly, I saw from the corner of my eyes.
“Don’t you dare move. Don’t dare me. I would b!ow her head off. I swear” she yelled at Richa-rd . Obviously, she had seen him.
A sickening dre-ad covered me. A fear I had never felt before. “Leave my child out of this Oyin, your problem is with me.”
She laughed. “Really? He is the reason why you won. Tell me something: don’t I have the right to be with the man I love?”
“You don’t have the right to be with another woman’s husband. This is obse-ssion, not love” I said quietly.
She laughed. “Well, I don’t have the time to banter words with you. Since I can’t have Richa-rd , you also would not have the chance to be with him. Bye”
My face grew pale. “No”, I heard Richa-rd yell as he ran towards me. The gun sh0t echoed, shattering the silence that had once engulfed the air.
WATCH OUT FOR EPISODE 19 (FINALE) @ 5pm