#Truths_of_the_Heart
15_17
“Peter, talk to me son. What’s been bothering you?”
The two were outside watering the lettuce. Mwamba’s garden had grown over the months such that he was even selling vegetables to the neighbours.
“There’s nothing wrong.” Peter could not face him as he responded.
“Look me in the eyes then and tell me nothing is wrong.”
Peter faced the opposite direction instead. Mwamba turned off the tap, and held Peter by the shoulders.
“Look at me. You can tell me anything. Anything at all. I promise I wont get mad at you.”
“You will get upset.”
“Its normal for people to get upset sometimes when they dont like what they are being told. But that doesn’t mean they hate you, or st©p loving you. You should know by now that you can tell me anything. And that if I make a promise that I’ll keep it. I’ve promised you that I wont get upset. Do you trust me?”
Peter nodded.
“Good. Now tell me what been bothering you.”
Peter kicked the dirt with his foot weighing whether to tell him or not. He was afraid of getting in trouble with his mother. But then, he hated keeping secrets from Mwamba.
“Your mother wont hurt you If that’s what you’re scared of. Ok?”
Peter sighed de-eply before looking up at Peter. “Mum has been taking me to see my father. But I dont want to do. I dont even want the pres£nts he gives to me. I dont like him.”
Mwamba could not believe his ears. His heart beat fas-ter as he processed the information. “When did you start meeting this man?”
“That day you went to the hospital with Granny Banda.”
“I see. Anything else?”
“I dont want to st©p living here with you. I want you to be my real daddy.” Tears formed in Peter’s eyes as he hvgged Mwamba in the w@!st.
“Hey, I AM your real daddy, ok. Dont worry I’ll sort this out. Ok?”
Peter nodded in agreement still holding him ti-ghtly.
“Good. And Peter never keep anything from me again ok. If someone tells you to keep a secret then know that what you are doing is wrong ok. Always tell the truth even if it hurts you at first. You will find that it better to tell the truth in the long run than to lie. Ok my boy?”
“Yes dad.”
“Good. And always know that I love you. I always will and nothing will change that. You’re my first born son no matter what anyone tells you.”
Peter smiled de-eply, relaxing his shoulders. “I love you too daddy.”
“Go wash your face now. I’ll find you inside the house.”
Mwamba scratched his head looking around the garden. His mind was de-ep in thought, not believing Naomi’s audacity. Did she really think she could get away with meeting the man without his knowledge. He picked up the hose and placed it in the flower be-d before heading into the house.
Naomi had just come out of the shower. It was Saturday evening and attending function at the h0tel. The one thing she enjoyed about being manager was the fact that she had an invite to every function set at the h0tel. Tonight was a fundraiser for an NGO that was dealing vulnerable children. Jeffries had emphasized that he nee-ded her to attend as the h0tel intended on aligning themselves to the charity for the coming year.
Naomi sat in front of her dresser, applying lotion when Mwamba budged into the be-droom. She rarely looked up whenever he found her there.
“Naomi, where have you been taking Peter?”
“To the mall, like I always tell you. Not that I nee-d to.”
Mwamba paced back and forth feeling his blood beginning to boil. “Be careful how you respond to my questions today.”
She looked up at the sound of his tone.
“Who have you been taking Peter to see?”
Naomi carefully shifted in her seat. “Its seems you alre-ady know so why are you asking me?”
Mwamba moved closer, gr-abbing the lotion from her hand r0ûghly. “Naomi, dont pl@ygames with me.”
She stood up, moving to go seat on the be-d. “What’s wrong with you? I’m going to be late.”
“You are not going anywhere!” Mwamba locked the door and put the keys in his pocket. “Now tell me, who have you been taking Peter to see?”
“What are you trying to prove Mwamba. I dont have time for this.”
“You know you are wrong that is why you are failing to give me a straight answer.”
“I’m not failing to do anything.” She napped.
“So tell me. I want to hear it from you.”
“Fine. His father wanted to see him.”
Mwamba shook his head. “Which father?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Which father? Tell me Naomi what you mean by father? Because when I met, peter had no father. So which father are you talking about?”
“Well I didnt make myself pregnant.”
Mwamba took a step back from his wife. The anger felt he feared would defy him. “Now dare you answer me like that.”
“How do you want me to answer? Huh? The man who made me pregnant approached me saying he wanted to be p@rt of his sons life. Who am I to deny him that right?”
“Naomi you forget easily. How old is Peter now? Huh? And he comes today to be p@rt of his life? I met you when Peter was less than a year old. I have loved that boy like my own for 11 years. You really think he nee-ds a man that wanted you to ab-ort him in the first place?”
“People change Mwamba. And Peter has a right to know his father.”
“I am his father damn it!” Mwamba hit the dresser causing Naomi to jump. “From now on Peter goes nowhere you hear! No where! I do not want to hear that nons-en-se ever again. Peter ceased to be his child the moment he asked you to have an ab-ortion.”
Mwamba opened the door and stormed out, ban-ging the door behind him leaving Naomi shaken by his outbur-st. Never had she seen Mwamba so upset before ever! When she had calmed down, she continued with her preparation. The night out would do her good.
Naomi woke up with a headache. She squinted as the sun blinded her. Getting her phone from un-der her pillow, she checked the time. It was almost 12. gro-an ing, she sli-pped back into be-d covering her head to block out the late.
“Finally awake!”
Naomi c@m£ back out from un-der the covers. Mwamba sat watching her from across the room. It was Naomi’s favourite chair. She had picked it out herself specifically for their be-droom. A semi recliner, she often sat in it when re-ading her magazines or browsing her phone. Today, the chair was a so-re site with its strategic position in the be-droom that gave Mwamba a vantage point over her.
“Mwamba you scared me!” She g@sped.
“Had a good night?” He stared at her so calmly, it was unnerving.
“Yes. The fundraiser was a success.”
“Oh, so it was work and not plea-sure.”
Naomi sat up, squinting as she tried to get him focused. “What do you mean by that?”
“You tell me.” Mwamba did not move nor blink.
“Mwamba if you have something to say, just say it. What’s with the mind games.”
Mwamba watched her a minute further before getting up and walking out of the be-droom. Puzzled by his behaviour Naomi racked her head trying to figure out why he was acting odd. She yawned, scratching her head trying to figure him out. All she knew was that she had come home with Kasiwe as she had been to drun!kto drink herself after the c0cktails she took towards the end of the evening. Was he upset she c@m£ home drun!k? It had never bothered him before. Not that she cared whether it bothered her or not. The pounding in her head intensified forcing her to get out of be-d. She nee-ded to drink a pain killer and alot of water.
“Good morning to you this afternoon.” Dorica greeted her. “Just in time for lunch.”
“Dorica? What time did you get here?” Naomi asked surprised at finding her in the kitchen.
“I arrived last night. You forgot I was coming didnt you?”
“Eh.. yeah I did. But its good you’re here.” Naomi sat at the kitchen table after taking a couple of panadol. “How’s everyone?”
“They are fine. Pas-sing their regards.”
“Thanks.” Naomi gro-an ed loudly as she placed her head on the table.
“Long night huh. You looked like you had a great time.”
“I was working. But atleast I made the most of it.”
“I bet.” Dorica tea-sed as she placed food into some warmers.
“Ok, not you too. First Mwamba is acting weird then you. What’s up?”
Dorica st©pped and faced her. “You dont remember do you?”
“What?”
“Naomi you got back home close to midnight drun!kand being carried by a man.”
Naomi sat upright. “WHAT!” she g@sped. “You’re joking teh? I know I was drun!kbut not to that extent. I clearly remember walking from the car.”
“Whose car?”
“Kasiwe!”
“Kasiwe was not there. It was just you and this light skinned man.”
Naomi felt her heart begin to race. That light skinned man was obviously Jeffries. But how did he bring her home? And where was Kasiwe. She nee-ded to call her immediately to find out what happened.
“You have a patient man I swear.” Dorica continued. “He just watched as the other man placed you on the couch and left without uttering a single word to him. Hmm the way I know some men, all hell would have broken loose.”
“Dorica, are you sure about what you’re saying?”
Dorica laughed. “What did you drink kanshi? For you not remember a single thing? Mwamba picked you up and took you to the be-droom. You vomited I think twice, because he c@m£ out to get a mop and clean up.”
“Vomited? Me?” Naomi held both hands on her head. “Chineke!”
Mwamba, Milda and Peter entered the kitchen then dusting their hands. It was clear they had been in the garden.
“Hi mummy” Peter smiled at her before rushing out into the corridor.
“Wash your hands.” Dorica called out to him. “Mulamu, lunch will be served soon.”
“Thank you.” Mwamba washed his hands at the sink, lifting Milda to do the same.
“Mummy are you fine now? Daddy said you were sick and you wanted to rest.” Milda asked after washing her hands.
“I’m still feeling sick baby girl.”
“Go to the hospital then. You will feel better after you get a dwinga.”
Both Dorica and Naomi laughed at her comment. Mwamba dried his hands and left the kitchen without a word.
“He is pissed!” Dorica said, as she carried the warmers to the dinning table.
***********************
Wezi wiped the tears that betrayed her. She had promised herself to be strong but she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Doc, there must surely be something wrong with me. Money is not an issue, plea-se whatever test is out there let me take it.”
Doctor Nyewa felt pity on her. “Wezi, we have been throu-gh this before so many times. There is nothing wrong with you. Nothing. The hormone profile is normal, there is no blockage in your tubes, your uterus is clear.”
Wezi shook her head. “I dont believe you. If there was nothing wrong I would be pregnant by now. You can hi ohene ome on+2335 for more intriguing stories. I have never taken any contraceptives in my life. I have never suffered from an STI. I was a v!rg!nwhen I met Lwipa. Even then, we had only had S-x a few times before we got married. So there is nothing wrong with me, I should have atleast two children by now.”
Doctor Nyewa looked at her thoughtfully. “We still havent tested your husband.”
“Its not him. He has a child, a son” she mentioned sadly.
“Not to sound rude, but how sure is he that is his child?”
“He had him when they were in secondary school. And from the pictures I’ve seen, he’s the spitting image of my husband.” She wiped away more tears. “So you see, it’s not him. It’s me!”
Doctor Nyewa took Wezi’s hand in hers. “Wezi, there is only so much science can tell us. The rest is upto God. I can suggest some fertility treatments but in my personal opinion you dont nee-d it. It’s ha-rd I know. But wait on God’s time.”
“plea-se explain the fertility treatment.” Wezi sniffled.
Doctor Nyewa took out some pamphlets showing the treatments available in their clinic. “There is the option of hormone injections used in conjunction with you cycle. You have int£rç0rs£during your ovulation window. Then there is also artificial insemination of a fertilised egg from you and your husband.” The elderly doctor took breath. “I’m trying to be as professional as I can be but honestly it’s ha-rd for me.”
“If you cant help me then I’ll go somewhere else.”
“Wezi, listen to yourself. You sound desperate.”
“I am.” She cried. “I’m tired of being mocked and ridiculed in my own home. My inlaws have lost respect for me. I nee-d this child.”
Doctor Nyewa went and sat beside her. “Dear girl, desperation leads us to make decisions that later end up regretting. I know it’s ha-rd to listen to reason, especially a woman who has children and no trouble conceiving. But I’m begging you hold on a little longer and have faith. The fertility treatments are taxing on the b©dy and cost a lot of money. Even then it’s a 50/50 chance that they will work. I dont want to see you go throu-gh more mental trauma in the process.”
“Doc.”
“No Wezi, st©p with this doc nons-en-se.”
“Aunty Nyewa. It’s just ha-rd . Marriage is ha-rd without a child. A woman is deemed worthless if she cannot conceive. What did I do to deserve this punishment? Atleast if I had a condition to explain it all. But everything is fine, so why?” Wezi lamented. “Why me?”
“I wish I had the answers. But I dont. All I can do is remind you that God is faithful and he hears our cries. Unfortunately we view time differently from him. What feels like a lifetime to us may only be a few seconds to him. Dont lose your faith. He will answer you when you least expect it. Remember that a parent knows what is good for us, what we can handle and when. Trust that He is preparing your blessing.”
Wezi held on to Doctor Nyewa as she broke down weeping for a child her heart longed for.
- Tbc