THE MURDER WE WROTE
Tags: Preg, Baby, Children, Love, Growth

THE MURDER WE WROTE

It had been a little more than a week since she called me with the good news about the now famous pregnancy scare, even though it felt like a month. Judging by the changes in her shape, size and general demeanor, it sure seemed like a year ago. You should have seen her in those agonizing and horrendous two weeks, it was as though she had gone bonkers; looking unkempt, shabby and stressed.

Just staring at her now, looking very fresh, happy and extremely pretty made me feel all sorts. Her hips had even grown remarkably! (Oh Yes! I’m an Ass guy) Her cheeks were way chubbier, and in the sheets? Oh Lord! She had become more wild, adventurous and even more enterprising. At this point, she definitely personified life itself.

Who knew that the peace of mind that came after a pregnancy scare was this rejuvenating? Whatever the case was, she looked great and I was more than happy to see her.

It’s Saturday and traditionally, we try to go out and have lunch together at our favorite Buka. It was nothing like your typical Fast Food outlets but the food there is very good and we love it there.

As always, she was already seated, waiting for me. I took her order, it was predictable; she was a big fan of Salad, Jollof Rice and Fanta. The chicken was optional because on some days she preferred fish - today was one of those days. As we sat and ate, I realized that she was somewhat subdued, she didn’t talk much and even when she did, it was in monosyllables. Something was definitely off and alarm bells were already going off in my head!

She said she was fine even though she had been feeling nauseous, restless and extremely weak in the past days. It was nothing and she’d be fine, all she needed was a little rest according to her. The symptoms she mentioned pricked my heart but I didn’t want to fan unnecessary embers of worry; surely not after what we’ve just been through and also taking into consideration the fact that I trusted her judgment. If she said she was going to be fine, then definitely she was!

She made a conscious effort to make me feel comfortable. She became livelier, ate more, spoke more and smiled more. I was relieved and more at ease and we talked about her day, friends, and some other stuffs. She was almost done with her food and we were packing up to leave when suddenly she sprung out of her chair like someone who had just sat on a needle! With both hands clasped around her mouth, she made a run for the nearest exit as though she had just seen a ghost, almost knocking down our table in the process. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I was alarmed! I was so confused to the extent that I froze to my chair. Time was ticking but shamefully indecision had just become my middlename.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, it occurred to me to run after her and have a look at what or who it was, she was running after.

I had barely made it past the door when I saw her with her face bent down towards the pavement, both hands on her knees. With the pace and alacrity in which she had zoomed past me, a minute ago, I didn’t expect to find her so close. It did not make any sense. As I walked towards her, I noticed for the first time today, the gorgeous flowery red gown she had on and how it accentuated all her good features, a little smile formed on my face, I was amazed, proud and at the same time I was worried.

I placed my hand on her back and stared through her eyes, trying to find what the problem was and I found it, right there on the pavement - slimy shades of what was formerly rice, salad and probably fish - SHE HAD THROWN UP!

— - — - — - — - — - — - — - — - —

Ever since the pregnancy scare, life has been different for me, in almost every aspect, my body had begun to experience different changes to an extent that it no longer felt like it was mine. I was always so tired; sleeping was my new hobby and now this! This was the second time I was throwing up. I had tried to shake off the feeling with the excuse of something being off with the water I used in brushing my teeth but this, this was different!

They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, my pregnancy scare definitely made me stronger, and owing to that fact, there was no doubt, this time around, as to what needed to be done!

I got up and braced myself because this was a bandage I needed to rip off once and for all. I stared at him intensely, like his eyes could somehow provide me the strength I so badly needed – He just went on rambling about how the fish tasted awful to him too, how I needed to rest and then he went to get our bags from our table. I’m not sure he even remembered to pay for our bill because I grabbed him almost immediately he came out and before he could say "Steph", we were in a cab, headed there.

— — — — — — — — — — — —

Immediately I saw her throw up, I knew. I knew right there and then that what I had felt in my gut was true. I felt like my worst nightmare had just come alive! I remember muttering something barely audible to her in my bid to make her feel better and then I remember jaywalking back inside to get our things - all throughout, I was busy cursing myself, cursing my ill luck, why did I have to go through a pregnancy scare again?

I had barely made it out (I don’t even remember paying the cashier) when she dragged me by the arm, and started to pull me with her; where she drew her strength from is something I could not fathom then or now. It was a struggle to keep up with her and at the same time prevent her bag and other accessories from falling down. The struggle was still ongoing, when suddenly she pushed me into a cab and before I could say "Steph", we were already there!

— — — — — — — — — — — — —+

The sign on the door read - "Phoenix Laboratories".

I was, I was… Actually, I did not know what exactly I was feeling but whatever it was, it took me unaware and it definitely wasn’t good. It was like my heart was being clutched by ice cold hands, locked in a death grip and wasn’t going to be freed anytime soon. The shock of being here at all made my entire being numb.

A young lady came out of a cubicle and motioned towards the long sofa to our left. As I sat, I felt lifeless like my spirit was somewhere else while my body was here, just going through the motions.

She looked at me, probably expecting me to say a word or make some kind of move but I just stared back at her. I was too distraught to think straight! She, however, got up and drew the lady aside as though I did not already have an idea on what they wanted to discuss. They kept on whispering in hushed tones. I could not hear much but from the little I could, it was obvious she was making enquiries.

She asked the lady, who I figured by now was the Lab attendant, if she needed her urine for the test, and she said "No", a "blood test" was more preferable since it would be more accurate and reliable. A flash of pain rolled across her face. She had never been a fan of needles but I watched her as she bit her lower lip in a show of determination - her countenance showed that she was ready and willing to do whatever needed to be done.

"Okay, let’s get it over with" she said like she had just found a renewed sense of purpose.

"How soon can "I" get the test results?" She added

"Very soon ma, within the hour at most" the Lab attendant replied

"That sounds just about fine"

For a few seconds, awkward silence enveloped us all. They were both staring at each other intermittently as if trying to will the other into action without spoken words yet neither of them moved. I could tell what the hitch was all about but before I could interfere, the Lab attendant walked way but was back almost immediately. This time, with a catalogue containing the price list for the services they rendered and handed it over to her.

She had barely glanced through, when suddenly, a look of realization sprung to her face. She finally understood what all the staring was about. She motioned at me and immediately, I handed her purse to her. She pulled out a neat one thousand naira note and handed it to the Lab attendant, along with the catalogue. The Lab attendant took them and beckoned for madam to follow and before long, they disappeared into an adjourning cubicle.

And there I was, alone, staring forcefully at the edges of the lab, like it had some hidden message that would somehow help my plight and all I needed to do was to decode it but alas, it was just a wall, a big plain green wall.

Less than five minutes later, she came out, alone with a blank face and a cotton bud pressed to her vein. Impulsively, I stood up and stretched my hands towards her in a bid to help - not that I knew how that would help yet the gesture was unnecessary, for almost immediately, she drew back with her hand raised in protest. I was shocked but she was on the move. So, I took a step back and allowed her passage, she waltzed past me like she was headed out the door and then abruptly she settled on the sofa. I was in a quandary like how was I suppose to react to this? What wrong had I done again? Do I not have enough drama in my life already?

Slowly and carefully, I sat on the sofa too but as far away from her as the sofa could possibly condone. I needed time to assess the situation on ground with the many variables involved and then make a decision on how best to proceed. I was still going through all the possible responses in my head when suddenly the lab attendant walked out, with a sheet of paper in her hand and a strange look on her face. The co ordination and response between my eye and my butt was amazingly scary! It was almost as though the moment I saw her, I remembered that I had been sitting on a pin all along. Unconsciously, I turned to my right and there she was, already on her feet and staring back at me, staring at me with those sad knowing eyes, eyes that already knew what the test result said.

— - — — — — — — — — — — —

I had escorted my friend here for a typhoid test (or so she said) some months back. While it was not the most discreet of places for the kind of test I needed to do, it was also the only Lab I knew. As soon as I stepped in, it became obvious that since my last visit, the establishment had added a few improvements here and there. I was uneasy and not comfortable with the whole setting, even as modern and cozy as the place seemed but then what choice does a poor girl like myself have?

I sat down waiting for him to take charge and do the needful but no, he just sat there, looking morose and it was pissing me off! Maybe it was the fact that I was already tense or probably it was the hormones at work after all, whatever the case was, I was highly irritated and it prompted me to get up and draw the young lady aside. She gave all the answers I was looking for and I was cool with it save for the injection part but then bigger things were at stake at the moment.

In no time, we were done with the test itself and the Lab attendant asked that I wait at the reception for the results. I was on my way to take a seat when he came up to me for God knows what. I had no idea and I was already too irritated by the sight of him to care. I didn’t want to have any of whatever he was offering at that point. Rash? Probably but try standing in a Lab with an 85 percent probability that you were with a child that you were not ready for, maybe then you’d understand! I waltzed past him and settled into the sofa, at war with myself and my thoughts. It seemed like I had been seated there for only a few minutes or even less but then I knew in my heart of hearts that it was more.

She came out with a sheet of paper in her hand, staring at me with this gloomy weird look and in that instant I knew, okay, truth be told, I probably already knew before now but her look, that look was the proverbial final straw that put paid to any glimmer of defiant hope I had left in me.

She came closer and started to give a speech about how children were gifts from God and all, when to my utmost surprise, he abruptly tore the test result from her. In another time, in another place, I probably would have fallen to ground, rolling with laughter, for the look on the young lady’s face was amusing - one to die for, the oddest of times probably but I was able to manage a smile for the first time today and it was soothing, I was happy not just because of the lady’s expression but because for the first time in a while, I saw a glimpse of the dude I fell in love with, the one I gave my body and heart. One who was always in control, never one to sit on his hands and wait for something to happen to him, he made them happen, and that gave me some kind of joy. Unfortunately, it was but a fleeting second. He turned to me and handed me the test result, maybe I imagined it, but I could swear that I saw tears dripping off his eyes. I held his look a little longer and when I couldn’t any longer, I faced the sheet.

I stared for a couple of seconds, my face was flinty, I gave nothing away and then I dropped the sheet, squeezed my eyes shut, moved closer to him and gave him a tight and prolonged hug, and then I stood up, pulled him to his feet and then we walked out-hand in hand.

The young lady was confused and dumbfounded, her mouth was wide open and the look of incredulity on her face was comical.

Sure! I was "with child", two weeks gone to be precise but definitely it wasn’t the end of the world; at least not for us but for the baby however, that was a different conversation.

— — — — — — — — — — — —

I could swear I was dreaming when I heard him say - "I can’t let you murder my child".

Hahaha! Was he kidding me? Did I just hear him say '’His child?” What was going on here? “What manner of sorcery is this?” I laughed some more...