SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 39
KEISHA’S POV
I was tired of saying no and fighting it. He was such an amazing man and I had no reason to say no so I just said yes so we can put it to rest.
I prayed to God to not let me regret my decision because I didn’t deserve it.
He let out a loud oh thank God and I could feel him. He thought I was going to say no.
He just hugged me and said thank you so much. You have made my day, you’ve made my year.
He had some tears and he was wiping them and he said you have made me very happy.
I said you are not serious sir. Don’t call me sir again please sweetheart. I don’t understand these pet names tonight.
What would you have me call you? Keisha? Well, I’ve called you that enough. So what would you like me to call you?
Anything but sir please sweetheart. I’m serious about this, don’t refer to me as sir again.
I may be your boss but I’m about to become your husband and honestly, you stopped being just my employee years ago.
Okay sir I said. Keisha! He screamed. I’m sorry sir. What is it with you?
He took my hand and I just looked away. What did I do to you he asked. I looked back at him and looked away. Baby you know I love you right he said. You know the last thing on my mind is to do anything to bring you pain. Then why am I miserable? Aren’t you responsible for this baby? You can sleep in any position but I can’t. Here you are saying you know you can’t do anything to bring me pain. I miss you and your smile. I’ve barely got any of that since you got pregnant and I’ve begun to feel guilty about getting you pregnant in the first place.
I’m sorry Richard, this is new to me. It’ll take me a while to switch to see you as someone who is not my boss.
I know we’ve been close for a while but I’ve not gotten to that place where I call you by a pet name.
This is something I’ll need to get used to. Please can we skip this, for now, Richard?
Sure we can, I’ll take Richard to you calling me sir.
Richard handed me a gift box. I took it and something was dangling inside.
Looking at him, I asked him what was inside? I won’t tell you, he said. Find out for yourself.
He handed me an envelope and said let the ultimate search begin.
He walked me back with everyone cheering as they saw the ring on my finger, screaming congratulations.
I was blushing, they knew Richard was going to propose but I had no idea.
I went somewhere private where no one was watching me and opened the box.
I found a car key, excuse me I exclaimed. I looked at Richard and he pretended not to see me.
I took the car remote and headed outside to the parking lot.
I pressed it and a car began to blink. I headed in that direction and I could not believe what I was looking at.
A brand new SUV for me with the inscription “Happy Birthday Keisha”.
Richard was right behind me when I turned around and I said why?
Because you deserve it. I didn’t know when I started crying.
He hugged me and said please don’t do this to me. I just ignored him and cried my heart out.
I had been through a lot in my life but I never acknowledged it because I didn’t want to be ungrateful to God.
God had been very nice to me. I had a lot of obstacles that I had tried to get over to have come this far.
Richard took the car keys from me and opened the car door and asked me to get in.
I got in and finally broke down and just sobbed. I needed to get it all out.
All my disappointments and everything there didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.
Richard just let me cry. He opened the door to the passenger’s side of the car and sat beside me.
When I cried to my full, Richard said are you okay now?
I sniffed and he said it looks like you’ve got a lot on your plate. I hope you share them with me.
I just felt like sobbing when he said that, please don’t Richard said. I’m afraid you’d pass out and I don’t need that today.
CHIKANMA’S POV
My mum finally asked me,” I heard your husband say you’ve not bought any baby items, is that true?”
I rolled my eyes and said nothing. She told me if I had not done that I could sit down with your mother-in-law right now and make a list of the things I need to get.
You’re almost at the end of this pregnancy before you know if your baby will be here.
Do whatever you like mum. She sat down with my mother-in-law and made a comprehensive list of what I’ll need to welcome my baby Into the world.
They showed it to me so I could make some adjustments.
I told him it was fine because my head was spinning at that point and I just couldn’t think clearly.
My mother-in-law knocked on the door of our bedroom I shared with Gerald.
I don’t know what she told him but they both came out together and she told me we needed to go to a baby shop to get items for the baby if I was up for it.
My children were looking at me waiting to see what I’d say.
They always told me how they wanted to join me to go shopping for baby items when I told them I was expecting.
Unfortunately, the pregnancy had turned me on my head that I couldn’t even remember the other discussions that were held.
Even though I was in no mood to shop I told her I was fine just to pacify everyone around so I could get over with it.
We set off to the baby shop and there were all these items in the shop.
It reminded me of the first time when I was expecting a baby with Nkem.
He went with me as we shopped along with my mother. We purchased all these beautiful items which are used to raise our two children.
My mother-in-law and my mother began to get the things on the list why I sat down somewhere.
My children went around with them with a shopping basket helping to carry it around.
I was sitting all alone while Gerald stood by the door looking at me.
After a while, he decided to walk over to where I was seated.
He sat beside me and I said nothing to him.
He took my hand and I just looked away. What did I do to you he asked. I looked back at him and looked away.
Baby you know I love you right he said. You know the last thing on my mind is to do anything to bring you pain.
Then why am I miserable? Aren’t you responsible for this baby?
You can sleep in any position but I can’t.
Here you are saying you know you can’t do anything to bring me pain.
I miss you and your smile. I’ve barely got any of that since you got pregnant and I’ve begun to feel guilty about getting you pregnant in the first place.
I wanted to ask him if he meant we were not supposed to have children together when he was the only child of his mother.
I just wasn’t ready for any more questions.
My mother-in-law and my mother returned with the items in the shopping basket and they showed them to me one after the other so I could approve or disapprove of the ones I don’t want.
I told them to ask Gerald his opinion.
He refused to choose anyone because he was afraid I was going to accuse him later of putting items that he liked.
I chose the ones I loved and let Gerald choose the ones he loved.
When we were done shopping we headed home.
My mother-in-law and my mother stay in my home all through the third trimester.
I didn’t have a nanny. I had just a chef who came to cook and leave but I still did my chores myself until I got pregnant.
Gerald tried to assist to the best of his ability.
They hung around to assist around the house and it was such a relief to me to have those tend to my children because it looks like I had abandoned them.
The third trimester was tough for me.
Every day I hoped the baby would arrive so I just get my life back.
I had swollen feet and varicose veins. I had a breakout of acne.
I heard about anything I didn’t have with my first two pregnancies.
The sight of Gerald completely turned me off that we slept in separate bedrooms.
I was in and out of the hospital. I detested the fish I was taking in the first two trimesters and I barely ate anything.
It was worrying to everyone but there was nothing I could do about it because it was beyond my control.
I went into labor and I didn’t tell anyone. I was trying to manage my pain as I’ve always done.
I left the house alone with my hospital bag. As I was about to board a taxi because I couldn’t drive, Gerald arrived and asked me where I was going.
From the way I was groaning in pain and holding my belly he figured out I was in labor.
Are you in labor? He asked me but I didn’t respond to him.
I told the driver to please drive but Gerald pleaded with him not to and said she’s my wife, please.
He offered to pay him for his time but the driver rejected the money and told him he was fine.
KIRA’S POV
I fell asleep and woke up with Kenny sitting beside me.
Hey, he said caressing my hair, how do you feel? Tired but better than I felt before.
What happened? You fell asleep which was such a relief.
I’m sorry you are going through this.
You don’t have to be. I wanted a baby and God gave us one.
This is not what I expected and worse of all I’m not in a good place to support you.
You are doing just fine. I know I’ll be fine.
Is this how you’ll be till we welcome this baby?
Tired and so irritable?
It’s part of the process of welcoming a child. If only I could keep food down or even eat.
I’m so weak and breathless.
That’s what I’m worried about. I’m helpless looking at you on this bed. I can’t help you.
It’s fine if you can’t help me, please can you help me up?
I feel like throwing up?
Are you serious?
Yes, I need to go to the bathroom.
I headed to the bathroom and emptied whatever content was left in my belly.
I felt so dizzy after that and Kenny had to catch me before I fell.
He carried me back to the bed and placed me on it gently.
So there’s nothing in the wide world that you want to eat?
My in-laws and my parents returned to the hospital room.
How do you feel?
Miserable.
She just threw up, Kenny said.
Again? Everyone echoed.
I think the doctor needs to give her something to curb it.
It looks like she has extreme morning sickness. It can be tough, mum said.
But something may be contributing to it. I’ll speak to the doctor about it.
Can’t we get her anything to eat? Mrs. Jordan asked.
Something salty like soup or something sour like yogurt. We can’t leave her like that.
I’ll go get her something to eat.
No, please stay, daddy said. She needs you.
Just tell me what to get. I’ll go get it.
Some pepper soup would do, then get some yogurt. Mum said.
Okay, I’ll be right back, daddy said.
You’ll be okay, my mum and mother-in-law said, caressing my hair saying our beautiful Kira would soon be a mother to a beautiful baby.
I can’t wait for that to happen because my wife is so miserable.
When you were doing it, you didn’t know. Mrs. Jordan said to Kenny, laughing out loud.
Ah! Mummy, keep your voice down now. You don’t have to remind me.
Mum laughed and said don’t mind your mother.
You are doing what is expected of you. Soon this phase will pass and you’ll be happy.
Make the most of this moment even though they seem miserable but they are priceless.
Just keep holding her. I’m sure she loves it and it makes her feel better.
You know both of you have been through a lot. You are both very strong people. Don’t you ever forget that?
Thank you so much ma, Kenny said.
We’ll all be outside if you need us.
Mr. Jordan sat beside me and said you know I’m so excited about this baby, probably more than the father and Kenny said dad! Seriously?
Yes, Mr. Jordan said. I know it’s tough but you’ll be okay.
We’ll support you every step of the way until we hold this precious baby in our arms.
Like your mum said you two are very determined young people.
Just keep staying positive. I need to go meet Charles because we need to discuss modalities for the interview.
I’ll be one call away if you need me.
Thank you so much, sir, we both said.
Mr. Jordan left and Kenny said it’s me and you sweetie.
That’s so reassuring, I said.
Can you guess if we are having a boy or girl?
I think the question should be if we are having one baby.
Excuse me!
Yes, excuse you! We’ve not done an ultrasound so let’s not speculate.
I think it’s a girl Kenny said because only women can cause this kind of stress.
Are you saying I’m stressful?
Oh! Baby, have you forgotten the hard time you gave me? When I was wooing you?
You gave me a run for my money. I knew I truly loved you when I was still willing to come after you despite all you did to me.
Honestly, I miss those days when you wooed me.
Who said I can’t woo you again?
Well, it’s not the same.
You know I still owe you an apology and have to win back your trust.
Really?
Yes. I look at you and you still have questions begging for answers.
I have to answer those questions. I can’t stop wooing you no matter what.
I know I hurt you and I’m sorry.
Let’s not go backward. I just need the wooing, I said with a smile even though I didn’t feel like smiling.
Wooing you want, wooing you shall get.
Our lovey-dovey moment was interrupted by Charles on Television.
He was talking about victims who have reached out anonymously.
Charles played their voices and they were so heartbreaking listening to them recounting their experience at the hands of Daniel Marcus.
Kenny switched off the TV before saying I’m sorry. I forgot you were listening, it’s just so uncomfortable to listen to.
It’s okay I said, taking his hand. You’ll be okay. You’ll be fine. I’m so proud of you.
He hugged me and said thank you.
I can’t remember the last time your hug felt so good.
You’re so silly he said.
Dad cleared his throat and said, I’m sorry for interrupting you two lovebirds.
Your order has arrived.
To be continued
© Treasure Ezuruike.
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