SHALEWA
The way the sun shone today had another implication to it. It was so bright yet comforting. I want to attribute it to the December Abuja harmattan. Although, the dust it comes with is a whole different story on its own.
The scent of Akara (bean cake) fills the air as I round up the corner leading to my destination. I suddenly feel movement in my stomach. Well, looks like my baby is also craving it.
Quickly, I find a place to park and get down from the car.
"Madam, please give me 100 Naira Kosai and 200 Naira Bread." I hand her a 500 Naira note. Here in the Northern part of the country, Akara is called Kosai.
"Okay, maman baby." She smiles, serving the Akara into a sheet of newspaper. She also packs some yaji (grinded sweetened pepper) into a tinier sheet of newspaper. She reaches for her stand and picks up a loaf of bread before handing my purchase to me, smiling.
"Thank you." I say to her, turning to leave.
"Your change, fa." I hear her say.
"Keep it, don't worry."
"Nagode. Allah yayi miki Albarka (May Allah bless you). Allah ya raya mana ita (Allah will bless your baby). Allah yayi miki arziki (May Allah enrich you)." I had no idea what she was saying since she spoke in Hausa but the way she spoke and by her body language and hearing the word 'Allah', I am able to understand that she is praying for me. I also know that the translation for Nagode is thank you.
"Amen." I say as I smile to her and leave. I love how little show of kindness and charity lights up the mood of others.
I enter the shop on my right to buy a bottle of cold water before going back to my car to eat and continue to my destination, now satisfied.
"Good afternoon. I am here for the painting class. I booked online." The reception person takes a look at me, nods her head and quickly scribbles something on her phone.
"I'm coming, please sit." She mouths and points to her ears. That's when I notice she has a Bluetooth device connected. I locate the waiting seats and sit on one of them. This place feels hot. Hmmm.
Immediately she is done with her call, she walks up to me.
"Sorry, ma'am. I was on a call with one of my bosses." She explains.
"Please tell me there's AC or a fan inside." I dab my face with my handkerchief, trying to catch my breath and also get a hang on this terrible weather.
"Yes, there is. Here too." She answers with a smile as she glances at my stomach.
"Nancy, hope you are treating the guest well." A middle aged woman with a very fluent command of English and an alluring aura walks to us, smiling.
"Yes, she is." I smile to the woman.
"Rinu Thompson." She stretches her hand to give me a handshake which I accept.
"Shalewa..." To be honest, I get confused sometimes on whether to use Shodeinde or Akande, seeing as Timi is late.
"Shalewa Akande." I clear my throat as I speak.
"Ohh. You are welcome to my establishment, my dear. Feel free to always come around." Oh, she's the owner. This woman is nice. She has this whole 'mummy vibe' attached to her.
"Yes, ma. Thank you." I smile at her warm gesture. She then hands me a complimentary card. "Call me when you're done, alright?" She says.
"Yeah, sure." She smiles and turns back, leaving just as she came. In grandeur.
I am finally seated in one of their many halls, waiting to start. I am not good at painting. Scratch that, I am horrible! But I hear it's a good way to relax and be happy, so I am trying it out.
Taking out my proposed image, I smile and pick up the paint brush, colours already starked beside me. I have decided to use Yellow and Off-white colours. Yellow in place of the Black coloured part of my image and the Off-white in place of the White part.
Excitedly dancing in my seat, I get lost in the act as the brush sweeps across the canvas, trying to make a painting of my sonogram.
•••••
"What is it?" I snap. I want to snub his call. I really do but I decide to pick it just this once. Let me hear what he has to say, even though I know it most likely is just a call for the sole purpose of insulting me. It's what he does on the very rare occassions when we find ourselves in the same place. I should not even be giving him that chance.
"Shalewa, there's alot we need to talk about." I hiss at his sheer ognorance. This man is still confident with his rubbish attitude. It has been months! Months since we spoke and most importantly, months since he showed his negative character. Nothing can be dond. I'm about to give him a sharp retort, followed by ending the call on him but I immediately freeze as I feel liquid trickling down my legs. Shit! What's with the women in the family and giving birth before the EDD. I sharply tap the woman beside me, breathing heavily.
"My water..." I say in a rush, pointing to my feet. "My water.... it broke." My heavy pants fill the atmosphere.
The woman immediately shouts for help and some kind people stop their shopping to assist.
"Do you have a car with you?" She asks.
"Yes. Yes." I respond, nodding my head.
"I'll drive." Such a kind soul.
"Sorry, dear." Her voice sounds as they lead me outside. She collects the key from me and zooms off to the hospital.
"Push, ma'am." The nurse says. I use all my strength to push. Then the door opens and from my faint eye sight, I see Amadi.
"Get that man out of this place!" I scream.
"Ma'am." My breath starts becoming ragged, I begin to hyperventilate.
"I say get him out!" I insist, breathing hard.
"Sir, you have to leave." Another Nurse walks him out and the one attending to me starts trying to calm me down.
"Breathe, ma. Please breath in." I do as she says.
"Gently, and now, out." I do it.
"Think of your baby. You want him in the best condition, ma'am." The Nurse finally succeeds in her attempts to make me calm. Then I push again, this time for a long time. My baby is finally delivered as I hear a cry fill the ward, leading to tear also droping from my eyes. I finally have my baby.
My Son!
Taking deep breaths, I finally steady my breathing rate. My baby is cleaned up and placed in my arms. Right now, I am very emotional. I can't believe this precious tiny human is from me. Nine whole months of pregnancy, of waiting to hold my child and here he is.
I place a kiss on his forehead and smile. The nurse retrieves him from my hands and my eyes start getting droopy from tiredness. Soon enough, I close my eyes and sigh, smiling from ear to ear.
OMOH! I KNOW ALOT OF YOU ARE ANGRY.
FIRST OF ALL, I AM SORRY.
I AM IN NYSC CAMP. IT HAS BEEN STRESSFUL. STARTED WRITING THIS CHAPTER FOR 3 DAYS NOW. JUST HAD THE TIME TO QUICKLY SQUEEZE THIS UPDATE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSTANTLY CHECKING ON ME. I AM FINE, JUST BEEN STRESSED FROM CAMP DRILLS.
ENJOY🥂🥂🥂
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TWICE A ZING |A Nigerian Romance|
Romance|The Shodeindes: 2| Shalewa Shodeinde didn't expect her life to take this turn. It was all fairy tales. I mean, who gets so lucky to be married to their ultimate crush? And just like that, she lost him, not to any woman or to any misunderstandings b...
