THE PRENANCY

THAT night marked a new beginning for mister and misses Amos Sunday. They were both very silent when they got home. There was no power supply and so the source of light in the house was only an old kerosene lamp; Comfort cleaned and lit. Then she heated the last of the Egusi soup, made garri, put them in plates on an aluminum tray pan and brought it to the living room. They ate in silence still. In some hours it was bed time, they turned down the kerosene lamp, kept it by the side their bed room door and went to bed. Their eyes were wide open for the greater part of the dark night. Heaven was about to smile on them.Comfort shot open the large blue umbrella in her hand as she waited on the road for a means of transport home. She had closed the saloon earlier than normal to the disappointment of many of her customers. Many of them saw reasons with her though it was the ninth month and her apprentices were not there to assist. They had all travelled out of town for the wedding of one of their top customers. Besides many customers retreated on seeing she was the only one in saloon they were all being cautions using to the popular belief that if a pregnant woman touches your hair, it would begin to break off.A blue and white taxi halted in front of her “Anglican Street” she said“Enter” the taxi driver ordered She hurriedly grab a bottle of chill water from the refrigerator when she got home and emptied the bottle with non-shop gulps into her mouth. Then she snatched a plate of left over slices of boiled yam, spread some palm oil on it, some dry pepper and a pinch of salt without heating it headed for the living room, she stopped by her bed room and grabbed two pillow, with her other free hand. In the living room, she laid her head on the two popped up pillows set at the foot of the sofa, raised her two legs and balanced them on the surface of the Centre table she had drawn closer. Just as the pastor’s wife had instructed during the workshop she had organized for expectant mothers in the church.She reached for the television remote control on a nearby side stool, powered on the T.V and tuned for “Africa magic”. She tried to concentrate and keep up with the Nigerian Home Video that was going, but the baby in her womb had other ideas. It kept on kicking hard and discomforting its mum. Comfort was rather surprised because, the baby is more often than not silent and would only kick softly once in a while, many women had told her it was girl she was carrying that was why the kicks were soft. They also explained that it was a girl because, instead of becoming all swollen, rough and ugly during the period of pregnancy, comfort had become more succulent looking, her complexion became more radiant she glowed. “But this is not a determinant factor for a girl” someone had told her“Why don’t you go for a scan?”“We would like to be want surprise” she had repliedThis was the first time comfort had closed the salon at the peak of the day since she started on her own years ago, having saved a lot of money from her former employer together with a large contribution from her husband. She would always leave the girls to continue the work till 6pm while she goes home by 3:30 to 4pm.Comfort’s mother being the only grandparent the Sunday family had come to stay with them these period of expectation, to help take good care of her. Mama was the best mother in-law, any man could ever pray forshe loved them both dearly. She infact dotted on Amos he was overwhelmed and grateful to have her.Everyone agreed that Mama was an angel.But this could not be said of Angelina whom everyone called angel. Comfort’s only sibling who had also come with mama to assist the Sunday couple this period. Right 4pmm their child hood, Comfort had seemed to have it all beauty and brains gird a character that made her everyone’s favorite, she was the bright child that participated in every school activity when mama observed this envy, she scoldedher and advised to try to imitate good character of her sister and read her books as well instead of being unnecessarily jealous, but Anje paid deaf ears and grew even worse in indulgence and deep mindedness grew with it to help out. Not because she was too interested but because mama had made her to mama thought that since she was also married with two kids, she would provide a skillful assistance.Comfort however did not have the worn at her feet. Anje did not like her, she infact disliked comfort. When her mother had inquired the reason from her, she had told them it was because comfort acted like she know it all and promised them she was going to change. That was far from reality, her hated for comfort grew worse. She however developed a method of concealing from the notice of people; but within her she knew she could not stop haring comfort and everything about her including the so-called children she was going to have because comfort would not stop being beautiful, intelligent and smart. She secretly envied her charisma everybody loved comfort and she keeps getting favours here and there, most time simply because she was “too beautiful”. That day, mama and Anje had gone to the market to buy some house hold items especially for the mother and the forth coming baby. The taxi driver dropped them in front of the house. They had a long day at oil mill market and were both exhausted them items they came back with were very heavy. Mama quickly relapsed into a Cain chair she found nearly and pull off the blue velvet scarf she had worn. Anje pushed the front door hard in an attempt to open it. It did not move an inch. It was locked from within she knocked harder and banged the door, but there was not even a slightest move or sound.“Comfort” she shouted and banged again“Come open this door now!” she shouted again; this time around on top of her voice.“Calm down” Mama pleaded “May be she done sleep off”They continued knocking, banging and calling out for close to 15 minutes to no avail. They finally gave up. Anje searched for a chair for herself around and found a white plastic chair close to the generator house, wiped it clean and joined mama where she was sitting.Meanwhile, in the sitting room, comfort had switched off the T.V. when her discomfort increased and repositioned herself on the sofa, head on a pillow, in search of relief. When it finally came, it came with a deep sleep. She saw a little gift with a beautiful smile toddling up to her with a call phone in hand, she opened her arms mice to receive her in a warm embrace, and everywhere was brightly lit. “Mummy, your phone is ringing” the child said and put the call phone in Comfort’s hand; it vibrated hard against her palm. She woke up. It was Anje calling Comfort answers and was greeted by a very angry voice.“Comfort! Abeg come open the door abeg!” She sprang to her feet and hurried to the door. If it were in her power, Anje would have slapped her for keeping them waiting in the blazing sun. She shot her a very angry glance. If eyes were bows, the arrows from Anjes eyes would have gone right through Comfort’s chest.“Abeg no vex, na sleep” Comfort said and took some bags from her hand. Just then mama showed up at the door and took Comfort in a long embrace, Comfort did not want to let her go, and she felt safe in that warm flesh and wish she could stay there forever.“Time no de, make I put food for fire” Mama whispered and Comfort finally let go and took one more bag from mama that made her both hands full.“How you dey” Mama said and gave Comfort a sanitizing look from her head to her feet.“You no want add small body abi?” Mama chided and hurried off to the kitchen to get herself busy doing what she does best. Comfort looked at the polythene bags in her hands, opened one and spied on an appetizing whole pineapple inside, shut it closed and opened another. She could hardly resist the fresh green apples that stared back at her she took one and headed for the kitchen where she opened faucet of the sink, washed the apple, closed it and picked up a pen knife from the tiny plastic basket that help knives and began to cut the apple in slices as she ate them.Once she was through, she picked up a bunch of pumpkin leaves out of one polythene bag, headed towards the sink to wash it in attempt to help out.“No oh, go rest I beg” Mama pleaded“You no need stress this period”“Me and Eliza go fit do am, No worry”Comfort was about to insist when Anje came in abruptly“You no go rest, you no like yourself?” she said. At this Comfort reluctantly dropped the bunch of leaves in a large plastic bowl and left. She came out of the house and smiled as a soft breeze greeted her she loved life. Staring around in the opened, she realized again how kind God had been to her things had changed a great deal for them almost in the twinkle of an eye. They had moved from penny to plenty. Though they were not Dangote, but they could pass for a very comfortable middle class family. She thought of how favour had chased after Amos wherever he went. He got into Billiard petroleum as an ordinary junior technician and then he went back to school. He ran evening programmers until he finally badged a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt which almost automatically catapulted to him to a ________ at the company. Comfort had watched her husbandmoved from an ordinary roadside mechanic with only a senior secondary school certificate to a degree holding engineer; by dint of hard work and divide favour. Even the way he spoke had changed.Amos who only attended a state government public secondary school and could barely speak fluent English can now had a fun conversion in proper English and as well tell jokes with it from constant communication with colleagues at work who spoke proficient English and through much schooling. His demeanor had become equally refined he had become a proper gentleman.Comfort on her own part had refused to be left behind in this maze of change. Already possessing a senior secondary certificate she also ran evening part-time programmes in the university and got herself a bachelor’s degree in English and interary education though she did not suffer and job yet at heart she was no longer seen as the wife of a poor mechanic who did hair at the market place for a bring. She had become one of the “big man wife”. Immediately she takes up driving lessons and complete it, she was going to be landed with her own car, Amos had promised. Soon she too was going to be on the road as a car owner. This thought brought tear to her eye. Life was beautiful and she wanted an overabundance of it. She looked at the large expanse of land that formed her home surrounding she decided she would plant a garden by the corner and put a swing within for relaxation and for the kids too, just as she had seen of on T.V. her children were going to be special kids, born with a silver spoon in their mouth the word “Ajebo” made her smile.Her thought shifted to Amos, how lucky she felt to have him as her husband. They had shopped for the baby’s arrival in the famousWhen they went to South Africa on vacation at the early months of the pregnancy. Amos desperately wished for a son, she had decided to keep maintain an open heart and accept any one God gives to her.She felt a sudden surge of thirst and hurried to the tap by the corner of the house, opened it and washed her hands. She enjoyed the flow of the water into her inter-joined palms spread open under the flowing tap. Then she squatted down and began to drink from her palms. By the time she was through her silky green maternity gown was partially soaked she however enjoyed the cool feeling the wet gown supplied her flesh, in combat with the blazing sun they had moved in this four – bedroom bungalow apartment, with a large living room and kitchen. When Amos first got his big promotion. It was one of the houses in the large Billiard petroleum staff quarters. Comfort could hardly wait to start raise her children in this house.Just then, she heard the sound of an approaching automobile and turned to see the familiar black kia spotage turning in. Amos was home she quickly glanced at sky in an attempt to determine the time. How time flies? It was already 5:00pm. Her house home coming time. Amos sided out of the car ran 2 comfort and immediately swept comfort off her feet.“My best how are you?” he said looking strength into she nodded and smiled in response, exposing the tiny gap in between her two front teeth her coffee brown eyes. He started at her face for a while taking in her beautiful facial features. “How was your day?” she broke the silence “Very tiring” he said as he put her gently down“Welcome back dear” Comfort said and took his briefcase from him.They walked into the house hand in hand. The smell of steaming fresh fish filled house, Amos immediately knew Mama was at work and also knew exactly where to find her. He strode straight to the kitchen where he found her sprinkling salt into the boiling pot. He walked up to her put one arm around her neck, she settled“My pikin, you done come?”“Welcome oh” she said “Home work now” she said again asking many questions at the same time“Fine, mama” Amos finally said“How house dey naa?”“We dey for God hand oh my pikin” she replied “Wetin you dey coo?” He asked “Okra soup” she replied He smiled, that was his favorite food especially when it is served freshly cooked, hot with plenty pieces of fresh fish and smoothly pounded yam to go with it.“Today na today” he said as he finally let go of mama; neck, and handed for the door where he collided with Anje who dropped the bottle of water she was holding as a result. Thank God it was plastic“Sorry” Amos said as he bent down and picked it up for him immediately. Anje shot him a very angry glance which was usual with her, being a very angry and difficult to please young woman individual. Amos on the one other hand who was an ever cheerful – easy going young man did not have any problem getting along with Anje. He was even grateful to have Angelina and mama as family, being an only child himself and none of his parents in the hand.“Anje how far now?” He asked“Fine na him make you want push me down” she saidAmos laughed, refusing to pick an offence and walked away into his bedroom to join the most important person in the world to him.“Kily you dey behave like this?” Mama asked, when they were both alone in the kitchen.Why you dey treat your own sister and her husband like this?“Wetin I don do again naa!” Anje sparked “Mama abeg no worry me oh” she said and stalked out of the kitchen angrily. Mama worst her voice for a brief moment hissed and continued her cooking. She began humming a soft tune to ease the burden she felt in her heart. Join she was happy again.The truth was that Angelina was languishing in jealousy towards the Sunday couple. She secretly envied their lovely union that was so full of love and prosperity. See how they grew from grass to grace, from empty to plenty almost overnight and how Amos so loved comfort. Soon they were going to start having gorgeous babies being beautiful themselves. She walked into her room with brisk steps and a huge from on her face.“Your turn go come” Mama would always tell her. She stood in front of the long mirror hanging on the wall and looked at herself for a while. Anje failed to see the attractive young woman that stared back at her, lovely ebony skinned, slim straight model – like figure, really tall for a woman with a fine mass of long hair. Anje saw a distorted image hopelessly comparing herself with her sister, without considering the qualities she had better than her sister like her height, long hair, model like slim body and others. Comfort being of an average height, with a fuller body and a scanty hair that had a stunned growth.“Anje!” Mama’s voice shot through her thoughts“Ma” she shot back and tried to swallowed hard t ease off some of the bitterness that filled their chest. Then she inhaled and exhaled loudly felt better, and rushed to the kitchen to join Mama“I don finish” Mama said“Begin clean this place I beg” Anje grudgingly clean up the kitchen and washed the dished. Mama dished ladles of okra soup into four ceramic soup bowls and four sizable mold of pasty-smooth pounded yam on flat ceramic plates. On the second though she added an extra mould in Amos plate to save herself of stress because with okra soup he would always and for more.The four sat at the table and ate in silence that night. The meal was too delicious to hold any conversation in between. You have to take enough time to savour the rich taste of the freshly cooked soup. As for Amos, he was in a different world altogether. He molded each ball of pounded yam made a deep print in the Centre with his thumb for it to hold enough soup as he dipped it into the bowl of and swallowed them in quick successions. Comfort could never get accustomed to this despite marrying Amos for years now, she would complain about it afresh every time they hand to eat a swallow meal.“Best, I beg no do that thing again” she said with a waved of her left hand and a frown irritation clearly written on her face.“e dey make my head swell”“If you concentrate on your food, you will not notice me” he said and continued enjoying his favorite meal the way he likes it best comfort fell the usual frustration she always felt as she could realized she could do little or nothing to make Amos cooperate with her on this.“Commy, you no dey fire to complain” Anje“Abeg free the man to eat how him like, your busy body done too much”Mama had to come in at this point to neutralism the budding conflict, have quickly observed comfort’s

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