Mide’s Abor with Olamide Longe
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“What you have done is going to backfire and hurt you, I am afraid.”
“I feel terrible at the moment because I can’t keep anything down,” Tejumade replied. “But, I am at peace with my decision. Perfect peace, if there is anything like it. And, I will beg you to say only positive things around me henceforth. For the baby’s sake.”
Francesca gave her a considering look. “Okay.”
The look made Tejumade uneasy. “What is it?”
“I’m thinking.”
Tejumade sighed. “Francesca, you are making me nervous.”
“Why do you have to pretend that you are married?”
“To make things less complicated. You know that.”
“My dear, your life has only just begun getting complicated. Wait until your parents find out you are pregnant and wed to a phantom.” Francesca chuckled.
“I am not married to a phantom.” Tejumade didn’t find it funny.
“Well, you claim to be married, yet there is no man. And you are pregnant,” Francesca insisted.
“You do know one can bypass sex these days to have a baby, surely?”
Francesca sighed. “I don’t know who your partner in crime is, but I am not sure what you have done is legal. One’s mind boggles at the implication.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning something evil is really going on out there and I’m less than comfortable.”
“He isn’t evil. And I haven’t committed any crime.”
Francesca leaned forward. “I am not so sure about that, but let’s leave it. Now, who isn’t evil?” she asked quietly, eyes unwavering.
Tejumade sighed. She evaded her friend’s intense stare. “I promised him I wouldn’t tell. I intend to keep it. He is the only other person aware of my plans apart from you. He isn’t evil, I swear. It took a lot of convincing to get him to help.”
“Goodness!” Francesca sat back. “Your persuasive skill must be out of this world.” She laughed. “My imagination is careening. Help me rein it in, how did he help you?”
“Nothing as mundane as whatever your imagination came up with. It was all artificial and quite interesting.”
“Oh.”
“Indeed. Weren’t you listening? We are in the 21st century. I took my time planning this. Did some research, you know.”
“Abegi.”
Tejumade chuckled.
“So, he is a doctor. Is it Chude?”
“No. He isn’t anyone you know,” Tejumade protested.
Francesca gave her a suspicious look. “Why so loud?”
“I don’t want you scrutinising our friends and thinking it is one of them. I would be stupid to use anyone close to us, knowing how I want it to be top secret. So, no, it isn’t anyone you know.”
“Okay. No need getting worked up. I shan’t be snooping. And it shall be top secret with me, I assure you.”
“Thanks, that’s all I need.”
“My dear, you have it. We are in this together. I think I am beginning to warm up to the idea.”
Tejumade gave her a watery smile.
“Of being a godmother,” Francesca clarified.
Tejumade laughed.
“I see oga snuck in and snuck out again,” one of her female colleagues commented, indicating her protruding belly, as she made her way to her seat at the office, several weeks later.
Tejumade was stomped. She wasn’t sure what to make of the comment.
Another colleague laughed. “Why the sneaking, anyway? Is it that his face should also not be seen? Not even a picture,” added the one who laughed. “I know new brides to always gush about their husbands and show off photographs of them.”
With a shrug and “I am not that kind of bride. Besides, I’m hardly a new one,” she carried on to her seat. She heard them hiss. She was shocked. They obviously didn’t care to be subtle.
Who cared what they thought. Nosy ones like them were the reason she went the length she did just to be able to be pregnant in peace. Without the marriage ruse, they would probably have mocked her or pitied her. And, if she told them she wanted it that way, they would have said she was only acting brave.
It was better this way with hubby far away in Ukraine.
Still, she was bothered.
“I need a photograph of someone no one would ever be able to pick out in a crowd.”
“For what?” Francesca asked. Nothing Tejumade did would ever shock her again. Nothing.
“People at work want to see my husband. I need a picture.”
“Tell them they will see him when they see him. You are not the type to carry pictures about or display on tables.”
“I did.”
“Then why are you worrying about pictures?”
“I don’t like their snide comments.”
“Your colleagues are not important. Focus on being a healthy pregnant woman, now that you are over that terrible morning sickness. The end is a baby, not convincing anyone that you are married. I am surprised you are bothered.”
“Right? Blame it on hormonal changes.”
However, she did get a photo frame to place on her desk. It was empty.
During her last trimester, she employed a taxi-driver. It happened serendipitously.
… continues next week
