Her Baby’s Secret

Arike’s POV

“Thank God!” We said in unison as we hugged each other.

“I am coming with you.” I said when she pulled away from me.

“Yes… I am sure your dad would be happy to see you. Get dressed while I change too.”

“Yes Ma.” She rushed out of my room.

I had the quickest bathe, feeling excited to see my uncle and thankful that he had made it through. I could see the smiles on everyone faces when I stepped out of my room. They are definitely happy the boss was awake.

“Let’s go..” she gestured to me.

“Isabella, take care of the kids. We won’t stay too long okay?”

“I understand ma’am.” She replied.

We got into the car and made the trip to the hospital.

*****

Aunty Sade hurried to the reception desk. “Please, I am here to see my husband who has been in ICU for some days now.”

“What’s the patient name?” The lady asked.

“Mr Badejo Thompson.”

“Oh! He has been moved to ward 206. Just go down the corridor and look -”

Aunty Sade didn’t wait for the receptionist to finish giving directions. I tried to keep up with her but she was moving too fast.

“Walk fast Arike.”

Finally we got to the ward where the doctor was just stepping out. “Excuse me, doctor.” Aunty Sade stopped him. He stopped to look at us.

“Oh ma’am…” A look of recognition registered on his face. “Your husband is awake.”

“How is he doing now?” I asked.

The daughter gave me a who-are-you look.

“She’s my daughter.” Aunty Sade said.

“Oh! Miss! Your dad is doing just fine.”

“Oh.. thank goodness.” I mumbled.

“He should be discharged In few days time.”

“Thank you doctor. Can we go in to see him?” She asked.

“Yes… you can go in.”

We both thanked the doctor again before he walked away.

I was relief by the doctor’s words. I was thankful to God for giving my uncle a chance to live again.

“I am so happy he made it. ” She said happily.

I looked at the face of the woman who treated me like her own child. I don’t have a memory of her maltreating me when I was little. I could remember the day she said that I was the child she never had. And I don’t know if I would ever be able to repay them for their kindness.

I saw the tears in her eyes when she pulled away from me. I could imagine how she had felt this past few days. She must have been scared of losing her husband. You can only understand this feeling if you’ve had a loved one who was at the point of death or that pain of losing a loved one to the cold hands of death.

“Let’s go in -” she held the knob of the door and opened it for me to walk in.

A shocking look appeared on his face when his eyes fell on me.

“A… ri.. ke” he called me in a low tone, stretching his forward for me to hold him.

He was in a bad shape. Bandage wrapped around his head stitches on face and bruises on some part of his body.

“Dad…” My voice trailed off as I held his hand, tears dropping down my cheeks. His wife adjusted the bed for him to sit up.

“Honey.” He managed to smile.

“Yeah… I know you asked me not to pester her about visiting us this year but I didn’t have a choice.”

“Dad, she did the right thing by letting me know about your situation.”

“And the next thing you did was fly over. What about your work?” He asked.

“Darling it’s not time to scold anybody.”

I nodded in agreement. “Everyone is happy that you survived the crash.” I added.

He squeezed my hands gently. “I am so happy to see you.” He smiled.

“See you now o… father and daughter aren’t you glad that I called her.”

“Please mommmyyy.” I laughed.

“Always acting stubborn… Let me tell you something, he planned to visit you in Nigeria since he couldn’t reach you for a while.” She laughed out.

“Is that true?” I asked him.

“I was just worried about you. The network was so bad.” He stopped.

“I missed you.” He admitted.

“Oh.. someone is emotional now.” She teased.

“Please I am talking to my daughter.” We all laughed.

It was a good one. I watched aunty Sade being touchy with her husband.

“Ouch… this stitches has spoiled your handsome face.” She said soberly

“I am still going to heal..” He mumbled.

“I don’t care about the scars as long as you are with me.” She kissed him.

I smiled when he looked at me.

“Hey.. haven’t you been eating well?” He asked me.

“Ermm.. I have been -”

“You look pale, are sick my dear?” His eyes examined me.

“No, I am not sick.”

“Maybe it’s work stress.” Aunty Sade added.

I was sure this wasn’t the right time to talk about my condition. In the last few days, my mind has been on what their reactions would be if I told them I was pregnant. What would they say when I break the news that Dayo was the father of my child? Would they accept my decision to keeping my baby a secret? Series of questions has stomped my mind. To be honest I wasn’t ready to tell them.

“Arike, how long would you be staying?” He asked.

“Ahm… the truth is that -” I paused to study their expression – happy. ” I will be staying for a long time.” I added, still looking at them. Now their expressions wasn’t happy anymore. It was filled with mixed emotions. Confusion and surprise.

“Why? But you didn’t tell me you would be staying for a long time,” Aunty Sade said.

“What about your work?” Uncle Badejo asked.

I avoided making an eye contact with them. “I resigned at work too.”

“What?!” They both said in unison.

“Why? Is it because of me?” Uncle Badejo asked. A hint of guilt in his tone.

There’s something else but I bit back my words.

“No, you shouldn’t have done that, being a lawyer is what you’ve ever wanted. Why quit now?” He argued.

“I am sorry. I.. I.. just thought it would be best to be with you.. that’s all” I mumbled. It was partly true.

Then we lapsed into silence for some seconds before uncle badejo spoke up again.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I fiddled with my fingers.

“It’s alright… you can stay.” He said.

“Thank you sir.”

“Now stop crying…” Aunty Sade rubbed my back to calm me down.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Uncle Badejo was discharged from the hospital about a week ago. Some stitches on his face has been taken out leaving minor scars on the surface. He doesn’t look sick with the energy he is giving to the children at the home. He was back to working at the home.

I need to talk him. I can’t keep hiding forever and my mind was made up to tell them everything. At this point I don’t mind what they would say, how they would feel or what they would think of me. I can’t hide my baby from them forever, moreover they are the only ones who can help me.

“Oh! You’re awake!” Uncle Badejo beamed when he saw me.

“Yes sir.. where is mom?” I asked.

He looked around to find her but she wasn’t anywhere near.

“I saw her with Juan not quite long, maybe she’s in the kitchen now.” He said. “Is everything okay?” He asked as he studied my face.

“Yes… we need to talk.”

He gave the toddler he was carrying to one of the female staffs. “Take care of him.”

“Okay sir.. I’ll put him in the crib.” The lady responded.

“Very good… Let’s talk in my office.”

“Breakfast is ready!” Aunty Sade announced as she came walking towards us.

“I’ll eat after I talk to Arike.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes… I just need to talk to the both of you.”

“Okay… let me just drop this in the kitchen.” She removed her apron and motioned towards the kitchen.

“Meet us in my office.” He shouted behind her.

We went into his office and it didn’t take long for Aunty Sade to join us.

“You can talk now.” He said.

“I have done something wrong and I know you’ll both be angry once I tell you what this is about.”

They exchanged glances. “You haven’t done anything wrong since you got here.” Aunty Sade said.

“Except that you resigned without consulting me.” Uncle Badejo added.