“Ikechukwu!”
Her screams got him flying out of the toilet. He found his wife crouched on the rugged floor, at the foot of the bed. “What is it?” he hurried to her side.
Lianater raised her head, tears filled eyes met her husband’s worried ones. “I think… I think I am going to explode,” she said through gritted teeth.
He started to rub her back, wondering if she was aching all over. “Talk to me, where does it hurt?”
“Every… where…” then she let out a loud scream as pain sliced through her.
The man panicked, lost on what to do to make his wife feel better. “Baby, what’s happening?”
She shook her head, unable to speak, till the pain subsided briefly. “I think the baby is coming,” she locked gazes with him.
He nodded with understanding, as relief washed over him. It hadn’t been easy taking care of his pregnant wife. As far as he was concerned, this was their last child. No more!
Lianater watched him from the corner of her eyes. He changed into something comfortable, then picked up the baby bag they had both packed weeks ago. Everything the new baby needed was in that bag. The pain began to build up again. Fear gripped her. How long was she going to be able to endure this?
“Ikechukwu Briggs!” she yelled again.
“I am ready my love, I will get you to the clinic as fast as I can, I promise,” he glanced at the table clock, then helped her to her feet and led her towards the door.
“I… I can’t walk…” she began to sob.
The man groaned inwardly. “Honey, I cannot carry you. Please try, please…”
She managed a few steps, then stopped when the aching sensation running its course down her thighs held her bound to that spot. “Oh God! Oh God!” She shook her head, desperately wishing the pain would stop.
“Take deep breaths, love, deep breaths…”
She tried, but it wasn’t working. “Jesus help me!”
Ike noticed the childen gathered outside their bedroom. The screams most have woken them up. It was barely five a.m and he hoped they would be able to go back to bed and get some more needed sleep. “I want you all to go back to bed.”
The children remained where they stood. They eyes were glued to their mother.
“Nonso, Dozie, Adanne… go to bed!” he raised his voice.
They didn’t move. They just looked at him briefly, then back at their mum.
Ike wanted to shout at them, but the footsteps racing up the stairway stopped him. The moment he saw her, anger brewed within him. Images of how she rode him countless times assaulted his mind.
The thought that she would get to stay in his house for one more day made him mad. If not that his wife woke up with labour pains, he would have told her what the girl did to him that night.
“Is madam okay?” Mmesoma looked from husband to wife.
He helped his wife down the stairs. “Take the children back to their room. We are heading to the hospital.”
“Oh…” the girl bit at her lower lip. “Come, let’s get you all back to bed,” she ushered the children back into the bedroom.
“Is mummy and daddy going to bring the new baby?” Nonso asked the maid.
Mmesoma smiled. “Yes, they are.”
“Wow!” Dozie began to jump around. “Our new baby is coming home soon.”
“Baby, baby, baby,” Adanne followed her brother, hoping about like an antelope.
She moved to one of the windows and drew open the curtains. She could the security man rushing towards the locked gate, while Ike yelled at him.
The girl smiled. She could still remember her time out with him. She was able to go on five rounds before the drug she put in his drink began to wear off. She enjoyed herself immersely and was sure that Ike wouldn’t be able to forget the experience in a lifetime. All she needed to do was wait for him to come to her willingly. He wouldn’t be able to resist her anymore!
xxxxxx
“Grandma!” Nonso raced into her waiting arms.
“Grandmama is here!” Dozie flew into her embrace.
“Ga-ma, Ga-ma, Ga-ma!” Adanne joined her brothers.
Voke held her grandchildren for the longest time. “I have missed you all.”
The children chuckled. They were so happy to see her.
“Welcome ma,” Mmesoma watched the woman closely. After much thought, she could tell that it was her madam’s mother.
The elderly woman took a good look at the new maid. She was taller than the former maid, fairer too, and also had more flesh. “Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Mmesoma!” the children chorused before the girl could answer.
Voke laughed. It was obvious that the kids liked her. That could only mean one thing; the girl was good with children. The woman hoped she was better with house chores too. She remembered how diligent and hardworking Amina was.
“Come grandma, daddy called and said you will be sleeping in the guest room,” Nonso tugged at her luggage.
“He also said Mmesoma will sleep in our room for now, until you go back to your house,” Dozie helped his brother to pull at the luggage.
The woman was impressed at their ability to retain information and laughed some more.
“Should I make something for you to eat now, or…” the girl dragged the luggage into the house. But, Nonso and Dozie didn’t let go.
Voke stepped into the house, holding Adanne by the hand. “Let me take a bath first. I need to change before they arrive with the baby.”
“Okay, ma.” The girl carried the luggage into the guest room.
She wondered how long the woman would be staying. Now that Lianater’s mother was around, how was she going to be able to sneak around and get Ike’s attention?
“Do you know whether the baby is a boy or a girl?” she asked her grandchildren.
They began to debate amongst themselves. The twins wanted a baby brother, whilst Ada wanted a baby sister.
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