NKEM 20

 

"Where is your husband?" Nneka asked after sitting herself comfortably beside her friend whose face showed she had just woken from sleep.

"How am I supposed to know", she said huffily after a contented yawn.

"Are you not his wife", Nneka said with amazement.

"You call that one a husband? Do you call a man who doesn't touch you a husband?"

There was a puzzled look on Nneka's face before she spoke.

"Touch you, how? I don't understand".

Adora hissed wondering why her friend was behaving like a naive virgin.

"Nkem has not had sex with me since I came to this house."

"Oh! I see", said Nneka upon comprehension. But why?"

Adora hissed, visualizing how Nkem was so passionate about Gladys than he was with her.

"Is the reason far-fetched? She turned to look her friend in the face. Is it not that woman? Gladys or what is that her stupid name?"

"Oh I see. But you can't really blame him, you know. He met her before…"

She interrupted her before she could finish her statement.

"What is that supposed to mean? Are you on his side or on mine?"

"You know you are my friend. But I am saying what is obvious. If Nkem is cold towards you, it is because he is in love with Gladys. Although, I don't approve of the way he treats you. After All, you are carrying his child.

"Why did he come then for me?" She challenged, eyeing her friend and turning away from her.

"I thought you said it was the other way round', she said, throwing her hand on her shoulder and turning her back.

"I doubt if you are really my friend. I just told you the way a man who impregnated me is supposed to behave towards me and you are here telling me something else."

"Okay…okay I am sorry. I didn't mean it that way. But let's look at it this way. She raised her hands mid air to demonstrate. Nkem did it not because he loved you but because you…"

Adora clapped her hands in annoyance, angry that her friend is turning the conversation against her.

"Complete the statement, Nneka", she snapped standing up to face her.

Nneka sighed and remained silent.

"He did it because I was a cheap slut and I threw myself at him. Is that not what you wanted to say?"

When she didn't say anything in response, she continued.

"Why are you even here in the first place? To taunt me and side with Nkem?" Tell me Nneka? Otherwise, it is better you leave me alone if you have nothing better to say."

She could have continued but a sharp pain shot through her inflated belly and she winced, holding it. Nneka rose immediately to her side and she made her sit slowly on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, patting her at the back as if the pain was coming from there.

She raised her hand perhaps to hush Nneka. It seems the more Nnneka spoke, the more the life in her own belly turned at will, causing some discomfort. When the pain went away, she heaved a sigh and readjusted herself on the bed. Her hands rested firmly on the bed while she shifted to the beds edge with legs astride.

"Are you alright?" Nnneka asked, wondering if Adora's date was due.

She nodded and then added. "I am fine. It is just my baby playing tricks with his mother."

Nnneka wondered how it would feel to be pregnant. She was not going to allow any man to make her feel like Adora felt.

"I was even thinking your date was due".

"It is very close according to the doctor's prediction. It could happen any time"

"The more reason you should not be by yourself. Your mother-in-law should constantly be by you."

"My mother-in-law is trying her best unlike her son".

"Taking off your mother-in-law. Where is she?

"She has gone to the farm I suppose. I must have slept off when she left. She will soon be back. What is the time?"

Nnneka checked her wristwatch. The time was a few minutes past four. She announced it and realized how fast time had lapsed and she had not even said anything about why she came to see Adora. She cleared her throat, taking a few minutes of silence, arranging how she was going to deliver it without offending her friend.

"Adora, she began. Some people have been whispering behind your back and I have come to confirm from your mouth whether the tales I am hearing are true or just mere rumours".

"What people? What whisperings?

"They spoke of your dalliance with a certain bricklayer. Adora, is this thing true or there is no truth in it."

Adora hissed but remained silent.

"Adora, your silence speaks volume o. I hope it is not what I think?

"What if it is? She snapped. Has Nkem left me any choice?"

Nneka covered her mouth with both hands, shock written over her face.

"Adora, that is a taboo. She whispered the statement as though someone was standing by, eavesdropping on them. Are you not afraid of the consequences? What if Nkem got to know, what would become of you? Don't you think he will outrightly reject you and claim that the pregnancy is not his?"

"Hasn't he rejected me enough?"

"Are you justifying your actions? Really?"

They heard footsteps approaching and the two ended their conversation when Nkem's mother entered the room.

        

                             THE END

This is not yet the end. But the end of the beginning. We are going somewhere. I remain Yours Truly,

Julius Topohozin. 

Peace!