Episode 14
It’s been Three months now after I discovered that I was pregnant, and it hasn’t been easy unless I want to deceive myself. The morning sickness have reduced, but I always have abdominal pain now, I called Dr. Chris and he said it is normal and I should visit the nearest hospital to me for proper checkups. Which of course I didn’t bother to go, because mummy is not here to force me to the hospital. My Dad reported the rape case to the police as he said, I tried to stop him but I couldn’t. But as expected, nothing much was done, they arrested him and released him later that day, Samuel denied ever meeting me before. I wasn’t surprised atall, I already knew the kind of person he was, my dad made sure he put his words in writing and he signed that he never r@ped me and therefore the baby am carrying is not his. My dad did this so that in case he wants to change his mind in the future about the baby or he wants to claim custody of the child, this written contract will be used against him.
I was posted to Schlumberger for my I.T and Kemi was posted to Baker Hughes, we wanted to be in the same place but it didn’t happen like we wanted, but it was for the best. I was posted offshore for my first 3 months and I was really exposed to a lot of practical skills on the rig, but after 3months because of my condition which is now so obvious, I was sent back to the office, and all I do now is office work. Accommodation was available for us and they also pay us a token allowance. Everyone keeps wondering why am pregnant, some who can’t just mind there business ask me if am married, and I will just smile and say no, but unfortunately for me a few of my faculty mates are also in Schlumberger and they have spread the rumors like fire. Almost everyone in school is aware that I am pregnant now, sometimes it makes me feel depressed and alone, I can’t just wait for it to be over, I keep counting down to my delivery day.
On this particular day, I woke feeling so refreshed, I had my quiet time and headed for my office, we normally resume by 7.30am and just before I could enter my office where myself and other interns use, I overheard them talking about me “ehn hen, Tobi come here you and Jasmine are from the same school now, so gist us what kind of person is she? Is she a ‘runs girl’ or what” Ada asked. Ada is a student from Unilag, and she is this outspoken person that doesn’t know how to mind her business “hun Ada you too like akproko , always poking into others business, well for your information, Jasmine is not a ‘runs girl’, though we weren’t close in school, we just say hi to eachother from afar because we are not in the same department, am in mechanical engineering and she is in electrical engineering, but the little I know and have heard about her is that she is a lovely and easy going girl, always smiling and she is very intelligent too. Am so surprised to see her with a protruding tummy too, and am sure she isn’t married yet” Tobi replied “It may be one of the guys like you that deceived her and got her pregnant and later dumped her, I really pity that girl” Cynthia cuts in. Cynthia is also an intern from University of Benin, studying chemical engineering. “Hey! abeg o, am not one of those guys that sleeps around with girls in the name of love, I believe in abstinence” Tobi replied “Abstinence my foot, which guy does not like se.x in this generation or you think I don’t see how you use to look at Alice whenever we are in the dining hall having lunch Mr. Abstinence” Ada teased “But I pity Jasmine too, that girl too fine pass all this things she is going through, I wonder why she didn’t abort the pregnancy in the first place. If na me o, I will just flush the baby sharp sharp” Ada added “You think everyone Is like you, don’t you know that abortion is murder. And you can lose your life through it too” Cynthia cuts in “Abeg leave that one Cynthia, na the doctor do the abortion no bi me nau” Ada replied “Both the doctor and the person aborting and the boyfriend that supported it are all guilty of murderer” Tobi cuts in “Are you God? why you dey judge?” Ada asked defensively I didn’t know when tears started rolling down my face, how can people just sit down and start debating on a matter that doesn’t concern you. People keep assuming things that doesn’t exit. “Me runs girl” I thought, how can they even think am a runs girl.
I couldn’t enter the office, I just turned back and went to the toilet, I washed the tears off my face, sat on the WC for like 10 minutes thinking. I left after a while and headed for the office, I met Ada on my way, and she was all nice and cozy, greeting me with a smile, I can’t believe this is the same person talking behind my back that am a runs girl. I wasn’t myself throughout the day, I wish there was someone I could pour my mind too and who can encourage me, but I found known.
It was time for lunch and though the last thing I want to do is eat, because I have lost my appetite since morning, but I remember the doctor’s words and my mum’s word too that always says “eat well for the baby”, so I went to the dining hall hoping to just eat some vegetable salad and sandwich or any other light food they have on the menu and get out. It was just as I hoped for, I ordered for sandwich, with some vegetable salad and I sat at a corner where people don’t like sitting, because the last thing I want to do is talk or greet anyone, I just want to eat my food in peace. And then I noticed that someone has been staring at me for almost 5 minutes now, I didn’t want to look up and see the person’s face so I just focused on my food. I was about finishing the food when I noticed that the person is coming closer to me. “Who could this person be, and why is he coming closer” I thought ‘Jasmine, is it you” the voice said I looked up, and it was a young tall dark and handsome guy, he looks so fresh. The face looks familiar but I can’t place where have seen him before “Who is asking” I asked with a straight face “You look beautiful as ever” he said “ It’s me Dave, your childhood friend and neighbor” he replied smiling “Dave Olateju!, are you for real” I asked I can’t believe this is Dave, we used to live in the same neighborhood at Bodija, when we were still very young, our house was just opposite each other and we attended the same school Bodija international School. We were inseparable then and our parent used to tease us by calling us husband and wife, and we will get angry whenever they do. He was so short then, how did he grow so tall and handsome too, I can’t believe this. His family moved to London when he was in Jss1 that was like 10 years ago and we have lost contact since then. “Yes it is me for real, what are you doing here?” he asked “I should ask you the same thing, what are you doing here?, aren’t you supposed to be in London?” I asked too “I came to Nigeria for my internship, am going to be spending 6months. Am a petroleum engineering student at Imperial College in London, and have always wanted to come and visit Nigeria and this internship was just a good opportunity to do so” he replied “So and you, what are you doing here” he asked “am also here for my internship, this is my 3rd month though , and I have 3months left, am studying electrical engineering at University of Ibadan too” I replied “Wow so you really studied engineering, just like you said years back that you will be an engineer. That is so good. I can’t believe that I am seeing you, I was thinking about you when I was planning to come to Nigeria, but I never thought it will happen easily, I don’t have your contact or address but God answered my prayers” he said He couldn’t stop staring at my stomach, a lot must be running through his mind, and if it is the Dave that I use to know, am sure he will not let the sun set today before he ask me about it “So how is mum and dad and your siblings” he asked “They are all doing fine” I replied “And your family too, did they come with you?” I asked “No they didn’t, I am the only one who came” he replied “Hope everyone is fine over there too, Daniel, Dorcas and Daniella” I asked ‘Wow you still remember all my siblings’ name” he asked with surprise “Of course I remember “ I said “They are all fine, though Daniella as gone to be with the lord” he said “What! When? How?” I asked “You know she has sickle cell, she died about 8 years ago during one of her crisis” he explained “arrwwh, am so sorry for your loss” I said “It’s a long time already, and we have another Daniella in the family again too” he said “Another Daniella, how? “ “My parent adopted her, she is an orphan from North Korean, and so we named her Daniella, though her name used to be Kim Geum Ji. She was 7years when we adopted her 3years ago” “Wow that is so nice, can I see her picture” I asked He showed me her picture, and she looks so adorable and cute. But I can’t believe my Daniella is dead, she was my friend too, we were age mates and we used to play together when they were still in Nigeria.
We talked about old times and I couldn’t stop laughing when he reminded me of how we used to act dramas and our we use mimic our mum and dad, and they caught us one day mimicking them, we ran as fast as we could, thinking we would get the beating of our lifes, but surprisingly they just laughed about it and called us to come and do the mimics again. “So are you married Jasmine” he asked “No am not “I replied with low voice, I know why he was asking, it’s obvious. “I can’t see a ring though, but I can see you are pregnant” he added “Can we talk about something else” I said trying to change the topic. “No you need to answer my question Jasmine, I know we are just meeting after a longtime, but we are not strangers to each other, you can tell me anything” he said “Not today Dave, maybe some other time. Today is not a good day to talk about it, lets just continue with catching up first” I replied “Am still the old me Jasmine, I won’t leave you alone today until you tell me exactly what happened, I don’t take no for an answer” he said And as he said, he kept pestering me to talk, we left the dining hall and he was walking me down to my office, and then he brought up the question again “Jasmine, tell me what happened, because I can’t just figure it out, I know you are not the kind of girl that will get pregnant before getting married, and I know your parent trained you in the way of the lord too, so explain to me” he asked “Ok ok…. Where should I start the story from” I asked “From the beginning, I have all the time to hear you” he replied “It’s a long story, I can’t say it while standing, unless you want me to collapse beside you” I said jokingly “So I promise to tell you next time we see…ok” I added “As if I have a choice… So where is your office?” he asked I pointed to the building and his office is also in the same building.
We entered the building and discovered that his office is just few meters away from mine. “This is just perfect Jasmine. Your office is a stone throw from mine, so I will always see you” he said with excitement We parted and went to our different office, the day ended so fast and before I could dodge Dave and go to my room, he was already in my office offering to walk me to my room. “So tell me now, what happened to you while am away, who did this to you” he asked pointing at my tummy….
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