Unwanted Baby

Episode 10

It took three days of fervent nursing from Mama Emeka, before Emmanuel stopped slipping in and out of consciousness. By then, his phone was filled with missed calls and text messages from different people. At a point, I had even switched the phone off, at least to escape the incessant phone rings.

When he finally woke up, his eyes weren’t focused but he looked better than that night when he had been beaten and stabbed. Mama had gently raised him to a sitting position,and forced him to eat some food. He didn’t resist, but was only able to eat very little before he lay back down on the mat, staring at the ceiling. As Mama Afrikstories went into the kitchen with the plates, to wash it, Emmanuel beckoned me closer.

“How many days have I been Asleep? Did anybody by name Amina call my number?”

I flicked away a buzzing fly close to his head, before looking him in the eyes.

“Is that all you can say? Don’t you care about how much blood you lost?,” I asked him angrily.

He sighed loudly, slumped back onto the bed, and began to tell me his story.

“Nne, my mother was just like you. 17, big dreams, and a good heart, and that was how she fell for my good for nothing father. He was 30 then, and had just graduated from the University of Jos with a first class in political science, ready to travel abroad for his Masters. He had met my mom at a seminar for young political thinkers, and when they got talking my mom had fallen for his smooth talks. He on the other hand, only wanted her in his bed.

His plan worked out, and by the time my mom discovered she was pregnant, he had abandoned her and flown to England for his Masters. My mom died giving birth to me, and I was raised by my aunt. He returned to Nigeria some years back, and became a successful politician. That was until he realized I was his son.”

Emmanuel Turned to me,

“My father is Governor Allison, and he wants me dead, because I’m his greatest evil…”