Unwanted Baby

Episode 5

After Chima had pleaded with Mama, I felt as though a heavy load had been lifted off my shoulders. I was still afraid of how my schooling would go, but like the angel he was Emmanuel stepped forward and gave me the very news that calmed my fears.

“This Organization would like to help you with your schooling if you are still interested in furthering your education after delivering your baby,” he said with a smile.

Mama couldn’t hold her tears back anymore, as she fell prostrate on the tiled floor and began to thank our saviour. I didn’t know what to do, I just stared at the kind, handsome face of the man that had saved me even without knowing me.

“So good men still exist?,” I unknowingly asked aloud.

Emmanuel smiled and raised Mama from the floor, saying he had done nothing much that it was all God’s doing.

Chima sat in a corner biting his nails, while looking like he was in deep thoughts.

Emmanuel turned to him, now frowning as though the sight of Chima disgusted him.

“And you, Mr Man. When are they expecting the support money you promised?”

Chima fidgeted for a while before saying he would see what he would have by the next week.

Emmanuel told Mama not to worry, as the problem was fully solved now. As Emmanuel walked us to the gate, he chatted with Mama in front while I walked with Chima behind them.

He was silent for a while, but when he opened his mouth it was a cold scary low laugh that he gave off before turning to whisper into my ears,

“Na who de alive go born pikin, come chop my money.”

And then he hurried past Mama and Emmanuel to the road. Mama and Emmanuel had stopped to watch me, wondering what was wrong with Chima. I stopped, held my Belly, and I knew right then that the fight had only begun.

The fight for my life and my baby’s own.