Chapter 8 — Pregnant?

"There is no pain Allah doesn't understand. There is no struggle Allah doesn't know. There is no cries Allah ignores." - Sisterhoodofdeen.

...

When Mama arrived the following day, Abdullah and I welcomed her warmly. Also judging from the bag she came with, she wouldn't be staying for long. Abdullah and I ushered her to the guest room where she normally lodged in whenever she paid us a visit.

Mama was a lover of peppery soup and eba since her childhood days (according to her), so I made it for her and served her in the dining without hesitation. It was hot and smelled wow!. She was so overwhelmed with joy when she saw the eba. She then laid her hands in it and began eating like a hungry wolf.

She devoured everything in the plate in a short span of time, she washed her hands in the bowl I provided her for that aspect. Then she heaved a sigh as she battled with the heat and harshness of the peppery soup she had just eaten.

"Bilkis you know why I like you more than the rest of my daughter in_laws?" She asked as she gulped the remaining water in the glass cup.

That was how she used to pronounce my name, Bilkis. You know all these Igala people, their tongues are different from other people's. Don't mind me!

"Tell me Mama" I responded with a smile. I knew even before she told me that I was the best of her daughter in_laws. As I told you before, she loved me like her very own.

"Because you know exactly what's best for me. You've never for once asked me what I want, you only read my mind and do exactly as I wanted" She cheerfully said.

"Really Mama?" I was impressed. I turned and gave Abdullah a glance with a smile thinking he'd smile back at me but he gave me a glare, and that made me turn my gaze back to focus on Mama quickly.

"Yes my daughter. Thank you again for saving my son's life that terrible night. You're really a good wife"

"The pleasure is mine Mama"

"Good. Now can I ask you a question?" She said as she held my hand. I was sitting close to her in the dining.

"Ye... yes, Mama" I was already scared.

She wanted speaking when she glanced at Abdullah, hence changed her mind. "Never mind. Later we will talk. Now please try and get some rest, I know you're tired"

And what did she mean by that? As if I told her I was tired? Ahh this old woman, I was still young and could work all day unlike her. "Don't worry Mama, I'm not tired. I'll even wash the dishes and..."

"You this child, you don't want to give yourself a rest right?" She withdrew her hands from mine and gave me a weird look, with a smile. "I just pray you don't hurt that thing in your tummy"

I was surprised by that. What thing was she talking about? And in my tummy? What could that be? Or was she talking about pregnancy? Oh hell no, impossible! I really could not be pregnant that moment. I can't even remember the last time my husband was intimate with me. A baby is surely one of the last thing my belly bore. Maybe she noticed it protruding and insinuated that it withheld a child.

"Mama I'm not..." I said halfway as Abdullah intruded with a smile.

"You're not what Habibati?" He held my hand warmly. I was shocked. "Mama might be right, you know how elders' eyes are; sharp" He said. Like fun, but I didn't laugh. I was just shocked... shocked beyond words.

"Don't mind her, my son, she's just naive. Now please escort her to go and have some rest. You and I will do the chores she's planning to do"

"Alright Mama" He withdrew to his feet, holding my hand. "Let's go Habibati. You need to have this rest please" He said with a smile that can't be quench by a dictator.

I wasn't surprised by his change... It was a plan to not let Mama know about the vacuum between us. A plan I knew would end the moment she left. Oh my Lord, how I wish she stayed with us for life.

"Ok Habibi" I withdrew to my feet too. "Mama thank you so much" I began, "and please if you need my assistance on anything do not hesitate to call me. I don't want you to stress your..."

"Don't worry my daughter, my son and I will do it just the way you want it. Please go have some rest" She said, sending me away.

"Alright Mama" I smiled.

Abdullah encircled his arm around my waist. He was very careful not to let Mama notice anything. Immediately we were in my room, he pushed me away from him after gently closing the door behind us.

"Tell me the truth, are you pregnant?" He asked in fury. His eyes already red.

"Preg what? How can I be pregnant? Sau nawa ka taba ni?(how many time have you touched me) Do you even care?". I didn't even know how on earth the words escaped my mouth, and it wasn't in a low tone.

Mama could hear! I thought.

"This is not about me. I already know I can't impregnate a woman since when I was 20. I had masturbated for years and it affected my prostate". He said, trying his possible best not to be loud in his voice.

"What do you mean?" I was shocked again.

"Yes, I can't impregnate a woman. Meaning, whatever you're carrying is not mine" He said.

"Abdullah stop saying that" I was already sad. "If truly I'm pregnant then the child is no one else's but..."

"No it can't be mine. Remember we got married 2 and half years ago but I couldn't get you pregnant" He shook his head. "Until now that you gave your body to a bastard, and you expect me to believe it is mine?"

"Abdullah it happened in your presence. He did it anally. He didn't even undress me, he only got his way in. How can I be pregnant that way? We all know it's impossible, and as a matter of fact it been 6 months now! Why is my tummy still flat? If really you and Mama are right about this pregnancy, then the baby is yours Abdullah, because you're the only one that touched me recently and through the right channel. So please just..."

"F**king bullshit, this really can't be!" He intruded vehemently and left, slamming the door behind him.