₦airaland Forum

HumbledbYGrace: *hides*

Thanks, but I have to finish it first. Where did you come from? Second best critic I have met on this thread. Thanks, a lot

HumbledbYGrace: “I haven't seen you since you came back Femi, what's going on? ” Malaika said looking up from her laptop. She was checking her mails and had meant to ask Femi if they could meet later but it seemed he also had planned to surprise her, well the usual. She was still in her night clothes when he called telling her that he was at the door, she had told him to let himself in.

He opened his arms and Malaika flung herself against his chest. He released her after some time. Retreating to a couch next to her, he asked her to come sit next to him.

“ I have been busy, nothing is going on. Your look beautiful than the first time I laid my eyes on you.” He said looking down at her fondly. Femi always had a way of turning Malaika into an emotional wreck. She was always unsure of herself, and her looks, well ever since she met Ife-Oluwa that is. So Femi's complement meant great deal to her.

“Thank you Femi, your not bad yourself. ” Experiencing a rush of gratitude that he could make her feel so good about herself. After what seemed like hours of catching up, from the day Femi's sister died to her birthday mini celebration. Malaika felt it was time to tell him.

“Femi, ”

“I miss her, I am sorry for being so distant.” His voice was weary and lifeless. He was laying on the couch with his eyes closed. Malaika wasn't so sure then of how to break the news, he had too much on his plate.

“Nina mimba, ” (I am pregnant. )

She blurted it out in her home language. She waited for his reply but he remained silent.

“mimi hofa, ”( I am scared) still no answer. Malaika moved closer to him.

“Femi? Je, wewe bado na mimi? ” (Femi? Are you still with me?) She ran her fingertips lightly on his silky eyebrows.

“Hebu kuzungumza hili kwa njia ya.” (Let's talk this through.)

“Leave me alone.”

“No.” Anger nipped at her, and she dropped to her knees beside the couch.

“We are in this together, I know its my fault. I forgot to take the pill when I got here, but we can't go back now please.”

His eyes slid sideways to look at her. “It is over.”

“No, it isn't . Its not over, you love me and I love you. ” She tried to smile, but it didn't feel right. “Come on,” she urged, burying her head on his laps. “This isn't like you. You were supposed to be in control and...”

“No!” His voice rang out as he jerked up to a sitting position and glared at her. “Read my lips. Its over! I will give you money for abortion...”

“Over my dead body!” Malaika gripped his knees and leaned into him until her face was inches from his. “I can't have an abortion, God would never forgive me. ”

Femi chuckled, “Your such a hypocrite Malaika, where was God when you gave yourself willingly to me? Do us both a favor and get rid of that thing before you lose your precious scholarship. ”

She stared at his cute face and wanted to slap it. “If I have an abortion, will we still be together? ”

Femi shrugged off the questions and cradled his head in his hands as he propped his elbows on his bend knees. “I should have made sure you took those pills, now your tricking me into this! ”

“Me? Tricked you? Femi that's absurd...I..” She clumped her lips before saying something she would regret later. He glared at her, his eyes stormy and swimming with defeat. “Your optimism is turning my stomach.”

“Femi...” She slipped an arm across his wide shoulders. “I betrayed your trust, I know but to err is human baby, to for....”

He shot up from the couch and grabbed his sweater. “I have to go.”

“Where are you going? ”

“I need fresh air, this place is stuffy, especially with you in it. ” He stuck his arms into the sleeves and headed for the door. “Don't bother calling me, text me your account number and I will send you the money, that's if you need it rich girl. ”

“Femi, can we at least talk?”

“Nothing to talk about.” He opened the door and was gone.

Malaika fell on the couch and wept. Femi was just too upset and still mourning his sister's death. He couldn't make any rational decisions, he still loved her, because she still loved him too, she thought. She decided on having the abortion but first she needed to talk to her father.

Her father picked the call after the third ring. “Angie...” Her father sounded happy to hear her voice. Where would she start? “Are you well my daughter? ”
Father and his formalities... his voice consoled her in a way. “I am well father, how are you? ” She hardly ask about her mother whenever she called her father. She knew he would tell her that her daughter sends her greetings. Even when she didn't, he was a bridge between two women who loved each other deeply but were in conflict because of culture and religion. “We are still breathing my child, his grace has kept us till today. We were just sad that you couldn't come home.”

“School work father.” She needed to get to the point before her father start talking about politics and economy. “Father, if there was something you did, and it brought bitter results, you feel ashamed and want to get rid of it though getting rid of it has bitter consequences. If you keep it, you might lose out in life, what would you do? ”

Her father pondered on her question before replying. “I always tell you to pray first, then look at the situation. Will solution A be long term? will you benefit from it? Is it negative or positive? You can do that with solution B too. ” She thanked her father, promised to call again soon and ended the call. She knew what to do.