Chapter two : the gender revealing
1088 Words
The morning sun came through the small window and filled the living room with light. Elena sat on the couch, her hands resting on her round belly. The house still smelled like yam and fried eggs. The one David made before he rushed out to his newspaper stand.
These days, he didn’t let her do much. Even when she tried to sweep or wash plates, he would quickly take them from her.
“You’re not touching that broom,” he told her that morning, shaking his finger playfully. “You and my babies need rest.”
Elena had laughed, watching him struggle with the broom and burn one side of the yam. She didn’t even mind. Watching him try made her heart warm. This was the same man who used to wake up before sunrise to deliver newspapers in the cold, now doing everything just to make her smile.
Pregnancy hadn’t been easy for her. Some mornings she couldn’t keep anything down. Other times she had just cry for no reason. But David never complained. He was always there rubbing her back, holding her hair when she threw up, whispering small prayers beside her.
Sometimes, at night, when the house was quiet, she had lie next to him, feel the small movements in her belly and whisper, “Thank you, God. Thank you for remembering us.”
That morning, she was getting ready for her hospital check-up. It had been three months since her last visit, and the doctor said it was time for a scan. She was nervous but also excited.
David came home earlier than usual to take her. His face looked tired, but he was smiling. His clothes smelled like paper and dust from the street.
“You ready, my love?” he asked, wiping his forehead with his shirt.
Elena smiled. “Yes, I’ve been waiting for you.”
He helped her put on her sandals, picked up her hospital card, and together they walked down the narrow street holding hands. Neighbors waved at them, some smiling, some whispering. Everybody in the area knew their story. How they had waited for years without a child. How Elena had cried and prayed. How David stayed by her side through it all.
At the hospital, the smell of disinfectant filled the air. They sat in the waiting room with other pregnant women and their husbands. Some women were laughing, others quiet. Elena placed her hand on her belly and said a small prayer.
When the nurse called her name, she looked at David. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. “I’m right here,” he said softly.
The doctor, a kind woman named Dr. christabel , greeted her with a smile.
“How are we feeling today, Elena?”
“A little tired,” Elena said with a small laugh. “But happy.”
“That’s good,” the doctor said. “Let’s take a look at the baby.”
Elena lay down while the doctor spread cool gel on her belly and moved the scanner around. The screen flickered with tiny movements that made Elena hold her breath.
Dr. Ada smiled. “Well, Mrs. Velmont….looks like you’re not carrying one baby.”
Elena surprise . “Not one?”
The doctor turned the screen toward her. “You’re carrying two twins!”
Elena’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Two small heartbeats flickered on the screen. Two tiny lives.
“Twins?” she whispered.
“Yes,” the doctor said. “Two healthy baby girls.”
Elena covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.
When she stepped out, David jumped up. “What did the doctor say?” he asked quickly.
She didn’t answer. She just ran into his arms, crying. “Two, Badmus,” she said through her tears. “We’re having two girls!”
He froze for a second, staring at her. Then a big smile spread across his face. “Two?” he repeated. She nodded, laughing and crying at the same time.
He shouted, not caring who heard. He lifted her a little off the ground.
“Two! My God, you’ve blessed me double!”
People in the waiting room clapped and smiled. Even the nurses laughed.
On the way home, David couldn’t stop talking.
“Two girls, Elena! I’ll make two small beds side by side. And when they grow, they’ll wear the same dresses! My little angels!”
Elena smiled, touching her belly. “They’ll be beautiful,” she said softly. “Just like their father.”
That evening, David cooked again. He hummed and sang off-key as he stirred the pot. The smell of stew filled the house.
When Elena tried to stand up, he pointed a spoon at her. “Sit down, Madam Mother of Twins! You’re not lifting a finger!”
She laughed so hard she almost cried.
Later, her friend Rose came by. Loud and full of energy as always.
“Elena!” she shouted as she entered. “I heard the news! Twins! You greedy woman you took two blessings at once!”
Elena laughed. “It’s not my fault o! God just decided to surprise us.”
Rose hugged her tight. “Ah, I’m so happy for you, my sister. After all these years, look what God has done.”
They spent the evening talking about baby names, cravings, and old memories. Rose teased her about her new love for roasted corn.
“Elena, you better leave some corn for the rest of us o!”
Elena chuckled. “If that’s what my girls want, I’ll eat corn every day.”
When David came out with a tray of fruits and water, Rose teased him too.
“Ah, David, you’re turning into a house husband!”
He laughed. “Anything for my wife and my two angels.”
Rose left as the sun went down. The house got quiet again. Elena leaned on David shoulder. “Can you believe it?” she whispered. “Two girls…”
David kissed her forehead. “I believe it. And I’ll work hard every day to give them the best.”
They sat in silence, both smiling, both dreaming of the future of small feet running around, of laughter filling their home.
That night before sleeping, David placed his hand on her belly and said a small prayer.
“Lord, thank you for our double blessing. Please keep them safe.”
Elena whispered, “Amen,” her heart full of peace.
- Writer
