Merged To The Right Man

CHAPTER ONE

Briskly she moved,carrying five new borns on her hands. The five hardly covered with her wrapper. Desperately following the steps of an hiding lady; the lucky mother of the five.

No,in this dark, she refused to be left with the responsibility of the five. Yes. Should her good heart be turned to regrets now?

Hiding also from this unknown lady,her gaze fell on her sighting the far and near abodes for the presence of one; the one that might serve as a witness, a possible testifier in the nearest future.

Soon enough, with the assurance of no viewer,the lady weak hand fell on the shinning wide gate,hardly speaking out. As if known, in the tightly secured street, the entrance was opened at once. Acting strong, she moved into a wealthy house that seems too fantastic to believe. Seriously, how will a lady from this environment labour in the bush with the help of none? Still desperate in her thoughts, the reason behind her acts must be unleashed.

Like a bat out of hell,she sped up towards the same opened gate before it will be closed. Heavens favouring her intentions,the unknown lady was questioned by the man at the gate. Though, all questions goes unanswered. Fastly, the unknown lady went in authoritatively.

'Wait! Wait!!' She shouted with hope.

Considering it more, of the gate will be closed,no amount of knock,talks or pleas will cause it open in the day,talkless of this night.

The man in front her,looking like a gate man,if possible her imaginations are true now,stood bold awaiting her explanations. Before the next word could be pronounced by her,the man's view fell on the five,some still covered with the fresh blood. Not clothed,cleaned or cared for. What could be the intentions behind her acts? With much emotion, he listened for the upcoming words.

She,on her part,doesn't take the opportunity for granted. She requested the presence of the earlier lady who fastly stepped in,claiming her to be the mother of the five.

'My hands just delivered her of these five children. Trying to find a substitute to clean them all,she disappeared without been attended to. Call her, her tommy will tell it all.'

How true? The gate man checked the time. It's five minutes past nine. Precious has been out for more than two hours after arriving from school and has refused to be seen for more than a year. Even her earlier acts of weakness and reluctancy was put to memory by this man. Could it be true?

What if true and the lady has been sent away? How bad will his boss act? The man who loves to bear children but was chanced to bear one; Precious. This gate man has to be sagacious in his decisions.

'Come in.' Gate man invited her in.

Cool words calming her nerves, she brought in the five and stood behind the gate. Two almost falling from her hands,the gate man helped her in laying them down. Bringing out a blanket to serve as bed.

Sure of the locked gate,the gate man went in to the lovely mansion, informing his boss of a possible truth. Mr Akindele's eyes opened wide,facing him immediately. His face showed an unquantable joy. Assured of no regrets, the gate man spoke more on evidence available outside.

Quickly, the man moved,calling for his wife's presence. Maybe something good is approaching. Very soon,the three were out. The seen grandeur of the couples couldn't be overlooked as they look their worth. Due to this,the lady's anger was calm. Instantly, she obeyed courtesy. Low voice, greetings, soft explainations,even with eagerness went on. Insinuating. More on proofs,Precious' attention was required.

As if expected, Mr Akindele lifted two to his hands,not minding the dirts. Doing this, his memory flashed back to the lovely time Precious was born but was denied access to his child till the following day. Even his mother, in-laws and families were overjoyed, all kept carrying her.

Oh! What a joy! Following the steps of her husband, Mrs Akindele bent down,observing the health of the children. Immediately thinking how they will be cleaned.

'Are you a nurse?'

The soft voice was directed to the lady. Not knowing the reason behind the question, she explained herself.

'No,but I learned midwifery.'

'Can you clean them all?'

Just before her reply,the two on Mr Akindele's hands acted like human and wept. This called for Precious' attention.

'How fast my past hunts me!' The averagely awake lady feared her earlier deeds. Again, she heard more crys and discovered it's coming from the garden. Weakly, she sat up,peeping through the window, to check how true her imaginations could be. What?! The presence of the other lady sent fire of fears into her dying soul. Her heart leapt. The sight of her father caring for two on his hands signifies acceptance. How quick?! Not even minding her words! In contact, how could she deny her own deeds in this condition? Haa!! Her supposed past is really stepping after her.

Willingly this lady replied 'yes'. Jovially the mother carried one. The precious cry had also called for the attention of a maid. She also carried one. While the midwife took the last. The gate man cleared and cleaned the field.

How comely is the cry of a newborn to the ear! How marvelous is it to be heard in one's house again! As the midwife cleaned the children,she also explained how to identify the first to the fifth born to the enthused grandparents.

'The hairy boy is the first while the hardly hairy boy is the third. Same goes for the girls as the second and fourth. The dark complexion girl is the fifth.'

'Two boys and three girls.'

'Yes.'

'The mother is yet to be cleaned or observed. Call her for treatment and feeding the babies.'

'Seems you forgot to add something...What about the placenta?'

'Ha,I didn't take it along. It should still be in the bush.'

Without any waste of time,the gate man and a maid was sent to go search for it. Silent signals wassent to the cook to call Precious. As he goes,the father questioned;

'What food can you recommend for the five?'

Suggestions and explanations given,the midwife advised them taking the five to the hospital very early the next morning.

With the reply given by the cook,Mrs Akindele implored the midwife to go clean Precious in her room, as she was noticed to be bleeding. In a rush,most were present in Precious' room,attending to her undeniable needs. The father seems unworried as he plays with the babies.

Prepared to leave, the midwife was presented a check of a million naira. Wow!! What a reward! The midwife couldn't hide her joy as she joyfully wrote her name. Soon,off she goes.

Regarding all to be over? No. Another silent trouble in this bustling night.

'Precious, even if grateful tat your deeds did not lead to your death,it's still my obligation to do the necessary.' Mr Akindele began.

Hearing the frightening words,Precious immediately put her pains under control. Even the hot tea was dropped.

'Who is the father of the five?'

Ponding like never before,Precious' quick breathing could be easily noticed. How hurtful will it be for this man to be informed the babies' father is his enemy in the street. Yes,Olawale is proud to the richs. He's very poor and uneducated. Always irritating to the crowd are some of his local behaviors, talks and reasonings. So,how charming can he be to be able to attract Precious' attention? Well, he realized Precious needs attention, friendship and love. He doesn't joke with this in every opportunity he had with her. He's also funny, a bit handsome and tall.

All through the time the two were together, none of the family members knows. But why?

The words is so heavy; the next action not known, Precious fidgetted on bed. In contrast,all hears await her reply.

'Precious, will you allow us wait in vain?' Mrs Akindele requested.

'Mummy, mummy,I'll tell you.'

Precious planned a means of averting the imagined consequence. But,the father stood in awe,viewing amind how circumstances changes things so quick. Precious had been his best friend, opening up to him in every situation. Now,the pattern suddenly changed.

Mrs Akindele knew not what to say but ordered the maids out.

'Dear,I and your father are your friends. You can reveal your mind to us remember. '

'Yes,permit me kneel down first,maybe to apologize.'

'Is the person as worst as that?' Mrs Akindele became confused.

'No,yes,I mean no.'

The two watched her drama. An act she've never put up before.

'He's a person you know.'

'Okay.' The two replied.

Another moment of silence goes on.

'What's his name?'

'Ola. Ehnn, Olawale. I mean...(pointing to his area),he one there.

Mr Akindele was shocked, so much disappointed. He couldn't hide his feelings. Without saying a word,he moved out of her room.