THE BROODER

EPISODE 12

THE BROODER

12.

***ASHLEY***

Thanbang gave birth just this morning and her baby was taken this evening. No form of mother to child bonding was allowed, even the three weeks weaning was not given to her. I don't know what to make of this but I can see the tension it brought in the factory.

"Hi" I went to see her in the delivery room. Her eyes were swollen from crying. I knew her mother instincts were active not minding what she said weeks ago.

Thanbang: Hi.

" How's the stitches?" I know better not to talk about the baby. She's lying on the bed while i gently sit on the only chair in the room. The seat was quite uncomfortable for a big whale like me.

Thanbang: it hurts...

I know the physical pain is nothing compared to the lapse of her mental stability.

" I know but it will get better in a few days. I have these chocolate bar. These days I can't stomach sugar, so I thought to bring it for you. Here, have it!" I gave her the five chocolate bars remaining from my weekly provisions. She sat upright on the bed and collected the chocolates.

We sat quiet for a while as she chew on the chocolate bar.

Thanbang: I am sorry about that day... For making you cry.

" No need to be, it's the hormones and I understand very much"

Thanbang: No it's not the hormones. I have had Eighteen babies here, two were stillbirths and one albino. You see, I was married before I was abducted. We were trying for a baby...for five years and one day, I found this site were this pastor performs powerful miracles. I was intrigued so,I chatted with the pastor and was given a day to visit for consultation. I told my husband but he wasn't interested in the whole setup. I wish I listened to him when he said something about the setup being dodgy. He warned me not to go there and should forget about the consultation but I was adamant on getting pregnant by all means. The location was changed several times that day but I was determined to consult. I got to the location and I was clever enough to ask around. The people around that I asked told me that there's no church with that name around there but I still waited. I waited for the call cause I was told not to call. After some hours, I received a call to enter a vehicle parked just outside the mall. I entered the vehicle and that's it. I woke up here in this hell. The first set of seminations failed but they kept trying till they succeeded. I felt happy during my first pregnancy. But I became miserable after the child was taken from me. I am still miserable. They've taken and taken and I can't bear it anymore...I can't bear it anymore..." I got up from the seat and hugged her. I felt myself crying with her. I didn't know when I joined her.

I don't know what to tell her to console her. For someone who wants motherhood, she has been hurt by what she loves the most badly.

We both turned as we hear footsteps coming in...

Saga? It's been years I saw him since the day he took my SUN. He has changed in looks. The broad shoulders showing the effects of a good workout session, his neatly trimmed beard and his new sense of fashion. We stared at each other for a while each unable to say a word.

I have practised on what to ask him several times in my head but now, I can't seem to find my voice. My son should be Nine years old now and I don't even know what to say. I've missed a lot in his life already.

Thanbang: who are you? What do you want here?

I bet she didn't know that I have a child with this man, that he r***d the child in me, that he ruined my view of s*x and he denied me the privilege of raising my womb opener...

***RICHARD***

I am finally going to meet with Mr Richard today. The orphanage called today, arranging a meeting for us. I have always wanted to meet the anonymous Mr Richard. I tried tracking him but it was useless. I wanted to meet him for being kind to me as a child. He was the only visitor who liked me. He will always bring me toys, clothes and accessories. The boy in me wanted to meet my first father figure.

He visited the orphanage only when he wants, anonymous and he didn't want publicity. He usually leaves late at night in a black tinted car. Nobody knows who he is or what he is. His face is always covered too. I didn't know what he looks like and it made me curious the more.

When I got the news of the meeting arrangements, I was as happy as a box of birds. The boy in me wants to leap in joy. The man was a tough nut to crack but I feel a connection to him like a strong bond.

On getting to the Five star restaurant, I noticed the entire space was rented out. Who's this man? I ponder. I could tell he is a person who has a high degree of recognition by the general population for his or her success or accomplishments.

Waiter: Mr Richard, what do you care for?

"Where's the host with the most?"

Waiter: He will be here shortly.

" Bring me cognac" I signaled my guards to stay outside. I am very handy with my revolver which is breathing fine in my suit jacket. I was sitting alone in the restaurant like a man in love waiting for his date. My curiosity made me sit. I am a man who hates waiting. The normal death would have gone home immediately I noticed that Mr anonymous wasn't in time, but I felt the need to wait.

" Barnabas?"

I couldn't believe the person that walked into the restaurant. The almighty...

100 comments please