THE BROODER

24.

THE BROODER

24.

**ASHLEY**

Yesterday, Thintiwe had her water broken. She has been in the delivery room for hours now. There's no progress. It is a tough labour and I am scared for her. She has been given two epidural injections already. I fear for what the factory will do to her. They only care about the child.

"Doctor Kashmir, how's she? Is she okay"

Doctor Kashmir: This is a tough pregnancy for someone who has had many babies. We are preparing for a C-section. The factory can't bear the expenses of a refund. We have to save the child."

"Please doctor, save her too. I want her alive please doctor."

He gives me an unsure nod and walks away. I doubt he'll listen to me. This is not fair. They didn't let us see her.

" I need to see her!"

Ruthie:" you know it's bad omen to see her when you're pregnant too. Don't risk your health for her. Think for your self too"

Ashati:" I'm scared love. I don't want anything happening to her.

There's must be a way to see her. I don't believe in that omen thing. It is a superstitious belief. She needs me. She needs someone to assure her that everything will be fine. I linger around the clinic till I see the doctor out with the nurse. I sneak into the delivery room.

Thintiwe:"What are you doing here, Ash? You shouldn't be here!"

"Shush! I came to see you. I need you to be strong and everything else will be fine. Okay?" Thintiwe:" I am weak Ash. I know it's the end for me. I can't do it...I ."

" Thintiwe, what did I say about this kind of talk?"

Thintiwe:" To think and speak positivity"

"Good. It's time to do that. You have to be positive about this journey. I need you alive to leave this hell..."

Nurse:"What are you doing here, Ash? Leave this room this instant! I said get out!"

" Remember Thintiwe, think positive"

I met doctor Kashmir on the way back and he gave me a disapproval frown but i don't care. I have this bad feeling about Thintiwe but I don't want to linger on any negativity. I ran to my room and kneel to pray...

" Dear God, I haven't said anything to you for a decade now and I am sorry for that. I didn't want to say a thing to you because you had abandoned me. The day I was abducted,I was coming from your temple. I sang your praises that day and worshipped your holy name yet I was abducted. I don't know my crimes but please forgive me. I want to put the life of my friend, Thintiwe in your hands. God please save her. God, I am pleading with you to not abandon me once again. Please save my friend. Please..." My prayers were ended with tears and hiccups. The pain was so heavy that I couldn't bear it anymore. I need God now, more than ever. I don't want to lose Thintiwe...my eyes betrayed me as I weep and I doze off.

**CONNIE**

This past week has been good to Connie. Her mother and brother are always fussing over her. She was introduced to her niece and nephews who all live together in the same house. Her brother works in a big company owned by a business tycoon, Carter holdings. Jamie works in the accounting department. She is not surprised of her brother's achievement, Jamie has always been a math lover and smart from a young age. An empty room was given to her and she's taking her time painting and decorating it. It is an ensuite.

JAMIE:" Sis, your man is here again."

CONNIE:" I don't have a man, lil man"

JAMIE:"Well you do. Doctor Sandile is here at the waiting room with momma. He's asking of you...I think he likes you. Take it from a fellow man to you."

CONNIE:"I'll be there shortly. Let me arrange this stuffs."

SOME MINUTES LATER,

DOCTOR SANDILE: Hey

CONNIE: Hey.

Doctor Sandile has been a regular to the house. He's a familiar face to the family. Connie found out that he's a widower with a grown son, who's married and he's a grandpa too.

MmaMoloi:" Coco, my son-in-law was just telling me about his service at the army. He's a doctor and a soldier too. He's quite the achiever"

The old lady was just so excited and she can't seem to hide her approval of the man to court her daughter.

CONNIE:"Okay momma, I need to see him off. He's got an early shift tomorrow."

Anyone could see she's just making that up. The poor doctor followed her out after bidding his good-byes to the family.

CONNIE:" Sandile, you can't just rock up at my house without informing me. This thing of you always in my space is suffocating me and I don't want it anymore. I don't want to be rude but, can you please stop coming over and giving my mother false hopes? Please?"

DOCTOR SANDILE:"I am sorry you feel I'm suffocating you but I don't also know what is wrong with my legs. They always want to be here. In your space and my heart wants you and you alone. Please give us a chance. We are not teenagers and we can't play with our feelings anymore. I want you in my hands. I want to give you the Mzobo's last name, please MaMoloi."

CONNIE:" I will think it throughout but please allow me live my life a little. I just got my life back and I am still working to fit in. I want to get to know Connie myself and get used to the outside world first before commitment. All I ask for is just space. For a little while or so. Please Sandile, please "

DOCTOR SANDILE:" okay MaMoloi. I will try to but it's going to be very hard. I will do it for you, anything for you"

CONNIE:"Thank you sands"

There's a little hope for him, he thinks.

DO Y'ALL KNOW ABOUT THE BAD OMEN? OR IS IT ONLY PRACTICED IN MY CULTURE?