It's been a few weeks since I moved out of my residence. But Musa doesn't know this, I told him that I am just visiting my mom few days which turned to a few weeks, because of the recent incident, it put her on bed rest and she needs me. He appears to be understanding about the predicament.
Only God knows, that I am hiding a secret from him. These acts are like a gnawing pain eating me every time I talk to him through the phone. This is why today, I switched off my phone. I can't bear to talk to him like nothing is wrong.
I step into the lecture hall wearing my maroon hoodie covering my head. Last day and we go for recess. And I will be free for a few weeks before going back to school. I scan the lecture hall and I see that those two-faced friends of mine are not here yet, so I rush to the front seats and sit there. They hate front seats.
The lecturer arrives, she lectures us about morphology. I lazy glance at her throughout the lecture while she talks to a few learners who were eager to engage her during the lecture. This is so tiring, I just want to leave. Immediately, the lecture ends, I rush off the lecture hall. And walk as fast as I can so I can maybe catch a taxi and get back to...my new home. I am not used to referring to Kim's house as my home.
"Deya!" A hand grabs me. Musa! My heart stops beating. My body feels shaky, I can't balance myself.
"Babe..." He holds me in his arms.
"Hey..." I dizzily greet him. I am sweating, I am hot.
"You are burning hot," He remarks frightened
"It's the sun too hot" I steady myself fanning myself with my hand.
"Let me drive you to...you still at the Smith's right? " His countenance is soft and concerned.
"No..." I resist. I don't want mother to see him.
"I insist" He takes my arm and place it around his shoulders so I can find balance.
We walk to his car. At least his car was nearby. When we get to his car, I see Shudu leaning on the car.
"Shudu!" I weakly hail at him
"Deya" His face turns worried when he sees my state. "And then?" He glances at me with a sceptic gaze.
"She is not well" He opens the back door and allows me to settle before he closes and heads to his driver's seat.
"Maybe we should go to the clinic?" He suggests as he launches driving.
"No...take me to the house" I defend in a weak voice. The clinic will reveal my secret.
"Maybe you are pregnant. Where there's work, there is a pay" He smirks. We both give him a cold gaze.
"Don't joke like that, you making me happy that at least I am fertile, I was starting to wonder" His cold gaze turn to a warm chuckle.
He gaze at me, I just stared at him with a scathing gaze. He averts his gaze. He saw that I didn't agree with his stupid comment, because...I am pregnant and I am hiding it from you. My eyes become teary.
"What's up, babe? I was kidding, no babies yet" He tries to console me.
" Another symptom, always teary for no reason" Shudu glances at my reflection through the rear of the mirror.
"Stop it!" Musa reprimands him.
"It's cool" I glance through the window and keep my silence.
In minutes of awkward silence, his car parked a house away from Kim's house.
"You will manage?" He asks with a concerned gaze.
"Yes..." I try to appease him but his gaze is not changing. He is worried. "I am better now, later I will be fine".
" Just know, I am here for you" He purses his lips.
"You just recovered, focus on you" I alight from the car. I wave and walk away.
Every minute in the car, it is taunting. I can't bear this. Can it be nine months already?
*
"Did you tell her?" Shudu asks Musa
"I wanted to..." His words vanish
"What stopped you?" Shudu glances at him curiously
"Something feels off" He concludes.
"We know that, this is why you are doing what you are doing now. To assure her" Shudu remind him of his intention.
"Yeah...I guess when school reopen I will do it or during the holidays" He nibbles his ear with his fingers.
"Or tomorrow" Shudu insists
"Yeah..." He contemplates.
"I will be with you, so don't be afraid" Shudu fiddles with his phone. "You were there for me, so I owe you this much"
"Fam" He smiles
"Fam hey" Shudu smirks.
The car launches and drives off.
*
"Whew! " I heave a sigh of relief.
"Hold here, let's go. Your mom is in the hospital" Kim puts a weekender bag in my hands.
"What happened?" I tail him as we go to the garage.
" She gave birth to your little brother" He smiles and reverses the car. I glance at him baffled.
"Oh...so these are her and baby's clothes?" I ask dumbfounded.
Another flash of my reality has kicked in. I am no longer the only child. My eyes become teary. I hate this feeling, I should be happy, but I am not.
"Yes...we now have an additional member in the family, and soon we will welcome yours" He smiles warmly.
I gaze at him, his voice so soft and warm. The intention behind his statement is so sincere. But, I never wanted to be part of this. I never thought my mom would fall in love, especially with a mixed-race man, I would one day not be the only child. Life indeed has unexpected turns, and one should never feel comfortable.
*
I glance at the baby, sleeping peacefully on my mother's chest. My chest contract. I am no longer the only child.
"Isn't he so beautiful?" She asks weakly glancing at me with eager eyes.
"He is" I smile.
Of course, he is, he is blessed by two dashing beautiful parents, and a rich dad who is present and eager to father him. To walk him through all the steps of his life. I wish to mine, doesn't go through the rollercoaster ride I went through.
"Come see him up close, don't be shy" She smiles.
I walk up close to her and take a close look at this being resting on my mother's chest. He is at peace. So tiny and fragile. His skin is lighter than anyone in the room.
"I wish I could see him with his eyes open" I let my thoughts out and I realise that everyone heard that.
"I want to see, who does he look like" I explain awkwardly.
"Yah... I too" Kim concurs and chuckle. He is looking happy. His lips have been smiling since we left the house.
"Excuse me, I want to powder my nose" I stride away from them.
They chuckle.
"Uh, that's fancy, she wants to powder her nose" They chuckle.
I close the door behind me. I switch on the phone.
I type a text.
"I need to see you tomorrow"
A message chimes.
"You read my mind. Noon?"
"It's fine, There's a new member in the family so it will be short"
message chimes
"Congrats! I bet he or she has taken after Mr Kim"
I frown my eyebrows
" Thanks, we don't know that yet. Tomorrow then, pick me up at noon dot. I gotta go"
Message chimes.
"Cool. I love you babe"
"Me too"
message chimes
"I love you"
I roll my eyes. Is he making this a big deal?
"I love you too"
I leave the screen and switch off the phone. I open the door.