"Congratulations, Mr.!" A laboratory technician announced with a subtle smile, extending Ammi's pregnancy test result to Rana, who eagerly accepted it. Ammi's heart pounded as she glanced at Rana with anticipation.
As Rana took the test, Ammi's eyes locked onto the small delicate laboratory result sheet. A mix of hope and fear gripped her as she awaited Rana's reaction. Then the hard reality hit her. "...oh, oh, It was negative, Rana, it was negative. How could this happen?" She uttered, her voice breaking, and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Rana's expression shifted from excitement to disbelief. He looked down at the positive result, a heavy silence settling between them. In that moment, everything scrambled, leaving a void of unspoken disappointment.
The laboratory technician, sensing the change in the atmosphere, returned to the scene. "What is it? Is there any problem, sir?" He inquired, concern etched on his face.
Caught off guard, Rana quickly composed himself. "No... um, just tears of joy. My wife is overjoyed," He replied, forcing a smile as he tried to hide the truth from the technician. He discreetly pocketed the test, shielding it from prying eyes.
"Aah... dear, let's go,"Rana said, taking Ammi by the hand, attempting to maintain a façade of normalcy. The technician nodded, still puzzled, and resumed his duties, leaving the couple to navigate their emotional storm.
As they walked out of the laboratory, Ammi's tears flowed freely, and Rana, sensing her vulnerability, tightened his grip on her hand. They entered the corridor, a stark contrast to the sterile environment they were leaving behind. Rana, with a protective instinct, used his broad shoulders to shield Ammi from the curious glances of passersby.
The journey through the corridor felt like an eternity, each step echoing the disappointment that hung in the air. Rana whispered words of reassurance, attempting to comfort Ammi, whose sobs echoed through the corridor.
Exiting into the harsh daylight, the world outside seemed oblivious to the heartache within. Rana guided Ammi towards their waiting taxi, a heavy silence enveloping them. The car door opened, and Ammi sank into the seat, her emotions raw and unfiltered.
Rana joined her, the taxi driver started the engine and as they drove away from the laboratory, the cityscape blurred outside the window, mirroring the emotional turmoil within. Ammi stole glances at Rana, her eyes searching for solace in his gaze.
"We'll figure this out, Ammi. You are not alone in this!" Rana said, his voice filled with a sincerity that transcended the positive test result. The journey ahead was uncertain, but Rana stood like a pillar Ammi could always lean on.
The taxi dropped them off at the groundnut farm, and Rana gently broached the difficult topic. "Ammi, you're nearly four months pregnant, and trying to end it could be risky. Let's find a way to keep you safe." He suggested, his voice carrying a mix of concern and determination.
Ammi's eyes betraying a blend of fear and despair, responded, "I don't know, Rana. I feel trapped. My mother already suspects something."She laid bare her anguished emotions, the weight of secrecy pressing down on her.
As Rana walked Ammi home, the uncertain air weighed on them. The fading sunlight cast long shadows on their faces, reflecting their troubles. Though they both wanted to figure things out, the challenge of dealing with society and family expectations loomed, creating an unspoken awareness of the tough road ahead.
Desperate to keep her secret, Ammi began playing a game of hide and seek with her mother during the day. She knew African mothers could discern pregnancy from a woman's appearance.
The next day morning, Ammi reluctantly appeared in her room with bedspread wrapped around her like a shield against the prying eyes that might discern the changes in her body. suddenly, the echoes of her mother's voice pierced the tranquil compound, demanding her presence in the daily chores."Ammi, wake up! Your brother has brought the flour, come out, you have grown lazy these days!" The stern call resonated through the air, propelling Ammi to drag her feet out into the daylight, mumbling.
A feeble attempt at humor escaped Ammi's lips in deep tone. You will not allow young people to grow because of work, Ama… you're not letting us enjoy our youth with all this work."She clutched the bedsheet tighter around her, hoping it would conceal the secret growing underneath. But Ama approached Ammi purposefully. She seized the hem of the sheet and pulled it away, exposing Ammi's attempt to shield herself. "Ammaaah…" Ammi protest escaped as she clutched the sheet, her legs instinctively spreading wide for balance.
Ignoring Ammi's discomfort, Ama's gaze pierced through any facade. "Sit down and mix the flour!" She ordered authoritatively, pointing at the ingredients, her tone revealing a mixture of concern and sternness, as if she sensed more than just a lazy morning.
Ammi gingerly lowered herself onto a rickety local kitchen chair, her movements slow and deliberate. With a sigh, she lazily drew a small can closer between her legs, preparing to pour the flour.
The quiet hum of the morning was stirredwhen Til's voice echoed across the compound from a distance. "Do you know there are rumors of pregnancy...?" The words hung in the air, causing Ammi's heart to leap within the folds of her clothes in fear.
Before Til could complete his sentence, her mother's response sent shivers down her spine, "Yes!"The admission came too swiftly, leaving no room for denial.
Just as the weight of the revelation settled, a man barged in, interrupting the tense discussion. All eyes turned inquisitively as it turned out to be their father. "Welcome... welcome! Their chorus of greetings echoed, and relief swept through the atmosphere upon realizing it was him.
"Til, Amma, go, offload the goods in the car!"Their father ordered, diverting everyone's attention to the bags of rice and other provisions he had brought from Kano. His return marked the preparation for the New Year's celebration, a tradition in Wulari where different families share gifts and visit friends to feast together, showcase new clothes, and generously give money to children on the first and second day of the year.
Their father, a bus driver, usually shuttled passengers and goods between Maiduguri and Baga. However, recent security concerns had shifted his route to the Maiduguri-Kano Road. The family dynamics unfolded amid the backdrop of festivity and anticipation, masking the underlying tension that lingered in the air.
Ama accompanied Baba to the sitting room while talking in low voices. Their long discussion in the room gave Ammi another rise in speculationthather secret might have been exposed.
And as Ama stepped back into the compound, Til resumed his tale, his voice carrying the weight of a somber revelation. "You won't believe what is happening, I struggle to fathom how a girl could conceal a pregnancy within her own kin; hidden from her siblings but known to others,"he shared, the weight of his words lingering in the air.
Rumors had been weaving through the tight-knit community of Wulari like an insidious thread. Til's immediate younger brother cut in with his version of story, showinh interest in the pregnancy discussion; he was emotionally attached to his thought as he unraveledthe truth behind the untimely demiseof their neighbour's daughter,– abortion. Ama gasped, her eyes widening with sympathy, "Oh, poor child; she took the wrong path!" Baba, with a stern expression, chimed in, "If it were my daughter, I'd have her killed with my bare hands before she brings shame on everyone. Nowadays, children only learn to bring shame to their families."
The weight of Baba's words cast a chilling shadow over Ammi. She couldn't meet anyone's gaze, choosing instead to raise her eyebrows in silent distress, her face hidden as she absentmindedly stirred the flour in the can.
Sensing Ammi's unease, Til extended a helping hand. Swiftly, they prepared chinchin, but Ammi's distracted state of mind during the process resulted in a poorly mixed concoction, rendering the chinchin hard and overly sweet in the mouth.
"Ammi, it's hard!" Til remarked during his initial attempt at savoring the chinchin. Ammi, trying to deflect the situation with humor, replied with a wry joke, "If there's an old man in this house without teeth, he should soak it in water before eating.Oh, is that it? So, we should begin our new year with gnashing our teeth? Til teased, gently pulling a strand of Ammi's long woven hair as if searching for hidden troubles.
Amidst the ongoing preparations for the New Year's celebration, Ammi contended with how to handle the situation better. It seemed there was relief; her secret was safe between her and Rana. But at night, when the house was quiet, unexpected regurgitation startled the tranquility of her sleep.
In a haste, she silently opened the door of her room in order to avoid being noticed. The night was quiet that the sound of a falling needle could be heard. She headed towards the toilet to spew in. But her stomach was deceptive that night, kept heaving repeatedly to only allow a little vomits out and start all over when shewent back to the room.
The repeated retching awoken Ama who suspected Ammi to be suffering from malaria as it is common in the region. Ama approached Ammi and comforted her. Oh, sorry! You will be fine. Suck this, it will stop it. As she stretched her hand offering her a half of slice lime. Ammi nodded weakly, her head spinning. So, she clutched the lime, hoping it will provide a momentary reprieve.
Ama rubbed Ammi's back in the acidic aroma that cut through the stale air of the room, assuring Ammi, in the morning, your father and I will take you to the hospital. Ammi nodded in agreement though she was a bit navours, if Ama keeps touching her she will find out about the pregnancy. So, she stooped to hide her swollen breast lately ache as they grow bigger.
Early in the morning, Ama visited Ammi in her room to enquire about her health. "How are you? …I hope the lime helped?" Touching Ammi's body inquisitively, Increasing fear in Ammi's mind."It's okay, I am fine, Ama!"Ammi replied, pushing away Ama's hands to convey her lack of interest in Ama touching her body or suggesting a trip to the hospital.
Ama insisted, "Ammi, my beloved mother, ready yourself. Dad is set to take us to the hospital." "No Ama, I am fine… there is no need."Ammiturned down the assistance Ama was trying to offer her, claimingshe was weak only because she was allergic to the foodsshe ate the previous night which she wouldn't have to eatthemagain. Ama was happy to learn that Ammi was fine and advised her to avoid that food that caused her the troublesome night.
But Ammi's secret liked, she saw theworld around her collapsed further and the impending shame weighed heavily on her shoulders. With dread in her heart, Ammi knew she had to face her father's wrath. His traditional values clashed with the stigma of her situation, and her father threatened to end her life if she couldn't pinpoint the man who impregnated her.
Now, the busy streets of Wulari could not offer Ammi a safe place, she wandered aimlessly, searching for a way to mend her shattered soul. Each passing day brought with it a suffocating sense of betrayal that clung to her like a relentless shadow.
Tonight, the sound of the rain pattering against the window echoed Ammi's inner turmoil, feeling cornered and desperate for a way out, Ammi sought refuge in the one person she knew would never abandon her—Rana. Seeking refuge in the safety of his unwavering friendship. She drew her mobile phone from the corner of her lob pillows and dialed Rana's mobile number. Ring, ring! "Hello, I've got you, Ammi. Don't be paranoid, I won't let you face this alone, "Ranareassured her again, his voice, a comforting balm amidst the raging storm of despair. "Thank you Rana", Ammi's voice echoed heavily from the other end of the conversation.
Seeing her in such distress broke his heart, and he promised to help her out of it at any cost but he needed time to figure a way-out which Ammi found it uneasy to offer him.
Imbued with the fear of her father's threat, Rana sensed her desperation. He hung up the call and rushed to check on her at home so that she doesn't act wildly. But was welcomed by Ammi's father's furious voice 30 yards away from their house entrance, which forced him to stop and listen to the father and his daughter's conversation from a distance.
"Do you understand what you've brought upon this family, Ammi? Your actions have brought great shame upon our name, Ammi's father's voice echoed through their humble abode.
I never meant for this to happen, Baba. I was betrayed, I was broken..."Ammi pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You should have been more cautious in your choices, Ammi. Now, we must rectify this before it brings further dishonor. "Her father's voice was cold, devoid of any sympathy.
Baba, please..." Ammi's words faltered as she tried to reason with him. "Her heart raced as her father's voice boomed, the words falling upon her like a heavy rain.
"Enough, Ammi. We will find a resolution to this, and it must be swift. He responded sternly, his eyes reflecting a mix of disappointment and anger. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened, the tension in his body palpable. Ammi's eyes filled with tears, her chin trembling as she tried to gather the strength to speak.
The weight of her father's disapproval bore down on her, and she felt a lump forming in her throat. Swallowing hard, she tried to find the words to explain her situation, but tears continued to flow, making it difficult for her to see clearly.