Despite the scorching sun, Philip stayed outside, obviously worried and contemplating over something. He was literally loitering the entrance of his family house.
"Good afternoon Bro Philip" One of the neighbors children greeted and this woke Philip from his deep thoughts, he just gave the little girl a stern look then his thoughts joggled back to what he had been doing previously. "Damn!" he kicked in the air and immediately made up his mind to enter the house.
Inside the house was his family, having a good family time, seeing a movie together. His mother, a sophisticated and pretty woman is in her late forties, she looked up at Philip and Philip's eye met hers but her concentration was on the move so she didn't notice his unusual countenance. His father, who was on wheel chair didn't even bother to look up at Philip, he was so engrossed that Philip wasn't sure he noticed someone just walked in. Then, his nosy and annoying sister, Esther, she is just nineteen, five years younger than Philip. The family's spoilt baby. She also ignored Philip's presence while she fixed her gaze on the T.V screen.
Philip clears his throat hoping he would at least get someone attention, it was a wrong timing to seek their attention but it had to be done now or never.
He walked past the T.V obstructing their view at that moment yet they impulsively adjusted to the position which they can see the playing drama. Philip became fed up of fruitlessly trying to get their attention; he took the T.V remote control from the center table and turned off the T.V.
"Who is that fool?" Philip's dad asked agitated. They all glared at Philip who had the remote control in his hands.
"I have a confession to make." Philip finally said
"Oh goodness, Philip. Confess but turn on the TV right away!" He was almost yelling.
"Chill, honey." Mom said to her husband and focuses on Philip, "What's wrong, you look like you spent last night in a grave yard. Did you sleep at all?"
"Mom… Dad… I am really sorry." Philip sniffed, trying to look for the best words to use. "I don't mean to bring disappointment to you both.
"Kasala don burst" Esther burst into laughter while Philip gives Esther a glared at her like he would have killed her if he was given the opportunity.
"Is your result out yet? I thought it would be out next month. What was your GP? 2.2?" Dad questioned.
"No Dad, the result is not out yet"
"Then tell us what the problem is… we are a family, we are here to help each other, right" Mom asked looking at Esther and Dad to get support from them, they just mumbled something like a yes and shook their heads.
"There is this girl I have been in a relationship for quite sometimes now. And…"
"And?" mom was seriously curious.
"She is pregnant."
"Jesus Christ!" Dad exclaimed, looking very shocked.
"OH GOD! Philip.." Mom was absolutely disappointed. She stood up and started perambulating.
Esther gave a wry laugh. "I knew this day would come, when you will not leave that girl alone" she said avoiding eye contact with him.
Philip's dad picks up his cellphone from the table next to him and begins to dial a number.
"Who are you calling?" Mom asked.
"Doctor Joe."
"We have gone to the hospital and it has been confirmed positive, dad. No need for that"
"That's not why I am calling," the doctor picked on the other end. "Yes, good afternoon doctor, I wanted to book an appointment… yes… for an abortion and it has to be as soon as possible" Daddy hung up the call while Esther and Philip stared at him, confused.
"Daddy!" Esther called his attention to be sure he actually did what he just did.
Philip is confused, "I never said I am opting for abortion"
Both parents were silent.
"I am going to keep the baby" Philip continued.
"Oh, shut up! Do you know the consequences of keeping it? Especially if it turns out to be a boy? We can't risk it Philip, I didn't even know you have started having sex. Jesus Christ!" Mommy yelled.
"What do you mean?" One could hear the fear and rage in Philip's voice.
"We can't bring a curse upon our family! History is not going to repeat itself. Never! Not in my generation!" he wheeled himself out of the sitting room, angrily.
"I don't understand how making a mistake of impregnating someone brings a curse upon the family. I thought children are blessings." Esther laments.
"I am very much confused here!" Philip followed his Dad. "This is my decision to make. Look, I am not asking for your help financially. I can come up with that on my own… I have planned it all. I have planned to keep my child and watch him or her grow."
"That's never going to happen! Not while I am alive! Never!" Dad furiously said as he got into his room and slammed the door.
"Then you can go on and die!" Philip yelled walking back to the sitting room.
"Philip!" Mom yelled at him, he walked passed her and went out of the house. Mom glared at Esther who was sitting still innocently. "Go and talk to your brother!" she left the sitting room alone.
Esther just sat there alone, "I am not going to ask him to kill a baby" she said to herself and went to grab the remote control, turned on the TV and continued the movie.
***