It all happened before my eyes... like the cloud of the morning and it was all a lesson.
Life at the Alhaji's house was very different from what I had at home, though there was enough food to eat,one very important thing was missing,love and unity,I prefered my home that we had little or no food to eat, indeed no place like home.it was one more day some more troubles,there was always something to fight about at Alhaji's house,the second, third, fourth and fifth wife made the house a battle ground,it's either they are fighting about the children or on who's to grace Alhaji's bed, big mama the senior wife is the referee, she's always there to make sure peace reigns,I really admire her, she's indeed a mother to all,she would always address the issue without fear or favour,and then resolve the issue, she was the pillar of Alhaji's home,her children were grown and married, she was the only one who understood me,,she would always call me to her hut whenever she thinks I was sad,and some how ,she always finds a way of making me happy when ever I was worried...
Months on,I will was beginning to add weight,very lazy and always feeling sleepy,big mama was the first to observe as I was vomiting one morning,,she came to me out of care, ZAINAB Menene(what is it)she asked,big mama,I have been feeling weak ,dizzy,and lose of appetite these days,,,,she checked my eyes,and breast,and smiled, ZAINAB you are okay,you are only experiencing your way into motherhood,you would be fine,you are pregnant that's all,she added with joy written all over her,,preg what?,big mama that can't be possible,I can't be a mother now, may Allah forgive you,how can you say all those,it's the dream.of every married woman to have a children for their husbands and you are saying what,please,do not repeat that,,don't worry ZAINAB you will be fine,,okay big mama i said and went into my room,,,
From that moment big mama began to take proper care of me,she won't allow me do anything that would be difficult for me or my baby,she was there for me and of course this really made Halima angry.it was unbelievable to me as my baby bump grew everyday which indicated i had a little human growing in me.
I was coming from mama sukurats place,the village medicine harbalist one day when I saw some of my classmates returning from school,,I really wished the ground could open and swallow me,but it didn't happen,as we came loser to each other their laugher increased,I was so ashamed that I ran away, Aminat come visiting on Fridays and gives me the note she had copied for the whole week,i was studying myself,just so I am not too backwards in school's work...
So soon it was nine months and I was ready to bring my child forth, Alhaji had gone out,I had to call big mama,I was feeling pains around my waist,I could bearly lift my own legs,it was the most excruciating pain I had ever experienced,,I cried my eyes out,I called my mother repeatedly,I called on Allah to help me,I needed all the help in the world,Soon I managed to get to mama sukurat's place,,she checked me and said my baby was coming,she asked me to push,I tried and tried, but my strength was failing me,,mama sukurats gave me a slap when I was falling asleep,,it was hours,the baby hadn't come,I was finding it very difficult to push,I cried for the pain was too much,,,
Haven waited for some time and my baby didn't come,mama sukurats gave me some concoctions,I drank,but it was still difficult for me, meanwhile mama was here already,she had been told I was in labour and she hurried down,she was really of great support for me, ZAINAB my child,please you can do it,push out your baby,my grandchild needs to come out,she held my hands,with pains in her eyes,she really wished she could take the pain away for me,but there are certain things parents can't do for their children,and birthing a child was one of those....
Nothing happened all through that day,the pain was fustrating,worse Alhaji didn't show up at the herbalist house,, he said he wanted to hear the good news and doesn't want to experience the stress,,,can you imagine,my mother stayed the night with me, big mama came early the next morning,I was still in labour,I would have preferred the community health center,but of course,that was not functional,,,
After all the pains of labour my baby came out towards evening,it was a boy child,but a stillbirth ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Written by Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi
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