MY SISTER-IN-LAW AND I
CHAPTER 5
I quietly followed my mum-in-law home and food was readily made available for me I ate silently even though eating was the least of my troubles. I took my bathe afterwards and narrated how the divorce came about.
She called hubby who simply told her he wasn’t interested in a cheat like me. He was still very mad at me and doesn’t want to see me near his kids or home.
I told my mum-in-law not to bother him that I would be going to my parents. Whenever we resolved our issues I would go back home. She begged me to stay with her so she could take very good care of me.
I insisted on leaving hence she had no option but to drop me off at my parents and explain the misunderstanding to them. She promised she would talk to him and he would be here as soon as he could to fetch his wife
My parents and siblings welcomed me with open arms despite my predicament. I was happy seeing them likewise themselves, because since I got married they couldn’t visit me because Halima didn’t allow them in and humiliated them the only time they tried visiting. Hence they didn’t bother coming over again.
When my younger one’s slept off, my parents summoned me and asked what went wrong and how we arrived at a divorce. I sighed and told them everything. My parents urged me to be patient and wait it out.
They were positive it was just a little misunderstanding and should be resolved in a few days or weeks. I settled into my parents home and life goes on.
I stayed on at my parents place for four weeks. He didn’t call nor ask about my welfare, I was managing morning sickness at home before the divorce but it only got worse since I left. Coupled with the neglect and all I felt unwanted, alone and ill. I shrank into my shell and almost became a shadow of myself.
Soon school resumed and i knew I had to continue and make something meaningful of my life. My parents continued footing my bills, transport, health care, feeding and the likes without complaining. I thanked them each day for the care and concern towards me.
I resumed school fully with my pregnancy despite being sickly. Rumour had it that a young man other than hubby impregnated me, also that I eloped with him and was currently under the same roof with him living together as husband and wife.
The joy of resuming school vanished and I just felt like hiding myself. But i was determined to make hay while the sun shine. I turned deaf ears to their accusations and concentrated on my primary aim which was to study.
My mom helped out wherever and whenever necessary my siblings took care of me and didn’t let me stress myself nor the baby. My father asked to see my hubby but he kept on procrastinating it and finally didn’t show up with the excuse that he was very busy but will make out time to visit.
Since he wasn’t interested in me nor my child. I pushed everything about hubby and his kids to the back of my mind and face my studies squarely.
Soon it was time for our second semester exams and my Edd ( estimated delivery date) was fast approaching. I just wished I could finish my exams before the delivery date.
Having written most of my papers, it was time for the last one. I dressed up and headed to school to write my last exams for the second semester so as to enable me rest and pack for delivery as I had one more week before the D-DAY.
I was in the middle of the exams when I felt contractions. The exams had barely started when I started sweating and trying so hard to remain calm while inwardly my stomach was threatening to tear into multiple pieces.
I managed to answer a few questions in a hurry while enduring the pain. I knew I just started contracting ,hence I decided to continue with my exams. When I was satisfied with my answers , I stood up to submit my answer sheet when my waters broke.
The nurses immediately rushed me to the delivery room. I had experienced nurses( midwives) who knew their job and did it efficiently. In no time I was delivered of twin baby boys after labouring for a while. They were the exact replica of their Dad. I thanked Allah for vindicating me and not putting me to shame.
I called my parents and informed them that I had delivered successfully and that we were doing ok but hungry since I wasn’t lactating yet and I myself didn’t eat much for days before delivery. I told them to inform hubby at least he has the right to know that I had delivered his babies even though he made it clear that he wants nothing to do with me but at least he will love to see his kids.
I am not forcing him to accept responsibilities or anything I just want him to know, so my conscience can be clear. I and my parents can continue taking care of them.
They promised to inform him. I waited all day for his calls as I was sure my parents delivered the good news to him. To my surprise only my parents in-law visited me and urged me to be patient. They came bearing gifts, lots of clothes, diapers, baby milk, toys and so much more.
I thanked and prayed for them. They also in turn prayed for me and their grand kids. They just couldn’t get enough of them. They held and exchanged them In interval, each claiming that one of the twin took after them. They made small talk and promised to visit again before the naming ceremony.
I sat down after trying to breastfeed them unsuccessfully. I was determined to be their mother and father hence I tried again untill the babies could latch on their own.
I was in deep thought wondering who would name my kids, because I was sure their Dad wouldn’t show up.
We would find out in the next chapter if he would show up for the naming ceremony or not, also if Halima would show up too because she hasn’t called nor visited either.
©️HUSNA MUHAMMAD YUNUS.
