RED FLAGS
EPISODE 12
Bimpe jolted me out of my thoughts by asking me ‘what am I going to do?’. I looked at her and said:” Is easier said than done Bimpe, I need to think it through before taking any decision. I need to pray about it too because I am in the middle of where I don’t know if I should believe your pastor or not. I thought God doesn’t support divorce and I thought your pastor should be preaching to me not to leave my husband but is the other way round. Are you sure your pastor is….. Bimpe didn’t allow me to finish my sentence before she said:” Babe, let’s go. We will be talking about it in the car” She told me and help me up on my feet and I guess she didn’t want her pastor to hear what am about to say because I am thinking if the pastor is a fake or not.
Bimpe called out the pastor and told him we are leaving and he wishes us well as we left his apartment. During our drive to the office, Bimpe told me that the ball is left in my court and I should remember that her pastor is not fake because he has never talked about something unless he is sure about it. Come to think of it Anisha, if truly you think my pastor is fake, why would he reject the money you gave him? Babe, I have known this pastor since I was in my secondary days and I can beat my chest to it that he is not a fake pastor. Leaving your husband is not the end of life if that’s the best solution for now than you losing your life untimely. I don’t want anything to happen to you Nisha because you deserve all the good things in life. You have passed through a lot for you to be passing through all this ” She told me and I didn’t know when the tears I was trying to control fell from my eyes.
“Thank you so much Bimbim, I will think about it, ” I told her and quickly wipe my tears with my handkerchief. Bimpe holds my hand assuring me with her face that everything will be fine while her other hand is on the steering and I have to fake a smile at her that I have heard her. I got home that night and keep thinking about what the pastor said while my husband was sleeping beside me with his hand on my belly bump. How do I tell Gabriel I want a divorce when he doesn’t offend me in any way and am sure Gabriel won’t let go of me easily especially now that am carrying his child. Should I run away? but that will be very bad of me because they will be all worried about it. Should I come clean to Gabriel that Bimpe took me to her pastor because of the dream am having and that the pastor said the best solution is for me to divorce him? No. no. I don’t think that will work because I am very sure Gabriel can kill that pastor if I tell him.
“God, can you please shed light on this mystery for me. I am tired already ” I said in my mind as tears spilled down my eyes.
” Sweetheart, why are you crying?” Gabriel asked me in his sleepy voice as he quickly sits upright.
I quickly wiped my tears and said:” Am not crying, babe “.
“Stop lying to me Anisha, that is tears on your face for goodness sake. Have I offended you in any way? Have I done something to you? ” He asked me.
” Gabriel, calm down. You have done nothing wrong to me ” I replied him. Then why are you crying?” He asked me with concern.
I faked a smile and said:” Is the pregnancy hormones “.
“Really? You should have wake me up then so we can both cry together. Anisha, I can’t allow you alone to go through it since this a product of the both of us ” he told me and I smiled at him.
” What can I do to make you stop crying because you are breaking my heart into pieces with that tears of yours, ” Gabriel asked me looking into my eyes.
” Let me ask your baby because he is the one who put mummy in this position, “I said jokingly and touched my belly. Baby, what do you want so mummy can stop crying? Oh, okay then. ” Your baby said he want Amala with ewedu prepared by his Dad,” I told Gabriel with all smiles and he smiled back at me.
” Baby, you are so cruel. You want me to prepare Amala and ewedu for you at 2 am in the night. Well… I have no choice because your mom and your wish is my command ” Gabriel said and get down from the bed after kissing my forehead and I smiled at him. He heads to the kitchen and I sighed heavily because how do I tell this caring man that I want a divorce. I will need to ask my mom for advice am sure she won’t lead me astray since she is my mother and she knows what is best for me”.
I went to my mom’s place on Saturday since it’s weekend. Gabriel drives me down to her place before leaving for work. My mom was so happy to see. She served me my favorite dishes after we chatted for a while and what took me off guard was when she said:” Spill it out Anisha, something is bothering your mind and I can tell you didn’t tell your husband with the way you are behaving” My mom told me.
” Oh my God! Mommy, how do you know ?” I asked her surprised.
” Of course, I will know because I am your mother and I have known you from the day I carried you in my belly till you became an adult so I know you like an open book. Oko mi ( My dear) What’s wrong? ” My mum asked me but this time with seriousness written all over her face.
I heave a sigh and said:” I am divorcing Gabriel Mom and……. My mum cut me short and said:” Did he raise his hands at you? Did he say some hurtful words to you? Are you out of love for him? Did he say he doesn’t love you again? Is he forcing him to divorce you? Is he not the father of your child? You can tell me and I promise to support you ” She kept bombarding me with questions.
” Mom, can you calm down and allow me to finish my sentence,” I asked her.
” This is a serious matter, Anisha. How do you expect me to calm down? ” She asked me with concern.
” All that you asked me is none of the above. Is just that …… She cut me short again and said:” Stop beating around the bush and tell me exactly what’s happening Anisha.
” Mom, if you keep interrupting me, I won’t tell you anything again,” I told her with a threatening tone.
” Oya sorry, I am listening, ” She told me and watch me attentively.
I explained everything to my mom about the dream and my visit to Bimpe’s pastor without leaving any stone untouched and immediately I am done she screamed and said:” Omo Yii ti pa mi ( This child have killed me ), there are many fake pastors outside there and you believe what that stupid pastor told you. Come to look at it, why didn’t he tell you the reason for divorcing your husband? Did he tell you what the dream you have mean? this man has deceived you and your friend? If I didn’t know Bimpe very well, I would have say she is envy of your marriage. That’s the first pastor that I will hear of saying people to leave their marriage instead of telling them to stay in it. Why didn’t you tell me this before you confide in your friend? That dream you are having is normal since you are pregnant and by praying over it you will overcome it.
” Can I see the marks that you said the dog in your dream inflicted on you? ” My mum asked me and I nodded at her as I pull off my blouse leaving me only in my bra and to my surprise all the marks are gone.
My mom gave me a look of ‘ I thought you said the marks are on your body ‘ and to say I wasn’t surprised too was an understatement. I quickly went to the standing mirror in her living room to look at my body maybe I would be able to see those marks but my body is so spotless. “Anisha, can you now see that pastor is a liar and fake. He might have taken a liking for you since he saw a fine fair girl with spotless skin so he wants you to divorce your husband so he can now say the spirit of God says if you want your life to be better you should marry him because he is the best husband God wants for you. God forbid bad thing ” My mom told me with concern.
” But mom…She cut me short and said:” No but Anisha, take your mind away from that and focus on the baby that’s coming. No wonder you keep wearing sweaters in the summertime because you think one stupid mark is on your body. You want to suffocate my grandchild abi, God is greater than you ” My mom told me and we both laughed at her statement before we talked about other things sweeping the previous topic under the carpet.
I left my mum’s place in the evening after my husband came to pick me up and trust him to buy some goodies for me since am always craving junks. I had to check my whole body in front of the mirror in the bathroom to see if my eyes were deceiving me but truth to be told, those marks are not there and it feels like I was hallucinating all this while. I decided to follow my mom’s advice and not leave my husband. I told Bimpe the next day at work that her pastor is a liar and fake that she better run away from him because I can’t find any marks on my body again and that constant dream is gone. Bimpe tried to make me see reason in another way but I shun her off and she has no choice but to respect my decision.
I was now six months gone and my baby shower is in two weeks time . I didn’t have that dream again and I have been sleeping peacefully without entering into that nightmare making me look chubbier and healthy now . Gabriel and I are in the living room watching my favorite show ‘Barbie collection’ when his phone kept ringing beside him but he decided not to pick it. I looked at him and said:” Pick your call now”.
” Don’t worry yourself about it Babe, is not someone important ” he told me and kissed my forehead as he pulls me closer to him. We continue watching my show when his phone rings again and this time I am ready to know who is calling him because he is acting suspicious by not picking it up. I moved away from him a little bit and said:” Gabriel, pick your call right now or I will help you pick it “.
“Anisha, you like worrying yourself about nothing. Is just one patient of mine that’s troublesome ” He told me calmly but am not buying that excuse.
Immediately his phone rings again, I quickly pick it but the person hangs when he or she heard my voice. ” A patient hangs up on me hmmm?” I asked Gabriel trying to control anger.
” Anisha, what’s wrong with you? Have I ever pick your calls when your phone is ringing and why are you reading meaning to what’s not even relevant ” Gabriel told me.
” Really? It has comes to that Gabriel. I am now insensitive, right? Someone kept calling you but hangs up immediately my voice was heard and you are saying am reading meaning to what’s not even relevant. Say that again because this looks suspicious to me. Are you cheating on me when am carrying your baby? ” I asked him with a raised voice.
Gabriel smiled at me before he picked up his phone and dialed the number. He put it on loudspeaker as it rings and the person picks up at the third ring and I heard an old male voice which says:” Doctor, I won’t allow anyone to treats me unless you come to the hospital “.
” Sir, I have told you several times without a number that I can’t be the only one to attend to you in the hospital when we have many doctors. I can only attend to you when am on duty and you already make my wife to doubt me thinking am cheating on her with your calling. Please stop calling me again when am off duty. Am with my pregnant wife who needs 24/7 attention. Have a good day Sir ” He tells the man and hangs up.
” Are you satisfied now ?” He asked me and I pout my mouth at him as I moved closer to him but he moved back and I look at him and said:” I am so sorry Gab ( his short nickname for Gabriel).
” Anisha, you don’t trust me and that’s why am angry. I will never cheat on you, why would I ?when I have someone who looks beautiful and sexy with all curves when pregnant like this beside me and still cheats on her. Common babe, you don’t know your worth at all ” He told me with all smiles and pull me closer to him.
I looked at him smiling and said:” I am so sorry for doubting you, babe “.
He kissed me lightly on my lips and said:” It shows you love me and that okay . I love when my woman is jealous ” he told me and tickle me while I laughed.
We continue watching my favorite show and I didn’t know when I fall asleep on Gabriel’s chest. After fifteen minutes of been in the dreamland, I entered into the nightmare I dreaded the most. This time the dog was now bigger and taller as it starts chasing me in the thick forest. I could not see where I was running to as I kept shouting for help . The dog jumped over me and stood in front of me. It looks at me for a while and charges at my stomach. I tried to run but it was too late as it bit me and I screamed painfully out of my dream waking Gabriel who was also asleep up.
“Baby, what’s wrong? ” Gabriel asked me with fear and concern.
” My stomach, my stomach,” I said holding my baby bump groaning in pain and before we both know what was happening, Blood is gushing out in-between my tight as I groaned. “My baby …Gabriel … My baby…..” I said as blood keep rushing out of my tight as the pain become unbearable and I collapsed.
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