The Wheelbarrow Pusher, Episode Nine
On their second day in Nairobi, Sarafina woke up tired. She was so week that she could not stand up from the hotel bed. She stayed in bed for a long time before her body allowed her to stand up. She was also very hungry. It was like she did not eat the previous night, but she actually ate a lot, yet, she woke up hungry. Her mind went back to what she was thinking about the night before. She was suspecting that she was pregnant. The symptoms she was feeling was a clear indication that a baby was in her womb.
She grudgingly stood up from the bed that morning and made it to the dining area where the wheelbarrow pusher had brought her something to eat. The wheelbarrow pusher had gone to the canteen in the hotel to bring her delicious breakfast. It was a five star hotel and they were entitled to eat anything they wanted, including Nigerian dishes. He had brought her a cup of coffee alongside fried eggs and a few slices of bread. However, when Sarafina saw the food, she did not think it would be enough for her.
“Please, I want to eat something strong. I don’t know if this people here have jollof rice or pounded yam. If they have pounded yam, they should give me. However, if there is no pounded yam and good soup, I will manage jollof rice. I’m very hungry and I don’t want to eat this small food here. This is light, but my body is craving something heavy.” Sarafina said. The wheelbarrow pusher rushed out to bring the food, but Sarafina followed him.
“Wait for me. I don’t want to be sending you around like my house boy. I want to follow you so that I will also exercise my body. I don’t understand what is happening to me. I will like to go to the pharmacy down the road to buy pregnancy test strip. Let me just know if I’m pregnant.” Sarafina said. She followed the wheelbarrow pusher to the canteen. When she got there, she was served pounded yam. She was so happy that she could find the food there. She sat down and ate aggressively. She enjoyed the soup so much that she did not want it to finish.
When she finished eating, she and the wheelbarrow pusher walked a few distance to a pharmacy shop down the road. They bought a pregnancy test stripe and they went back to the hotel. When they got there, she went to the toilet and performed the test. It did not take long before the result was out.
“What does the result say?” The wheelbarrow pusher asked apprehensively. His heart was beating very fast and he did not know what to expect.
“I’m pregnant. We are going to have a baby. You are going to be a father.” Sarafina said happily as she ran with speed to hug the wheelbarrow pusher joyfully. They were so happy and over joyed. They were shouting and running around the hotel room. They hugged each other so tightly.
“So, I’m now going to be a father? I never expected this good news to come at this moment. This is one if the best days of my life. I’m having a baby with the love of my life? This should count as the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you so much Sarafina for choosing me to be the father of your child. You re so kind and I’m glad it is you who would carry my child.” The wheelbarrow pusher tells Sarafina.
“We have come a long way. You are the one I should be thanking. You showed me a different kind of love. I never had the kind of love you showed me. It is true that my parents are rich but there are many things they did not show me. You are the one who changed my life. I’m proud to be carrying your child.” Sarafina said.
“There is something we have to do immediately. I think it will make things easier for us. If we do it, it will be easier for you to get a US visa.” Sarafina said after a long pause.
“What is it? Anything you want, just say it.” The wheelbarrow pusher said. However, Sarafina’s pride did not allow her to say what she wanted to say. She wanted a situation where the wheelbarrow pusher will just understand what she wants. When she did not say a word, the wheelbarrow pusher looked at her and correctly read her mood.
“Don’t worry, I understand what you want.” He said. He went to where he kept his bag and dragged it out. He searched and brought out an engagement ring he had bought a long time ago. He then knelt down before Sarafina.
“I bought this ring just N1,500. It is very cheap, but the cost of the ring does not matter at the moment. I bought the ring with my own money. Please, don’t reject it because it is cheap. Sarafina, will you marry me?” He asked.
“Yes, I will marry you. I will marry you now and in my next life. I will be your wife and I will be the mother of your children. I love you so much and I will never leave you no matter what.” Sarafina said. She stretched her hand and the wheelbarrow pusher put the ring in one of her fingers.
After the engagement, Sarafina and the fiancee did not waste time to get married. They went to a court in Nairobi and successfully became husband and wife. The process was seamless and simple. They did not organize any party. They just exchanged their vows and returned to the hotel.
“Congratulations to us. We are now husband and wife and even my father cannot stop us. Also, now that we are married, it will be easier for us to get a US visa because I’m an American citizen. I will just tell them that we are going there to settle as a couple.” Sarafina said when they returned to the hotel that evening.
Watch out for episode 10
