WIDOWED
CHAPTER 3
A few days later Enoma was discharged from the hospital and Bessem was brought home. As the first child from my loins, I loved her very dearly. However, I would have loved her more if she was a male. My wife Enoma was smart enough to know that I wasn’t too happy with the s*x of our child. One day she confronted me about it.
“Dear husband,” she said, putting on her famous charming smile.
“My dear wife,” I answered.
“I know you have not been happy with the s*x of the baby. I know as a real man from Manyu, you would have loved your first child to be male.”
“Yes, sweetheart,” I agreed. “That is not entirely a lie. But I am happy with what you have given me.” I forced a smile.
“I know you are not too happy.” She countered, mildly. “Don’t worry; a child is a gift from God. Let us trust in God and next time we will do better.”
“It’s Ok my love,” I said, pulling her close to me. Her head was now resting on my chest. I kissed her forehead and she raised her head and looked deep into my eyes.
“I love you, dear husband.” She told me.
“I love you too dear wife,” I said, smiling. She smiled back.
Our conversation was rudely interrupted by Bessem, who had suddenly woken up from sleep and needed her mother’s attention. Enoma ran to the bedroom to check on her while I checked the pot of soup on the burner. The cries of the baby had now stopped. I guess she was being breastfed.
I sat on a chair in the kitchen and thought of many things. I loved Enoma more than even my own life. I was asking myself; was I really being too selfish and wicked for blaming her for giving me a female child instead of a male? Was it her fault? I found it hard to get answers to these questions.
She came back to the kitchen with Bessem in her hands. As soon as Bessem saw me, she smiled a warm smile that made me feel guilty. I stretched out my hands and took her from her mum and rocked her slowly until she fell asleep again. I knew it wouldn’t be too long before she wakes again, wanting to be fed. Children!!
Bessem was more than a year old now. I decided that it was time to have another child. Soon, Enoma was pregnant again. I prayed and hoped that this time the baby would be a boy so that my joy would be complete. The time for delivery came and contrary to my expectations, Enoma gave birth to another girl.
This time around I could no longer hold my anger. When I got to the hospital ward, I was told my wife has had a baby girl. I walked out furiously from the ward and went back to work. At work, I couldn’t concentrate. After about two hours, I calmed down a little and went back to the hospital.
Enoma was in tears when I walked in. Her mum had just come to the hospital, so I quickly changed my facial expression and forced a smile. A master actor that I was, the look on my face was completely opposite from what was in my mind. I walked up to the baby cot and gave the baby a little peck on her tender jaw. She looked like me and this made me wish all the more that she was a boy.
“Welcome, Mam.” I greeted.
“Welcome my son. I was surprised I didn’t see you here when I came. How can that be possible?” Her mother asked, angrily.
“I am sorry Mam, I was here earlier. I just had to finish something in the office.”
“If you say so because she has no one to take care of her. What if I hadn’t come?”
“Forgive me dear mother. I am here now.” I pleaded. She smiled. That same smile Enoma always does. I sat on the edge of the bed and stroke Enoma’s hair. I loved her with everything in me. I wish she could just give me a male child and we would be happy ever after.
That was the beginning of my predicament. Enoma had the third, fourth and fifth child and they all turned out to be girls. She was completely downcast and kept crying every day. She was now looking worn out and older than her age. This was because I didn’t give her any time to regain her energy before impregnating her again. I was so angry at her and made life difficult for her. I spent more time with my friends and little time with her and the children.
Soon she was pregnant again for the sixth time. I hoped just like I had always hoped that this one would be a boy. However, God decreed otherwise. It was a girl. Jesus Christ!! Six girls!! What was I going to do with six girls running all around the house and giving me a headache? How did I even end up having six children? I had always wanted to have two children. Three at the most, so that I could give them all they needed in life. However, my quest for a male child has led me into having six children; girls. Oh God! How did I get here?
Enoma’s sixth delivery was not without some complications. She was in labour for three whole days before finally giving birth to the baby. The doctor invited me to his office and gave me a stern warning about having another child. He told me it was only by the grace of God that Enoma survived the last delivery and I should from now henceforth, stop having unprotected s*x with her. I heeded to the doctor’s warning but in my mind, I was considering the possibility of a second wife.
TO BE CONTINUED……
