© Nissi Adeola
I sat down in my office fighting an inner battle. My inability to have a child was giving me so much turmoil. Every time my period skips a day, I buy pregnancy test sticks to test myself personally with the hope that it would turn out positive. The calendar has now become my best friend and I never passed a day without checking the calendar. It was like an addiction. I had attended to a patient who was scared about her pregnancy because it was her first and she had been told that the first issue is always very difficult. I had advised her carefully, assuring her that she would be fine. She became very calm and enthusiastic, asking me if I had children of my own. She apparently is not someone who follows gossips if not; she would not be asking me that. I was flushed with all kinds of emotions but I did my best to hide it while she was there. I told her that I was still expecting and she was sympathetic saying that she knew I would be a very great mother.
Immediately she left, the tears I had kept at bay came cascading down my face. I checked the date again and saw that it was not even close to my date. I had so many baby things given to me as wedding gift over two years ago but they are all still brand new. I dried my face with a hankie but my spirit was still down. An idea struck my mind and I was immediately on my feet. My pastor always preached about taking a leap of faith and that is what I am going to do – I am going to decorate my child’s bedroom. I passed on duty to my assistant, picked my bag and headed home. I remembered Richard told me he just got a new assistant and that I was to meet her today for introduction sake but I already felt weak. I sent a message to Richard, explaining to him that I was a bit down and needed rest, knowing that he would call soon. I entered my car and zoomed off.
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Oyinade arrived home and flung her bag on the sitting room couch, frustrated. Apart from her initial encounter with Richard Branson, she had been ignored every other time she came in contact with him. He barely even glanced at her twice, throughout the day despite her deliberately cunning approaches. She had initially thought today would be splendid but she ended up feeling low and humiliated even though Richard did not do anything physically to warrant her humiliation. She had called Ronke on her way so she was not surprised when her door flung open with Ronke letting herself in as was her usual habit.
“BRH baby, ki lo n se e? Talk to mummy” Ronke asked immediately she entered, heading straight for the refrigerator to fix herself a drink.
Oyin hissed and narrated everything to Ronke all over again even though she had done that already on the phone. Ronke drank slowly while Oyin rattled on. When she did not stop talking and Ronke was already tired of hearing, she screamed until she stopped and was glaring at her.
“What’s your problem girl? Did I not tell you I have a plan? Aahhh, I tire for you o” Ronke said exasperated.
Oyin eyed her annoyingly. “You dey craze. Why you no talk am since u enter? You dey there dey drink my expensive wine”.
“Just shut up and listen. When you are through, you would know that you owe me, big time” she paused to sip her drink, deliberately taunting Oyin. Receiving a stern glare, she smiled and continued, “You would have to put up with Richard’s coldness for a very short period. Before you can carry out any other plan, we need to create conflict between them. We need to break their trust in eachother”
“OK…” Oyin said impatiently.
Ronke continued. “So, I made a research today and discovered the perfect tool to use. Belina had an Ex who is crazy about her. He is still unmarried and I believe he is still in love with Belina. After searching for a while, I got his facebook address and after going through most of his status uploads and some other things, I noticed that he still has feelings for her so we need to get him because he can help us create the discord we need. There is no love as strong as your first love. Do you grab?”
Oyin assimilated this for a while and smiled, appreciating Ronke the more. “OK, so how do we contact this guy, genius?” she asked cynically and Ronke smiled, very proud of herself. She brought out a little piece of paper which had a phone number written on it and held it out.
Oyin’s eyes widened in surprise and admiration as she collected the paper; “You little witch. How did you get this?”
“Very easy. The man actually made his phone number public on facebook, I guess it worked to our advantage” she said grinning.
“But what if he doesn’t accept to do this?” Oyin asked what had been on her mind since the launching of the topic.
“Then, we would have to persuade him. A good amount of money should do the trick but if his male ego won’t accept it, we would give him something no man can refuse. You know…” she said smiling slightly.
Oyin got the message and smiled openly. “You are evil”.
“We both are. You realize you owe me big time, right?”
“Of course. I know that you are not free babe, not even to your friend”. Ronke laughed while Oyin dialed the number.
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I finally finished the arrangement and decorations and I stood appreciating my efforts. All the toys and decorations adorning the room created a child-like feeling and aura that would definitely draw children like magnet. When I left the office, I had made straight for a toy shop. I bought everything my heart fancied. Buying those things brought hope and joy that I would have a child – my child – who would play with them. Even though I knew that I would not let a room separate me from my child at night, I knew that he or she would grow old enough to own a room like this one.
I had created time to put something on the fire before Richy arrived because he surely had a lot to do at work being a Monday. Richard had called immediately he got my message, asking me thousands of questions and giving loads of instructions like, don’t stress yourself, rest, eat, sleep, etc.
I quickly ran into the kitchen with the fear that the food was already burning and I got there just in time to take it off the gas. I was hungry but too tired to eat so I went to the sitting room to wait for Richard. Immediately I hit the couch, sleep enveloped me. I woke up some minutes later to the touch of Richard’s hand. He kissed my forehead softly and smiled.
“How are you sweetheart?” he asked and I smiled faintly, a bit dizzy. He looked at me closely like he was studying a lab specimen and frowned. “You look worn out. Did you work up yourself?” he asked.
I looked away and narrated all the events of the day from the time the pregnant lady came into my office to the time I fell asleep on the couch. He looked at me and when I was done, he pulled me into his arms, placing my head on his broad chest.
“You know I love you, don’t you?” he asked softly and I nodded.
“You know God loves us and knows what is best for us, right?” he asked again and I nodded.
“then, you have to believe and know that God sees our desire for children. He has given us children only we cannot see them physically. That we can’t see God does not mean he does not exist but we live by the assurance and believe that we would see him someday. The same applies to this; we cannot see our children physically but we are not barren. Don’t lose hope, honey. God tests married couple in various ways, this is our test, we must pass it. OK love?”
I nodded and held him close. Even in a thousand years – if I am still alive – I would love my richy. He kissed me deeply and held my face in his hands. “Can I see the room now?” he asked with a smile and I grinned at the thought of what his face would look like when he beheld my mastery.
I jumped up and pulled him along like a child would her father. He was flushed when he saw the room. His eyes rotated from my face to the room and around the room in utter disbelief, probably trying to imagine how I did it. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
“Well, you should be ready to give birth to a whole football team because children would beg God to be sent here if only to touch these things” he said smiling as he lifted me off the ground into his arms.
“Woah…” I yelled laughing and struggling to leave his arms.
“I am hungry” he said breathlessly.
“Well, there is food in the kitchen”
“The food can wait” he said covering my lips with his.
*****
Another week of work has passed and I am happy to have Richard all to myself. Even though we have been married for two years now, it felt like two months. I went out jogging and Richy’s lazy ass decided he would rather stay up in bed. He had worked himself out the previous day and all he could do was eat and sleep when he arrived. We had a gym room filled with exercise equipments but I preferred outside jogging. Our estate – Richbel Estate – which is owned by Richard and I, is a quiet and beautiful place filled with flowers and beautiful works of art. The estate had twelve houses in all and the design of the estate was a sight to behold. Gazing at the beautiful statues and flowers as I jogged made me feel on top of the world.
Richard had made the entire week so pleasant for me. His gifts and gestures made me feel so special. The bouquet of flowers, the lovely gold wristwatch and many things he did including calling me every now and then when he was less busy made me feel so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life. I did not even remember the childlessness issue. I still hadn’t seen his newly employed assistant but I did not really care as long as she was not doing anything ‘personal’ with my husband. Richard has given me every reason to trust him and I knew that I would trust him with my life, if necessary.
As I jogged back to the house, I started thinking of what to do for him. I wanted to do something special in return. His mother crossed my mind. No matter how hard he denied it, I knew he still had a section in his heart devoted to her. I had seen him secretely gaze at her picture about three times, admiring her exquisite beauty. I knew it would be difficult but I also knew without a doubt that he would feel a whole lot happier if he let go of the pain he feels.
