Pregnancy is a time of joy, hope, and anticipation, but also a time of fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability.” ‒ Unknown
                    

You might be pregnant. 

Acantha's words left Fola tossing and turning at night. Every time she tried to fall asleep, Acantha's words filled her senses.  Tired of the struggle to sleep, she crawled out of bed and paced around her room.  

You might be pregnant. 

You might be pregnant.  

Acantha's statement blared in her head, taunting her of the possible reality. Panic burned within her and she pounded around the room with urgency.  

No, no, no. I can't be pregnant.  Her chest tightened and her stomach churned. She wrapped a hand around her stomach and a wail escaped her lips.  Her eyes travelled heavenward and she frowned.  

Why don't you listen to me? Angry tears stung her eyes and blinded her.  

She held her stomach as another strangled sob left her lips.  

Why would you fulfil my wish now when I don't want it anymore? More tears rushed out.  

Her legs quaked beneath her and she fell to her knees while clutching her abdomen. She bent over as tears raced down her face. Minutes blended into hours but she remained in the crouched position crying her eyes out. 

Finally, her wailing decreased to occasional whimpers. The ache in her knees forced her to get up. She let out a moan as pain shot through her legs.  Weariness swelled within her and she limped to the bed and sat on the edge.  She heaved a tired sigh and stifled a yawn.   Her eyes drooped and another yawn left her lips.  Her exhaustion became too much to fight, she crept under the sheets and fell into a fitful sleep. 

                        ★★★★

Stay away from my children, you barren woman," Banke screeched and wagged a finger at her. 

You don't deserve my son if you can't give him a child," her mother-in-law stared at her with disdain.  

You are a worthless investment.  I shouldn't have married you. 

Fola jerked into an upright position and clutched her chest as her heart pounded. Her lips wobbled and hot tears filled her eyes.  She wrapped her arms around her body and rocked back and forth

The voices from her nightmare slowly faded away but Fola still suffered from its aftermath. Although she had not had such nightmares in a long time, the insults still bruised her.  Tears raced down her face and she shivered from fright. The taunts she received because of her barrenness always left her in despair. A feeling that incapacitated her completely. 

Something stirred in Fola's stomach and her hand subconsciously rested on her abdomen.  

You might be pregnant.  

Acantha's words reminded her of the possible life growing within her.  The anxiety Fola felt yesterday returned and her breath came in short spans.  Fola rubbed her chest to soothe her racing heart.  Acantha's declaration was imprinted in her memory but a glimmer of hope bubbled within her. Hope that Acantha's speculation was false. 

The possibility that Acantha could be wrong lifted her spirits.  She convinced herself not to worry until she was completely sure whether she was pregnant or not. That conviction eased some of her tension and made her relax.  Her eyes drifted to the window where the rising sun signaled the breaking of dawn.  

It was a new day. A day which happened to be a Sunday.  Much to her surprise, a yearning for Bisi to sneak in and whisk her to church overcame her.  Her stomach flipped as she realized the direction of her thoughts. For the first time in years, she wanted to attend church without the begging and forcing of her siblings and friend.  

However, her longing was doused in the face of her glaring reality.  Chief Naade will not grant her permission to attend church. After all, he wasn't a religious person. She wondered whether his apathy towards religion played a part in her forsaking her Christian beliefs. 

She pushed those thoughts aside and decided to prepare for the day. The clock on her bedside table told her she had forty-five minutes before Acantha came to call her for breakfast. For some reason, she wanted to be dressed by the time Acantha arrived.  

Her aim was accomplished when Acantha marched inside and found her dressed in the brown flared skirt and black top she had chosen. 

Hmm, you are up? I am shocked," Acantha remarked as she leaned against the door.  

Fola rolled her eyes but held back a retort. Angering Acantha would be to her detriment. "Is it time for breakfast?" she asked.  

"Of course.  On my watch, nothing can be delayed." She raised her chin.  "Now let's go."

Fola slowly got up and trudged after her. The thought of eating caused her stomach to churn but experience taught her that putting up a fight would only make Acantha force her to do her bidding.  

As usual, silence followed them until they arrived at the dining room. Dread filled Fola as she found Chief Naade and Banke already seated.  She muttered a greeting and hurried to her seat. The absence of Tobi and Oliver spoiled her mood further. She plastered her eyes on the wall opposite her until her food arrived. 

The scent of fried egg hit her nose and her stomach became queasy. The feeling grew worse as a maid placed the plate of fried egg and one piece of bacon in front of her.  Her nose scrunched up as bile rose to her throat. The urge to vomit grew stronger but she knew she couldn't leave the table without eating her food.  

She held her breath and silently counted 1 from -10, hoping that the urge would go away. Thankfully, she managed to suppress the nauseating feeling by stuffing her mouth with large bites of food.  

The hair sticking out on her back told her they were watching her but she didn't care.  All she cared about was to get out of there. Much to her happiness, a few minutes later, she took the last morsel of food and gulped down a glass of water.  

Without looking at anyone, she scurried out of the room. She forced her leg to move faster as nausea climbed up her throat.  Her bedroom door crashed open and she flew into her bathroom. She fell to her knees and bent over the toilet bowl.  A loud groan left her lips as she spewed out her breakfast. She remained in that position until there was nothing else for her to retch.  

Tired tears blurred her vision. She got up from her kneeling position and dragged herself to the sink to brush her teeth and rinse her face.  Her body quaked from weary as she returned to the room. Instead of seating on the bed, she slid to the floor as anguish consumed her. 

You might be pregnant," Acantha's words rang in her head.  

Or you might be sick and dying," said a small voice.  

Her breath caught at that thought.  Although she despised her way of life in the Akande mansion, she didn't want to die.  Her siblings needed her to be alive. 

But how could she bring a child into a world of captivity and helplessness? 

Don't think about that until you are sure about your pregnancy," said another voice.   

Fola's tears stopped and she wiped the wetness from her cheeks.  With sudden adrenaline pumping through her, she sauntered back into her bathroom and stopped in front of her medicine cabinet. The adrenaline faded and was replaced with nervousness as she reached for the cabinet door. 

Her hand trembled as she pulled the cabinet door open. Without looking, she felt around for the object that would answer all her questions.  Her heart flipped as she wrapped her hand around a box.  She clutched it tight and pulled it out of his hiding place.  

Her eyes traced over the box. A familiar but unfamiliar package.  It gave her hope every time she supposedly missed her monthly cycle but it caused her pain every time that one vertical line appeared on the small screen.  

Tears welled in her eyes but she blinked them away.  She clenched her jaw and tore the box open. It was now or never.  

After carefully perusing through the instructions she swung into action.  Several minutes later after following every written instruction, she stared at the tubular object, waiting for it to either crush her hope or keep it alive.  

Time seemed to drag as she waited for what fate had decided for her.  Finally, two vertical lines appeared on the screen.  Fola gasped and staggered back.  She gazed at the lines with wide eyes, unsure of whether she should cry or laugh. 

Acantha was right after all.

She was pregnant. 

                         ★★★★★★

Oh boy, I guess Fola's wish has finally come true after all these years. 😭

Are you happy or are you sad?

What do you think will happen next?

I look forward to your reactions and opinions.

Anyway,  on a lighter, in case you didn't notice, we have hit 40 chapters 🎉

Woohoo! 🎉💃

It's a milestone I am glad to celebrate with all my readers😁

I give God the glory for helping this far.

And I thank all my readers for their love and support.

God bless you all❤️❤️

Until next time, keep partying 😂