Laying on the cool bed, Selassi felt particularly drained as she waited for the gynaecologist to come. Nina was sitting down, scrolling her social media and occasionally reacting to some videos and memes.

Selassi decided to not notify James about the last antenatal appointment because, to be honest, she didn't want him here at all. Nina made her feel calm and at peace. That was exactly she wanted and needed right at this moment. 

The doctor came in with a clipboard of documents, his beard greying at every angle and his eyes were bloodshot with stress.

Pushing his glasses up, a small smile formed on his ageing face as he extended his hand towards to Selassi. They shook hands quickly before he had to get himself ready to examine her, Selassi let out a nervous breath as he probed away.

Her mind drifted to how she would navigate motherhood, it was an impending situation that was likely to start as early as tomorrow or as later as next weeks. Selassi never really consider herself to be the mothering type but the more she had getting through her pregnancy, she found that it had become a strange relief for her and a surprisingly good coping mechanism for things that occurred.

Even though she was mad at her parents for keeping secrets, she felt a pain in her heart at the fact they wouldn't be able to experience a stage of life that had been pestering her about weeks before their death.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Seated on her bed, Selassi saw her phone ring with her mother's name glaring. Picking it up, she saw her mother's matured and refined beauty shine through, it appeared that Ama was still getting a hold of what technology was.

"Mum, you don't need to keep tapping the screen, you already answered. " Selassi answered, shaking her head as her mother continued to look at the screen confused.

" I just to needed to make sure, that's all"  Ama replied, with the phone so close to her face that Selassi could see her nose.

It wasn't long before her father showed up that Ama somehow readjusted the camera and they both could be seen on the screen perfectly. Today was just one of Selassi's weekly calls with her parents to catch up on stuff and though she enjoyed talking to them, sometimes it was tiresome discussing certain issues with them.

Selassi fluffed her coils a little bit before grabbing her herbal tea to enjoy for this Sunday chat.

" So my dear, how's life been?" her father questioned with his usual grin.

" Well, I finally moved into my flat and I'm sorting things out here and there. Nina and I are going house shopping tomorrow for some cute items I found online" Selassi exclaimed, showing them the items. Her dad gave her a thumbs up whilst her mum simply rolled her eyes that only made Selassi laugh.

" What's the eye roll for, Mum? You want my place to look like I don't know how to design or?"  Selassi quipped cheekily.

" That's not what I'm concerned about, where is your man? Every time, you and Nina are always going somewhere together and I know you are like sisters but this kind of thing you are talking about would be better suited to you dong with a boyfriend." Ama expressed knowingly. This time, Selassi was the one to roll her eyes knowing that her mother would find a way to weave the "her needing a man" in every conversation they had every week.

" Just to let you know, there is someone. I'm telling you this to get off my back but also because I've been meaning to tell you this." Selassi sipped her tea, watching her parents look at each other and react excitedly at this new piece of information.

" So, what's his name? Is he a Ghanaian? What does he do?" Ama fired questions rapidly which just made Selassi give her  "wait, what?" look.

" Erm his name is Theo and he's Jamaican actually.  He's a personal trainer"  Selassi stated.

" Oh, I see. Well, at least he works, that's good to know. How's long has this been going on?" Ama nodded in approval.

" A  few months now, I can say that I have a good feeling about this," Selassi replied.

"Well, all we want for you to is to be happy and if this Theo guy is doing that for you, then we're happy for you" Kweku reassured softly, making Selassi feel at ease.

" Anyway, I've been meaning to tell you about your Auntie Diane and her sneaky antics at church. This woman, heh, she should watch herself around me because...." Ama continued to rant about Selassi's Auntie which only made laugh and think fondly of how she didn't want to lose this relationship she had with her parents.

Despite the ups and downs, Selassi knew that she was loved and cherished dearly that she knew many people envied. Her parents weren't always happy with her decision to not do an academic degree and choosing to go into cosmetology instead but they were happy to see Fusion Hair succeed.

" You know what is she being like? What's the term you're always using? Silly something " Ama enquired seriously.

" A silly hoe? Mum, that's not nice you know" Selassi replied, shocked at her mother's behaviour.

" I know but would you know something about that, you silly hoe?" Ama's face and voice contorted into the fetish priest's wrinkled appearance and dark orbs, smiling malevolently like always.

................................................................................................................................................................

Selassi slightly jerked, realising what she saw in her memory. She knew that the entity wasn't there on time but simply wanted torment when she wanted to recall something positive about her parents.

The Doctor noticed that her blood pressure was going up, becoming increasingly worried and gestured to Nina to get her to calm her down.

" Lassi, it's ok. Just calm down, there is nothing here that can hurt you, ok" She reassured soothingly, caressing Selassi's hair which helped to bring her blood pressure down slowly.

"Selassi, my dear, it's important that you remain relaxed. Any kind of stress and pressure can be bad for both you and the baby. Other than that, everything is fine with the baby, all we need to discuss is your preparation for your delivery." The doctor said, clasping his hands together.

" My baby bag is all packed up and my birth plan is set too," Selassi said, sitting upright and checking her notes on her phone just to be sure.

" I wouldn't too much about the birth plan, labour can be very unexpected. Be prepared for anything and call me if you get any contractions, it's very important to let me know." The doctor said, getting up as Selassi stood up with Nina's help.

" Thanks, Doctor, I will let you know. See you soon." Selassi shook his hand, waving him goodbye as she and Nina left the renowned clinic within central Accra. Nina got the car started,  they drove off and met with traffic around Circle.

Trotro drivers were blowing the horns at some silly driver who had crossed two lanes foolishly, effectively blocking them.

The girls passed by, nosely watching the chaos ensue between the drivers. They kept going, the car was unusually silent but neither of them had anything to say so the silence was welcomed.

Reaching the house, they both got out of the car and before Selassi could go in, Nina gently grabbed her arm.

" If those two men are fighting again, we're just ignoring it because neither you nor I need that shit right now," Nin said in a sharp tone.

" Agreed, I'm too tired for either of their bullshit," Selassi nodded in agreement.

Entering the house, they noticed there was no one in the living room but the raucous sounds emanated from upstairs. Both girls looked at each other in confusion, Selassi took a careful step on the stairs as the sounds became louder but still muffled like whatever was happening was behind closed doors.

They reached the top of the stairs, Selassi tilted her ear forward to hear where exactly it was coming from and just as she feared, it was coming from the room at the end of the hallway.

Determined to find out, she made her way down before dragged back by Nina, who eyed the end of the hallway with fear in her eyes.

"It's not worth it, it's probably that thing playing tricks with you," Nina said with a trembling lip.

" That's why I need to go there, to be sure of it" Selassi looked at the door, hoping something would slither out but nothing did.

A door did fling open and it was in fact, her bedroom door as she saw something that she didn't she would have to experience in her own home. The girl didn't utter any word and scurried off whilst Nina swatted at her violently making her shriek.

Selassi looked Theo in the eyes, not believing the audacity he kept having but at this point, many things were not surprising her anymore.

She only walked past a guilty-looking Theo, scratching his head and standing nervously whilst she changed into a loose T-shirt dress.

Grabbing her phone, she walked out of the room without uttering a single word to him even though he looked like he wanted to beg her for his forgiveness.

Reaching downstairs, she sat down and turned the TV, watching a few shows to pass the time. The evening soon came and by this time, everyone was in the house, sitting at the dining table with the food prepared by Nina.

Tensions were high as Theo and James both sat facing each other as did Nina and Auntie Diane leaving to Selassi sit the head of the table. The food consisted of Ghanaian favourites like Spinach stew, Light soup and ordinary stew which accompanied with rice and fried plantain, all placed in the middle and tantalising everyone with it's the sweet and spicy aroma.

Everyone took some of what they liked and began to eat the food. Selassi just felt at home as the delicious taste of the spinach stew entered her mouth, making her feel warm and nostalgic. She noticed how everyone was silent but not in a way that people didn't want to talk but in a way they holding back petty things they wanted to say.

" How was your appointment, my dear?" Auntie Diane asked, breaking the silence as everyone's eyes focused on her.

" It was fine, the baby is ok. It's just a waiting game now"  Selassi said, continue to eat her food as Theo looked at her with slight frustration that he was being reminded that she was pregnant with someone else.

On the other hand, James was ecstatic about getting more information on the baby and couldn't think of a better person to have a child with her. He noticed that Theo was fuming and decided he was going to remind him who the better man for Selassi was.

" Theo, my man, why so serious? This is happy news, you could at least act happy for us" James remarked smugly making both Selassi and Nina's eyes go wide in shock.

Theo merely clenched his jaw at the audacity this man kept having and stood up throwing his napkin in a frustrated manner.

" I've lost my appetite, congrats Lassi by the way." Theo said calmly, softly gripping Selassi's shoulder as he gave her a forehead kiss, making his way to the stairs but it seemed that James wasn't tired of being snarky.

" There is no need to leave, we're celebrating something wonderful, it's just a shame that it's not you in my position right now" James uttered before sitting down.

Theo wanted to ignore but he couldn't help himself, dragging him out of the chair and launching an array of dirty punches with no mercy but James was still holding up well against the attack.

Selassi realised she couldn't come and kill herself by trying to break them up and continued to eat her food quietly whilst Auntie Diane ran to help James and Nina, being nosey, simply watch the nasty fight unfold.

Glasses broke right, left and centre as Theo still had the upper hand, jabbing at James' sides but James came back with a dirty punch to the gut that  Theo spitting so much blood. Auntie Diane finally managed to get in between them and then just like that, the lights and all the electricity went off.

" Dumsor. It's going to be a long night" Selassi mentioned as everyone stood in the darkness, preparing for what would be an eventful night.

................................................................................................................................................................

Hey guys,

So the boys are fighting again, how do you feel about Theo and James position concerning Selassi's pregnancy?

Just to let you know, Dumsor is an Akan word "off and on" and it refers to regular blackouts faced all over Ghana.

Tell me your thoughts in your comments.

Love,

TamaraMensah