In the silence atmosphere, a sob rose down her throat. Once Rebecca got home, she lost appetite to complete her breakfast. Bunmi cleared the table, swept the house, and retired to her room to study. The new house was a two-bedroom apartment. One for the parent and the second for the children. Rebecca held onto her stomach with pain in her eyes. While at the hospital, she felt humiliated before the doctor. It takes two to tango, but her husband made it seem as if she got herself pregnant. As if she had a bastard child.

In the silence atmosphere, a sob rise down her throat as hurtful tears trickle down her eyes.

Mr. John walked in. His gaze fixed on her, and he sat on the table facing her. Watching her cry.

“I don’t understand you, Rebecca. How can you get pregnant at this phase of our life? We’re still struggling to pay our bills, let alone raise another child.” 

“I don’t see any problem with this, Mayowa. We are a couple. We’ll figure this out.” Her trembling voice heightened.

“How long have you known?” Mr. John voiced. His eyes lowered at his wife in disgust.

“What?” her widened eyes rise to his.

“That you’re pregnant. Because it’s clear that you kept it away from me.” he gritted with almost closed eyes. “If not that you passed out just now, how long were you planning to keep it away from me?”

“I wasn’t planning on keeping it a secret. I knew about a week ago and I planned to tell you, eventually.”

“Eventually, really?” he frowned at her words. Mr. And Mrs. John never kept secrets. The couple were true and transparent to each other.

Hearing them argue brought Bunmi towards her room’s door. She paid a listening ear as they disputed. Hoping it was for the better.

“You know what? I am tired of this your rant. What do you expect me to do? Abort the pregnancy?” Rebecca raised a suggestion.

“I didn’t ask you for an abortion! Ugh!” He cried in exasperation.

“Then why the fuse and confusion? You know I can’t argue with you, Mayowa! I don’t have the strength!” Rebecca folded her arm, rubbing her ankle. Her eyes focused on her husband as she read his frustrated expression. Sometime, they had disagreements but not like this. “Are you scared of the child’s future or you’re scared of not being a good father? Aren't you capable of raising one more child? We planned to have three children, remember? So we just started.”

Instead of replying, Mayowa turned away with a cold shoulder. Then he nodded, massaging his forehead.

“You give me so much headache. I need to be alone.” Rebecca stormed to the bedroom and banged the door on her husband’s face.

It saddened Bunmi that they had a disagreement. The only thing she understood was that Mrs. John was pregnant.

“Wasn’t that supposed to be a call for celebration?” She rumbled silently and went back to the study.

“I miss having Alex around. I wonder how lonely he will feel living among other people from different backgrounds. I just hope his mates does not bully him.”

Later that evening, Rebecca prepared yam porridge and served dinner. At 6:00 p.m, Mr. John, who had just entered from his job hunt, walked into the bedroom. He had a shower, changed his clothing, and went straight to bed. Rebecca and Bunmi were in the shop, selling.

When it was 8:00 p.m, Rebecca sent Bunmi to check if her husband has eaten. Bunmi hurried inside and came back in a blink. His food is untouched.

To him, she aggressively run her finger through her hair and heaved out in frustration. “Go to the room. Tell Uncle that dinner is ready.”

“Okay, ma.” Bunmi nodded and walked to the bedroom.

Mayowa locked it from inside. She knocked severally until he opened the door. Mr. John’s face rumpled like a piece of squeezed paper in the bin.

“What’s it?” his bass voice gasped at Bunmi.

“Sorry to disturb your sleep, sir. Dinner is ready.” Bunmi announced, hoping he would eat. Hunger plastered his face in bold letters.

“Okay.” He nodded and shut the door at her. Not interested.

Bunmi hurried to report back to Mrs. John.

“What did he say?” she asked kindly.

“He said okay,” Bunmi replied.

Rebecca’s brow pulled together in a scowl.

“Why was he so stubborn?” she questioned her curious self. 

Mrs. John then continued selling. It was 9:00 p.m. Then she pushed the bedroom’s door. It opened up to Mr. John, sleeping. But he wasn’t sleeping. He wanted her to meet him for an apology. To apologize for not telling him about the pregnancy earlier. And now of all time.

Rebecca wrinkled her nose at her husband and hissed. Then she changes into her nightdress. Mayowa stole glances, not sure if he should tell her to apologize or not. “What is the point when he doesn’t even realize her mistake?” he thought and shut his eyes.

Rebecca grabbed her pillow and blanket and walked up to him.

She nodded and stormed out of the room. That night, Rebecca slept with Bunmi in the children’s room. And confused, Mayowa couldn’t sleep a blink. “Maybe she is right.” He concluded.

The golden rays of the morning sky swept across the dewy grass, making each droplet shine like a precious gemstone.

Morning came and Mr. John woke to meet his wife preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

“Would you jog with me today?” he pursued.

“Jog?” She raised and looked around. It was only the both of them in the living room. “Did you just referred to me?”

“Of course, Rebecca. Let’s go jogging. I read on the internet that exercise is good for the baby. Especially pregnancy at the early stage.”

“Oh, let me check on that bean.” She nodded uninterestedly and rushed into the kitchen to continue her cooking.

“What was the fuse for?” Rebecca pondered. “As if we had ever gone for exercise.”

“That’s more reason we should go.” he emphasized.

“I’m not interested. As you can see, it’s Monday morning. I have to prepare breakfast and open my shop.”

Rebecca strolled to the kitchen while Bunmi picked up the broom to sweep. Then she mopped. After breakfast, Bunmi cleaned the dishes and helped Mrs. John in her shop during weekends.

When it was the last Saturday of the month, only Mrs. John goes to visit her son. She prepared a variety of food, dished in to her best plates and spends time with him.

“I would love to visit Alex.” Bunmi brought up one day. She knew the following day was the last Saturday of the second month he went to the boarding school. Two months has been like two long years.

“That’s unnecessary, dear. Why do you need to see him?” Mrs. John frowned.

“It’s been a while. I just wish to see and hear from him.”

“I don’t have the money to waste on transportation.” Rebecca told her. “Just help me in the shop till I come back and study hard, okay?” she smiled and walked into her room. When Rebecca got inside, she started pressing her clothes.

Bunmi’s brows creased in displeasure. She held her chin, thinking if her desire to see him was really unnecessary. And if she was being unreasonable. How fast time had changed Alex. She remembered some months ago when Alex wouldn’t agree to do anything without her by his side. Does he have better friends now? It’s been almost three months since they moved to Gwagwalada and she’s yet to make a friend.

The following day, Rebecca dressed and prepared three bags. One full of fruits, the order held the three different dishes of food, and she filled the third with a bag of pure water. Mrs. John visited her son. They ate, chat and took lovely pictures. Alex also introduced some of his friends and patron to his mother.

“What about Bunmi? Did she ask of me?” he sounded rather impatient.

“No, she didn’t.” Rebecca denied at once. “Why are you so concerned about her, my son?”

“Nothing. I just miss her presence.”

“Nothing is constant, Alex.” Rebecca held onto his youthful face and stressed. “I didn’t send you here to feel the absence of Bunmi. All I need from you is to study hard and graduate with an excellent result.”

“I know, Mum. Too bad there’s no phone for me to call her with.” Alex exhaled and looked down with disappointment. “But how is Bunmi faring without me?” Alex raised his gaze to his mother. “You’ve always taught me to be by her side, remember?” Alex picked out a sheet of paper from his side pocket and handed it over to his mum.

“Since you’re unable to bring Bunmi with you this month, help me give this to her.”

“What is this?”

“A letter.” Alex emphasized. “An informal letter.”

“What’s this about?” Rebecca blushed, unable to hide her smile. “I hope it’s not a long note.”

“Mummy...” He blurted. “Don’t just open the letter. It’s only for my sister.”

“Okay, fine!” Rebecca raised her hands up and placed the letter into her handbag.

“Am I safe now?”

“Yes, I’ll take the fruits and the remaining food to my hostel. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” He grinned and carried the heavy luggage towards his hostel.

Rebecca watched her son leave, and her eyes pressed on him. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at the sealed letter in her handbag. “I know what is best for you, Alex. I think it’s time you both grow up without each other because you aren’t siblings.” She held onto her stomach. “You’ll have a real sister soon.” Her twisted lip gave a half smile as she thought about having her next child.