Chapter 5 EARLY STRAINS

Monday arrived and Kome was set to leave for Benin. Her aunt gave her some money which amounted to ten thousand naira. She gladly received the money with the knowledge that the money would go a long way in easing the financial challenges she was likely to encounter on her return to Benin. She left the house in company of her aunt who took her to the Motor-park. She couldn't overcome the feeling of dread that nagged her mind as she waved at her aunt. She took her luggage to the bus designated for the trip to Benin and went to buy a ticket. Once she was done, she sat in the reception.

The people milling around the station drew her attention and she watched them with curiosity. Her interest in the present environment did not dissuade her thoughts from morphing into concrete fears. She couldn't suppress the feeling of dread that was gradually welling up within her.

She was faced with the stark realization that she was consciously turning her back on her family. She knew her aunt would be willing to help but knew she would be a burden. She subconsciously rubbed her hand on her stomach and suddenly wished she could see the developing child. She was three months gone already and was largely ignorant of what would happen in the months to come.

She was brought back to the present by the baritone voice of a man.

"Are you not part of the passengers for that bus?" he asked.

She stood up hurriedly and moved to join other passengers who were already boarding the vehicle. She took a seat by the window. The driver drove out of the park immediately the bus filled up. She was awake for some part of the journey but slept off before they got to Benin. She was woken up by the loud voice of a passenger who was directing the driver to a point where he would disembark. She felt relieved as cool air floated into the bus. The city center was busy as usual despite the fact that it was some minutes before noon. She was fond of the city but the boisterous nature sometimes irritated her.

She alighted just in front of the gate of her alma mater. She looked at the mixture of young and old students who were going towards the gate and started feeling nostalgic. Her memories felt like it happened eons ago. She flagged a motorcycle and boarded it after she had described the direction she was headed for. She arrived at the front of the compound of her residence and went straight to her room. After settling in, she laid on her bed and began contemplating her present condition. Her room was almost bare as she had given some of her properties to her friends. She had not expected to return but there was little or no choice at the moment. The rent will be due in a month time and she had little on her to consider renewing the rent for another year.

The time was 3:00pm when she looked at the watch on her wrist. She stretched her hands and was suddenly grateful for the escape into dreamland as she was almost slipping into despair. She rose from the bed and went out of the house. She was struggling with intense hunger and her immediate desire was to ease the pressure threatening to rip her stomach apart. She bought bread and a bottle of Coke. She sat on the bed on her return, ate and drank while taking staring into the space of her room. She thought of her mates who were already looking forward to the national youth service scheme. She could already imagine her name on the list but yet was ineligible to enlist. She thought about Rachael and decided to go visit her in the evening.

Rachael had just returned from school when she arrived the front of her house. She walked stealthily towards her and tickled her side. Rachael jumped up in fright and she responded with a rapturous laughter.

"Ah, Kome you gave me a serious shock," Rachael said between gasp.

"I am sorry, but seriously was someone chasing you?" Kome asked.

Rachael did not reply. She opened the door and they walked inside. They had a good chat while Rachael prepared her dinner. Rachael told her about the release of the mobilization list which Kome was quick to dismiss cryptically. She was not predisposed to revealing her predicament yet even though she knew it was a matter of time before she told Rachael about it.

She left just before dark for her house. She decided against taking dinner and laid on her bed. She thought of her relationship with Eric, the fun moments they had together and the beautiful promises they whispered to each other. She felt betrayed by him and blamed her recent struggles on his reluctance to accept the baby. It was a bitter summation of a relationship that promised much. She had little support to rest on at the moment but was going to forge on regardless. Suddenly, she felt a build-up of nausea. She rose from the bed and ran outside to vomit. She returned to the room after sometime feeling dizzy and slept off as soon as she laid on the bed.

Kome's struggles intensified as the days went by. She felt largely alone in her world and the money her aunt had given her was gradually running out. She paid infrequent visits to Rachael's house as she struggled to keep her pregnancy from prying eyes. A month had gone since she returned to Benin before she faced the cold reality of her situation. The man in charge of the house came around and served her the notice of renewing her rent. It was a quiet rap on the door that woke Kome up from her afternoon rest. She was hesitant to stand up but again it came loud and clear.

"Who is there?" she asked in a rather strained voice.

"It's the agent," the voice announced.

She quickly stood up and tied a wrapper firmly around chest. She knew the reason why the agent has come. It was the tenth day of the month of September and her rent had been due for renewal since the beginning of the month. She opened the door just in time to restrain the man from knocking again.

"Good afternoon Sir," she greeted.

"Good afternoon," the man replied.

His stare unconsciously fell on the bulge that was barely concealed by the wrapper before he looked up again.

"I hope you know the reason why I have come?" he asked.

"Yes Sir," she replied.

"So what is the issue presently?" the man asked.

"I hope to pay as soon as I get the money."

"I must inform you that you have little time left."

He left as soon as his message was delivered. She stared at her feet and stayed there for a while. She knew there was no way she was going to get the money but nevertheless still had a feeling that things could end up in her favor. She needed help as soon as she could get it with desperation gradually seeping into her mind. She knew she would have to be desperate at this point in order not to fall into the chasm of despair that was gradually opening up before her.

She struggled to keep her mind at rest and after much contemplation, she decided to go and visit her Rachael. She met her reading a novel. She sat down beside her after a brief exchange of greeting.

"Please I need to tell you something," Kome said.

"Okay, I am listening," Rachael replied.

"I am pregnant."

Rachael gasped and soon averted her gaze. Kome was not shaken by Rachael's reaction as she expected it. Rachael was still in shock a minute after she broke the news.

"I am three months gone already."

"Okay."

Rachael's tone was subdued.

"What do you intend to do? Is your father aware?" Rachael asked in a hurry.

"My father is angry with me."

"So what do you intend to do?" Rachael asked.

"I will have the baby. I just need your assistance. I might need your help any moment from now," she said.

Silence descended on them like a thick cloud as Rachael struggled to recover from the shock caused by the news of Kome's pregnancy. They had met in church and she had befriended Kome because of her dedication to church activities. Thus, her surprise at the thought of her involvement in pre-marital sex. Kome expected the shocked reaction of her friend and had braced herself for that moment. She had nothing to hide anyway as the baby bump was already visible and she was at her wits end. She had not told Rachael what help she was going to render as she was not prepared to get her overwhelmed. She left for her house just before dark.

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The next Monday morning, Kome made up her mind to do something drastic. She dressed up and boarded a bus which took her to the city center. She alighted and took a motorcycle to Eric's house. The motorcycle stopped just in front of the gate. The gate-keeper opened immediately she knocked and stuck his head through a small opening.

"Yes, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"I want to see Eric," Kome said.

"What relationship do you have with Eric?" he asked.

"He is my friend," she replied.

He shook his head in contemplation. Kome could almost imagine the trail of his thoughts but was unmoved by the delay.

"All right, wait here," he said.

He locked the gate and was gone for a while. Kome expected such reaction from the gate keeper. After all Eric was unmarried and it was not a good sight to see a young, pregnant, and unmarried lady. Eric returned ahead of the gate-keeper.

"What are you doing here?" he blurted.

"I came to see you," she replied.

"Like this?" he asked barely masking the irritation in his voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind...so what do you want?"

"Why are you hostile towards me, Eric?"

"You definitely know we have had a discussion concerning that thing you have there. There is no way I can be patient with a stubborn girl like you."

"I can't believe you just made that statement," she said almost moved to tears.

Eric eyed her derisively and was about leaving when Kome held out a hand to stop him.

"I need some money," she said.

"I don't have any money to give you."

"Eric, I wouldn't come to you if I had other options," she replied.

"I guess you are beginning to understand my point about you going for an abortion. I don't have any money to give you."

Kome held his gaze even as he averted his eyes.

"You are worth more than this," she said.

He saw the tears forming at the edges of her eyes and suddenly felt pity for her.

"All right, if I give you money now, you must promise not to return again," he said.

"I will do as you have said," Kome replied.

Eric stepped back and closed the gate. Kome waited patiently for his return. He came back after some minutes and stretched some naira notes towards her. She took the money not minding the fact that Eric turned his face away. She got the money and left immediately. She had walked a short distance when she stopped to count the money. It was five thousand naira and a soothing feeling filled her mind.

Her journey home was almost centered on what the money in her possession could afford. She had a lot of expenses that could effectively drown the money in her possession. She needed help and the seeming lack of assistance was already taking its toll on her mental health. She did not go home straight as she headed for Rachael's house instead. She met her in the process of mending a bag.

"Hello," she said.

"How are you?"

"I am fine," Kome replied.

She sat beside Rachael on the bed.

"So, how was your day?" Kome asked.

"It's been good," Rachael replied.

"Rachael, I need your help."

Rachael felt the urgency in her voice and turned to look at her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"My rent has expired and the landlord is on my neck to pay the rent. Can I move in with you?" she asked.

Rachael fell silent immediately and looked away. She was about to be dragged into a situation that could rub on her negatively. Unfortunately, she was a friend and how best could she express her friendship than to help her when she is in need. Kome understood the silence that followed and kept her eyes away from her friend.

"Kome, I hope you understand the implication of what you are asking me?"

"Yes."

"You can move in."

Kome smiled and embraced her friend. After all, hope was worth preserving.

"Everything was going to be just fine," she thought.

From then on, their discussion turned to how soon she was going to move in. The air was a bit tensed especially as Rachael acknowledge the fact that the burden of Kome's pregnancy was about to be a shared one. After their discussion Kome returned home brimming with hope and satisfaction.