Bruised Identity

Sounds of crying can be heard from inside the room, With mixed feelings Max get up from the chair to go tend to the baby in the room that just started crying. Could her life get any worse, her parents just disowned her, leaving her to tend for herself, she decides to stay with her grandmother who also dies on the day she gives birth. "What in the world is wrong with that child" muttered Max as she walks into the room, she looks her daughter who is wailing on the bed, she begins to remember how her life got this messed up in less than a year.

**Flashback.**

*January 1998*

With unending smiles as both Cain and Max are seen walking together out of the house,it wasn't their first and surely wasn't going to be their last.

Meet Cain and Max , Cain a graduating student of engineering and Max a young girl in her prime.

It's a beautiful evening with the sunsetting in the early month of January, Max is on her way back from classes when suddenly she gets hit by a football being play across the street.

"Hey watch the direction you are kicking your ball to," came a calm voice from the young girl who had just been hit by the ball across the street,Cain rushes over to get the ball when he meet the young girl hit by it , stunned by her beauty he throws the ball back to his teammates and takes am excuse to leave the match.

"Wow!" was the first word that came out of his mouth as he approached her, could he be mistaken it looked like her, no! it is her he said to himself. "Please excuse me," she slowed down a bit to see the stranger that approached her, "yes how may I help you," she answers Cain mustered the courage to talk as he replied, "sorry on behalf of the team, that our football hit you it wasn't intentional." "That's not a problem," she replied about to take her leave when he starts to pick a conversation. "Where are you headed to maybe I could escort you a bit, who knows it could be my direction." "Oh trying to be a gentleman I see well headed to Brock's lane if you don't mind." "Sure after you. By the way am Cain and you are" 'as he extends a handshake' "Maxwella but you can call me Max and I'll be on my way now, I need no knight in shining armor." "If you say so then but maybe next time I'll be that knight in shining armor bye for now ."

Max takes her leave headed for home. She begins to day dream about Cain his hair as dark as the moonless night, such smoothness from the way he talked,his eyes were brown how she wished he escorts her home, his body had hairs all over like a foreigner , she couldn't help but to take a look at his walking step, he walked like a knight truly, those masculine fitness could be put into some good use.

Cain wandering to himself could this day get any better he just hoped to meet her again,her eyes like a princess only seen on TV, her lips were red and wet, to add it all up, she had a shape for princesses.

"Can't wait to see you again." He tells himself as he walks back to his teammates,

"Hey , where you leave to," "just had a walk I guess, am done for the day see you guy's later."

"I certainly hope she comes around again."

Meanwhile, "what is keeping her so long outside she should be back from class by now, Ojo ," came a loud voice from inside the house, "go check what's keeping your sister outside for so long," "ok ma." replied Ojo.

Just as he was about to open the gate came Max, "oh I was just on my way to call you, mum needs your services in the house," "and what have you been doing young man," she answers him, "well, I've been doing a lot actually, namely, sleeping, eating, sleeping," "you must be joking." as she pursues him in to the house, "you can't catch me brags Ojo as he speeds in to his room and locks the door."

Max lives in a bungalow with her parents and her younger brother her mum a school teacher and her dad a business man into real estate. Currently she is enrolled in a computer training course, before she gains admission in to the university.

"Is she now home asks her mother."

Meet Mrs Williams Max's mom bearing the same resemblance to Max' just a bit older, standing at a height of 5'17" , with a brown skin to match as her short brown hair makes her beauty to be radiant , her red lips and big brown eyes to match her hour glass shape , she truly is a beauty queen.

"Please come help me set the table" called Mrs Williams to the children, "your dad would be home soon , so please get ready."

Cain just arrived home, and it's getting late "I'll had better go look for something to eat " he said to him self as he walked in to the shower to take a bath.

**Some minutes later.

"Let's see what we have here, ok then I'll just get the eggs from across the street," he quickly Changed in to something light and headed out to get some eggs and vegetables.

**Max's home'

"Max go get the door I think your dad is back, "came a voice from inside the room, "ok mom" replied Max,

She quickly rushes to get to the person at the door , as she opens it it's her dad, she welcomes him in as she takes his bag from him, "who is at my door" came the voice again as Max replied' "your husband is back"

"Please Max when you keep the bag I need you to go get me some vegetables from the vegetable store across the street, and please hurry up." Said Max's dad.

"Ok dad," replies Max.

"Dad am done, so what do you need," "some carrots and potatoes, that's all." "Ok then I'll be on my way," says Max as she takes her leave, soon she gets to the store and tries to hurry up in buying the items she needs.

Cain is almost done buying what he needs as he begins to walk to the counter, as he gets there the cashier starts to check his items when Max joins him.

"Wow so we meet again," says Cain as Max drops her items on the counter, "add these also to my bill" says Cain to the cashier, when Max stops him saying she can pay for her self, "well it's fine by me if you say so," replied Cain, "thanks for the kind gesture" said Max .

The cashier is done attending to both of them as they walk out of the store together with Cain holding out the door, "if you don't mind I would love to walk you home," said Cain, "fine but just this once," replied Max. As they both begin walking in the same direction into the night.

MAX

17:00 hours.

June 18th, 1999.

Somewhere in Cantina, some 30km away from Bruges town, heavily pregnant Max lay on a cushion outside her grandmother's building. The baby was due any moment from now and thank goodness her ever-loving grandmother was there to take care of her.

Having been disowned and driven out of her father's house in Bruges town (for getting pregnant out of wedlock), she had and knew nowhere else to go but back to her paternal grandparent's house. Though disappointed, her grandmother welcomed her with open arms, cleaning her tears after she entered the compound with a backpack containing the few clothes her parents had spared her.

She felt the baby kick and she ran a hand through her stomach reassuring herself that her grandmother was the town's local midwife, who had a record of about 89 (or was it 99) safe deliveries to her name. No death of either mother or child in all the cases. Which had made her the most sought-after local midwife.

Speaking her local dialect to the baby as she ran her hand over her tummy, she said "Don't worry my love, Mama citas (which was the name the community called her grandmother) is here to bring you to the world. She brought me to this world, can you imagine that? She's going to bring you out of me too. Isn't that sweet?" she felt the baby kick again and she laughed out loudly to herself saying "Hey relax, great-grand would bring you out successfully and then put you in my arms"

**Meanwhile

From the far end corner of the house inside the outdoor kitchen behind Max, Grandma Citas had been watching Max talk to herself as she ran her hand through her stomach. From her many years as a midwife who had supervised 99 safe deliveries (15 twins and 6 triplets inclusive), she knew her 19-year-old granddaughter was about to go into labor unknown to the young girl herself. "Poor thing," she said to herself, remembering how with no cash on her, the poor girl had walked the distance from Bruges town to Cantina.

Despite the loneliness of the road and the risk involved, the girl had braved the distance. She was indeed her son's daughter, built tough and strong-headed. Despite all her pleas, her son had refused to take the girl back simply because according to him "she made him lose a potential client whom he had been going for". "hmm" she scoffed wondering what that meant.

But for the first time in her lifetime as a midwife, there was this high level of uncertainty hanging in the air. She feared if this particular delivery would be successful. She stirred the soup on the gas for the last time before putting it down. After which she cleaned her eyes which were now failing her with the back of her hands, before returning the tea kettle on the fire.

******

As Max lay running her hand on her stomach, she began to remember the event that happened just before she got pregnant. She smiled as the memories of what she had done ran through her head. She thought about the love of her life, the father of her baby who the last time she heard from, him was just a day before she discovered she was pregnant after the mailman had given her his later.

It had been a month since she finished her computer course in Briggs Cafe Bruges town. It had been a month of non-stop dates, flowers, and gifts ever since she began seeing him as soon as she got back home from school. Her parents who were both too busy with work had gone for a special board's meeting somewhere in the south of Bruges town and wouldn't be back until the following evening. She had been itchy all day to meet up with Cain. This was the third time, she checked the wall clock for when her brother would be back from school . Almost immediately as her younger brother comes in she finds an excuse to go the door or to leave the house, but her brother beats her race when she goes into the room to change into something nice and comfortable. He leaves with his football headed for the streets.

Being the first child and age 18, this was not the first time her parents would ask her to take care of the house while they went on their tony board meetings within and outside Bruges town unknown to them, she had tasted the forbidden fruit after losing her cherry to the love of her life in the next street less than a month ago.

After listening to her friends back in school talk about how romantic and sweet their boyfriend's would be to them.

She had resolved not to turn around but to find a way to sleep over at his place, After all, today was, supposed to be their farewell date, until she joined him wherever he's posted to she thought to herself. Everything was just going fine, her parents had been planning for the meeting since the previous week so she couldn't wait for them to leave.

He wouldn't be back home till later in the evening so just when she was about to go over to his place by 18:00 hours, the heavens opened and it began to rain heavily. Her brother had returned to the house already and had eaten his evening meal. "God" she breathed stroking her hair as she cursed the rain while lying on the couch in their living room. It was now 20:00 hours and this rain hadn't shown the signs of stopping.

Her younger brother after playing all day and a heavy evening meal, was fast asleep on the other couch. Looking at him in anger as the rain ruined her plans, she wondered if he was truly her father's son. He looked so much different from her and her immediate younger brother be it in his behavior (a bloody little scoundrel he was), his physical appearance tall while he is very short), or skin this re, etc The, re was just nothing to prove her dad was responsible. No wonder Mama citas began to despises her mom after the boy's birth. But her dad blinded by love would have none of it. To cap it all, he was her mom's favorite child. So lazy he was that he could even sleep under that rain and not wake up the next morning.

Then it hit her, The truth is the rain wasn't gonna stop anytime soon and might continue for days as it was common in Bruges town. Now, since her brother was a heavy sleeper, he wouldn't wake up if she didn't wake him up. So she decided to enter the rain and go to her boyfriend's residence on next Street. She quickly took off her bra putting on her nightgown, and taking a vest. She turns off the security light outside so no one could see her leave, she locked the door behind her and ran under the rain to his residence.

Some minutes later.

A faint knock is heard on the door, and the knocking continues until Cain opens up. "thought you weren't going to make it" spoke Cain, "well I made it as promised, can't leave you hanging out alone" replied Max, "oh where are my manners, please come in" realizing he was still holding out the door and she was outside. Max walks into the living room as Cain shuts the door behind them.

The event that unfolded during the night was just too unforgettable for Max. As she reminisced about that event, her right hand that was on her tummy had automatically found its way into her skirt "Wow", she thought to herself. All of a sudden she felt her liquid like a flood floodgates out of her.

It was followed almost immediately by a sharp contraction, only then did Max realize her "water" had broken."Maamaa Citaas" she screamed in fear wondering if her insatiable lust for her boyfriend had affected her pregnancy.

******

Six hours later, the baby was still not out and Mama Citas was scared. Although she had spent the worst time of this, with a lady for 14 hours, this particular case wasn't normal to her. She had tried all the tricks she had but still nothing. The poor girl was losing it and Mama Citas knew if a miracle doesn't happen having a mother and child might become difficult. "My God" she called out in her local dialect in her head, "please not my own child" Other ladies who usually assisted her were on hand to help.

In order not to show fear, Mama citas went outside as if to get something leaving the women and Max behind. Outside she went towards her kitchen far from the building. Looking up to the moon she prayed to God not to fail her. He is responsible the for success of past deliveries she oversaw why should this be different? Just then she heard one of the ladies call out her name that the baby was finally coming out. She ran back towards the building and just when she was about to climb the first stair, she slipped and fell forward hitting her head on the concrete floor.

As Mama Citas breath her last, the baby came out with little or no push by Max and began to cry.

As soon as she heard the baby crying, Max's tears of pain became tear's of joy, and after the older lady mentioned it was a baby girl, she laughed out loud to the surprise of the women. After cleaning her and the baby up, the woman passed the baby to her to feed. As she felt the milk come out as the baby suckled, she whispered the name Anna.

Despite the bleak future ahead, knowing her dad would have nothing to do with her or the baby, she had never for one second regretted the pregnancy and was as a matte her only true love ad gotten her pregnant. She then asked about her grandmother and the younger of the two ladies went out to check where she was.

Just outside, she saw the the lifeless body of Mama Citas and screamed waking up and bringing out the neighbors who were sleeping or still awake.

Mr Williams

17:00 hours,

June 18th, 1999,

Mr. Williams sat in his living room fuming. The young boy from the community had just left after delivering the message that his mother had summoned him home the next day. Ever since he chased his daughter out of his house, Mama Citas had never stepped foot inside his compound again.

"Anyways," he thought to himself "she must be joking if she thinks she'll make him drop one penny for that little brat of a daughter." Just when he was about to be made the zonal director of his estate committee, the foolish girl got pregnant for his boss's son out of wedlock, giving his opponents something to use in their campaign against him.

A position he had worked all his life for. Just this Monday, that small man who used to answer him, sir, was shouting him down because he eventually won the position. "Bastard" he cursed under his breath in anger as he remembered the humiliation he had been suffering in the office.

And as if to add salt to the injury, she got pregnant for a bloodying spoilt child. "She and that child must suffer the shame he is passing through in the office," he thought to himself cursing.

Calling out to his lovely wife who was sitting at the dining table, he told her his mom had sent for him and he would be going there after the close of work the following day.

Mrs. Ivy

17:00 hours,

June 18th, 1987,

From the dining section Ivy had overheard what the messenger from the community had told her husband. "Bloody old witch" she cursed in her mind.

"You and your granddaughter would never succeed in your plans to take away my happiness. I must be happy whether you two witches like it or not. Perhaps if your son could spend more time with me as a man than spend the whole time carrying out work matters on his head, I wouldn't be this miserable going about with different men. I wouldn't have gotten pregnant for that Idiotic Peterson who had all the while been also seeing the lady on Mats Lane, her bloody former bestie, and ended up marrying her.

Then when the deed was done, you want to poke nose and say her son is not the father of my son. "Old sad witch" she cursed

Continuing in her head, she said "And for that little brat, you're lucky I never caught you. I would have used a hot rod and straightened you for feeling so special to steal my man and get pregnant for him."

She hated the girl because it was never her intention to end up with William while his rich sailor boyfriend Peterson, was there. It was during one of Peterson's many voyages that she had decided to kill time and satisfy her lust by allowing William her next-door neighbor sleep with her. The useless William could not even meet up to her satisfaction, but she had no choice but to manage. Then after about a month of frustrating encounters with William, she realized she had been knocked up. To save face, a quick marriage was put in place while she had gone to live with his old witch of a mother in Bruges town until the birth of the little brat of a daughter.

"And for that bastard boy, after claiming I wasn't special for you, I let you sleep with me sheepishly, something the bible frowns at, yet you still have the guts to leave me for my daughter. May god punish you wherever you are. Your little brat and bastard child would suffer the pain you caused me. Animal." she scoffed.

Dr. Daniel's Residence

17:00 hours,

June 18th, 1999,

37 years old

Dr. Daniel had just returned home from his place of work, the UCTH. Entering the house, he didn't see his wife in the living room.

Proceeding into the bedroom, he saw her lying on the bed sobbing.

She had been like this for the past two days. Or rather acted like this for the past two days whenever she knew he would be coming home. The coming weekend would mark their twelfth wedding anniversary and yet nothing to show for it concerning a child.

They've both gone for all the medical and fertility tests known severally, both at UCTH and outside the state. But each time the results had always been the same. Both of them are fine.

He had always told her to relax and let God do His thing, but whenever their anniversary approached like this one, she became depressed and resorted to crying. After having a

stressful day in the theatre, Daniel had no strength to begin consoling her. He did that yesterday and the day before.

Let her cry till she's satisfied if it'll make her feel good, then no problem. He was certain, she hadn't prepared any food for him again. He just couldn't get it, it's not like anyone from his family was on her neck, why can't this

lady just goes easy on herself and everyone else.

Without saying a word to her, he got

undressed, grabbed his towel, and entered the bathroom for a shower. When he was done, he returned to the room, got dressed, and went to

the living room without saying a word to her. As one who never saw a reason to eat out of his house, he was pissed that for the third time that week, Anna his wife, had not made any food. While he could easily lose his

cool, he decided to ignore her like he had always done and prepare something for himself.

Entering the kitchen, he decided only boiled yam would be fast enough. Within 10 minutes,

the yam was on the gas cooker. He went back to the living room to pick up the newspaper he had bought earlier in the day from the university gate on his way to work. Returning to the kitchen, he sat on the stool and

began to go through the article that had caught his attention.

Some 25 minutes later with the yam almost ready, he began to mix the egg and other ingredients he'll need to prepare sauce. 10 minutes later, he sat on the dining table eating alone.

He had no emotional strength to worry about his wife. For 12 years he had gone through the whole childlessness with her, yet she just always found ways to complicate matters.

Not even a single person from his family including his mom had bothered her for one moment, instead, everyone fasted and prayed for them, something she just couldn't bring herself to do. For 12 years he had remained faithful to Anna, yet she never failed to make

it seems he already had a second wife with kids hiding somewhere, the reason why he isn't acting worried.

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