WITH THIS RING – a novel – will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
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(Day 15)
Surprised, he tossed her a disapproving look. “No? You mean you didn’t go for it yesterday?”
“No.”
“So, where were you? I called your office, you were not there and your phone was switched off. Did your secretary tell you that I called?” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
“Yes.”
“Where were you?”
“I told you I wasn’t feeling well.”
“And you didn’t go for it today. I already gave you the money. What’s causing the delay?”
When she didn’t talk, he spoke again, “When do you intend to have it done, when you’re three or six months along?”
She didn’t respond.
“Grace, I’m talking to you.”
“Albert, I have decided to keep the baby.” She stated flatly.
He almost stopped breathing. He looked at her as if she had suddenly developed two heads. He almost couldn’t believe that he’d heard her correctly.
She looked away.
He stared at her without blinking or moving. Was she serious?
The waitress came back with the main meal. The moment she left, Albert asked, “You have decided to keep the baby?”
She didn’t talk.
Putting the spoon in his hand down, he asked, “Why?”
“It’s the right thing for me to do. I have already made one major mistake; and I don’t want to make another.”
What’s she talking about?! “Well, if I am truly the father, you can’t make such a major decision without my consent!”
She drew a deep breath before she said, “You want me to get rid of it but I don’t want to. I have to make the best decision in this case. It’s about me, my life, and my body. You don’t have a say in it.” She said with a sway of her hand.
“If I didn’t have a say in it, you would not be sitting here with me.”
When she didn’t respond, he spoke again, “You want to raise it without a father, all by yourself? You want to become a single mother like your mother?” He questioned and slouched back on the seat.
“I will cope if it comes to that.”
“That’s what it will come to because it’s your decision. I’m not going to be a part of it.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to.”
He sat forward. “Won’t your family members ask who the father is?”
“Of course they will ask.” She took her cutleries and prepared to eat.
“And?” He arched an eyebrow.
“I’ll let them know the father is not responsible.”
“This doesn’t make sense, Grace!” He snapped. “You should get rid of it!” He insisted.
“If during the abortion, something goes wrong with me, won’t you go on with your life?”
“This doesn’t make sense unless you planned it from the beginning.”
Her mouth fell open. She put the cutleries in her hand down as she said, “Excuse me?”
“Yes, you heard me. I’m beginning to suspect that you allowed this thing to happen to trap me.”
She blinked at him. “What? To trap you? For what?” Then with eyes blazing, she told him, “Do I look like someone who is desperate? And by saying that, you must consider yourself a prime catch but let me tell you, you are not! You are nothing but a spoilt brat!”
She scooted her chair back and got to her feet. Taking her handbag, she slammed her chair up under the table and turned away. She stopped and looked at him. “And … forget about me, about the baby! We would be fine without any help from you!”
With that, she left.
He didn’t try to stop her as she walked out. He had lost his appetite as well. Some people were openly looking at him now.
He signalled at the waitress for the bill. When it was brought, he settled it and asked for the food to be packed for him. That was done and brought to him and he left immediately.
He sat in his car and thought of what Grace had just told him. She was about to turn his life upside down. He had to do something … but what? He wasn’t certain.
He took his cell phone and called his friend, Chike. Albert knew that he would understand his predicament and probably know a way out for him. Chike, an Accountant wasn’t a Christian and his girlfriend aborted a two-month old pregnancy recently.
“Hey, what’s up?” Chike called out.
“I’m in a big mess!” Albert said without wasting time. There was no time to waste anyway.
“What happened?”
“Grace is pregnant and she has just told me she’s keeping it.”
“Oh oh!” Chike uttered.
He explained the whole situation to Chike.
“Well, you just have to find a way to convince her to change her mind. Pet her, buy her an expensive gift, and offer her more money or something.” Chike advised. “Try to see her unfailingly tomorrow and make her see reason with you.”
Albert eventually started the car and drove away from the restaurant. As he joined the flow of traffic, he pushed in the CD of Michael Jackson and listened as he sang ‘I’m bad!’
At home, it occurred to him to call his immediate elder brother, Donald, who influenced him to join the church where he had been worshipping and become a Christian, but somehow, he could almost predict what Donald’s response would be – Albert should do the right thing by keeping the pregnancy. But Albert wasn’t ready to do that.
What would God want him to do? The question crossed his mind. No, he didn’t want to think about that. He didn’t think God’s opinion would be any different from Donald’s. He would have loved to obey God but if he did, he would be messed up and he couldn’t afford to allow that to happen. He had to do what would work for him. God, I’m sorry, he muttered under his breath.
He would make sure he changed Grace’s mind tomorrow no matter the cost and everything would be back to normal. They would continue going to their churches, living their lives, and no one would know anything. He felt a little relieved.
In the morning, while he dressed, he thought about the conversation he would have with Grace. He would begin by apologising to her. That should calm her down and make her become reasonable enough to listen to him.
Thinking about Albert’s words made Grace grow hot with anger. Even if he would not marry her, he could have at least been nice and caring. Did he have any idea how she felt? What she was going through … what she would face?
She had half-hoped he would propose marriage to her but now it was clear that he didn’t think much of her. He didn’t even love her. She had been very foolish.
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
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