Chapter 5: I want my freedom

"I don't have the strength to and am going far" she said smilingEseiwi was confused on what to do because she can't bear to see her little sister crying she went inside to bring wrapper while Ose was still crying like someone that was so depressed. She obeyed and took Ose in .Itoya was relieved and boarded a motorcycle to Ubiaja (a city close to Ewosa community), while they were passing through people's houses she watch children playing outside their parents house with admiration. She imagined keeping the pregnancy and having so many children before going back to school, she also imagined what people would tag her as. She placed her hands on her flat tummy and smiled but after some minuets the smile gradually faded out for a frown, "I have made up my mind, no going back, I can't keep it" she soliloquized. She could not help but to scold herself for getting married early. She felt the problem of women in the society is marriage. As soon as a female gets married she will be subjected to having babies and taking care of their husbands. She could not imagine that as enlightened as her she will fall victim to this situations although she is a village girl but she wants to make a difference. She had planned everything before getting married while in secondary school. Itoya believes so much in her ability to be whatever she wants. She feels that she is a great planner and everything she plans must fall in placeOn getting to the hospital she paid and collected a patient card the nurse took her BP, urinalysis and checked her PCV, she booked for an appointment for the abortion. In the doctor`s office , he was scanning through the file that a nurse had just brought to his office , after reading through the papers in the file he checked the name that seems familiar. He rang his bell, a nurse appeared through the door "call in Mrs. Itoya Ifada" he commanded. The next person he saw was Itoya, he offered her a seat."How are you "he said try to pave a way for an healthy discussion"Am fine" she answered"What about your husband, baby and your abducted daughter" he asked further, trying to show no emotions"They are all fine, how about yours" she said calmly"as you can see am fine my wife is taking good care of me, you know I will not be bright and active when my wife is not taking good care of me "he said plainly "by the way I have gone through your file and everything is normal, the only abnormal thing is the abortion that you want to undergo, why do you want to do it? He asked curiously "I don't want to keep it, my baby is only eight months old, and I don't want people to start pointing fingers at me when my tummy starts protruding" she said The doctor was shocked but hid his emotions and started counseling her "you don't want to keep this pregnancy? But you are a married woman!!! For heaven sake you are not answerable to anyone except your husband, why do you want to do this? I knew your greatest concern would be what people will say about you being pregnant when your baby is less than one year old; they will make jest of you fine .you are living for yourself live life to the fullest no one has the right to condemn your pregnancy" he said"But am not only doing it because of what people will say I also want to go to back to school "she said turning her face to the window"Is your husband aware that you want to abort this pregnancy?" "As in what is his decision on it?"He said because he wants to know if Ifada is in support of aborting the pregnancy, because he would be very disappointed if his friend supports his wife in aborting the pregnancy, he vowed in heart that he will never allow this abortion take place in his hospital because if his friend is willing to scarify his bright future for Itoya, she in turn should make sacrifices for them to be together. He told himself that he must persuade her to keep the pregnancy."His stand has nothing to do with you" she said rudelyThe Doctor stood up and walked closer to Itoya "Am talking to you not only as a Doctor but also as a family member, your husband and I were class mates from JSS1 till SSS3. I know everything about you both and I will not fold my hands and watch you ruin yourself" he said putting his hand into his pocket "the risk in the process of abortion is too much, think about it" he said bringing out a clean bundle of money and handed it over to Itoya and said "take for your troubles I will talk to your husband before anything". She became angry "I don't need the money I need my freedom" she shouted at him not bothering if the way she spoke will offend him"Don't worry when the baby comes out you will be free to do whatever you want to do; our people says that patience can cook stone and it will turn soft whatever you want, please be patient" he begged not minding the rude way she spoke earlier to himShe stood up angrier and said "since you don't want to do this abortion for me why waste my precious time?" "Since you have made up your mind on this abortion, I cannot do it for you "he said firmly. The Doctor went back to his office position and relaxed himself on his chair as if he was the only one in his office; Itoya on the other hand opened the door and left him in his consulting room. The doctor shook his head pitifully as he saw Itoya slamming the door.