BREAKING THE NEWS

CHAPTER 4

"Dear, I know how much you love me and our unborn child. I know how much you wish and want to be a mother, how much you want me to be called a father. I know how much pains, sorrows and sufferings you have gone through because you couldn't conceive early.

(He paused as he took a deep breath, she was getting emotional but wondered what made her husband to say all these as she was eager to hear the "good" news from him).

I love you so much as I also love our baby (he said as he touched her belly.) I don't know how to say this to you. Just as it's not easy for me to keep it, is also not easy for me to say it either. Please don't get me wrong.. (he paused as he looked at her, she seemed to wear the face of someone both happy, confused and at the same time worried).

The baby is what we are living for and hoping on, our future happiness, our joy and all we live and earn for. But if a child will bring terror to the world, we have to get rid of it before it's too late."

She was already confused and getting impatient at what he was saying. "Honey what are you saying? Just tell me what the problem is. Why are you both wearing sad faces? What's wrong? Can someone say something please?"

Andrew's wife, Serah was as well confused and asked her husband what was going on. He shooked his head and sighed as his eyes met Ronin and were locked in a gaze. Andrew noticed that Ronin was having a hard time telling his wife about it. He decided to help him.

"What he's trying to say is that, that baby you're carrying Mary (he said as he pointed his right first finger towards her stomach), is going to bring destruction to not just your marriage and home but to the entire world. All the strange happenings surrounding you and your home, that child is the cause. You.. "

"Stop it!" She cut him short. She couldn't believe they were accusing her baby for that. How ridiculous. It was really hard for the final bombshell to be dropped. Without wasting any time again, Andrew continued.

"You have to remove that child. Come to think of it, why do you think this happens to you alone and not your husband? Why? That's because is what you are carrying that's hunting you. I'll speak to my friend, he's a doctor and we'll arrange for the abortion. It has to be done this week. That is final Mary."

Ronin nodded as he hugged his wife tightly as if that will calm her down. So many things went through her mind. Were they making up stories just to scare her? But why will her own husband want to do this to their only and first baby? She couldn't understand.

She finally calmed down and things were explained to her. Everything Philip said she was told and it convinced her but she didn't want to lose her baby. She didn't care if she was carrying a demon, it was her child after all.

"Can't the child be delivered after I have put to bed? Can't she be given a second chance to live? "Andrew wondered why she kept referring to the baby as a "she."

It then dawned on him that they must have known from the hospital. "She can't be. Once you birth her, she will bring destruction to not just to your house but the world at large.

If it was your family only, we would have thought otherwise but this is our future we're talking about. I'm sure you will have another child. Just be obedient and patient.

God gives and he gives us good things not something that'll harm us. Or if you want, we can go to a pastor and when he also finds out that the baby is demonic, we're going for the abortion immediately, accepted?" Andrew asked her with questioning eyes.

She finally accepted but was scared the pastor might be right. Whatever it was, let them go first. They went back to their home later after having dinner with the Andrew's.

The next day, they went to visit the pastor at the church. They were lucky to find him in his office but was with some people who probably also came for help but just as they were about sitting, the secretary told them they could go in, he was done with them already so they went into his office. Pleasantries were exchanged as they were offered seats.

The pastor asked them what they would like maybe at least water but they declined and said they were fine. Four people coming to see him at a time meant something was wrong for them to all come for one problem at a time.

Seeing that they looked impatient and worried at the same time, he decided to go straight to the point. Andrew narrated everything to the pastor and why they had visited. The pastor, Bernard listened carefully and half way stopped Andrew from speaking. He closed his eyes as he was deep in thought then opened them and sighed deeply.

"You don't have to explain anything to me again. I may not know what the problem is or point finger on exactly what is the cause neither will I advise you to remove the child now.

Go home and keep praying while I'll also pray and visit tomorrow as to tell you what to do. But be careful, don't go anywhere near that tree and if possible, the pregnant woman shouldn't eat anything gotten from a tree. Be it fruits or whatever.

It's giving that child the power to become strong and destroy you. Make sure by 12:00am, you are praying. Ensure that everywhere is locked. This is a complicated situation but this is what I have to say for now.

Take water and meat only and if you feel hungry from now till tomorrow as if craving for something, then you're not in safe hands. Just don't be scared and do this for now. I'll visit tomorrow." explained the pastor as they thanked him and left.

They went home while Andrew and his wife left for their home. Everything went as normal in the house. Ronin didn't go out through out that day till the next, waiting for the pastor.

They did exactly what he said to them and by 12:00am, they were up holding hands and praying. Andrew and his wife too also prayed for them at their home. They prayed together till 4:00am and his wife slept off.

7:00am the next day, Ronin got out of bed after saying his morning prayers and went into the kitchen to prepare food. He made it with so much care as to not put anything gotten from a tree. He prepared fried eggs, milk and chicken for his wife. It was not an easy meal to break the day with but they had to cope and manage till the arrival of the pastor.