Chapter eighteen

By Prescoviah Merilyn

Chapter eighteen

My name is Vanessa Mats 20, and am pregnant. Am not sure who the father is.

I pass my fingers across my stomach, it gets bigger everyday. My first semester was of hunger, nausea, and vomiting. Every part me got fat. In my fifth month, I started growing these pinkish purplish lines on my abdomen, breasts and thighs, they itch as fuck. My eighth month saw swollen and popping out veins near my vagina and vulva. I felt stretched to maximum.

Dr. Blick says stretchmarks are part of the "pregnancy glow," a rosy complexion that occurs because of increased blood circulation to the skin. I hate them. In fact I have tried getting them off, using coco-butter. I heard it makes them disappear, but no change. Nothing is really rosy about my pregnancy, apart from my lighter skin. I have brownish darkened patches around my eyes like am bleaching. Pregnancy sucks man! Am dead with sleep. The only good thing I have got from this whole baby bump thing, is growing thicker healthy hair... It's really thick-black and long. Otherwise, am exhausted!

Simeon helps tie my shoe laces as I comb my hair. Am a pig! My feet have grown big, to an entire shoe size. I feel like an elephant. It's embarrassing, but he seems not care? Why? Has he been there? Has he? Wait, if he has been there? Does that mean he has kids else where? He has been lying to me. He is practically cheating. God! Men! That's why he doesn't seem bothered by my elephant feet, chubby cheeks, stretchmarks. He has been there? Yes, he has!

His deep voice wakes me up from an alleged case, am trying to build, as of now. Ever since I got pregnant, I have always come up with arguments on the things I make up in my head, now like this one.

"Come on... I think am done."

"Your cheating on me?"

"What?"

"Your seeing someone else... Why do you seem fine with how I look... Am fat!" His expression remains unreadable as he laughs a little. Now what's funny? He cups my cheeks,giving them a tight squeeze. Aw!

"Your cute, you know that?"

What the? You know your man is lying when he compliments you during an argument. Am burning inside. He is cheating, I confirm it in my mind as I boil the more.

"Oh yeah, then why do you tie my laces so well, like that's what you do, like a professional? Like you have been there?"

"Because I love you and am trying to learn everything, to help you out."

"it doesn't seem like trying to me!

"Vanny!"

"What Vanny? Why did you say am cute, complimenting me to cover up the real issue here. Cheating! Wait, did you just lie to my face?"

"Honey!"

"Don't you dare call me that! I will give birth and I will leave this house."

He helps me climb into the back seat of the car. He is always forcing me to go to school. Why? Birth is already showing.

I moved in with Simeon, a month after the news of the 'great condition.' For some reason, I found my dad's house then, suffocating. It was two months then to beginning of college. After lots of touching advice, I finally agreed to join campus, pregnant. I decided to keep my babies. Yes, am having twins!

Simeon's house is a paradise at the point! It's a luxurious four bedroom home, with a guesthouse and a garden at the back. We have this two-story great room with French doors, accompanied by an elegant formal dining room, tremendous Chef's kitchen, fire place, glass doors to the backyard, and two gorgeous built-in offices. We also have sprawling entertaining space flow outside to the outdoor living room past our stunning infinity. Oh, not forgetting where the magic happens, our huge divine master bedroom.

Now, Simeon's home wasn't actually like this. Everything was just a simplicity until the king came in. You don't just take Mr.Mats daughter just like that, minus him first surveying the place. When he reached Entebbe, he ordered remodeling of absolutely everything. And when we moved in, it was still our liking, but with a little touch of improvement, from the boss. It was our marriage present. Yes, I got married to him. It was one of the things my dad asked us to do. Assurance. Besides, Simeon thought, it would help me, to go on with school. Calm down the rumors. Did it?

The college bell rings. We are late. He helps me out, as usual as he kisses my forehead. I don't bother looking at him. I have been pissed throughout this whole season. He accompanies me to class as Makerere university stares! As it gossips! As usual!

"Do you know she got married at nighteen?" Yes bitches I did, now what?

"Atleast her boyfriend/husband is being there for her." He is cheating!

"She looks like she is going to give birth tomorrow... It's so big!" God I wish!

By 1:00PM, am done with my classes. Simeon is waiting for me outside. As I attempt to meet him, someone calls me from the back. I turn around to meet Ashanti's eyes. Wow! She is.. Uhmm... Slim? Pregnant but slim? How does she do it? She looks pale though. When is the last time I saw my former best friend? At Evan's. In prison. She comes closer.

"Hey"

"Hi"

"Can we talk if you have a minute? Please?" I peep at Simeon who is watching us.

"Yeah sure"

"I have been trying to talk to you for months" Yeah, why, everything alright? "I have a lot to say actually, will he wait?" points at my husband.

"yeah, he is a gentleman."

She collects herself and starts speaking.

"Are you alright?"

"Am good Ashanti... You?"

"Am fine... Have always wanted to talk to you... About what happened... You know... Everything that has happened between us... That am …well, am sorry... I didn't believe you... About.. Evans... And all that has happened, me ignoring you... I didn't really know how to approach my best friend... I was a bitch Vanny... I got carried away, if you can please forgive me." There's a long silence as I think about what to say to her. Simeon's eyes are glued on us, like a spy.

"Okay" I finally speak.

"What? Just okay?"

"Yeah babe" as I attempt to leave, she shouts at me. Bitch your pregnant, control yourself.

"I miss you... So much" I turn back.

"I miss you too. " I leave. I do miss her.

There are those days I have really wanted to talk to a girlfriend, apart from Dalia who insisted on coming with me to Entebbe.

"Who will nurse you? " She shouted at me.

"I will get someone "

"No way, am coming with you... Besides I must be there when the boys…or girls come out... Am great with kids you know.… Simeon won't do everything for you." And just like that, she clinged on us.

Yes, she has been helpful, but there are those things I have wanted to share with my bestie... Things of cravings... getting super horny all the time…has it happened to her too? I have been horny like every minute.

I look back at her and curve a smile. I miss you too girlfriend. I want to hug you. But not now, and specifically not in front of my man. You see, am one person who learns my lesson, she stole my man once, am not letting her get close to this one. When she says she misses me, I feel like inviting her for a ride but looking at her bump reminds me, we might be carrying children for the same man. No extended relationships this time!

When we reach home, Simeon carries me to bed. I have enjoyed my pregnancy by the way. Simeon has never left my side, however much I have nagged him. Never! The one day he came back late, I think I was six by then, I cried and starved myself all day. That's how you punish a man who loves kids, you starve his kids. The next he will behave. Staying with him, has really changed him though. He works really hard, takes care of the house as I sleep. He wants to raise the twins even if they might belong to Evans. Speaking of Evans, I never visited again and I don't plan to. Let him rot.

My babies's bedroom is already clouded with gifts. Frank made two mothercare bloomsburry cot beds, they are perfect. Evans mother recently sent me cases of baby clothes, pampers, shoes and urged me to visit Evans, he wants to see his Hopes? Lunatic dreams!

As Simeon covers me up, I pull him to myself. I kiss him hard. I told you I get horny all the time... And as of now, am wet. As we are still kissing, I feel an unstoppable force, a splash inbetween with a stinging pain…I grab Simeon's face.

"Honey"

"yeah"

"I think, they are coming."