"Something isn’t right with Taiwo. This wasn’t just a stomach upset. It is more than that. Taiwo has been hiding something from me." Many thoughts ran through Juana's mind and they made her uncomfortable.
Juana’s mind raced as she thought about the past few weeks. Then, she recalled a wild occurrence. She had accidentally met Taiwo clothless, twice! In the presence of her husband without asking questions.
At the time, she had dismissed it, thinking little of it, not wanting to be overly suspicious.
But now… She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she lifted her head to face Taiwo. She had to ask. She had to hear it from Taiwo’s mouth.
With a deep, shaky breath, she finally gathered the courage.
“Taiwo…” Juana’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Are you… pregnant?”
Taiwo’s eyes snapped open. A look of pure shock washed over her face.
Pregnant?!!
Her lips trembled as she sat up slowly, staring at her mother in disbelief.
“Mum! Why would you say such a thing?” Her voice cracked, laced with frustration. “Why would you think I’m pregnant?”
Juana couldn’t find the words to explain her suspicions. Her throat felt dry. She sat at the edge of the bed, her hands shaking as tears welled up in her eyes. She could feel her heartbeat pounding loudly in her chest.
Taiwo's breathing became uneven. She felt a deep sense of humiliation as she shook her head.
“Mum, have you ever seen me with a boy? Who exactly do you think would get me pregnant?”
Juana remained silent, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She was lost in thought, remembering those moments when she ignored her instincts.
Then a cold, terrifying thought crossed her mind.
"Frank… Don't do this to our only daughter." She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself. "If I find out that my husband is responsible for this… I will never forgive him." She whispered within herself.
When it is daybreak and Taiwo's fever hasn’t gone down, Frank decides to take action. Without letting Taiwo know, he left the house and returned shortly with their family doctor.
Juana, who had been pacing the living room anxiously, felt a lump form in her throat when she saw the doctor step inside. Kehindey followed closely behind, his face filled with worry.
Frank wasted no time. “Doc, my daughter has been acting strange for the past three weeks. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
“She’s been complaining about stomach pains,” Juana added. “We’ve been giving her medicine, but there’s no improvement.” The doctor frowned. “Three weeks, you say?"
“Yes, sir,” Frank responded. “She keeps vomiting, always feeling tired, and she barely eats.”
Taiwo, who had been lying down, suddenly felt her heartbeat accelerate. Her palms became sweaty. As the doctor stepped closer, she shot him a silent, pleading glance, hoping he would somehow understand. But he didn’t.
The doctor sat beside her and gently pressed her stomach. Taiwo screamed.
Juana’s breath hitched.
Kehindey flinched.
Frank took a step forward, his brows furrowed in deep concern.
The doctor withdrew his hand and sighed, shaking his head. He looked at them with a firm expression and said,
“It is obvious that your daughter is pregnant.”
A sharp gasp filled the air. Frank's eyes widened in disbelief. “P-Pregnant?”
Juana staggered back as if she had been physically struck.
“Pregnant?!” she screamed; her voice filled with pain. Kehindey felt his legs grow weak beneath him, his hands trembling at his sides.
Taiwo’s breath caught in her throat and her vision blurred with tears.
“No! No, Doctor, that can’t be true!” Taiwo shouted, shaking her head violently. “I am NOT pregnant!”
The doctor sighed; his voice calm yet firm. “I’m sorry, little girl, but you cannot teach me my job.”
Juana couldn’t hold back anymore. She let out a wail of pain, slowly sinking to the floor as tears poured down her face.
She lifted her head, her eyes red with anger and grief. Her voice came out in a broken whisper, filled with desperation.
“Who impregnated you, Taiwo?”
Taiwo’s lips quivered. She shook her head; her throat was dry and she was unable to speak.
Juana’s voice grew louder. “Who did this to you?!!”
Taiwo sobbed uncontrollably, her hands shaking as she turned to face her father. Frank stood frozen, his face went blank and his eyes darkened with an unreadable emotion.
Taiwo's gaze lingered on him. Juana followed her daughter's eyes and slowly turned toward Frank. The room fell into an eerie silence.
Chapter 8 Let\'s Enjoy