[Story] Too late – S01 E28

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 28

Karen’s stomach was already bulging and this gladdens

Kam’s heart. Weeks from now, his child would be in his arms.

He had tried to talk to Karen about staying home until the child is born.

“You will still get your salary” He said persuasively.

“No darling. I am a workaholic. I can’t stay home pleasssss” She said planting a kiss on his lips.

When Karen could not be convinced, Kam got a housemaid. He personally instructed the maid to attend only to Karen.

“How do I respond to the other aunty when she sends me on an errand” The maid asked.

“Ignore her” Kam had instructed.

Kam also got a personal driver for Karen.

“I don’t want you to stress yourself at all. For the sake of our child, you need to rest”

At work, Karen does nothing but sleep and eat. The only problem she had was Otumba whom she now hates. No one knew what transpires between them but other staff knew she hates him. To show her hatred, she made life in the office unbearable for him.

“What is the problem between both of you” Kam had asked one day.

“Nothing! My spirit does not accept him”

“Since when?” He asked with a deep frown crossing his face.

“Since I became pregnant”

“Ahh!, He is one of the company’s best hands”

“I don’t care, I don’t like him”

Otumba dropped his resignation letter one morning but Kam refused to accept it.

“I won’t let you go Otumba. You have worked here for many years. You are efficient and productive. Karen should not be a reason why you should resign”

Rather than accept his resignation, Kam transferred him to the sister branch of the company with better pay.

Relief flooded through Otumba as he packed his things from the office. As he busied himself, he didn’t notice Karen standing at the entrance of the office watching him.

“You are a big fool” She said hissing.

Otumba raised his head and smiled.

” You’re the biggest fool Karen, trust me. All that glitter is not gold. Read the book of Ecclesiastes three, it will help you. There’s time for everything but your reward is coming and coming fast.

“Infact one of the verses says, to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

Karen smiled and rolled her eyes.

Whatever you have sown Karen, you will surely reap”

Karen hissed and walked out while Otumba concentrated on his packing.

At home, Karen looks for every opportunity to taunt Lily. To further infuriate Lily, she would wear a bumper short and a small top that could barely cover her stomach. She would knock on Lily’s door, and when the door finally opens, she would insult Lily.

“My baby is growing, that is why my stomach is big” She would say

“I am reminding you that I am Kam’s Number one. Listen, you have no place here. If I were you, I will pack my things and leave”

Lily would just cross her arms on her chest and laugh.

“Really?” Lily would ask “Time will tell”

Karen would eye her and smile.

“These days you dress in maxi gowns like an old woman. When curvy people like me talk, you shut up”

And Lily would slam the door at her. She would rush to Kam’s room to report or wait up till he enters the house. She would twist the story and cry. The part she loves is when Kam would slap Lily for making her cry. Kam never ask Lily her own part of the story. Then Lily would cry when Kam asked her to apologize to Karen.

Two days ago, Kam scolded Lily before Karen and as usual he asked Lily to apologize but she refused.

“I am done apologizing for what I didn’t do. I won’t do such” she told Kam. She felt victimized and was angry.

“If you won’t apologize, then know for sure you are leaving my house!” He threatened.

“Fine!”

Lily went inside and threw few of her things into a small travelling bag. She sat on the bed wiping her tears. She looked at the time 11:23pm and she was afraid. She walked back to the sitting room. Kam was still there.

“It’s already late Kam. Permit me to leave tomorrow morning please”

“Very well!, I don’t want to set my eyes on you by the time I wake up. It’s better you leave for peace to reign in this house. The mother of my child must always be at peace. Why do you find opportunity to quarrel with her?

Lily said nothing. She returned to her room to add more things into the bag. Tired, she went straight to the bathroom and cried there more. She had not rested since she returned from her business. Exhausted, Lily didn’t bother to wear a night gown. She climbed the bed and slept off. Before they would wake up for any activity, Lily had already left the house.

———————————–

Kam was troubled when he discovered Lily had gone. He knew he was not doing the right thing by giving Karen the upper hand against Lily. He was too tired of the arguments and complaints and fights everyday.

He had sided with Karen because she was carrying his child. His heart pricks him for asking Lily to leave. No!, There was no need. Lily should understand Karen’s condition and bear with her. He made up his mind to sit Lily down and talk sense into her in the morning rather than send her away.

Where he sat, he could see the big clock on the wall, it was 1:03am. He has been watching a programme late into the night. Karen lay on the chair. Kam gently woke her up. He followed her to her room and ensured she was comfortable before leaving.

In the past, he had shared a room with Lily. She had told him it’s not proper for couples to live separately in the same house. As time went by, he discovered the freedom he craved for was not forthcoming. Lily was forever interested with what he was doing with his phone.

With Karen in the picture, he saw it as ideal to live separately. He relinquished the room to Lily and furnished the other two rooms for himself and Karen.

Kam moved quickly to his room, but soon stopped in front of Lily’s room. He noticed the door was slightly opened and the light was on. Curiosity took over him. It’s been a long while he entered her room. Kam remembered that after many nights of avoiding her, Lily had crawled into his bed one night uninvited. He fulfilled his marital responsibility then sent her back to her room that same night. Lily wept that night because he humiliated her.

Kam pushed the door wide and peeped. He entered the room and felt the warmth. There on the bed was Lily fully asleep. She was oblivious of Kam’s presence. Kam was surprised for Lily’s stomach was big. He moved closer to the bed. Lily was naked, but to be sure of what he was seeing, he bent to look at her. He touched her stomach and she reacted unconsciously. She changed her position and plunged deeper into sleep.

Kam stood there with shock and confusion on his face. No wonder she was wearing big gowns.

Lily opened a restaurant without his knowledge and she has been pregnant for him without his knowledge. Why was he not aware of her pregnancy?. How come he did not notice?. Lily was carrying his child. He was excited but his excitement was mixed with sadness. She was not barren after all.

He went over to her and kissed her forehead. He put off the light and gently closed the door before leaving.

Back in his room, he couldn’t sleep. Flashes of his ill treatment towards Lily began to hit him and he became remorseful.

Despite the way he treated her. Lily became better and stronger without him. All the changes in attitude, culinary skills played too in his eyes.

Suddenly the love he had for her came in a rush and he began to regret his actions.

“I will never allow her to leave this house” He murmured.

He closed his eyes with smiles on his face.

That smile was soon gone for before he woke up in the morning, Lily had left the house.