[Story] Too late – S01 E30

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 30

Kam and Daniel got to Lily’s office on time. They met her outside carrying a small bag. She was about to enter her car. Her facial expression showed that she was in pain. She placed her left hand on her stomach.

“Are you okay?” Kam asked collecting the bag from her.

“I need to get to the hospital”

“Go on with her” Daniel said to Kam

“Let me see to the business” He said.

Lily and her husband thanked Daniel before they entered Kam’s car.

Kam drove to the hospital as directed by Lily. She was admitted. She got to the hospital by 5pm and by 5am the next day Lily was yet to give birth. Kam panicked, he called Lily’s parents and they rushed too to the hospital. Daniel too came to check on her and when the doctor told them Lily was weak, Kam sat on the floor with his hands on his head.

“I don’t know anyone as powerful as God and we are going to join hands and pray in agreement. Lily will deliver safely” Daniel told them.

They had not prayed for thirty minutes when they heard Lily screamed.

“Two boys” The doctor told Kam. Don’t come in now until the nurses finished taking care of the mother and children.

“I can’t wait. You don’t understand. Let me see for myself”

Kam jumped. He that was afraid to enter the theater followed the doctor in. He wanted to see for himself. While the excitement was yet to make sense to him, Lily pushed out the third child, a girl. And so Kam ran out shouting.

“Three!, Three!”

“Triplet?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, three!”

They all would have rushed in if the doctor had not stopped them.

After Lily had been adequately taken care of, her family and Daniel gathered round her to jubilate. For Lily, it was a celebration of victory. If she was strong enough. She would have danced but exhaustion had taken over her body as she delve into a deep sleep.

———————————–

Karen was waiting for Kam when he entered the house.

“Ooh!, Look who’s here. I thought you have absconded”

“To where?, I don’t have time for your quarrel Karen, I am a fulfilled man” He said sinking on the chair

“You left me here since yesterday and you are just coming home”

“Lily has delivered triplet” He announced

“Triplet?”

“Yes, triplet. The joy in my heart is overwhelming”

Karen sat slowly on the chair. It was as if a bucket of cold water was poured on her.

“I don’t want any trouble from you when she comes. Give her peace Karen. If you know what she went through giving birth…”

Karen eyed him and hissed. She picked herself from the chair and entered her room, banging the door so loud. Not minding her reaction, Kam called the maid and instructed her to go to the market to buy foodstuff.

Five days later, Lily was discharged from the hospital. Her mother accompanied her home for “Omugwo”. During this period, Karen kept a low profile. She behaved respectively.

Kam closed the street during the naming ceremony. He invited his family, friends and staff and he ensured they all left home with something tangible. He also forgot that Karen was the woman he brought home. He forgot that Karen was once pregnant for him. All attention was shifted to Lily. He consult Lily before taking any decision.

Anytime Karen comes out to the sitting room, Kam and his wife were there, the kitchen was not exempted. He would spend most of his time in Lily’s room. Any time Lily sees Karen she would laugh a victorious laughter. Laughter of one who had conquered. Lily never spoke to her, but her attitude did. Anyone who enters the house was either looking for Lily or Kam.

Six weeks after the birth of the triplet, Kam entered Karen’s room. She was asleep but he woke her up. It was 4am. She sat up in bed. Kam dragged a chair and sat opposite her.

“I am sorry for waking you up” He said.

“No problem!”

“I did because i have something to say. I know you will feel bad but I have to say it anyway” He said shrugging his shoulder.

“Say it” She said frowning and crossing her arms on her chest.

Kam kept quiet for a while rubbling his palms together absentmindedly. He was sure that his decision was the best.

“I want us to part ways. I can’t marry you. I am sorry”

Karen jumped out of the bed.

“You must be joking Kam” She screamed

“You can’t just dump me because your wife gave you triplet?”

“I just did. You are still young and…”

Karen gave him a Terrie slap

“I am not that kind of woman that you will can use and dump. Kam you must marry me!”

It was still dark and their voices could be heard in the neighbourhood. Lily and her mother came out of the room, then returned and closed their door. Karen roared like a mad woman. The thought of carrying a pregnancy for nine months and losing the child at the end, infuriated her.

“Please let’s not disturb the peace of everyone” He pleased

“I will rent a house for you. You still have your job or I can set up a business of your choice for you” He said following her as she left the room to the sitting room.

She was not listening to him. Karen entered the kitchen and picked a pestle. Thinking she wanted to hit him with it, Kam ran. She returned to the sitting room, broke the television and dining table. She opened the door, went outside and broke the windscreen of the three cars in the compound, including Lily’s and excluding hers.

Neighbours began to open their windows wondering what was happening.

Karen was still breaking things. She went round the house and broke all the glass windows. When she was satisfied she returned to her room and wept.

Kam so angry, returned to her room.

“Now that you have succeeded in destroying my properties, you can leave now. It’s 5:09am already. I don’t want to see you near this house or my company. Thirty minutes is all I give you or I will call the police. Karen stood up and packed few of her things. Kam would not allow her take the car.

“I will sell your car and use the money to purchase some of the things you destroyed”

Karen left Kam’s house in tears.

———————————–

The shook on Charles’ face when he saw Karen waiting for him outside, was something else. He never expected to come across her again.

“What are you doing here?” He asked looking at the bags around her.

Karen would not say anything but cry.

“Your tears does me no good” He said.

“Forgive me Charles. Now I know that you are the one that loves me most”

He was taken aback by that statement.

“Go to where you are coming from” He said.

“I don’t have where to go. I have given my life to Christ. Any church I go the Pastor always say my husband is Charles. The only Charles I know is you” She said weeping.

Shocked by such revelation from her, he entered his house and sat in the chair. It was late already. Was he to send her away?, But to where?, He began to ask himself as her sniffling filter through his ears. She stood at the door frame and began to beg.

“I am sorry I left before. I have learnt my lessons. I won’t disappoint you again” She said sobbing.

Charles heart would not permit her stay out. He asked her to move her things in and she did. The following day, he didn’t go to work. He sat with her and began to talk to her.

“I am glad that you have given your life to Jesus. Life outside Jesus is too risky” He said

Karen nodded and smiled weakly.

“I am glad you did not turn me away”

“That stupid man that…”

“Hmmm, don’t use that language Karen. That is not the language of a Christian. I thought you said you left on your own when men of God began to give you same message”

“Yes!, Yes!” She said nodding.

“I will pray about it. I have forgiven you, but as a Christian I won’t have sexual knowledge of you. You can sleep in the room while I sleep here. I will need to pray to God to speak to me too” He said

“Alright!”

“Try go out in search a job” He said and she nodded.