Shy Moments 5

Now that I am pregnant it’s been tough balancing the family responsibilities with my office work. My husband sometimes puts me off—not entirely his fault—as I have serious mood sings. During such unguarded moments I have regrettably called him names.

Recently a visitor asked my five-year-old boy what he wants to be when he grows up. He replied. ‘I want to be a baby!’ That sounded strange, until he explained. ‘I want to be like Daddy; and Mum tells him he is like a baby.’ — Ruth

UK baby

I have a new baby but friends and relatives are not giving me any peace. The baby is light-skinned while his dad and I are fairly dark. I must admit this surprised me too, but some friends have become too imaginative. One recently joked. ‘You guys must have travelled to the UK when you conceived this baby!’

Street urchin

Walking along a crowded street in Nairobi, a streetboy stalked me asking for money at every turn. I refused to give in and looked around for anyone who could help me shake him off. I was eight months pregnant, tired and very moody. There was no help forthcoming and by now I was feeling nervous and insecure. I got into a shop and pretended to shop. I lazed about the shop for about ten minutes and hoped the street urchin had left by now.

I strode out of the shop and to my relief I did not see him. After walking a few meters I heard someone call out. ‘Mami!’ I looked back, and there he was! ’Umeangusha mtoto!’ he said with apparent concern. I looked behind me in panic only for passersby to burst out in laughter. Silly boy, he had caught me unawares with his nasty joke. He walked away laughing, happy to have repaid me for my ungenerous behaviour. — Suzie

Coil abortion 

I don’t know when I said it but my seven-year-old daughter, who really loves babies, must have overheard me telling someone that after my current pregnancy I will use the coil as a contraceptive. I was amazed one evening when she picked the electric coil we use in the kitchen to heat water and showed up in the sitting room with it.

She went over to her dad and whispered something, while giving me a weary look. He looked perplexed, but did not say a word. Later at night he asked me. ‘Are you planning an abortion?’ — Pauline

Large mouth

I had just delivered a beautiful baby boy and was receiving visitors at the hospital. A group of workmates came to see me and we were all very excited about my new baby boy.

I had relocated to my mum’s house four months earlier after my husband and I disagreed. I had sworn I would file for a divorce because of his drunken and abusive ways.

My mother soon arrived accompanied by a friend. After introducing her to my office colleagues, she reached out to hold the baby. ‘Come here, you naughty boy!’ she said gleefully. She scrutinised the baby for a while, then said to him. ‘Look at that large mouth.’

Although she did not say it. I could read her mind as she eyed the features of my baby’s mouth. ’It’s exactly like your daddy’s what will you drink when you grow up?’ — Veronicah

 

END: PG 05/50