It’s a…Pregnant World!

Pregnant Obsession

As a first born, Kanana had a chance of witnessing her siblings being born. Every time she saw her mother’s tummy bulging, she knew it was time to prepare for yet another brother or sister. She loved the moments she would accompany her mother to the clinic. She especially liked going to the market with her mother to shop for the new baby’s clothes. Pregnancy fascinated her,to say the least.

She even wished for that time when she herself would fall pregnant. She developed a habit of stuffing clothes and fastening them onto her tummy to see how she would look once pregnant. Her mother told her to exercise patience. Her time would come one day. she told her. She reminded her daughter that she was still young.

Her wedding day was her heaven on earth, a dream come true. Now she had a chance to experience a real pregnancy. She could not wait to fall pregnant and watch her tummy bulge with each passing day. Her habit of feigning pregnancy, unfortunately, did not cease. Kibe, her husband rebuked her each day, telling her to be a little more patient, ‘when you fall pregnant, your belly will grow naturally.’ he kept on.

One time, friends came to pay a visit. Kanana was in her bedroom, preparing to receive them. As usual she adorned her ‘pregnancy’. Noisy and happy greetings rent the air. In all the furor Kanana did not notice the certain interest everyone had on her tummy, with all eyes glued to it. She had gotten so used to this ’pregnancy’, she herself thought it was real.

A little girl ran up to her and started pulling at her, calling to her mother. ‘Mum. mum. why is aunty’s tummy so big?’ As the discomfited mother moved forward to pull her away, the top Kanana was wearing gave way, leaving the stuffed clothes to fall on the ground.

A tangible, embarrassing silence filled the room. Kanana had to gather her courage and narrate her story on her love for ‘pregnancy.’ So much for a big belly!

END: PG17/55