It’s a pregnant world 38
Whenever Mama Watoto was pregnant, everybody around her became pregnant as well. Days and nights, she got many phone calls from family and friends; you would think she was a telephone operator! Mother-in-law called daily to ensure the newborn would be named according to her customary preference. Not satisfied with her calls, she made weekly visits to supply tons of farm fresh make sure her grandchild is taken care of.
At home, Mama’s house-help buzzed like a bee her. constantly enquiring, ‘Would you like some porridge? May I prepare your bath water? Should I prop up your feet? Is there anything else I could do for you?’ So sweet were all who stayed with her that they refrained from complaining about her terrible cooking; showering her with praise instead. Even the family cat was empathetic when it would occasionally be shoved off the chair or tossed into the air when it tried to snuggle at her cushioned feet.
When Mama Watoto got out of the house, many neighbours ‘would say, ‘jambo’ to her as if they were being paid to ensure she got her day’s share of greetings. Even the matatu guys, known for being rowdy, were tamed by her presence; they would quickly shift people around to make room for her. They would then graciously help her alight and wish her well. She enjoyed the way people gave her way at the streets in town. The traffic cop would smile at her while the city council askaris politely helped her at the zebra-crossings. She did not queue in the bank or at any place that normally requires queuing. She was always ushered forward. In the market, she got a nyongeza for her child! At her workplace, her colleagues did most of her work. If she groaned or talked of fatigue, her boss would encourage her to take the rest of the day off.
The highlight of her pregnant world was Baba Watoto. Her pregnancy had awakened new depths of emotion within him. Ranging from excitement and love to fear and wonder. He transited from man to ‘expectant dad’ whenever his wife was expectan.t He expressed his unwavering support for her by accompanying her to every pre-natal check. He enjoyed shopping with her, which was very unusual, pushing the trolleys and hauling the shopping to the car. Despite looking cool, calm and collected in his favourite sunglasses, she could tell beneath his shielded eyes that he was actually jealous of the attention she received everywhere they went.
His tenderness was extended to his unborn baby. He liked to rub Mama Watoto’s tummy and speak with baby in a soft voice He believed it worked, and all indications are that it did. He had done that with the other children and now each had a very warm relationship with him Besides, his wife liked the feeling of her tummy being rubbed. So. she would not stop him.
When time came for delivery, he really insisted on being there with her to share in the joy of welcoming the baby into the world. He posed like a presidential escort, until he got into the labour ward where he broke out into a sweat This was his body’s way of expressing fears and uncertainties fie had voiced before. ‘It’s alright baby, breathe in and out,’ he whispered as he rubbed her back as taught in the Lamaze class.
The more macho he acted, the sicker he got. Suddenly, his wife’s scream, reverberating through the hospital’s walls, gave him such a fright that he blacked out. He was instantly bundled away like a rug-sack, for resuscitation in a nearby room. On coming to. he asked his attendants, ‘My wife, where is my wife?’ ‘Congratulations, sir. You have a bouncing baby boy. Both mother and baby are well and in Ward 2,’ remarked a nurse.
As though hit by lightning, he scampered to Ward 2, embraced his wife and newborn, did a jig and vigorously shook hands with everyone present. Mama Watoto couldn’t hold back her laughter as she watched her husband’s drama. ‘It’s a pregnant world…’ she exclaimed.
END: PG38/12