Nature’s Course

‘Tumeshinda! Tumeshinda!’ exclaimed Sweetie’s husband on receiving the news of her pregnancy. He was delighted that he was soon going to be a daddy. Were it not for her persistent appeal to keep it secret until the appointed time, it would have made headline news. Sweetie, on the other hand, was a little stunned that she was going to be a first-time mum. A mixture of both joy and wonder flooded through her emotions for a time – ‘What kind of mummy will I be? I must set a good example starting today .. .’ Hence, she made hard-line pre-birth resolutions, starting with healthy eating. ‘Away with junk foods,’ she muttered every time she made meals. Her husband noticed the changes, but chose to let his joy surpass her domestic constitutional amendments. Her ideal eat-healthy resolution worked perfectly … until she attended her in-laws’ Christmas luncheon.

Despite her composure, she couldn’t help but pay attention to the aroma of mouth-watering pilau, mbuzi choma, chicken tikka … oh and ugali, chapati … kachumbari and fruit salad, not to mention the soft drinks among other beverages. ‘My, could someone go ahead and say the grace? I should have snacked before I came,’ she muttered under her breath when the in-laws’ introduction session took too long. Finally, the eldest relative stood up to pray. You bet she prayed for everything else besides food, Somalia’s peace notwithstanding! After prayer, all approached the table. ‘Phew! It’s self-service,’ whispered Sweetie to her husband. ‘Remember to eat for two people,’ he whispered in return.

Being at her in-laws, she ate with diplomatic etiquette. However, it didn’t take long before her unappeasable cravings made her unleash a scheme. She made several subtle rounds to the table amidst laughter and conversation. At one point her eating spree was rudely interrupted by her mum-in-law: ‘Everybody, don’t you think Sweetie looks lovely with the extra weight on?’ They concurred. She continued, ‘Sweetie, the whole clan can now see that I’ve been taking good care of my new daughter.’ And they all burst into laughter. She too laughed, but wondered deep within, ‘Whatever is happening to my 36′; 26′ 36 figure .. .’ She couldn’t help but notice the flab underneath her arms as she mined some juicy bone marrow. It wasn’t just her underarms that were enlarging, but her lips, hips and fingertips too. Then she remembered she was eating for two and went another round.

Suddenly, the rumblings began. From her belly proceeded reverberations that sounded like a brewing tsunami. Then she belched. The putrefying smell from her own gut was so embarrassing, that she withheld belching whenever it stirred. The more she tried to maintain her composure, the more bloated she became. If she didn’t act immediately, she was a weapon of mass destruction just about to explode.

‘Excuse me please,’ she said as she dashed towards the restroom to seek relief. For some time, it was as though she was in a compulsory gym where she paced to and fro-the lavatory. At some point, she sunk into a bed in a room nearby, totally exhausted from this unexpected workout. ‘Honey?’ her husband called. Before she could respond, he’d already come in, shut the door and sat near her. ‘Are you alright?’ he asked wiping beads of sweat off her brow. ‘I could do with some rest,’ she answered. ‘Goodness! Your temperature is on the higher side. Is our baby alright? I’ve never seen you break a sweat like this.’ Before she could answer, he had already reached for some pillows and propped her feet up. He beheld her countenance for a bit, then tenderly said, ‘Baby, you must calm down. You’ve been working very hard lately at your eat- healthy resolution. Unfortunately, It’s really taken toll on you today. Relax. Let nature take its course.

I don’t want any harm to come to you or to our baby. Forget about your figure for a while. Yes it will change, but it will not change my love for you. I will always love you.’ Embracing her, he passionately kissed her. ‘I’ll go ahead and let the others know we are with child. Meanwhile rest… and do leave the windows open,’ he said and made exit.

Left alone, Sweetie gradually recuperated from the effects of indulgence. In a way she was glad that she was resting because she didn’t have to sit through the clan’s lengthy and boring after-meal gatherings. Her hubby was right – she was fighting this season of her life harder than salmons swimming up-current. Shortly, she overheard the clan jubilating when her hubby disclosed their secret. Massaging her belly, she sheepishly smiled and said, ‘Baby, it’s time for us to have some of that detoxifying fruit salad, don’t you think?’ She finally began letting nature take its course.

Suddenly, the rumblings began. From her belly proceeded reverberations that sounded like a brewing tsunami. Then she belched. The putrefying smell from her own gut was so embarrassing , that she withheld belching whenever it stirred. The more she tried to maintain her composure, the more bloated she became. If she didn’t act immediately, she was a weapon of mass destruction just about to explode.

‘Excuse me please,’ she said as she dashed towards the rest room to seek relief. For some time, it was as though she was in a compulsory gym where she paced to and fro-the lavatory. At some point, she sunk into a bed in a room nearby, totally exhausted from this unexpected workout. ‘Honey?’ her husband called . Before she could respond, he’d already come in, shut the door and sat near her. ‘Are you alright?’ he asked wiping beads of sweat off her brow. ‘I could do with some rest,’ she answered. ‘Goodness! Your temperature is on the higher side. Is our baby alright? I’ve never seen you break a sweat like this.’ Before she could answer, he had already reached for some pillows and propped her feet up. He beheld her countenance for a bit, the tenderly said, “Baby, you must calm down. You’ve been working very hard lately at your eat-healthy resolution. Unfortunately, it’s really taken toll on you today. Relax. Let nature take its course.

I don’t want any harm to come to you or to our baby. Forget about your figure for a while. Yes it will change, but it will not change my love for you. I will always love you. Embracing her, he passionately kissed her. ‘I’ll go ahead and let others know we are with child. Meanwhile rest… and do not leave the windows open,’ he said and made exit.

Left alone, Sweetie gradually recuperated from the effects of indulgence. In a way she was glad that she was resting because she didn’t have to sit through the clan’s lengthy and boring after-meal gatherings. Her hubby was right-she was fighting this season of her life harder than salmons swimming up-current. Shortly, she overheard the clan jubilating when her hubby disclosed their secret. Massaging her belly, she sheepishly smiled and said, ‘Baby, it’s time for us to have some of that detoxifying fruit salad, don’t you think?’ She finally began letting nature take its course.

END: PG 37 /48-49