Happenings 23

Sequence 23
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Continues..
“Angie” her mother shook her awake, “time is drawing near please pack your hospital bag”
“But mum there is still time and only 5% babies are actually born on their edds”
“Angie you are almost due, it’s the 8th of August today”
“Oh my” she said as she quickly got up and started looking for her phone
“What is going on now?”
“Mum today is Emmanuel’s birthday” she said as she smiled brightly and started typing him a message, after she sent it she went to his Facebook profile picture and stared at him, he looked so handsome with each passing day, she wished she could give him a birthday kiss, she didn’t notice she was blushing and giggling like a love struck teenager that she was until her mother spoke.
“You really like Emmanuel don’t you dear?” her mother asked her with a smile
“Yes I do mum and he is the father of my child” she added as she got up from the bed and started packing the clothes, she was grateful that she had almost bought everything and now was just waiting for the time to come. “oh mum I forgot I need cord clumps and gloves”
“We shall have to buy some” the mother added
“It’s good I checked and don’t worry I can go and buy, walking is a good exercise for me” she smiled as she assured her mother not to worry about her.
***
“Wake up baby bro” his sister Rose jumped on his bed and shouted in his ear
“What do you want?” he asked her in a sleepy tone
“What do you mean what do I want? its tradition remember?”
“Remember what?”
“That it’s your birthday and as per tradition I have to come here, to wake you up and pour cold water on you” she ended with a smile as she looked at him while holding the bucket in hand
“You wouldn’t dare” he startled awake
“It’s either the cold shower or cold water. You choose”, she took out her box of water as she waited for him to react, he pointed a warning finger at her but before he could react she poured the water she had in the bucket at him and he was soaking wet. “Happy birthday Emma” she yelled and ran away before he could get her.
He remained laughing to himself as he got up and went to check on his messages, he was happy to find a birthday message from Angie, ‘Today, the day you were born is a very special day, thank you for being born. Happy birthday my love, me and your son love you so much. Will I see you today?’ he saw the last part and his smile faded, he knew he couldn’t see Angela again, he had promised his mother that he would stick to Maya as she shows him the ropes of running the businesses in the exchange for her staying as far away from Angela as possible. His mother was so happy she had given him back his privileges and he was no longer under house arrest. He got dressed and went down to the breakfast table.
“Happy birthday” his mother said happily and kissed him on his cheek
“Thank you mother” he responded as he sat down
“Why is the birthday boy so gloomy?” asked Tinashe as she observed that Emmanuel wasn’t his usual happy self on his birthday
“I have a slight head ache but am okay” he answered as he got some toast and poured himself a cup of tea
“Good morning little bro” Cathy said as she came in with her husband Eric, she ran over to him and hugged him as she presented him with a present
“Thanks sis” he casually said and put it away
“Aren’t you going to open it Emma?” she said sadly
“Our birthday boy has a head ache, leave him alone” Tinashe’s husband Makasa chipped in, they always made it a point to be available on Emmanuel’s birthday so that they could celebrate the day together
“Where’s dad?” asked Cathy when she saw that he wasn’t at the table with them
“he went to the hospital dear, monthly check ups” the mother replied as she folded the newspaper and smiled happily, “well am off, remember Emma your birthday party starts at 7pm sharp at Raddison blue, your suit shall be delivered, please be early and remember your promise” she told him and winked as she left the room.
“What promise?” asked Rose eagerly as she looked at her brother
“It’s nothing, thank you all for coming, excuse me now” he said getting up having have hardly eaten his food, his sisters all looked at each other as he left and they too followed him to their fathers office, he looked so sad as he stared out through the window.
“What is wrong bro, talk to us” demanded Cathy as they others all looked at him worried
“Nothing is wrong, am super” he responded without looking at them
“You are our little brother and we notice when something’s up” Tinashe told him, “tell us what this promise mum is talking about”
“I have to leave Angela in exchange both mum and Maya will stay away from her” he said it abruptly but still didn’t turn to face them
“But Emmanuel” Cathy said in protest as the others all started talking at the same time
“Enough okay” he shouted, “I ‘am marrying Maya and that’s it. it’s for the best can’t you see?” he had tears in his eyes but braced himself and started to walk out of the room but Cathy cut him off as she stood in front of him.
“It’s for the best? She repeated his words to him, “are you mad?” she yelled, “no its not for the best a marriage without love is miserable, have you seen me? Do I look happy to you? She said as tears welled up in her eyes, “do you know how many times I wish I could walk away, how many times I wish that I was strong enough to withstand mums tyranny and make the right choice for myself?” she said with tears falling freely now
“Then what would you want me to do? Dad is sick and this family needs me now” he told them as he stared into their eyes, Tinashe had moved close to comfort Cathy
“This family will survive little bro, but what about you? What about your child? What happens to him? He grows up without a father while you rot internally whilst being married to Maya?’
“Sis please” he begged her to stop talking as he was already tortured enough
“No Emmanuel, this is the truth” Cathy said, “stop trying to sacrifice yourself and man up, there’s a little person out there coming into this world who will need both their parents” Emmanuel just looked at her in disbelief the sister he knew would never have said that..
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To be continued...