“Sweetheart, I want us to go out on a dinner date tonight. We have not done this in a very long time”, Nick said. “Alright, honey. So where are we going to?” I asked. “Any place of your choice”, he replied.
That evening, we ended up at the Golden Gate Chinese restaurant on the Island. It was a Saturday evening and we drove all the way from Opebi to the Island, gisting and frolicking with each others hands from time to time. I actually thought Nick was going to propose marriage that night so I was very excited and expectant.
When we got there, he told me he has been promoted. “Amara love, I brought you here so that we can celebrate my promotion. I have been promoted to be the head of my department.” I congratulated him, hugged and kissed him. But deep inside of me that was not what I wanted to hear. Anyway, in the mood of celebration we ate, drank and listened to cool music before finally leaving the place. I was very disappointed. “I thought this was the night I have been waiting for in the past six years: A marriage proposal from Nick,” I muttered to myself. I felt so shattered and annoyed with myself but I hid it from Nick.
Nick and I have been live- in lovers for the past six years and both family knew and supported us because everyone believed we were going to get married. My parents kicked against it initially when I informed them I was going to live with Nick, especially my father. But after much plea from Nick’s mother, he agreed that I should live with him provided we will end up getting married.
Our friends called us five and six because we are always together and did everything together. Many of our friends envied us and wanted to be as happy as we are until I got pregnant and refused to go for an abortion after five abortions. That was when I saw the other side of Nick.
“Nick, I am pregnant again”, I told him. “How could you be careless as to get pregnant again? I am not ready for marriage nor a baby. Any, I will call Dr. Harry tomorrow morning so that you will go and see him for an abortion,” he said. “Nick, I am sorry that will not happen. I am not going to abort this pregnancy. Don’t you have a conscience? This is the sixth time I am getting pregnant for you. What is stopping us from getting married after six years of living together? No way, this time around, this pregnancy stays. Have you even thought of my health?’’ I asked.
“Well, if you insist on keeping this pregnancy, you are on your own. I am not ready to become a father yet.” He told me. That night, I cried like I have never cried in my entire life until there were no more tears. I pleaded with Nick to allow us keep the pregnancy reminding him that he was an only child and his mother wants grand children but he refused.
I went to visit his mother and she told me I was looking pale. “Amara what is the matter? You look pale. Are you fighting with Nick?” She asked. “No ma, we are not fighting. It is just that I am pregnant but Nick wants me to abort the pregnancy,” I busted into tears. His mother screamed and said, “Nick is not serious. How dare he ask you to abort my grand child? At 31 does he think he is still a small boy? Please my dear I beg you in the name of God don’t listen to him. Why did he ask you to abort the pregnancy?” She asked. “He said he is not ready for marriage not to talk of becoming a father,” I sobbed.
She told me she would talk to her son and make him see reason why I must keep the pregnancy. For her, all she wants is her grand child who she would carry, play with and run around the house with. When I left there, I went to see my parents. I told them what was happening and my father told me, “You cannot abort this pregnancy. I don’t know how you want to do it but Nick must marry you before you have this baby. If you have this child outside wedlock, I will denounce you as my daughter. You cannot bring shame and disgrace to my family” he said angrily.
I have not seen nor heard from Nick and I am eight months pregnant now. He is also avoiding his mother. What do I do?
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