Faith’s Pregnancy Diary 65: Foot Soldiers

September 25, 2018

1079

April 2^nd, 2013

After the triumph of today’s appraisal, I thought absolutely nothing could mess with my day. Patrick was overjoyed for me, when I told him all about it, as we drove home, and we had decided to stop at a new bar, for some celebratory drinks.

Seated in that swanky bar, with a view of the beautiful sunset, over the Atlantic ocean, sipping on my Pina Colada, I was the happiest girl in the world.

Until Diana called.

She tearfully complained about how Phillip has forbidden her to proceed with her travel plans to the UK, this coming weekend. She had already told me about her upcoming trip, mainly to shop for the wedding.

“But Diana, you can’t blame him.” I had to be honest. “You know you have a history, and this just could be a high risk pregnancy…”

“I knew I shouldn’t have said anything to you guys!” she exclaimed. “So, I won’t live my life, because I am pregnant?!”

I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed was any drama, ruining a perfect evening for me.

“How else am I supposed to shop for my wedding? Or, I should just go to Balogun market, and pick any dress I see abi?!” she continued ranting.

I sighed. “So…you want me to talk to him?”

“Yes!!!” she shrieked back. “Remind him how you have been hopping in planes, and traveling all over the place…but you’re still fine!”

I almost reminded her that I don’t have the kind of history she does, but chose to just keep my mouth shut on that one.

“Okay, Di. I’ll talk to him.” I promised. Anything to get her off the phone.

“Drama?” Patrick asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Remind me to keep my phone switched off the next time I’m trying to unwind.”

These people should let me be, abeg! And no, I’m not saying a word to Phillip.

Let them sort themselves out!

April 3^rd, 2013

Today was an uneventful day. It was the typical post-appraisal mood. Some people were happy, some were not. Some people were sulking, and some were not. I have to admit having been in the sulking group a few times in the past, but today, I was the h.a.p.p.y group! Yay!

As I had driven myself today, on my way home, I decided to buy groceries, so had taken a detour to the major supermarket off the expressway. Navigating my trolley through the aisles, I realized how long it has been since I have done grocery shopping myself. As I’ll hit the 24 week mark tomorrow, I think I have hit a reasonably safe zone, and can now start doing some things I had put off for so long.

Walking down the baked goods aisle, I accidently bumped into another woman’s trolley. I apologized profusely and, as we made eye contact, I couldn’t shake off how familiar she looked. And, with the way her brows furrowed, I could tell she was also wondering where she knew me from as well.

And then, recognition had hit me. Oyinkan! Demola’s wife! The woman whose husband my former BFF, Ebika, had claimed as her own.

Before she could recognize me, I apologized again, and spun my trolley in the opposite direction, in a half walk, half jog. The very last thing I needed was for her to realize who I was.

When I was 3 aisles away, I thought I had hit the safety zone, when I suddenly heard “Excuse me! Excuse me!”

I didn’t have to look back, to know she was the one. I pretended I didn’t hear, and kept pushing my trolley as fast as I could.

“Madam! That woman is calling you!” called out one of the shop attendants, who was stocking a shelf.

I glared at the woman. Who begged her oh!!! I knew I couldn’t pretend anymore, so I stopped, and looked back, in what I hoped was an innocent expression.

“Yes?” I asked, trying to act clueless.

She was panting, so it was obvious she had chasing me. “I know you know who I am!” she managed to say.

The blood drained from my face. Wahala! My eyes widened, when I saw that she was also heavily pregnant. Wow! That was a surprise to me.

“You’re her friend. Ebika’s friend!” she stated, matter of factly. “I’ve seen your pictures on her Instagram and Facebook!”

I cringed, thinking of all the useless selfies we had taken in the past, and which littered her timeline. Who knew those would serve as my mug shots in the future?

“You know who I am, right?” she demanded.

I sighed and nodded.

She examined me for a few seconds. “I know you’re not one of her foot soldiers. I haven’t seen any comment from you on any of the foolish pictures she has put up.”

“Look…Oyinkan. I’m sorry about what you are going through…but I really don’t want to be involved…” I pleaded.

“Oh, but you have to. You have to!” she stated, her voice rising. “You are a married woman as well, and I know you can empathise with how I am feeling! That b…that woman is trying to destroy my home!” looking at my swollen abdomen, she remarked “And I know you can understand how delicate I am now!”

I sighed again. “Oyinkan…I am really really really sorry! Believe me, I am! But there is really nothing I can do. Their relationship dates way before I ever even met her. I don’t think she would listen to me about anything…”

Oyinkan shook her head and laughed. “Relationship! What a laugh!”

I looked around nervously, wanting to make sure we were within ear and eye shot of other shoppers. Who knew if this woman would lose her temper and attack me?!

“Look…I can tell from your body language that you are not in support of this nonsense that’s going on!” she wisely observed. “I’ve come across some of her other foolish friends, and those ones always give themselves away with all the eyeing and frowning. You look more afraid than defensive right now.”

I nodded frantically, hoping that would be enough for her to release me.

“Please…as her friend…just talk to her. Let her know that she is wasting her time. I am carrying Demola’s 4^th child, nobody is chasing me anywhere! I am not fighting for my position, so don’t get it twisted! I just want her to do herself a favour…and back off! Because if she wants me to play dirty, I will!”

And with that, she turned around, and walked away.

“What are you looking at?!” I snapped at the shop assistant, who was watching with rapt attention.

Now, this…this rubbish that just happened…is exactly what I was trying to avoid!