“Let’s go back home.” my mother suddenly blurted out, “huh” I said, looking at her like she had lost it, “I’ll call Chizzy, she’ll come home to deliver the baby” she explained.
Aunty Chizzy is my mother’s younger sister who is a midwife. She had delivered many babies in her career and honestly, she was the only one we could trust not to blow our cover at that moment.
David, realising the gravity of the situation, nodded in agreement. With careful haste, he made a U-turn and we sped back home. As we drove home, my mother hurriedly made the call, explaining the urgency of the situation to her sister.
Few minutes after we got home, the doorbell rang, and my mother ushered in her sister, a seasoned midwife who had seen her fair share of complicated deliveries. Our guest room transformed into an impromptu delivery room.
Suspense hung in the air as Aunty Chizzy prepared to assist in bringing our child into the world.
As the contractions intensified, she guided me through each breath. My labour seemed to be taking longer than usual to progress, just as I was beginning to get worried, my Aunty’s composed demeanour wavered slightly, acknowledging the challenge at hand.
Guided by years of experience, she recognized the need for intervention. With a swift yet calculated decision, she opted for the use of forceps. Obstetrical forceps is an instrument designed to gently cradle and guide the baby through the birth canal when complications arise.
Forceps delivery is a kind of assisted vaginal delivery used in the final stages of labour when labour is not progressing. A trained healthcare professional can use forceps to grasp your baby inside the birth canal and help guide them out. Forceps delivery can help reduce the need for caesarean section.
David maintained his supportive presence by my side, while my mother observed the unfolding scene with worry and concern evident on her face.
Aunty Chizzy’s skilled hands manoeuvred the forceps with precision, ensuring the safety of both I and our baby. The atmosphere shifted with each contraction as I clung to David’s hand, while my mother offered words of encouragement. And then, after a few minutes, the cries of our newborn filled the room. Time seemed to freeze as my Aunty placed our child in my arms, a fragile bundle of life that embodied the hope of a new beginning. David’s eyes met mine, reflecting a mix of emotions—joy, relief, and the weight of an uncertain future.
My Aunty ensured the gentle cleaning and swaddling of our precious bundle before leaving. My Mum did not give her full details of our new discovery about David because she didn’t want her shooting any judgmental looks his way. She just thanked her and made her promise not to say a word about anything to anyone until they were able to sit down together for a proper conversation.
David together with my mum, assisted by my Aunt’s earlier guidance, worked together to tidy the room. The linens were changed, and any remnants of the intense experience were carefully attended to.
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Our baby girl, with her tiny fingers and button-like nose, brought an overwhelming sense of joy and tenderness to our lives. As we held her in our arms, her eyes wide and curious, the love that enveloped our small family deepened with each passing moment. David and I decided to name her Yuri. She was named after David’s late mum.
The next morning, my phone rang, and I saw Ugochi’s name flashing on the screen. With a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, I answered the call.
“Chioma, have you seen the news?” Ugochi’s voice carried a sense of urgency and concern.
“What’s on the news, Ugochi? Is everything okay?” I asked, pretending that I had not seen the news.
“There’s a report about David. They’re saying he’s wanted in connection to a kidnapping. Have you spoken to him?”
“I saw the news last night,” I admitted. “But I haven’t spoken to David. I don’t even know where he is right now.” I lied.
“Chioma, there’s something else you need to know,” Ugochi began, her voice hushed.
“What is it?” I asked.
“My aunt finally opened up about why she reacted the way she did when she saw David. It’s because David was among those who kidnapped her.” Ugochi disclosed.
“Your aunt… was one of the victims?” I stammered, my mind struggling to process the information.
Ugochi responded solemnly. “Yes, Chioma. She was held captive for days. She said David is the Kingpin of the kidnapping syndicate that abducted her. It was a traumatic experience for her, and seeing David again triggered those haunting memories.”
There was an uneasy silence as the weight of the revelation settled over us. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, painting a picture of David that I never could have imagined.
Ugochi sighed on the other end of the line. “Chioma, you need to be careful. The police are involved, and they’re looking for him. If he contacts you, you should report it immediately.” she advised before hanging up.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched Yuri, who was blissfully unaware of the storm that was brewing.I found myself at a crossroads. The revelation of David’s involvement in the kidnapping case had shattered the illusions I had harboured about our seemingly perfect life together.
As the weight of the truth settled upon my shoulders, I contemplated the monumental decision that lay before me. Reporting David to the police would mean unravelling the facade of the man I had once loved and trusted. It would mean exposing him for the criminal he had become, jeopardising not only our relationship but also the future we had envisioned for Yuri.
In the soft glow of the room, I gazed at Yuri, an innocent soul untouched by the complexities that surrounded her. She deserved a life free from the shadows of crime and deception, a life where the love that surrounded her was genuine and untainted.
The choice was not an easy one but I had to make a choice for Yuri more than anyone else. My options were obvious, report David to the authorities or cover up for him and live with the consequences. I took a deep breath and picked my phone to make a call that would determine the course of our lives.
The line connected, my hands trembled as I prepared to speak…
Find out what happens next in episode 40 #checkwithdoctoro