CHAPTER 64
Lub-dub
Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub.
That precious sound invaded my hearing as I stared at the ultrasound, watching a tiny, bean-shaped silhouette surrounded by soft halo of fluid on the black-and-white screen.
"Is that...?" Kylian trailed off.
"Yes, that is your baby," the technician completed his sentence in a sullen voice.
My breath caught in my throat as my hand instinctively went to my belly. Pressure built up in my chest—something caught between disbelief and adoration.
I felt Kylian’s hand over mine, then I looked at him. He smiled at me as he pecked my hand
"It’s real," he whispered.
I chuckled and nodded as tears gathered in my eyes without permission. I couldn’t speak. I turned my attention back to the monitor and just listened.
That heartbeat was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. No melody, no song could compare to it. It was wild and chaotic and sounded like a little drum inside my womb—declaring life, declaring to me that he or she is here.
I stared at that monitor like it was the whole world, and at that very moment, it held my whole world. That sound had shattered something inside me—broken walls I didn’t know I had, softened the edges of my fear, pushed aside my self-doubt, and filled the room with hope.
That is my child's heart beating.
"So small," Kylian commented.
"He or she is about the size of a peach," the technician stated.
"Oh," I replied with a broad smile.
"Can we know the sex?" Kylian asked.
"What?!" I exclaimed, almost snapping my neck trying to look at him.
"Not for another five weeks," the technician responded.
"Good, because I don't want to know," I interjected.
"It’s not a big deal."
"Of course it is. We can be surprised—I want to be surprised."
"But I want to know. You don’t have to."
"No, you would tell me, one way or another. I don't want to risk that" I muttered.
"Fine, we’ll do it your way."
"Thank you."
I looked at the monitor again, at my wriggling, peach-shaped creature floating on a black-and-white screen.
Alive.
Moving.
Beating.
Becoming.
And living life without giving a damn.
The technician printed the sonogram and handed it to us. A rush of warmth flowed through me as a connection—wordless, touchless, but full of love—formed between us, shaking my soul.
Then she handed me a tissue paper, and I used it to wipe the jelly off my belly. I adjusted my clothes and sat upright.
"I was looking through your file earlier, and I saw your doctor recommended bed rest for the next two weeks," she mentioned, picking up the file again.
Oh God! There’s that.
"Yes," Kylian answered as I sighed.
My excitement about seeing my baby had made me forget about that.
"I’ve been on bed rest in this hospital for nine days. Isn’t that enough? I mean, the doctor was releasing me because my BP is now stable."
"Yes, but you’re not out of the woods yet. With your history of high blood pressure, we’re looking at pre-eclampsia if we don’t manage the issue," the technician said. She looked at me and smiled softly, dropped the file, and adjusted herself in her seat.
"I know bed rest for two weeks is a lot, but you need to do this. It’s for your own good. If this isn’t managed, it’s very dangerous for you. I saw how happy you were when you saw your baby—if you want that baby to grow bigger than a peach, then you need to do as you’re told."
"Don’t worry, she’ll do as told. I’m on it," Kylian said, looking at me warily.
"You don’t have to monitor me. I can handle myself."
"Well, I don’t trust you to do that."
"It’s my life, you know."
"Oh really? I didn’t know that, Mrs. Marcus," Kylian taunted.
You deserve that.
Shut it!
I opened my hospital room and found Alice packing up the rest of my stuff to go home. I walked straight to her in excitement to show her the sonogram.
"You need to see this," I said in elation, showing her the picture. Ever since my illness, I had let go of the grudge I was holding against her. So, it's safe to say—we're friends now.
"Look," I instructed and looked at the picture myself. When I heard no words of adoration, I looked back up at Alice and found her blinking excessively.
"What is it?"
"You have a visitor," she nodded to my right.
And there he was—my tall, dark, and handsome best friend standing in a corner.
As always, he looks like a sin on two legs
"Hello, Bewaji," he greeted in his sexy British accent.
We stared at each other for a while, and I watched his eyes shift above my head.
"Hello, Kylian."
I turned and found Kylian standing by the door.
Damn it. What do I do? If I’m going to be on house arrest for two weeks, I need to talk to Marcus now.
There you go with your obsession.
"Kylian, can I talk to your wife for a few minutes?" Marcus asked politely.
"Sure." He picked up one of the bags in the room. "Let’s go, Alice."
"We’ll be at the parking lot waiting for you," Alice informed me.
"Okay."
She carried the other bag and swiped the sonogram from my hand. She followed Kylian out, closing the door behind them.
With the coast clear, I turned my attention back to Marcus. He stared at me, then moved closer, stopping a few steps from me.
"It’s good to see you on your feet again" he said in a low voice.
"That’s because of you. You saved me."
"You’re welcome... but I’d really appreciate it if you don’t put me in that situation again."
"I’m sorry for bringing that to your doorstep, but I was so obsessed with talking to you that I neglected my health. That’s how much you mean to me."
"Just don’t do it again. But I was happy I could help."
I just told this man he means so much to me, and he's not going to acknowledge that?
Honestly, what do you want him to say? You’re fucking married, and expecting a baby.
"As sorry as I am about the turmoil I put you through, I can’t promise not to keep bringing trouble to your doorstep."
"Bewaji..." he warned.
"Last week wasn’t the first time you saved me. The first time we met, you stopped me from making a mistake I couldn’t take back... to your own detriment."
I watched him blink nervously, remembering our first encounter—where he ended up getting a few stitches.
"Don’t you get it? You’ve been saving me since the moment we met." I closed the gap between us and held his large hands. "You’re my best friend, Marcus. And that means a lot to me because... I never had one before."
He pulled his hands away forcefully.
"If I mean so much to you like you claim, then why didn’t you tell me you were married to Kylian Mbappe?"
"Because I didn’t think it mattered," I argued.
"Are you serious?" he grunted in annoyance. "He’s my fucking teammate. Do you know what my association with you could do to the professional relationship I have with your husband?"
"Even if I wanted to tell you, I couldn’t. Legally, I’m not allowed."
"What are you talking about?" he asked in confusion.
Then I sat him down and recounted everything surrounding my marriage. From the moment I mentioned a contract, Marcus's jaw clenched, nostrils flared like a bull about to charge. And when I got to the part about the neglect—which he was aware of personally—he stood up, fuming.
"Are you telling me after everything he’s done, he gets to come back to you like nothing happened?"
"He’s changed. I can feel his love for me now. He’s a different man. And in a way... my association with you brought him back to me."
"He hurt you, Bewaji, and you’re telling me there are no consequences?"
"I believe in second chances, Marcus. I’m letting go of the pain, the hurt, the neglect. I’m letting it all go... I mean, we’re having a baby!" I said in delight.
"What?"
I looked at Marcus. His brows rose, mouth open in disbelief.
"You didn’t know?" He shook his head. "I thought Joy would have—"
"She didn’t say anything. Doctor-patient confidentiality."
"Ahh, that exists with Joy? I didn’t know she could be that professional with the way she runs her mouth."
"So, you’re pregnant?" he asked again, in disbelief.
"Yes. I’m having a baby. I found out when I collapsed," I nodded, smiling, almost jumping on my feet.
To my surprise, he hugged me.
"Congratulations, Bewaji."
He’s warm.
I snuggled into him. A few seconds later, he pulled away.
"My mom made some healing soup for you," he said, walking back to his seat. He handed me the bag.
"Tell her I said thank you. I would come and see her myself, but the doctor ordered me to be on bed rest for the next two weeks."
"You need it, so take it seriously," he advised.
"You know, since I will be on bed rest for the next two weeks, maybe you could visit"
His eyebrows raised and he let out heavy sigh
"Too soon?" I inquired and he nodded without hesitation "I thought we were cool again, I mean you hugged me"
"I know but I can't exactly be mad at you... I mean you are pregnant"
I don't think he is over it
"I thought the issue was my marriage to Kylian and I explained the situation, is there something else? Did I wrong you in any other way"
"Of course not.... just give me sometime"
Time for what exactly?
Let him be, you have done your best. It is left for him to meet you halfway
"Okay then, I will give you space"
"Come on, let’s get you back to your husband. I need to have a word with him."
He can’t say anything. It’s not his place.
"Marcus, you can’t say anything about what I told you. Remember, I’m still under contract. You can’t mention it to him."
"And I won’t."
"Let’s go."
Kylian came out of the car when he saw Marcus and me walking toward it.
"Hey, you ready?" he asked.
Then, without warning, Marcus reached behind and swung his fist straight into Kylian’s stomach.
The fuck?!
Kylian held his stomach and groaned in pain.
"What is wrong with you, Marcus?" Alice cried as she rushed to help him.
"That’s for hurting my friend," he announced. "I’ll see you later, Bewaji."
And he walked off.
Damn!
What the fuck just happened?
He punished Kylian for you.
"What the hell, Bewaji?" Alice grunted.
"He’ll be fine," I said with a smug look as I entered the car.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SATURDAY 9.00 PM WAT
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