THE IDEA

She felt her heart stop for a moment as the words hit her hard. Her brows gathered and she opened her mouth to speak but the words were stuck. She gave Rita a death stare that made her shift uncomfortably in her seat and she looked away immediately.

“Rita, are you saying, I should sleep with some other guy to get pregnant?” She asked in disbelief.

“It’s just a suggestion, and I told you it won’t sit well with you. But you asked for it anyways,” she said, as she rolled her white bulgy eyes.

“No, I can’t believe you’re saying this,” she said with a scoff as she placed one hand on her waist.

“Lisa, right now, you don’t have an option, do you?” She asked.

“Rita, we’ve known each other since campus days and you know how deep my relationship with Daren was, during those times. All those times, I never cheated on him and you think I will do that now? You think I will do that now that we are both married? Gosh, and who says Daren is the problem?” She asked in a rather high tone

“No one, but who knows? Who knows if he is the problem? Or, are you the problem?” Rita asked.

She kept silent and heaved a sigh with one hand resting on her cleavages.

“I don’t know. You think I’m the problem?” She asked with sad eyes.

“No, Lisa, I don't believe you are the problem. I’ve always known you to be chaste since school days,'' she said.

“Same as Daren. He has been chaste too. We both were virgins when we met, I told you about it,” she said as she gulped.

“Yes, I know. But can’t you see his family? Or you don’t use your head to think that the fault is from his family?” She asked as she stood up.

She kept silent and her gaze lowered to the floor.

“I’ve thought about it, Rita, but they’re not ready to take the blame. I dare not say that word in front of them, else I’m dead. They all see me as the problem. You know, this is Africa and it’s a woman’s fault when couples fail to produce a child,” she lamented bitterly.

“That’s why you need to take the bull by the horn. You need not sit and watch Daren lose the company or you lose your marriage,” She advised as she stood in front of her.

“This is hard, I don’t think I can do this,” she said, shaking her head.

“People do it, Lisa. You will not be the first to,” she said into her face.

“People, not me. How would Daren feel? What if anyone finds out? The Taiwo’s family will kill me!” She cried.

She placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her face.

“Lisa, no one will find out unless you tell them. Do you know how many women out there die with such secrets?” She asked.

“I can’t!” She cried with tears streaming down her cheek.

“You can. And you will do it for the sake of Daren and for your marriage,” she advised.

She sobbed for a while and then she sniffed and wiped the tears off her face.

“I can’t do this, Rita. I love Daren so much. I will find other ways to get pregnant, not this,” she said as she stood up right and reached for her bag on the desk.

“I need to get home before Daren returns from the office,” she said as she looked at Rita who was staring at her, coldly.

“Stay safe,” she muttered coldly as she watched her walk away.

*

She heaved a sigh as she walked into the foyer. It was evening already and the whole house was quiet. Only the maids and servants could be seen walking to and fro as they engaged in several activities.

“Aunty! Aunty!” She heard a child’s voice and she looked up and saw Dele running down the left side of the twin staircase. His chubby, fair smooth body was very pleasing to the eyes and she couldn’t help but smile as he ran towards her, wearing shorts.

“Dele, why are you half unclad? You need to put a dress on,” she said as she rubbed her palm on his short dark hair with his head leaning on her laps.

“Aunty, did you buy me chocolate?” He asked and she chuckled.

“I bought chocolates but not for you, it’s for your uncle, Daren,” she said and he pouted his lips.

She laughed and dipped her hand into her bag.

“Here,” she said as she handed him a packaged bar of chocolate.

“Thank you, Aunty Lisa,” he said with excitement and he dashed up the stairs immediately.

“Oh boy, Daren’s gonna skin me for giving his chocolates out,” she cried and scratched her head.

As she walked into the room, a beam of smile appeared on her face as she saw him sitting on the bed, with the duvet across his waist while typing on his laptop. Her eyes darted over his smooth 6 packs abs and his thick biceps which she could stare at all day long. He raised his head and their eyes met. A charming smile appeared on his lips as he saw her staring at him in adulation and he pushed the laptop to the side of the bed.

He stood up from the bed and walked towards her, wearing only black shorts. She smiled broadly as he stopped in front of her and she placed her arms around his neck. He planted slow kisses on her lips and she giggled and pulled away.

“Is that your way of saying welcome?” She asked and he smiled.

“What other way can I say it other than this?” He asked and they both laughed.

“When did you arrive?” She asked as she moved to the bed while he followed behind her.

“Since 5pm,” he replied.

“I guess I stayed too long at Rita’s. She had a lot of business to attend to today,” she said as he helped unzip her dress.

“Dad was at the office today,” he said.

She turned to face him while taking off her earrings.

“Oh, hope there's no problem?” She asked and walked to the mirror shelf.

“No, he says he contacted some fertility doctors in India to help us out. They haven’t given him feedback yet,” he related.

“You think that will work?” She asked anxiously as she turned to face him.

“I don’t know, we will just keep trying,” he said and she nodded.

“Where is my chocolate?” He asked as he walked to the bed to grab her handbag.

She laughed and placed both palms on her face anxiously.

“What?” He asked as he turned to face her.

“I gave it to Dele when I arrived at the house,” she spilled and he frowned.

“You know, we are working on reducing the fat on his body and so, he shouldn’t be taking chocolates,” he said.

“It’s dark chocolate and it’s safe,” she said.

“Now that you didn’t get my chocolates, I guess I will have to eat you first,” he said as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

She laughed as he began to kiss her neck down to her body.

“Stop, honey, Stop,” she giggled and turned to face him.

“What?” He asked with his eyes filled with passion.

“Let’s take our bath,” she said.

“We’ll do it in the bathroom then, and boom, you will get pregnant and bear me a pretty female child,” he said and they both laughed.

“You know words could come true, right?” She asked and he nodded.

“Stop wasting my time and let’s get into action,” he said as he lifted her up and her laughter echoed around the room.

As they slept peacefully in each other’s arms that night, they heard a heavy knock on the door.

He opened his eyes slowly and rubbed his palm against his eyes. The knock came again and she opened her eyes and saw Daren who was sitting up right.

“Who’s there?” He asked.

“Open this door immediately!” They heard a harsh female voice outside the room.

“Diana,” Melisa muttered slowly as she turned to her husband.