Gloria, Benard, and Chioma had barely entered Dr. Anthony's office when they hurriedly demanded to know about Mama and Ngozi's health. It was obvious they were on the verge of losing their patience, the earlier they knew the outcome, the better.
"Doctor, how are they doing now? Are they both responding to treatment? Gloria asked impatiently. Even Chioma was holding back the tears that clouded her eyes. She's there with them both her mind has traveled so fast. She couldn't just wait for the doctor to say something soothing to her lost mind.
"Congratulations. She delivered a bouncy baby boy with no complications at all" Dr. Anthony announced the good news to the long awaiting women. Gloria and Chioma screamed for joy over the information.
"Like seriously? Doctor, are you serious? This calls for celebration." Gloria proclaimed.
"Can we go and check on her now?" Benard asked.
"Of course. You can. But remember to go home and get her baby things as soon as possible. She's here without even cotton wool let alone some baby clothes" Dr. Anthony reminded them.
; "Alright, doctor. We will arrange that" Gloria said.
They all stood up to go and see the nursing mother in the maternity ward. Anita had woken up. She had wanted to go around to check on them but the receptionist had kept her company and assured her that her aunt would be with her anytime soon. The flashing smiles on their faces sent all her worries to the graveyard. She needed no soothsayer to tell her all was well. She approached them with a smiling face too.
"How are grandma and my mom?" She asked.
"Grandma is doing much better. Your mom just delivered a bouncy baby boy" Gloria announced to her while her eyes glowed with joy.
"Wow! Do you mean I now have a baby boy as a young brother? This is good!"
"Yeah! Let's go and say hi to the little boy and your mom" Gloria urged.
They all went to visit Ngozi and her baby. The baby in the cradle was the replica of his dad. Gloria wished Johnson was alive to witness today.
"Congratulations, Ngozi. The baby looks so cute. Just a replica... She paused to think of other words to substitute what she was about to say. She has to keep some ugly memories behind. "...Just exactly as how Johnson had wanted it." she managed to say.
"Yes, a boy. Johnson had wanted a boy. He predicted it even before a scan could be carried out to know the gender of the baby. I know that he will be happy wherever he is now" Ngozi replied.
"Of course, he will, my dear. You just need to be strong for the sake of your children. This too shall pass. It's a matter of time" Benard assured her.
Gloria apologetically urged Bernard to stay behind with Ngozi and her children while she and Chioma drive home to carry the baby's belongings. Bernard accepted with a kind heart.
The journey home was not that hectic as the road was somehow less busy. It wasn't the rush hour time of the day. The journey was going smoothly and Gloria wished the moment was like every other day but she knew it was impossible unless there was a curfew.
In less than thirty minutes, they approached Ngozi's gate. Gloria pressed the horn of her car more than five times before the gateman could come to attend to them. He opened the pedestrian gate to approach them.
"Good afternoon madam, Me I no know you for here o." The Hausa man tried to speak in English to buttress his explanation. Gloria and Chioma were left in awe. This is not Alani, the gateman they used to know. Who the hell is this gate man?" they thought.
'Sorry, who are you? This is our house. Please we want to go inside to get something" Chioma explained with a mixed feeling
"Me, I will be the new gateman for this big house. Madam don tells am for the gate man and the girl with big breasts to pack comot for him. Na today I come to work for him. Madam don carries the house key and goes out. She tells am say make anybody not come for dis house" The Hausa man explained in detail.
Gloria inquired about the madam he was referring to. According to his description, it was no other person than mama, Ngozi's mother-in-law. She sighed heavily. She and Chioma had no other choice than to leave the premises.
"These people are so heartless! Can you just imagine! I can't just wrap my head around what is going on. I mean...As in I am so confused. How I wish Ngozi had listened to my advice. Ngozi has packed all her eggs in one basket. Gloria lamented bitterly. She angrily drove her car from the vicinity to the market to get the required baby items for Ngozi.
They had hardly driven towards the market road when she noticed a Toyota Corolla car trailing her car. The more she increased her car speed, the more the car behind her kept trailing her. Gloria could sense danger ahead. She wondered who the person could be. Chioma's heart had started breathing more than normal when she noticed the car behind too. Gloria continued driving at high speed yet the driver of the vehicle trailing them didn't relent but kept on in hot pursuit while Gloria kept driving faster than ever.