They traced Lati's home address and got there. Lati was shocked to see them but he welcomed them all the same. Her grandmother did not waste time to explain what happened, Lati felt disturbed and shocked. He started sweating
“Dorcas, are you saying I impregnated you? and then how do you know where I live?"
“You did. You were the first man to ever sleep with me and you forgot this, that's where I saw your address" she said dropping the wristwatch
“Keep your voice down! My wife is sleeping inside and she must not hear this!"
"Your wife?' Dorcas asked
“.You think a man like me, 40 year old man would not be married? I am married with a daughter. Please leave now, I will come and see you tomorrow at the village”
Dorcas and her grandmother looked distressed. They stood up ,the grandmother groaning as she did. Lati brought out some money and tucked it in the old woman' s hands
“Ma"am, I appreciate your hospitality the other day but the two of you need to Leave now. Please leave and use that for your transport back to the village" with this he opened the door and watched them leave. Dorcas looked back to him again then walked along. Lati closed the door and wondered what mess he had involved himself in. His wife must not hear this, he wouldn't wish to hurt her or even see her angry, especially considering the fact that she was already pregnant with their second child. He had vowed never to cheat on her irrespective of any circumstances. He felt like hitting himself. Helena had been his source of joy and inspiration to carry on in all areas of his life. She supported and stood by him financially and emotionally when he had no sufficient job, even before they got married. She was the one that covered the expenses for their wedding as she had already secured a good job then. Lati was serving as a soldier under a private youth organization then and the salary he was paid was hardly enough, sometimes they even get owned about five months salaries consecutively. There was also a time Lati had low sperm count for three whole years after they got married, hence they were not able to birth a child during those periods. Helena stood by him irrespective refusing to be with another person till the problem was solved. She did not deserve this. Not her.
“Honey, what's wrong?.I heard some noises” Helena asked coming out rubbing her eyes
“Oh, I didn't know you are awake. Ahmm..They are just some people begging me to employ their relative in our base. I told them there is no space now and they kept insisting. I am really fed up”
Helena exhaled “I really wish you could help though, but since there is no space in your base, why not refer them to another base”
“Oh..my bad. I should have done that you know. Hmm.. that's already gone by the way,”Lati replied composing himself enough for his wife not to notice his disturbed face
"Okay...I am about to prepare dinner and I want to try an Italian recipe I saw in a magazine and I already bought the ingredients. Would you like that too?
“Oh sure, that would be great!”Lati said
“Okay then” Helena replied proceeding towards the kitchen.
The next two days, was a Sunday, Lati went over to Dorcas' house in the remote community. He found only her at home. He warned her sternly to keep away from his family throwing an envelope containing money to her “This is 40,000..Go and terminate that pregnancy in a hospital in the City.The hospital address is in the envelope I do not want problems and and don't you ever let me find you in my house. Remember I am a soldier , if you tresspass I can harm you”
Dorcas swallowed hard tears forming in her eyes. “Not to worry Mr Lati. I already lost the pregnancy yesterday” she said touching her belly
“You did?Ohh…that's great. Goodbye then.Still keep the cash though” He said walking along to where he packed his car. Dorcas watched him leave and stumbled on the ground crying. She wouldn't abort this pregnancy. She couldn't, she vowed to take care of the baby herself even if it's to get a job, firstly she gave 20, 000 out of the money Lati gave her to her grandmother to add to her tomato business.
“Why did you lie to that man you lost the pregnancy, Dorcas?”her grandma asked
“It is because I don't want problems mama. He is married, I do not wish to destroy a home. The way he spoke to me and threatened me hurt me so bad though. The nerves of him to ask me to get rid of my baby. I will raise this baby mama, with ur help I believe I can"She assured her grandmother.
The remaining 20,000 Dorcas decided to save it up. She had to pend the teacher's training school even though she passed the exams. She searched for a job in their community as a sales representative in the cassava plantation house and she got it. It required the minimum of the 6th grade which she had. She also sent for his little brother who had been living with their uncle to come stay with their grandmother for the meantime since she would go to work, also considering her condition, there was not much she could do to help out like before. With the help of her job and her grandmother she gave birth and nursed the child before she travelled back to the city when the child was threeyear old for greener pastures.*****"" Lati closed back the letter breathing heavily
“So that girl did not lose the baby” He murmured. He didn't know whether to be angry at her or be grateful, because of her he would still become a father. Five years after Mitah's death, he was feeling unwell he went to the doctor who told him he had a hormonal imbalance which cost him low sperm count yet again. He was displeased with the news not that he planned to remarry anyways or have a relationship with any woman but that simply meant his chances of reproduction is slim unless God intervened but he was already in his sixtees, he had accepted his fate and did not even want to get married to anyone anymore. He always felt no one could replace Helena in his life
“ So, I still have a child?.Thank you my Lord. I cannot wait to see her” He said to himself
“But no, that girl can't replace Mitah my precious child No!..No!!!!”He said crying memories flashing back at him again. Just then, he had a knock on the door, he quickly wiped his tears
“Who is that, that can't use the bell?!”He used to get annoyed if one knocks instead of pressing the obvious Bell on the wall.
“Hold on” he said putting on his slippers to go open the door
“Hello Dad.” A lady that was putting on Trousers and a customized V neck shirt with inscriptions of some meaningless symbols appeared. Lati looked at her dombfounded at the utterance she just made