Red. Yellow. Green. Blue.
Orange. Indigo.
Colours.
Beautiful colours.
Beautiful colours of the
rainbow. Two things spoke of beauty, hope and the future, to her. The first was
the beautiful rainbow etched across the pale blue sky like nature’s subtly crafted
lines on a baby’s palm. The second was the seven month old foetus growing inside
her. With innocence and pure exuberance, the foetus played on the playground
that was her womb. These two things made her believe in a better tomorrow.
She winced, as she felt a
familiar ache as the playing foetus continued within her. Placing a trembling
arm on her protruding stomach, a beautiful 5ft 6 inches tall woman stood out on
the patio of a two-storey building by the lake. The wind and the waves brought
a chilling cold that bit through the two layers of clothing over her once slender
body and her fear. She trembled in the cold, but stayed put in the patio. Her
mind was working overtime, and her thoughts ran wild as she stood there.
Principal on her thoughts, were questions.
What ifs? Whys? How comes?
And more questions.
“Iru, do you realize
standing in the cold in August could be bad for your health?” Said a woman clad
in a long Kente dress, and a wearing big smile that lighted up her face.
She slowly made for the patio.
“Naana, you are back.” Iru
said, turning to face the newcomer.
“Yes my dear. How long
have you been standing out here?”
“I’m not sure really.”
“It’s really cold out
here, you know. “
Naana touched Iru’s arm.
“Iru, you have got goose
bumps. Let’s go inside, and get you warmed up.”
“I didn’t realize how cold
it was.”
“That bad?”
A lone tear dropped down
Iru’s left eye, but she made no effort to wipe it.
“You poor child.” Naana said,
and drew Iru into her embrace. Seconds later, slowly untangled herself from the
embrace and led Iru back into the house.
Inside, she led Iru into
the first bedroom on the first floor of the single storey building. She helped
her sit on the edge of the large bed in the centre of the room, went to get a
red blanket (Iru’s favourite) and wrapped it around Iru’s shoulders.
“Thanks Naana, you keep
taking care of me like you would a child.”
Naana patted her granddaughter
on the arm and sat beside her on the bed.
“No matter how old you are
my dear, you will always be my baby.”
Iru smiled, knowing that
statement had many an element of truth.
“Thank you, Naana.” Iru
said looking into her grandmother’s eyes, with a sad look in her eyes.
“For?”
“Everything. I couldn’t
have come this far without you. I will be eternally grateful to you, as will my
baby.” Iru said, patting her belly.
“Come on Iru, anything for
you.”
Naana took Iru’s hand in
hers and stroked it gently. Iru then laid her head on her grandmother’s
shoulder.
“I couldn’t have come this
far without you. Thank you.”
“You could have done well,
probably better without me.”
Naana looked up at Iru,
and noticed a glint in her eyes.
“Listen, everything will
be fine.”
“Will it? I really don’t
believe in fine anymore.”
“No matter what, you need
to believe.”
She sobbed quietly, still
in that position while Naana stroked her arm.
“Iru, the tears have got
to stop you know. Remember, you are pregnant. At least, there is hope.”
“I can’t help the tears….”
“Well, make more effort.
There is hope, my dear.”
She looked up at the
matriarch as she spoke.
“……..but you and I know
that I am hopeless.”
Naana hissed and shook her
head slowly.
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