Bolaji: What! What's this?
(There were stains of blood on the bed.)
Sarah: I don't know… I'm feeling pain.
Bolaji froze, fear all over his face.
Quickly, he grabbed his car key, helped Sarah to the car, and drove straight to the nearest hospital.
Within fifteen minutes they arrived. He called for emergency, and the nurses rushed to attend to her.
Bolaji paced up and down the hospital corridor, his heart pounding heavily.
Please God, don't let anything happen to the baby, he prayed quietly.
This was going to be his first child. He had already imagined it—
Would the baby look like him, or like Sarah?
If it was a boy, he prayed the child would look like him but not inherit his temper. He wasn't perfect, and he hoped his son would be a better man.
And if it was a girl, he wanted her to look like her mother—smart, beautiful, strong. He promised himself he would protect her to the last.
For the first time, Bolaji thought deeply. Would I allow any man to treat my daughter the way I've treated Sarah? The thought pierced him. He knew Sarah wasn't truly mature yet, and as the older one, he was supposed to accept her flaws. Instead, he had hurt her over and over again. I have to be better for her, he whispered to himself.
About thirty minutes later, the doctor came out.
Doctor: I'm sorry, sir. Your wife had a miscarriage. We need to evacuate immediately.
Bolaji's heart sank. His lips trembled as tears broke free. He tried to speak but no words came out.
The doctor patted his shoulder gently before going back in.
Inside, Sarah lay quietly, cleaned up, resting.
She had once thought the pregnancy was a burden, an obstacle. But now that it was gone, she felt like she had lost a very important part of her life.
Tears trickled down her cheeks. How will Bolaji feel now? She had seen the joy in his eyes when he found out she was carrying his child. He had been gentler with her, careful, even calmer. Her heart ached at the thought of his pain.
Not long after, Bolaji's parents arrived at the hospital. They looked sad, but they tried to comfort her.
Bolaji's mum: Sorry, Sarah. In sha Allah, I will come and rejoice with you soon. By God's grace, you will carry triplets.
The next day, they all returned home. Sarah's parents were informed and arrived the following day. Sarah was surprised at how respectful Bolaji's parents were toward her family.
After a while, Bolaji's parents left, giving Sarah some money. Her father also returned home the next day, leaving her mother to take care of her for two weeks.
Since the miscarriage, Bolaji spent most of his time indoors, his expression unreadable.
Before Sarah's mother left, she sat her daughter down.
"Be patient, Sarah. Be prayerful. Everything will be fine."
Finally, when it was just the two of them left at home, Bolaji walked into the parlor. Sarah sat quietly, lost in thought.
Bolaji looked at her, his eyes hard.
Bolaji: Are you happy now? Thanks for killing my baby.
To be continued…