In a dim room, a lady was seen, sniffing. She was sitting on the ground, her head facing the ground. When she finally lifted her face, it was covered in tears. The telephone began to ring, and then paused, looked at the telephone for some seconds, but ignored it.

“The time has come. I have shed enough tears. I have no other option. No one else can help me right now. I need to do this urgently. I should do what needs to be done” she said, wiping her tears with her palms. She hurriedly left the room. She returned, carrying a year old child in her arms.

A pregnant woman was seen in her apartment, listening to the small ready in her hand. She heard a knock on the door. She dropped the radio and went to the door. She opened it, and it was the same woman who was in tears earlier.

“Renee! The pregnant woman called.

“Mae, please help me take care of Laura” Renee requested, handing her child over to Mae, who was confused.

“Why? Do you want to go to hospital? Mae asked, curiously.

“I do not know” Renee said, almost in thought. Mae was surprised.

“I understand your worry, Renee. I wish I could help you” Mae said, and Renee shook her head. Fresh tears dropped down her cheeks.

“Maybe it’s time I helped myself instead. Please take care of Laura. Goodnight” Renee said and then began to leave. Mae just looked on, confused. Laura began to cry.

Renee arrived at a beautiful house. She hesitated before knocking on the gate. The gateman opened the gate.

“What do you want? He asked, a bit impolite. Renee gave him a deadly stare. This made the gateman shiver a little.

“I guess you are looking for boss. Come in” The gateman said and Renee got in. As soon as she got in, she looked around, nervous. Nevertheless, she proceeded to enter the living room. Inside the living room, a man was seen, sitting on the sofa. He appeared muscular in a vest and trousers. His leg was placed on a footstool, as he drank from a tumbler. Renee did not take a step further. She stood, staring nervously.

“Welcome darling. Come join me” The man said, breaking the silence. Renee averted her eyes. Tears were threatening to drop, but she struggled to withhold them.

“Renee, I said come join me” He said again. This time, persuasively.

“Lucas, I do not drink” Renee said, looking away from Lucas.

“Really? Okay, I almost forgot. But then you will surely have your inhaler with you, right? Lucas asked. Renee nodded. She gripped her inhaler firmly with her fist.

“That’s good. Actually, you may become out of breadth even before I get done with you. Therefore, keep your inhaler close to you” Lucas said, and Renee remained silent. Lucas was done with the drink. He stood up, and began to take slow steps towards Renee. Renee remained at the same spot, but she looked very nervous.

“Oh God, I pray I would be forgiven for what is about to happen” Renee said and then shut her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in Lucas arms. Soon, she was on Lucas’ bed. Lucas pulled out his shirt and fell on top of Renee. Renee was in tears as Lucas began to kiss her. She began to recall something.

FLASHBACK:

In a church, Renee was seen in a wedding outfit. The pastor began to speak.

“Renee Sam, do you take Bryan Smith to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death, according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God Almighty, do you agree? The pastor asked.

“Yes, I do” Renee said happily.

PRESENT:

Renee was in thought. Her eyes were closed, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Lucas kept kissing her as his hands roamed around her body.

The Next day in hospital, Renee came into the doctor’s office. She had a something wrapped in her palm.

“Doctor, the money for my husband’s operation is ready” Renee said. The doctor stared at her for a while, looked at Renee’s palm, and then nodded.

A Day Later,

Renee’s husband was saved. Renee was very happy. She and her husband were in their room when he asked her some question.

“Who lent you money for my operation, Renee? He asked. Renee felt uneasy. She suddenly began to fidget.

“Renee, what is wrong? Her husband asked. Renee was quiet for some seconds, before she spoke.

“Bryan, I have a confession to make. But, I am scared of what the outcome would be… if you will forgive me” Renee said. Bryan became curious. Renee looked straight into Bryan’s eyes, scared. After some seconds, she spoke.

“Bryan, I cheated on you” Renee said, sadly. Bryan widened his eyes at Renee.

“What! Bryan shrieked. Renee nodded. She bent her head as tears were threatening to fall.

Few minutes later, Bryan was seated on the bed, with his fingers crossed. He looked sad. Renee was standing and explaining things.

“The Doctor said you sustained internal injury from the accident, and that you needed a lifesaving operation. He also stated that delay could be dangerous. He demanded for money first. It was a big amount. I tried asking help from everyone I could reach, but no one could give me up to such amount. When I asked help from Lucas, that was when he exposed his true colours to me. All the while, Lucas has been lusting after me. I realized this when he demanded I sleep with him. And that was the only option I had, left” Renee explained in tears. Bryan stood up. He gradually walked up to Renee. He held her arms as she cried softly.

“It is okay. Though it’s so painful imagining it, what can I do? The damage has already been done. I cannot be courageous enough to rebuke Lucas. Let us just forget this, and move on. At least, I was saved. And that’s what matters now” Bryan said, emotionally. He restrained the tears that were close to dropping.

“I am sorry” Renee cried.

“That’s enough Renee. I cannot blame you for what happened” Bryan said and Renee hugged him, tight.

“I love you Renee” Bryan whispered to Renee.

At Mae’s residence, Renee was with Mae in the living room. Mae was listening to the radio as usual.

“Do you always have to make noise with this? Your neighbours might complain” Renee said, pointing at the radio. Mae shrugged.

“They have never complained. Do not pray they will” Mae said.

“Okay” Renee shrugged. Mae paused for some seconds. She turned down the volume of her radio set.

“Hold on Renee, who finally lent you the money for your husband’s operation.” Mae asked curiously. Renee paused. Her heart skipped a beat. She went into thought. Mae started at Renee curiously.

“Renee? Mae called, but Renee was silent for some seconds.

“What is wrong, Renee? Mae asked, tapping Renee.

“Well, Lucas lent me the money” Renee answered hesitantly.

“Hmm, is that why you found it difficult to tell me? Is his name too heavy for your lips to pronounce? Mae asked. Renee shook her head, feeling nervous. Mae frowned.

“I must say this Renee; you are acting so strange. What is the problem? Mae asked, staring at Renee suspiciously. Renee remained quiet.

“Okay, let me guess; you are worried on how you would be able to pay back the money, right? Mae asked. Renee widened her eyes at Mae.

“Yeah” Renee agreed.

“Well, I do not think Lucas will bother you to pay back. I believe he would be generous enough to give you time to pay back” Mae said, but Renee remained silent. Mae tapped Renee.

“You are weird today. Gosh! Never mind, I have an upcoming programme to listen to on channel 7” Mae said and picked up her radio. She increased the volume and adjusted the antenna. Renee smiled at her, and then shrugged.

“Radio freak. I hope your child wouldn’t take after you” Renee said and Mae chuckled.

3 Weeks Later:

At Renee’s residence, she was seen in the kitchen, staring some food on the kerosene cooker. She appeared happy and excited. Soon, she heard a cry. This made her stop staring the food.

“Oh, my little Laura needs attention” Renee said, smiling. She left the kitchen for the room. Laura was sitting on the ground. She stopped crying as soon as she saw Renee. Renee carried Laura in her arms.

“What is the matter, Laura? I am cooking in the kitchen. Will you not let me do finish up before attending to you? Renee said to Laura, tickling her cheek. Laura blushed and Renee smiled.

A knock was heard from the living room.

“Oh! I guess your dad is back. That’s good” Renee said excitedly. She left for the sitting room. She opened the door, and it was indeed Bryan.

“Welcome Bryan, did you forget something? Renee asked Bryan, who was smiling. He came closer to Renee, and pecked her on the cheek. He also tickled Laura’s cheek. Laura blushed.

“Happy Birthday Renee” Bryan said and Renee blushed.

“You already wished me happy birthday before you left” Renee said, smiling.

“I know. By the way, you have not been feeling too well recently. Have you gone to the clinic? Bryan asked, and Renee shook her head.

“I will go soon. It wouldn’t be so serious though. I will get some medicines and take them. I think that will make me feel better” Renee said.

“Besides, I just returned home to pick something. Get ready for tonight. It has been a long time since we last had a night together. And it was as a result of the operation. The accident happened because of my carelessness. I am sorry for what I put you through, Renee” Bryan apologized.

“Do not apologize, Bryan. Let us consider it gone. By the way, help me take care of Laura for a while. I need to check on what is on fire” Renee said, and Bryan nodded. He carried Laura from Renee.

At night, a cab stopped in front of Renee’s residence. Bryan came down from the cab with flowers in his right arm, and nylon bag in his left hand. He smiled, and then walked in. he knocked. Renee opened the door. They smiled at each other. Laura was in Renee’s arms. They got in.

“Happy Birthday, dear. I pray you live long with me” Bryan said, smiling. He handed the flowers to Renee.

“Thanks dear” Renee appreciated. Bryan brought out some cup-cakes. They ate happily. They both fed a happy Laura too.

Minutes later, Laura had slept. Bryan brought Renee into the room, by carrying her in his arms. He dropped her on the bed. Renee suddenly began to look uncomfortable. Bryan kissed her, but she seemed to be lost in thought. Bryan noticed that Renee did not respond to his kisses. He stopped and then looked at Renee curiously.

“What is the problem, Renee? Bryan asked. Renee shook her head sadly.

“Bryan, I am pregnant” Renee said, almost in tears. Bryan’s eyes bulged in shock. He left Renee and stood, shocked.

In a school, the bell was rung. It was time for the students and pupils to go. Parents were trooping in and picking their kids up. Two girls were seen together.

“Laura, are we not supposed start going home now? The smaller one asked.

“No, Jenna. Dad said he will come” Laura said.

“Really? I was not aware” Jenna said, happy.

Few minutes later, Bryan had still not come.

“Laura, I want to go meet my friend over there” Jenna said, and Laura shrugged.

Soon after Jenna had left, Bryan arrived.

“Daddy! Laura yelled and ran to him, hugging him. Bryan smiled. Laura released him. He smiled.

“Alright dear, let us go home” Bryan said. Laura nodded.

“But dad, I should go find Jenna first” Laura said. Bryan frowned, and then shook his head.

“Do not worry about her. She can go home with your auntie Mae” Bryan said.

They both left while Jenna was busy playing with her friends.

Few minutes after, Jenna began looking for Laura, but could not find her. She became tensed.

“Oh no! Where can I find Laura right now? Jenna asked herself, worried. A girl of Jenna’s age came closer to her.

“What is the matter, Jenna? The girl asked.

“Rachel, Laura and I were supposed to go home together. But she told me that daddy will come pick us. Now, I cannot find her anywhere” Jenna explained, worried.

“Oh no! Maybe she looked for you and then decided to go home alone” Rachel guessed. Jenna was silent.

“Mummy! Rachel yelled as she looked towards the gate. It was Mae, hurrying up to the girls. Rachel hugged Mae.

“How are you, my daughter? Mae asked.

“I am fine, mum” Rachel replied. Mae looked at Jenna who was silent.

“What’s wrong, Jenna? Mae asked.

“Auntie Mae, I cannot find my sister, Laura” Jenna complained.

“Oh, could it be that she has already gone home? Mae asked.

“I cannot tell. But she has not been seen anywhere here” Jenna said. Mae breathed in, thinking of what to do.