HOOK, LINE AND SINKER (Episode 12)

As he drove them all to the hospital, a million and one things ran through his mind. Bisola had collapsed so fast, he couldn't get a chance to ask Sharon to explain herself. Sharon on the other hand, seemed to have had enough of the drama. She had picked her hand luggage as they hurried to the hospital. At first, he thought she was going to drop by on the way to the hospital but when she followed them on, he figured she had plans to leave when Bisola was stable. It was obvious she was indeed a good friend. But that was not the issue here. He needed answers.

Peju on the hand could not be consoled. She kept crying till they got to the hospital. She feared for her cousin. She kept hoping that the doctors would find nothing terribly wrong with her, especially in connection with her brain. It was awkward to know someone this close that would have issues with her mental health, albeit self-imposed denial. That's what she chose to call it after listening to Sharon's side of the story.

Bisola had chosen pineapples as a subtle way to get rid of the pregnancy, Sharon said. It took weeks before she could find out, despite the fact that they were together most of the time. She had done a good job with clearing all traces of her abortion plan; clearing out the bin containing pineapple peels on a daily basis and making sure she was eating one of the foods prescribed by Sharon anytime they were together.
Sharon had returned from a CDS meeting one of those days and did her usual checking-up-on-Bisola rounds before entering the main house. She was traumatized at the sight of excess blood with Bisola sprawling all over the floor in her own blood. She was moving but not speaking, nor was she screaming. It seemed she was prepared for the entire ordeal. Sharon dropped her bag immediately as she rushed towards Bisola, who was grunting rather quietly, while tears rolled down on their own accord.

"What have you done?" Sharon took her position beside Bisola in the pool of blood as she tried to lift her up. The blood kept gushing out in a way Sharon had never witnessed before. It was as though Bisola had cut a part of her body where blood was oozing out from. There was no time to ask questions. She held Bisola tight as she moved her towards the plastic chair in sight, dragging the blood with them both. She pulled Bisola up into the chair and rushed back to the spot where she dropped her bag. She shivered as she scattered the contents of her bag to find her phone. She rushed back to Bisola who struggled to keep her eyes opened. She tapped her consistently till the taxi she had called came through for them to go to the hospital.

She had never been that scared in her life. She paced the hospital corridor severally and followed every doctor or nurse that walked past her. After some hours, the doctor in charge invited her to his office to break the news. The pace of Sharon's heartbeat only normalized after getting the good news that Bisola had been stabilized. The baby was gone but she survived. The doctor had confirmed that the miscarriage was caused by the kinds of things should she consumed, which included excessive daily intake of pineapples, caffeinated drinks and other foods considered harmful for pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester.

Sharon blamed herself in that instant. She should have been more diplomatic in sharing her suspicion about aunty Dupe with Bisola. She just couldn't believe that Bisola would take it upon herself to find out more and act negatively, especially since she seemed to long after the day she would hold her baby. At least, she acted that way every time they talked. She even picked out a name for the baby during one of their discussions - MarK. She was going to keep the memory of the father alive, regardless of the fact that he was no where to be found, Bisola had said. She smiled every time she said that. She also made sure to kiss the vintage ring she wore consistently amidst every conversation centered on the unborn child. Sharon understood her; Bisola was in love and it didn't matter that the person she was in love with and was carrying his child had disappeared into thin air. She was sure love would bring them back together, and all Sharon had to do was to remain supportive.
Little did she know it was all part of the plan Bisola had so meticulously put together. She bit her lip severally before leaving the hospital that day.

***

The week after Bisola got discharged from the hospital, she walked up to Sharon one morning to announce her return home. It had been four months and two weeks since she arrived in Port Harcourt, three of which she spent with Sharon. Her parents must have been worried sick, even though she couldn't care less. She hoped father would take drastic actions against aunty Dupe for her inability to account for an adult kept in her care. But on a second thought, she knew he wouldn't. Or better still, mum would have convinced him to think otherwise. Port Harcourt was a dangerous city and aunty Dupe was only doing them a favour by caring for their pregnant child, to save them from shame and humiliation, she would have said. Mum would have succeeded in making father embark on rigorous fasting and prayer to ask God to bring their child home safely in one piece. It would be unfair to call the cops on aunty Dupe for whatever reason. Bisola imagined how the scenario would have played out.

"But you can't travel yet. The doctors..."

"said you should keep an eye on me. I know" Bisola cut in.

"I'm fine, Sharon. Really..." She moved closer to Sharon.

"And I'm sorry I gave you such a fright. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you. I'm so sorry. I just think it's time I moved on with my life, you know?" Bisola said softly.

"I know." Sharon pushed back tears.

"But you can't blame me for being worried." She continued as she held her tummy unconsciously before swallowing hard.

"Shhhh..." Bisola went closer to wipe a tear off Sharon's cheek.
"You're such a good person. And I'm so grateful to have met you..." Bisola said.

"Okay. Let's stop the mushiness..." Sharon let out a small laugh as she hugged her friend.

"But can you stay one more week?" She said in almost a plea, as she held her tummy once again.
"My life would be boring again. Just me and the old man."
"Besides, I..." Sharon stopped midway, as the smile that formed on her lips betrayed her worry.

"Okay... What's up? You seem..." Bisola moved back a bit to examine her friend.

"What?" Sharon tried to hide her excitement.

"I don't know. You tell me. What's with the tummy holding?" Bisola asked slowly as she moved closer to check out Sharon again.

"Or are you...? Oh my. You are."

"Yes, yes." Sharon said excitedly.
"That's why I want you to stay longer. I'm pregnant girlfriend."

"Oh my word..." Bisola hurried towards her and hugged her tight.

There and then, she determined to stay one more week, before going home to relieve her parents of the worry over the loss of a child. She would be back to Port Harcourt in no time, she promised. She had a god-child to come to. She would take care of the child like it was hers, she promised again, and Sharon could not be happier.

***
HOOK, LINE AND SINKER By Faith Olatunbosun