Chapter 83: Chapter 83

Chapter 81: The opportunist

Ofcourse, she had always wondered if her parents were still with the living or they had passed. She thought about them often, small glimpses of their faces from when she was a toddler but nothing solid enough to remind her what they looked like or how—

Merrigold in her predicament, she yearned for her mother. She wished her mother was here to teach all there was for a mother to know. Feeling alone, all she thought about was Austin, since coming to terms with her feelings for him. Merrigold missed him so much, it had only been a week but she felt alone. She worried for him, if he was alright where ever he was? 29 weeks into her pregnancy, she was afraid. With each day she was nearing her due date. She had Mrs Brown and Miriam her brother's wife. They were all good company and she appreciate their presence. Sometimes she felt irritable, not wanting anyone, not wanting to make conversations. The only person she wanted was not there. How would she ever tell her brother or kind Miriam that they bored her to death and all she wanted was Austin with his not so funny jokes. Merrigold appreciated their efforts to keep her company but annoyance was inevitable when her body, skin and mind craved to be with him. She had never been so needy, perhaps it was the pregnancy or maybe her admitting her feelings for him opened new feelings towards Austin. Since she did not spend her time and days hating his existence like before, now it was different. Sometimes she thought she'd heard him laughing, her heart would leap out of her chest only to look around and see nothing. Austin wasn't there. Merrigold awaited for him to surprise her the same way he had before but nothing. Disappointment after disappointment. She took a leap of faith, deciding she would trust him. He said he'd be back.

"If I ever leave, I died."

"If I ever leave, I died."

"If he ever leaves, he died..."

"What?"

Looking up Merrigold saw faith's mother staring at her with a confused demeanor. Startled, Merri shifted uncomfortably on the bench. The woman scared her, after a her very own daughter had tried to kill her. Even more so her son had taken the fall for something that was clearly meant for Merrigold.

"Are you speaking to yourself?" She questioned.

"I—" Merrigold stuttered not knowing what would be the appropriate response.

"Anyways, I thought to bring you some oranges. They're really good for the baby."

Merrigold stared at the woman's outstretched hand with an orange in her palm. Fearing for her life, she hesitantly declined by shaking her head.

"How would I kill you with an unpeeled orange dear?"

Merrigold sat there stiff, not knowing how to respond. She did not want to be rude, she did not want to talk either, she did not want to be here either. She wanted to be with Austin, even if he was giving her his horrible massages. Merrigold wanted to be with Austin, the stench of the commune made her morning sickness even worse, she was sick and aggravated of the same faces. Merrigold was teed off by this everyday routine! THIS WAS NOT LIVING, this is not living. Her mind yelled. She felt suffocated. People at the plantation woke up as early as 4am went to the plantation worked till midday then had a water break then continued till dawn where they'd have a full meal as soon as 7pm they'd be getting ready for bed. Exhausted, they'd wake up and do the very same thing. She could not live this way, after being accustomed to a different life. Life in the house had been more exciting, there was reading and many other ways to keep entertained. Her favorite of them all was Austin above her with his hair tickling her as he caressed her neck amongst many other things. Merrigold chose to think of only her good memories with Austin nothing else. She enjoyed taking her brother's bench out and sitting in the sun reminiscing about the father of her children. For Faith's mother to come and ruin that, it aggravated the pregnant woman to no end. Lately she had been irritated by everything.

"I-i am fine thank you." Merri told her.

Faith's mother seemed disappointed nonetheless she sat down next to Merrigold. Dreading this conversation Merri asked herself how she'd ever get out of this. Faith's mother gave a smile.

"How long are you now my dear?"

The word dear irked Merri.

"7 months, I think."

"Mhm... have you been feeling a little uncomfortable?"

"A little..." Merrigold replied lowly.

"My mother told me that around this time that is when the baby turns it's head to face downward getting ready for the big day..."

"Oh..."

"Yes!" The woman grinned at Merrigold as she peeled her orange.

There was awkward silence before Merri spoke. "I'm really sorry about your son... your daughter...!"

"No no, Merri it is alright. It is all Kifah's fault. Do not worry yourself. You need to be healthy and deliver your child well."

Merri only nodded looking away, her guilt wasn't at ease. She still felt responsible.

"Tell me Merri, my dear."

"Yes?"

"Are you sure sure sure that this is Master Austin's child?" Faith's mother whispered as if they were sharing a big secret.

"I think so..."

"It will come out white white white?"

Merrigold felt very uncomfortable.

"I don't know..."

"Mhm... so he did it? He impregnated you? He is the father? Not Thomas or anyone else only him?"

Merrigold only stared at the woman who had arched her neck to hear Merri's response. Merri still did not speak, finding her questions oddly too specific.

"Do not mind me, I'm only looking out for you my dear. I wouldn't want Master Austin becoming a mad man when the child comes out looking nothing like him. I reckon it has to look like him no matter what. You need to make sure that the child resembles him from the texture of his hair to the eyes especially the eyes my dear because there is no lie in the eyes, like the silver eyes for Master Austin right to the toes. Otherwise my dear, it is over for you. You're finished!"

"They're grey."

"Yes, silver grey red orange whatever maybe!" There was nothing more Faith's mother hated than being corrected. It reminded her of Kifah. The woman shook her thoughts away, she needed to befriend Merrigold that way any benefits she got, she would repay her as well. Noting that the poor naive girl had no mother, she had to play the role accordingly.

For some reason, Merri felt fearful.

"I—what—how do I make sure it looks like him?"

"That I wouldn't know my dear but... I reckon if you did it again with him to make sure... perhaps that would help."

"Did it?"

"Solicit him again, make sure he leaves every drip of himself inside you. Do not let it seep out..."

"I'm not so sure about that..."

"Merrigold, if that child comes out with nappy hair and dark skin, forget it. I'm only being honest for your sake. You will be finished. It will be finished for you, kiss the good life good bye and kiss the spade hello because that's what you will be seeing everyday."

"But it's bound to happen, they're my children as much as they're his and—"

"Did you say children?" The woman perched up her ears and eyebrows.

"Yes...?"

"You're having two? Two of Master Austin's?" She grinned, biting on her now peeled orange. Enjoying the juices, she let out a laugh of joy when Merri nodded.

"You're on the right track!"

"To what?" Merri questioned confused.

"Do not act oblivious dear!"

"There is not much promised."

"There is a lot promised! There is so much promised. See we have the son head over heels in love with you, you're carrying not only one but two of his offsprings. You my dear, you're a star!"

"I..?"

"I'm telling you, you're a star..!"

Merrigold did not know if she should feel proud or embarrassed. She only nodded.

"I'm here to support you all the way. I will be your mother Merri. Whatever you need I am here. Whatever my grandchildren need, their granny is here to take care of them and nurture them. I will be here no matter what? We will make sure they're delivered well and healthy! I'm going to tell Eddie to catch some fish at the lake, only for you! So my grandchildren can be healthy and strong!" Coming to a halt the woman stopped. "But are they boys? We can not waste our time thinking we will archive anything if they're girls. They need to be strong boys that look exactly like their papa."

"Vivian?" Someone called.

"Leave Merri alone! She will not be part of your foolery. I'm shocked that you would want to take advantage of her in such a state." Mrs Brown told Faith's mother.

"Who do you think you're?"

"Merri, we're leaving. Master Cunningham wants to see you. Give her back her oranges..." Merrigold had not dare touched or eat them thankfully.

She was not hesitant as she followed behind Mrs Brown. Faith's mother quickly whispered "This is your chance."