episode 62
“Why do I have to be blindfolded?” Tobi
asked as Abena led him towards the stairs,
a bandana was tied around his eyes.
“So that when we reach the nursery, the full
effect of my awesome decorating skills
would hit you with full force.” She explained,
holding his hand as they slowly walked up
the stairs.
“Yes, but when we reach the nursery, the
door would be closed and when we open it
and enter, I would still see the full effect of
your apparent awesome decorating skills.”
He argued, as he let her lead him through
the corridor.
“Yeah but if you enter the room blindfolded,
by the time you open your eyes, it would hit
you like a ton of bricks.”
“One, I really hope the ton of bricks thing is
being used metaphorically. And two, it’s the
same thing with what I said about not using
the-”
“Tobi Ademi, one more word and I would
slap you ehn.” She warned, now dragging
him. They stood in front of the room.
“Nawa! Such a violent pregnant woman.” He
whined and she laughed, rolling her eyes.
She fished out the key from her pocket, and
unlocked the door. Opening it, she pushed
him inside.
“Very violent.” He muttered.
“Okay, and open!”
He removed the bandana and looked around
the baby room. The walls were painted in
yellow and white stripes, and the baby cots
were at a side, beside each other, with a
yellow bedsheet and a white pillow. There
was a frame of letters arranged on the wall,
and a cabinet at another side. The couches
were white with yellow spots, and the centre
rug was yellow. On the couches and around
the room, different stuffed animals were
arranged everywhere.
“Wow. It’s really good.” Tobi complimented.
“Uju did a really good job oh.”
She glared at him and hit the back of his
head. He pouted and rubbed the place she
hit, before going to seat down on the couch.
“Be careful, don’t wrinkle anything.” Abena
warned but he just rolled his eyes and
patted the space beside him, gesturing for
her to seat down. She sat down beside him.
“It’s really good Abena. The kids would love
it.” He said.
“Good. Because I put my heart and soul into
this.” She smiled.
“Abena-”
“Who is going to take care of the children?”
She suddenly asked, afraid of what he was
going to say.
“I would start interviewing Nannies when
you’re in your eighth month.” He replied and
she nodded.
“Make sure she’s pretty.” Abena started,
looking at nothing in particular. “She has to
be pretty, and friendly, and funny and
random. But also strict when it’s necessary.
She must be fun to be with. Speak good
English. Like music and dancing. She has to
know how to sing, so she can sing them to
sleep. She has to be an excellent cook. She
has to be patient and calm. She has to read
them books and let them watch all the
cartoons so that their childhood would be
complete. She must care about them, not
because she’s being paid to, but because
she’s passionate about kids. She must pick
them up from school on time. And when
their sick, she must take very good care of
them.”
“Abena.”
“Promise me you’ll have time for them Tobi.
You won’t bury yourself in your work, but
you’ll create a lot of bonding time to spend
with them.”
“I promise Abena. Nothing would happen to
them.” He pulled her towards him, and
stroked her hair. She hung unto him, resting
her head on his legs, and blinking away the
tears that threatened to fall.