CHINA TORI

I met this woman with whom I bonded in a special way. You would think this happened immediately or that I saw it coming, but I didn’t. It didn’t even look we were going to talk in the first place. But we did, and I’m happier for it.

Sometimes, we do this thing where we judge or compete at the first chance we get and then lose someone who could have made an amazing friend. We may not go out of our houses intending to offend, really, but some instinct – for survival, most times, kicks in and we let self have its way.

On this particular day, I waited for BRT at CMS for over forty-five minutes and had to endure the regular motor park business. I was tired and really pissed. So when a bus finally arrived, I was not in the mood for niceties.

With a straight face, I paid and started towards my favorite seat by the window. As soon as I stepped on the bus, however, I saw a woman rise from hers and started towards mine. “That’s my seat, sister”, I muttered but madam didn’t hear me. She was busy forcing her way out like someone running away from something. I wasn’t going to take that. Whatever it was chasing her, I thought, it should not take her to my seat.

As she wiggled her way out, I made for it. I increased my pace and took the seat right in front of her before she could. I heard her sigh and then take the seat next to mine. No, I wasn’t sorry. We both fought and I won fair and square. Talk about unnecessary competitions.

From the corner of my eye, I looked to see if she was taking her defeat well. I looked but couldn’t make out what was going on with her. She should be upset but I couldn’t look at her directly to be sure. So I searched my purse, instead, for an earpiece and used music to block her out.

About five minutes later, I saw her jerk. She frantically searched her bag for something and found it. She pulled out a paper bag and emptied her bowels in them. Damn! Was I irritated? Like hell! Who goes about vomiting into paper bags in public buses?

Shit! It was one hellova throw-up because when she was done, she was gasping. That was when I noticed something was wrong. I turned to look at her – no fear, no shame. Her eyes were swollen and almost popping out of their sockets. She was sweating profusely and her hands were shaking.

“Are you okay?” She nodded, but she was not okay. I was going to hold her when it came again. The bag was in her face in no time and I watched as liquid left her body through her eyes, nose and mouth. You know the surprising part? No noise. It would seem she was trying not to disturb the other passengers. Ten seconds later, silence. Deep sigh. I think she was done. There was relief on her face as she wrapped her paper bag.

I handed her my bottled-water. She took a sip and poured some into her palm. Then she wiped her face with it and turned to me. “I’m sorry”, she said and I melted.

“You shouldn’t be. I just watched you fight for your life and I can tell you are one of the strong ones. I should be the one saying sorry for just sitting here and doing nothing”. Thoughts, they were; not a word uttered. Instead, I nodded.

“Do you want anything?” I asked and she shook her head. At that point, I was ready to give up my favorite seat. I reckon this was why she wanted so much to sit by the window. But she shook her head and I could tell, again, she was doing all she could not to draw any attention to herself. She wiped her mouth and her neck with her hankie and then dropped the bomb on me.

“I’m pregnant”, she started. “It is my first time and I really don’t know how to deal with all of it”. My mumu button, people! My MB right there.

“Aren’t you a warrior-princess, dear sister. Here you are worrying about how bad you are dealing with your first pregnancy when a lot of women can attest that you are doing great. If this was a test, I would grade you an A, baby. To start with, you left your house prepared. And then, you have shown nothing but respect for fellow passengers by the way you comported yourself. So yes, you are doing great”.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I sized her. I congratulated her and said a prayer for her. She smiled and thanked me and I was going to say something else when she rang the bell for her bus stop.

“No! There are still so many things I want to ask!” I wanted so much to ask how she first knew she was pregnant. You know, ask about the husband-man too. Is he around? Is he on a trip? Did they do it out of love? Is it something they both want? What has the scan said?

Yes, I had questions. Same questions that I have asked in the past that have given my sisters a chance to open their hearts and appreciate the journey they were on.

It is such a pity that my journey with this soul-sister was terminated even before it began… My heart aches.

Make una leave me o. I don’t know how my body is doing me. I can’t stop the tears and I feel like something is moving around inside my belly.

18/02/2020

Image: Paradise Planet Earth