CHAPTER 9

Rosemarie's Pov:

The twins kept on running around the compound, I think they just liked the fact that they were in a new environment, and they were with their aunty.

I had a slight headache because of them last night and I had taken aspirin but still, here they are again causing another headache. 

Anne didn’t seem to mind though, she watched them from the couch with love in her eyes as they played around.

I think she preferred the noise to the quietness afterwards when we were about to leave. I couldn’t seem to recall all my conversations with Michael that night.

And as I do that, I keep on hurting myself by remembering when he said she was pregnant for him. 

I hated myself, I just can’t imagine I was expecting us to be a family again. I felt so stupid, I decided to stay two more days with Anne because I couldn’t bear the thought of going back home to come across Michael again.

Anne carried the twins out to the amusement park. I had never seen them so happy before. I had fun too with my little sis, and all my pains were gone. It was all lovely until something terrible happened. 

I had gone to get some snacks for Anne and the twins and on getting back, Anne was crying with Jada looking lifeless in her arms and Jasmine kept on crying and calling Jada's name. 

I ran towards them to carry Jada from her hand and I asked what happened, Anne explained that both Jada and Jasmine were playing, and the next thing Jada just stopped and fainted.

We had to call the ambulance and rush her to the hospital, I kept on crying and begging Jada to open her eyes. I did a silent prayer and prayed that nothing happened to my baby girl.

Arriving at the hospital, she was admitted to a ward, and we had to wait for hours. Anne had to keep me calm because I kept on crying, and I was making things worse for Jasmine. We were called, and the doctor gave us bad news.

Jada was diagnosed with anemia and will require a blood transfusion. 

I didn’t hesitate for them to take my blood but after many tests, they realized she wasn’t the same blood type as me and advised that I be the father of the child. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the doctors attend to Jada in the hospital room. 

My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, fear, guilt and desperation all mingling together. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was somehow my fault and my past decisions are now coming back to haunt me in every worst possible way.

Anne sat beside me, comforting me and assuring me that Jada would be fine. 

Jasmine was fast asleep on Anne’s lap and I couldn’t help but stroke her hair.

Anne squeezed my hands in silent support, offering comfort in the face of uncertainty and her face managed to let me know that no matter how I tried to avoid it, I had to call Michael in order for Jada to be okay.

The doctor came back and told us that Jada was stable but still needed that blood transfusion.

 My thoughts drifted towards Michael and remembered how the last time we saw each other, we didn’t end on good terms. The mere thought of reaching out to him filled me with dread, but I knew I had no choice.

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. My heart is hammering in my chest with each ring. When he finally answered, his voice was cool and distant, and I suddenly lost the willingness to speak. “Michael, it’s me, I need your help” I stammered. 

There was a pause on the other line, and then he answered almost immediately asking what was wrong.” it's Jada,” I replied. My voice broke as tears welled up in my eyes. “

She’s in the hospital. She... she needs a blood transfusion, and you’re a match”. Without hesitating he said I should drop the address to the hospital and said he would be there.

 True to his word, Michael arrived at the hospital a short time later, his face drawn and pale with worry. I watched him from across the room, my heart aching at the sight of him.

Despite everything that had happened between us, I couldn’t deny the rush of emotions that surged through me at the sight of him.

As the doctors prepared for the blood transfusion, I sat beside Jada’s bed with Jasmine on my lap. Michael seemed to notice how I was shaking with fear and clasped my hands tightly with his.

At that moment, all our past seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. 

We were united by the love of our daughter at that moment. Hours later, as the sun began to rise on a new day, Jada stirred in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open for the first time since Falling Ill. My heart jumped at the sight of my daughter’s bright, lively eyes and my fears melted away easily.

“Mommy” Jada whispered, her voice weak but filled with love. “I’m here sweetheart, I’m here” I replied, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks.

And that moment as I embraced both Jada and Jasmine, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, a family reunited in love and hope.

With a sense of peace settling over me, I introduced the twins to their dad and they both had shocked faces. Michael made an effort to talk to them, Jada wasn’t comfortable around him that much, but Jasmine just kept on playing with him, it was like they knew each other for a long time. 

Jada kept on telling me how he could be their father when he was married to my friend. I told her it was a long story but would still tell her at the right time. Anne was cold to him but after summarizing the story, it changed her mind.

We were told that Jada could be discharged and could go home. We packed up her stuff and Michael offered to drive us to Anne’s apartment.

On getting there, the twins had slept off and Michael offered to carry Jada up while I carried Jasmine.

As we dropped them in their beds, there was an awkward silence between us before Anne came to ask if it was okay if she cooked dinner. I agreed and offered Michael to stay over for dinner. 

Anne gave a disapproving look like she was in support of him staying over, but I just had to since he assisted us a lot at the hospital.

He agreed, and before you knew it, Michael, Anne and I were all seated around the table.  We conversed, and I updated him on all the times he wasn’t with the twins. Their first crawl, first walk, the first tooth falling off and many other things he missed. 

He listened carefully like he wanted to keep everything at the back of his mind, or he was trying to conjure up scenarios for what I was saying since he wasn’t actually there. Anne later joined after realizing that he was interested in what I had to say.

We laughed, talked, shared embarrassing moments and All till we were done with dinner.

Anne left to sleep because she had too much to drink and Michael and I were left. He said he had to go early because he had a long journey ahead. Without thinking, I told him that he could spend the night over.

 I don’t know what was wrong with me, maybe it’s the fact he came running to come save our daughter or the fact that he held hands with me in the hospital, but I blurted those words out and now there is an awkward silence between us.

He looked at me with a straight face which made me worry about what he would say “Yes, I’ll spend the night over “he said bluntly.