The assembly prefect directed, "Sing the National Anthem after the count of three...1...2..3."
Except for me, the entire school sung. I wasn't feeling well that morning; I had puked three times before heading to school, and I couldn't eat breakfast since I didn't have the appetite.
"The pledge!" exclaimed the prefect once more.
"I pledge to Nigeria my country." Before everything started spinning around me, I managed to murmur something. I was dizzy, and as I attempted to keep my balance, my palms began to sweat.
I rubbed my eyes, opened them, and the entire school began to spin faster; I hurriedly closed my eyes, and my head began to spin as well...
I was knocked unconscious.
::::::::::*
I reopened my eyes to discover myself in a hospital bed.
My father was looking at me with a look of despair on his face.
When I tried to sit up, he said, "Kpele- sorry."
What exactly was going on? To relieve the discomfort, I stroked my temples.
"Teju.." My father started it all.
"You already know how much I adore you and will go to great lengths to make you happy.."
Something was awry, and I became tense.
He said, "I want you to tell me the truth..."
What is the truth? I questioned myself.
"Tell me who did this to you," her father said. His voice grew weak.
"Who is to blame for this pregnancy?" he inquired softly.
I froze in my tracks. What do you mean, you're pregnant? Who? Me? Tejumola? Is this a nightmare?
I firmly pressed my stomach.
How can I be expecting a child?
My father placed his hands on my back and said, "Teju..."
"Speak with me”.
I locked my attention on him for a brief second before averting my gaze. I could feel the entire world crashing down around me. My cheeks were flushed with tears. What would I say to my father if I were in his shoes?
My father took my hands in his and said, "Don't cry."
When I turned to face him, I saw that he was crying as well.
He bemoaned, "It's all my fault..."
"I should have spent more time with you...,"
Should I tell him or not? I could feel my heart breaking. David was in London, far away... I've completed my task.
My father hugged me and muttered, "My daughter, I'm sorry, please forgive me for not always having time for you."
"I'm sorry, Baami, I'm sorry,” I sobbed.
"Its okay, don't cry any longer; I'm here for you, and I'd look after you."
He gave me a calming touch on the back. I didn't say anything about who caused my pregnancy, and I had no intention of informing him later.
His eyes were filled with guilt, which I could see. He truly blamed himself for my condition, and I felt deeply sorry for disappointing him. If my mother had been alive, none of this would have happened to me. I despise maami. Her antagonistic attitude toward me contributed to the demise of my joyful life.
My thoughts had drifted far away. I don't know how I'm going to raise a child under my father's home. I'm not sure how I'm going to elevate my head in public. David is currently out of the country. This is something I never expected to happen. It was something I had never imagined.
My screams bounced off the walls.