If Only I Can Reverse The Hand Of The Clock

By Iniobng Udom

She was full of surprise and shock that she could not say a word. A look around the room revealed that her things had been moved out on the other hand she pretended not to know who she was, called out to Charles in the bathroom, “Honey, hurry up, I think you have a guest.” Charles responded from within “sweetheart, give me few seconds, I won't be long.” Thessy who was only praying that the drama before her was not real and only wished to wake up from it, when suddenly her husband emerged the bathroom.
'O Thessy, it's you. This is Patricia. As you can see, she has done what Napoleon could not do and I have decided that she moves into my house before we have our baby . At least, I have something to show for my manhood, something to show to you and whoever cares to listen that I am a full blown man, loaded and capable of impregnating a woman. I have moved your things to the visitors' room. From now onward, you will be staying there, if it becomes too uncomfortable for you to stay, the gate is always open. But if you decide to stay, I will not tolerate any more from you to disturb or demonstrate any ill affection for Patricia”.
After those words, Charles walked up to Patricia, gave her a warm embrace and they were locked in an endless kiss right in Thessy's very presence. Thessy could not stand it anymore as she realized this was not a drama but a live show. She ran into the visitor's room where she was just allocated and cried for the remaining hours of the day.
The next morning, she worked up with some pain in the head, took some pain relieving tablets and made her way into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, but was stopped halfway as Charles supposed wife had taken over. Life became difficult in the house. She wass more or less a stranger in her husband's house. Thessy felt the only and last thing to do was to move out of the house. She had packed up her things earlier in the day in preparation to leave the house the next morning.
However, her pastor who had noticed her sudden absence from church for the past two months decided to call at her house, only to meet a woman who was heavily pregnant at her house. The man enquired to know about Thessy's where-about but was given the embarrassment of his life as Patricia said she had no knowledge of anyone who doesn't exist. As far as she was concern Thessy doesn't exist, she advised the pastor to look elsewhere to whoever he was looking for or to get back home to his wife and children if he had nothing better to do.
The pastor was taken aback by the way and madness exhibited by the strange woman, but decided to leave. The gateman who watched the scene ran out of the gate to met with the pastor, narrated to him the events that had taken place of late, and directed him to Thessy's boutique. He was full of thanks to him for that piece of information and headed to Thessy's shop. The pastor was directed into Thessy's office and was surprise at what he saw, Thessy had degenerated into a wretched. He inquired of Thessy's wellbeing and she narrated the events that had taken place in her life at late and couldn't withhold the tears that left her eyes as she wept profusely.
She disclosed to the pastor that she cannot stand the marriage any more as she has secured a place to move into the next day. The pastor spent time to talk with Thessy and apologized for all the troubles and pain she had been through. He advised her to hang on to her marriage as she was married to Charles inspite of the war the enemy was waging against her family, and spur up her faith in God whom he said is able to heal her past and make her womb fit to carry babies. Like water to a thirty soul, was the words of the pastor. It was all the encouragement Thessy needed to withstand the wiles of the devil. She decided to stay put in her marriage and make it work in spite of the present status.
The following week, Charles get up early for work. Immediately afterwards as Thessy was preparing for the market, Patricia gave a deep cry mingled in pains and she ran into their room to save the situation. Thessy discovered she in labour and rushed her to the hospital. She called Charles home to intimate him on the latest development as he raced to the hospital.
Patricia's case took so long that Thessy and her husband were left in suspension as they could not tell what had become of Patricia. After an hour, the doctor came out and assured them that all will be well. Another doctor and nurses were ushered into the theatre as they fought to save the lives of both the mother who had bled profusely and the baby.

Soon after, Chares' joy knew no bound as they announced to him that Patricia had been delivered of a bouncing baby boy. They were full of happiness for an additional member of the family and Charles was proud to be a father after a long while.

Charles' mum came in from the village to take care of her grandchild and the mother. She was full of happiness for the birth of her grand child and showered praises on Patricia for making it through the times of pregnancy and for giving her a grand child.Thessy was denied access to the child for fear of hurting him since she had none. She still remained the stranger in the house especially with the birth of Charles' child.

Two weeks later, Patricia decided Thessy should move to the boys' quarter so that the visitors' room can be turned into a nursery for her baby. Charles who could not deny her anything, moved Thessy again from the visitors' room to the boys' quarters.Soon plans were concretized for the formal wedding ceremony between Charles and Patricia. During the preparation for the function, Charles' son developed fewer and was rushed to the hospital by his mother. It became obvious that in order to sustain the life of the little Charles, blood must be transfused.