Night Before the Swing

Persisting Drama

CHAPTER 14

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The drive back was enjoyable for Nala who dosed off soon after they hit the road. It was almost 4pm when they reached Ref-town but Lizzy and Nandi still had not arrived so Nala asked to be dropped off at Warren's house. "We were going to go there before I left anyway" Long said, sounding serious. Warren was happy to see them but his happiness was cut short. Long requested a private moment which ended up being the longest 10 minutes of his life. Long began by expressing his disappointment at him as a lecturer for impregnating his former learner, then moved to his failure to formally report the matter to him and Gwen. He communicated his expectations for him to step up not only to his responsibility to the baby but to Nala as well. He then promised to end his career if Nala ends up heartbroken because of him. When Warren thought it was over, he was told Nala's family will be waiting for him to come apologise for his mistake and to commit to making sure that he will not neglect his obligations. Long then looked for Nala and told her to be good and hugged her. When she asked Warren what the private conversation was about, he simply told her Long wanted to know if he'll take care of her and the baby.

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In the weeks that followed, everything became about Nala's soon coming baby. Gwen called her on her first night back and thanks to Long, she didn't say anything hurtful. Days later, she broke the news to her roomies and the news were met with mixed reactions. Nandi congratulated her and told her she's looking forward to being an aunt seeing and she and Iggy were together. Lizzy asked why she let it happen and Nala didn't take too kindly to that. "Nobody falls pregnant in their second year at varsity on purpose Lizzy". Lizzy took in a deep breath then wryly said, "if you insist". Nala couldn't believe that after all she'd done for Lizzy, she had the audacity to judge her. They went on for a week without talking. Nandi got tired of it and sat then down the following weekend to apologise and make up but their friendship stayed cracked. A week later, Nala had to go shopping because some students were commenting on her weight. She took Nandi with her and they pumped into Nancy. Nancy was still working at the restaurant and Nandi asked if they were hiring because her brother suggested she get herself an income generating activity. Luckily for her they needed two waiters for the weekends so they made arrangements to meet a day later.

The clothes Nala bought looked beautiful and they covered her bump well so it came as a real shocker when a few days later, one of her lecturers asked her if she was pregnant by Warren. She learned that a lot of students had been talking about her looking beautiful but different. After a few days they were convinced she was with child. Nala was annoyed and angry that it wasn't even second term and this was already out. Nandi was supportive and Lizzy was uninvolved. Nala was starting to love her unborn child and refused to waste her energy with anyone who disapproved of it. Mrs. Forest met with Nala and Warren one Saturday afternoon and first addressed the compromising position they had put her in. She was upset when she found out but she had decided to look on the bright side. They are both adults and Nala's studies have been going well. She then told Nala that she and Mr. Forest will do as her family expects. They'll travel to meet and make things right. She then asked for an address and when Nala gave her the Reentha town address, Warren's mother looked puzzled. Mr. Mason doesn't live in Reentha town, she stated with a frown. A friend of mine said he lives on the mountain view of Sun-Rays with his family. Nala didn't have the energy to correct the misinformation but Warren took over and to say Mrs. Forest was disappointed and shocked is the understatement of the century. She asked if Nala's parents weren't married and Nala told her they're separated. When she added that her mama was now living with the father of her second child, Mrs. Forest made it no secret that she was not in favour of the situation. "How could your mother have children outside her marriage? I hope you're learning from her mistakes Nala. Poor Mason." She concluded sounding shuttered.