Night Before the Swing

New Mom back on Campus

CHAPTER 17

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Gwen and Long tried to no avail to convince Nala and Warren to leave Narrel at Reentha town. The Forest family also wanted Narrel closer to them so Nala sided with them to keep her daughter. Mrs. Forest even hired a child minder to look after Narrel during Warren's working hours. This arrangement made better sense to the new parents because the care giver lived not too far from campus and could walk to and from Warren's house. Gwen wasn't pleased with Nala moving in with Warren but she had no leg to stand on as she and Long weren't married either.

Narrel didn't settle well in her first night and kept them both awake. Nala felt angry with Narrel in the morning. She was up and getting ready to go to class and waiting for the nanny to arrive while Narrel, who deprived her of rest, was now catching up on her sleep. The university looked the same but to Nala it had a freshness about it and she knew this was because she was no longer the same person she was before her daughter arrived. she wasn't fat anymore and was happy to be wearing her old clothes again. She wished she could go shopping for new items but she was no longer a rich kid. She realized that's exactly what she was before being disowned by Christian; a spoilt, rich kid. She was rich and she missed it. A few students came to greet and congratulate her while some stared from a distance but she wasn't bothered. She had grown a thick skin and Narrel was worth all the gossip and embarrassment she felt about her relationship with a lecturer and the pregnancy. Some lecturers expressed their joy of having her back and asked about the baby. One of the guards asked her what the name of her baby was and she was surprised to learn that even the security were remotely involved in the story of her falling pregnant by Warren. After the gentleman walked away, she realized that it's the same guard who saved her from Christian's wrath. She wanted to see Lizzy before going back home but missed her child too much to can wait even ten minutes. She released the nanny early and spent the rest of the day cooking and being a mom. It was four days later when she finally went to see Lizzy.

Lizzy was shocked to see Nala at first, then she quickly corrected her initial response to seeing her and hugged her. She asked about the baby and requested to visit to which Nala agreed. Nala was surprised to see Iggy's sweater on the couch and asked if Nandi was around. "She'll be back after her study session with a fellow student in an hour or so." Nala felt out of place in their apartment but enjoyed being with Lizzy. They made sandwiches and drank Nala's favourite; cranberry juice.

When Nandi walked in, Nala remembered the soon coming wedding and congratulated her. Lizzy asked if Nandi was also pregnant. "Not yet" Nandi replied then shared the good news. They all hugged and Lizzy told them she knew that Nandi and Iggy would last. Nandi thought that was sweet of her. Lizzy asked them to sit because she had something to tell them before Nala could rush back to Narrel. Nala thought it would be about a new relationship but she couldn't have been further off. Lizzy began by affirming her love and appreciation for their friendship. "This is why I have to come clean about this". Nandi panicked thinking she was in trouble but what she told them, they couldn't have guessed even if she had given them a week to try.

Christian and Lizzy's father met at a social gathering and Lizzy's father thanked him for his assistance with his daughter's education. Christian asked for an update and was pleased with it. Christian then transferred money to his account for Lizzy's final academic year and accommodation fees. When Lizzy's father asked if Nala and Nandi will still share with Lizzy, Christian told him Nala no longer needed his assistance. Lizzy's father asked if he will still be paying for Nandi which led to Christian making an inquiry with the school's accounting department. Nandi and Nala knew what this meant. He found out about Nala paying for her friend's accommodation and textbooks. "Sorry guys" Lizzy said failing to hide the shame she felt. I never told my father it was a secret. "Don't worry Liz, we did the same with our families" Nala said assuringly.