STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE

Mrs. Babalola was serving her husband breakfast when their telephone rang. She excused herself and walked to their living room. She picked up the receiver,

"My angel, how are you?" She blocked the mouth piece and mouthed "Antonio" to her husband.

Suddenly she shouted.

"Hospital? What happened? Are you okay?"

"Funmi? What happened to her? Which hospital? Okay, we will be there soon."

"Collins! Funmi has been hospitalized."

"What?" He asked in surprise.

"Calm down o ehn! You know you only just recovered."

"Bimbo, let us go now." He said firmly.

"Rita! Rita! Come and pack this place." A middle aged woman came and began clearing the table.

"We will be coming back later." She added.

"Madam, is everything okay?"

"No Rita, Funmi was hospitalised. Please join us in prayer."

"I will Madam."

Chief. Babalola was already outside to inform their driver they would be going out.

"Honey! Let us go now!" He shouted from outside.

***

By the time the entire family got to the hospital, Funmi was fast asleep. Antonio waited for morning before breaking the news because it was already late at night when it happened. He greeted their parents outside the ward and assured them she would be okay. He told them what happened and they were all relieved it was not a fatal fall.

"Can't we go in?" Mrs. Babalola asked.

"Only two visitors at a time." Antonio replied.

Her parents decided to see her first. Mrs. Olanrewaju got inside the private room and sat down on the stool next to her daughter's bed. Sh had an asthmatic attack during the night so she was also on Oxygen.

"She's still sleeping," Mr. Olanrewaju said.

"I wonder what they were arguing about," Mrs. Olanrewaju said with concern.

"Every couple disagrees once in a while Bimbo. What happened was an accident." Mr. Olanrewaju replied in defence of Antonio.

"I hope she will be fine Niyi, she is my only daughter."

Chief. Olanrewaju placed his right arm around his wife and just then Funmi opened her eyes. Due to the Oxygen mask, she could not talk to them.

"Thank God you are awake my precious baby."

"Let me call the others," Chief. Olanrewaju said and left the room.

After five minutes of negotiating, they were all allowed to come in to see Funmi but were warned not to stress her out.

Funmi sustained a sprained ankle and slightly bruised arm but otherwise, she was not severely injured. Antonio kissed her on the forehead and smiled at her. She reached out for him and he held her hand in his.

"kemi is also here for a test. It is as if you both decided to fall sick at the same time." Mrs. Olanrewaju said teasingly.

"Get well okay my dear. We are here for you and love you very much." Chief. Babalola assured Funmi of their full support.

***

Funmi left the hospital few days before Christmas after spending almost a week there as they monitored her breathing and placed her on bed rest so her ankle could heal. Upon arriving home, she found the entire family there, including her brothers and her brother in law, William and his wife. Dinner was already prepared by their mothers so everyone gathered to enjoy the feast.

All the guest rooms were prepared because they were all staying over till boxing day. After dinner, they all sat down to chat.

"So big brother, where have you been hiding my sister in law?"

William's wife Wumi chuckled and replied on her husband's behalf. "We will be visiting you from now on."

"Thank you sis." Funmi replied happily.

Dele stood up, clearing his throat.

"We have an announcement to make." The room became quiet.

"I know that you are all wondering about the test results from the other day,"

"Now you are talking," Mrs. Olanrewaju said with a hiss. Everyone broke into laughter.

"Well, help us to thank God because we are now pregnant!"

A lot of "wows" and "congratulations" filled the air as they received the good news. The most happiest was Mrs. Olanrewaju who desired strongly to become a grandmother.

"How far are you gone?" she asked.

"Five months,"

"What? And you didn't know? You look so slim! Look at how small her tummy is." Funmi exclaimed in surprise.

"It happens dear just wait till you will have yours and you will understand what I mean."

Funmi immediately became uncomfortable, stood up and gently pulled her mother by the hand.

"Excuse us please."

They left the company of the others to the kitchen.

"I am so happy for you Mum, you have been waiting for this day."

"She must move in with me so I could feed her well." Her mother responded with pride.

"I have something to tell you,"

"I'm all ears."

"Antonio truly has changed and he loves me now. I can see it in his yes when he looks at me and how he talks to me with so much gentleness and respect. You know the best news?"

"Tell me my angel," Her mother replied patiently.

"Brace yourself, I believe Antonio has been coming to church regularly, praying with me sometimes and I think he will surrender his heart to Jesus soon." Her eyes were dancing in excitement.

"Just last week, he knelt with me during midnight prayer,"

"He did?" She was truly surprised.

"I am so happy for you both. Your father is already over the moon because of Kemi and Dele's pregnancy, his joy will be overflowing soon when I share this with him."

Dele suddenly walked in.

"Sorry to interrupt you but we are going inside to rest, Good night." His mother hugged him and congratulated him again.

"let us go and join them before your father starts looking for his girls." Funmi laughed and walked out with her mother, hand in hand.