Tribulations

The sky was pregnant with rain. The loose clouds hung menacingly, threatening to come down any second. The birds rushed home in a helter-skelter manner, trying to reach their chicks before the storm began. The pregnant frog croaked nearby. It looked as if it would go into labour any minute now. the black eyes dilated, as the green body vibrated with each amount of breath it took.

Akinyi looked down at her pregnant belly for the umpteenth time, wondering where life was headed. Everything seemed pregnant today. She felt a little dizzy from all the walking. Her mind travelled to Onyango, her husband in the city. They told her that he was working hard so that he can send money for meat. And bread. And Blueband.

They also told her that she could not stay in the city with Onyango. Onyango was a busy man, working in a busy office. A housewife would slow him down. They also told her that someone had to remain at home to look after the cows. And the goats. And the chicken. That person would be her. They told her not to worry if she saw Onyango only once in a year. That was supposed to be normal.

So nine months ago Onyango came...and now here she was, carrying the evidence of that visit. This would be her third child. The third one she would give birth to in the absence of Onyango. She stood up to take the bundle of wood inside. If it got rained on, she would not be able to light the fire. Her children would sleep hungry. A sharp pain radiated in her abdomen. Followed by another. And another. It was time.