Jasmine - Episode 7

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My dad already called Dr. Fayemi, our family doctor who was also his close friend. Though he
was on a short leave, he agreed to come in temporarily just to attend to me.
We got to the hospital as early as 7.30am, my dad dropped my mum and I in the hospital and he
promised to come pick us later in the evening. My mum was quiet throughout, she was equally
sad and I knew she could feel my pain; it was written all over her face, but she had no choice but
to agree with her husband . I was admitted into the hospital in less than 1 hour, from where I was
moved to the operating room for the abortion.
Saying I was scared to my bone would be an understatement; my mum was also afraid for me but
she kept encouraging me that all would be well and that I was in safe hands too, referring to
Dr.Fayemi. The Doctor also promised me that all would be fine, he promised to give me
anesthesia so that I wouldn’t feel any pain.
“The abortion didn’t take long” I drowsed and heard my mom’s voice. I had been in an induced
sleep all the while and just gained consciousness after about 6 hours later; my mum was still
right beside me, holding my hand.
“Are you awake now?” she asked when she felt my hand squeeze hers.
“Yes, I am; how did it go?” I asked anxiously.
“The doctor said everything is fine, just calm down” she replied.
My dad was outside talking with the Doctor, I could hear their conversation from inside.
“How is my daughter? I hope she is fine and everything is behind her now” My dad asked the
doctor.
“She is okay, there is nothing to worry about, but I will suggest she sees a therapist for
counselling and treatment. She might seem okay physically but mentally, she might be
suffering.” He explained.
“Alright we will look into that, do you have any therapist that you can recommend for us?” he
asked.
“Yes I do, when I get to my office I will give you the contact

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. And lest I forget, there were two
foetuses, twins, I mean” The Doctor said.
“Twins? Thank God I forced her to abort it, so my daughter would have been the mother of not
one, but two kids” he exclaimed.
I couldn’t control my tears when I heard the Doctor’s words and realized I had just succeeded in
taking two innocent lives. “God, please forgive me if you can” I mumbled.
“Can she go home today” my mum asked the Doctor when he came back in with my dad.
“Yes she can, get these prescribed drugs in the pharmacy and she will be discharged.”
“Okay” my mum collected the prescription and I was discharged few minutes later.
When I complained that I felt some abdominal pain, the Doctor said it was normal and that the
drugs prescribed would reduce the pain and help me heal faster.
We got home and I went straight to my room, and locked myself inside. I wept and cried for
forgiveness, “I need your mercy, Oh lord! Help me, if it is not too late” I cried bitterly as I
prayed.
I didn’t know when I slept off. It was only when I woke up to urinate that I discovered that my
bed was soaked with blood; I felt so weak and the pain in my stomach was beyond description.
As each second passed, I felt weaker and when I tried to shout for help, I couldn’t even hear my
own voice. I managed to reach for my phone and dialled my mum’s phone number, and that was
the last thing I remembered.
When I opened my eyes again, I realized I was back in the hospital, and my mum was beside me
crying.
“Thank you Lord” my mum shouted when she noticed that I was awake.
“Doctor! Doctor! She’s awake!” she shouted and ran out.
The Doctor came in, it was that new doctor I met the first day that I came for check-up, Dr Chris
was written on his white coat. He did some examination, pressed my abdomen and asked me the
level of pain I felt on a scale of 1 to 10.
“The pain I feel is around 4”, I told him.
“Okay, that’s not too bad” The Doctor replied and wrote on a pad he had on his hand.
I still didn’t know what was going on, so when the doctor was done, I asked him what was going
on with me. He looked at my mother somberly and started to speak,
“There were a number of complications during your abortion procedures, and you were rushed to
the hospital unconscious, you have lost a lot of blood due to hemorrhage and we needed to do a
blood transfusion.” He explained.
“Hemorrhage… What is that” I asked him.
“It is heavy bleeding from the uterus, and yours was so serious we needed to carry out a surgery
to stop it, and you also had a perforated uterus, which may have been the cause of the bleeding.
The perforation might have been caused by one of the instruments used during the abortion
procedure. And I am sorry to say that the perforation was so severe that we needed to carryout
hysterectomy.”
“Which one is hysterectomy again doctor, please explain in terms that I can understand.” I
implored Dr. Chris.
“Hysterectomy simply means the removal of uterus, which will make it impossible for you to
have children In future.” He said the words simply and without emotions.
“What?!,” I didn’t know I had enough strength to shout, but I did. And I felt a sharp pain in my
chest as I did so.
“This only happens in very few cases, I mean the hysterectomy; but I am sorry that was the only
option left to save your life, and after the operation, you have been in a slight coma for four days
now” he added.
“Save my life you said, you guys should have just left me to die in peace” I said crying.
“Don’t say that, there is still hope for the stump, it can still grow to become a tree again” My
mother spoke.
“Please go! Leave me! I don’t want to hear any story. I need sometime alone” I replied angrily.
“I am going to arrest that boy, he will suffer the same pain my daughter went through, he can’t
just go scot-free, he must be punished.“ My dad was speaking to my mum.
“Dad, make sure you take responsibility for this just like you promised” I shouted back at him
and began to weep loudly until everywhere fell silent.
When I opened my eyes to look around me, I realized I was in my bed, back in my room and my
mattress was wet from tears.
“My Lord! It was just a dream!” I have never felt so grateful in my life.
The dream felt so real, “Thank God it was just a dream” I shouted. I stood up from my bed and
started praying and worshipping God.
I was so deep and immersed in worship and I kept singing one of my favourite worship songs,
”You are the love of my life, you are the hope that I cling too, you mean more than this world to
me, I won’t change you for silver or gold…”
I also prayed that God would give me the strength that I needed to survive,
“I have no power of my own oh Lord, I can’t make it by myself Father please help me” I cried.
After the worship and prayer, I felt an indescribable peace in my heart, and I was so sure that
God was telling me to trust him and keep the baby. Having previously lost my appetite for a
while, I became suddenly hungry and longed to eat Amala, my favourite local dish. I made my
way to the kitchen to check if there was anything close to Amala but I only found vegetable salad
in the fridge.
I ate that first in order to gain strength to prepare something more solid to eat. As I was
“devouring" the salad, I heard some footsteps, it was my mother. She stood at the entrance of the
kitchen, staring at the way I was eating with arms folded.
“Are you this hungry? You need to see how you are eating Jasmine, I wish I can record you
without knowing, you are eating like a hungry goat” she said, laughing.
“Oh mum, I am so hungry; don’t mind me” I said and laughed as I continue to shove the salad
down my throat.
“Well you need to eat dear, especially with the baby you are carrying, you can starve yourself
but not the baby, but since she solely depends on the food yourself take in, then you must eat
well because both of you need to be healthy and strong” Mom said.
“When you are done eating, come upstairs to your dad’s room; we want to talk to you” she added
“Daddy is around?” I asked surprised.
“I thought he should be at work already, what is he doing at home?” I asked.
“You are really not on this planet again Jasmine. Today is Saturday, so no work today” she said,
smiling. “Really? I have totally lost track of the time and day, don’t mind me, I will come
upstairs when I am done.”
“Your dad and I were even in your room early this morning, but you were so immersed in
worship to even notice” Mum added.
“Really, I have no idea you guys came, I was really immersed”, I was surprised.
Mom went back upstairs, and I also did the same when I finished eating and felt refreshed.
I knocked at the door and waited before entering the master bedroom.
“Come in”, I heard a voice instruct from inside.
“I hope your stomach is now full and you are refreshed” my mum asked.
“Yes mum, I feel better” I answered smiling.
“Come and sit beside me” My dad spoke as he shifted his body to create more space for me on
the bed.
He was sitting on the bed with my mum, so I sat between the two, and they both wrapped their
hands around me.
“It is so unfortunate that this incident is happening to you my damsel, but I want to assure you
that we are here for you. I have given it a deep thought; that was what I was thinking about
throughout the night. And your mum and I also prayed about it, and we have decided that we will
advise you to keep the baby. We will support you in every way if you decide to keep it. The
decision is now in your hands, and we will love you still, no matter what you decide to do.” He
explained and when he was done, mum continued from where he stopped.
“Yes dear; though it wouldn’t be easy to keep this baby, it is innocent and should be given a
chance to survive. There is a reason why God allowed him to be conceived even in this type of
situation. We can’t question him; he knows the best for us. Man plans but God makes the final
decision. I named you Jasmine because I want you to be just like a flower, beautiful and pure; I
want your life to produce a sweet aroma that will impact the world.” Her voice shook as she
explained.
Listening to my mother’s hopes and dreams for me broke my heart, because I didn’t think
anything good can come out of my life again.
“But how can my life still produce a sweet scent to the world, when my purity has been defiled. I
hope my life is not too messed up to be used by God”, I thought and began to cry.
“I don’t know how I will survive this challenge, but I am convinced that God wants me to keep
this baby” I told my parents amidst sobs.
They were both surprised at my decision, so I narrated the dream I had the previous night to
them, and the message from the dream was crystal clear to them too. They hugged me and
assured me that I would not be alone.
“But I pray the twins part of that dream doesn’t come to pass o, one is more than enough for us”
My dad said jokingly as I left for my room.
I knew my younger brother would have been wondering what was happening in the house, so I
decided to check on him. He loves music, especially Christian songs; there was no time one
would enter his room without finding him listening to music. Just as expected, when I entered his
room, he had headsets on, and didn’t notice me till I playfully startled him.
We talked about music and other trivial things before I mentioned the reason I was in his room.
“I know you must have been worried and concerned about what happened yesterday and you
might be lost wondering what happen, I…” I was still trying to explaining when he held his hand
up and cut in.
“You don’t need to explain anything sis, I overheard your discussion with mom and dad. I can’t
pretend to know how you feel because I don’t, but all I can say is that all will be well.” He stood
up and hugged me.
As I was in his embrace, I realized nothing else could be better than having God by your side and
your family to support you too, I felt so loved.
“Thanks so much bro, you have really grown up from the baby of yesterday that opens his big to
cry incessantly.” I smiled and teased him.
“Continue teasing me o, I won’t give you any song again if you don’t stop now” he laughed.
“I won’t stop anything. If you don’t give me songs, I will just download them myself” I replied
him and thanked him again before leaving the room.
I went back to my room and rested for a while. I couldn’t stop thinking about the dream I had;
and every time I did, I got Goosebumps. It was an assurance that God was still interested in me;
he could still make something out of my broken life. I didn’t know what tomorrow would be,
but I decided to put my trust in him.
I was still expressing my gratitude and confidence in God when my dad came in.
“Jasmine, I forgot to ask you about that boy that raped you, what’s his full name and his address”
he asked.
“What do you need that for Dad” I asked him, curious.
“I need to give his details to the police, he can’t just go scot-free. Animals like him should be
behind the bars where they belong”
“Dad I don’t think that will be necessary, it is just going to create unnecessary commotion and
make everybody know what happened to me” I explained.
“Are you suggesting that I should just let him go, just like that? Do you know how many people
he has done this to and how many he will still rape in future if not punished? Maybe if he had
been reported before, maybe he would be in the prison and this wouldn’t have happened to you. I
am not doing this for you alone; I am doing it for other naïve girls out there that may fall into his
trap again. It is our responsibility to report a criminal”, he explained.
“Don’t you think it is too late? And there is no evidence to prove it either, this case is hopeless,
dad. And you know the Police; no investigation whatsoever would be done” I replied.
“Irrespective of that, we still need to give it a try”, My dad said.
“Dad, please let us not do it, please, for me. The news will spread faster than it should, and I am
not ready to be a laughing stock.”
“I don’t agree with you Jasmine, it is important we do it”.
Just as I was about to continue pleading with him not to report to the police, my phone rang and
it was Samuel calling. My face lost its colour and the joy I just found vanished temporarily.
I picked the call and before I could say hello, my dad snatched the phone from me.
“Is it that stupid boy that is calling you” he asked.
I was just standing there looking like a robot, not saying a word.
“Answer my question” my dad shouted.
“Yes” I replied quickly.
“Why are you calling my daughter you animal, this is the last time you will take advantage of an
innocent girl and go without punishment? I will make it one of my missions to make sure you
end up in prison for at least 5years you bastard.” My dad shouted angrily and without waiting for
a reply, he ended the call and left my room.
I was thinking whether to allow justice prevail like my dad said, or allow peace reign, when my
mum also came in.
“I hope she isn’t here to also suggest that we report to the police” I thought as she closed the
door.
“I forgot to mention it the other time, I think it is necessary we go back to the hospital to register
for antenatal and the likes” she said.
“Hospital again? Must we do check-ups? You know I hate hospitals” I said, annoyed.
“I know you do, but don’t go for yourself, go for the baby. It is very important” she tried to
convince me.
“And I want to ask if you would like to continue your education here, I was thinking that it will
be good if you travel out of the country and change your environment for a while.“ She said.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to leave the country right now, I will lose the four years I have
already spent in school and I will have to start afresh. Moreover I will not be in school this
semester, but will be in an industry or company where I will be doing my six-month industrial
training. I consider that a change of environment.” I explained and my mom nodded in
agreement.
“Okay, if that is what you want. But you can also do your Industrial training outside the country
can’t you? Your uncle in Canada can find a position for you in his telecommunication firm; you
will still be with families there.” She suggested again.
“Well, I am not sure if I will be allowed to do my I.T outside the country, but I will ask when I
go to school next week”
“Alright then, don’t forget first thing on Monday morning you are going to the hospital” Mom
said as she left my room.
We went to church the next day and it was a glorious service, the centre of the message was
about trusting God even when we in the midst of a storm. We studied Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew
14:22-33, and It was as if the message was just for me alone.
“Thank you lord for your word that came expressly to me today”, I said when the Pastor rounded
off the service.
Monday morning finally came and mum and I went to the hospital as discussed. When we got
there, it was Dr. Chris who attended to me again today.
“I am glad you decided to keep the baby, it is the best decision. I pray the Lord will give you the
grace to continue to stand strong till the end”, He said.
An ultrasound was done and I could only pray that the baby inside my womb will just be one and
not two like my dream implied. The result came out and my prayer was answered, I will be
having just one baby. The sex of the baby couldn’t be determined at that early stage but in all,
the Doctor said the baby was growing fine and I was instructed to eat healthy, take lots of water
and vegetables, and abstain from snacks.
The doctor was really nice and professional; he gave me his card to call him in case of any
question or emergency. The checkup was better than I expected, my mum went to her office,
while I took a bike to school. Kemi and I had arranged to meet in school that day to check our
postings for the IT so I planned to tell her about the pregnancy as well. We went to the industrial
training unit and our names were not on the list yet; we were told another list would be out in
another week’s time. So we left and went to a restaurant nearby. We ordered for food and we
chatted as we ate.
“How have you been doing Jasmine, you are looking fresher and fatter, is it mummy’s food that
is performing wonders like this?” she asked jokingly. I hadn’t really noticed that I was fatter
before she mentioned it.
“What is it you are thinking about? I am asking you a question here” she added when she noticed
I was distracted.
“Oh! Sorry dear, I am doing fine o, maybe I look fatter because I have been sleeping at home for
almost two weeks without doing any tangible thing. I can’t wait to start I.T, at least that will
keep me busy” I said.
“And I am pregnant too” I added in a very low voice.
“Huh? What did you just say, preg…what. Stop joking around jare” she said with a look of
unbelief.
“Were you not the one that predicted it in the first place? Have you forgotten so quickly? Your
prediction has been fulfilled” I said and smiled.
“Stop this joke please. It is too expensive” she said sternly.
“I am serious; it is no joke, is it because I am smiling? I am seriously pregnant with twins” I said.
“Twins?!” she exclaimed.
“Just joking; it is only one baby” I replied.
She couldn’t believe me especially with the way I was laughing as I was talking until I showed
her the antenatal card with my name on it.
“I can’t believe this” she said as she checked the hospital card.
“When did this happen, and you didn’t bother to tell me” Kemi asked with a tone of
disappointment.
“It was discovered last week, and I didn’t want to tell you over the phone, it will just make you
unnecessarily worried” I replied.
“So how are you holding up, and mum and dad, what did they say?” she asked curiously.
“Everything was a disaster at first, but Jesus has calmed the storm and everything is fine now,
and we have decided to keep the baby”
“Is Samuel aware of this pregnancy?” she asked.
“No o… He called a day after we discovered the pregnancy and it was my dad that picked the
call, you won’t believe what happened. My dad lambasted him on the phone; he didn’t even give
him the chance to say a word. And he hasn’t dared call after that. He must be scared to the bone I
guess” I explained and we both laughed about it.
“I know you will be fine dear, there is a reason for everything. Though I can’t say I know the
reason why God gave you this baby, I know he will be with you” she said as she held my palm
and comforted me.
“Thanks so much for the support Kemi”
“You are welcome, I have a gist for you Jasmine, guess what?” she asked excitedly.
“You know I am poor at guessing, so just hit the nail on the head” I replied.
“Ok ok…Brother Jacob proposed to me last week.” She said.
“Which Brother Jacob?” I asked, trying to count the Jacobs that I knew.
“Bro Jacob-the Independence Hall Representative in our fellowship” she replied.
“Same Brother Jacob in Pharmacy department” I asked to be sure.
“Yes exactly” she replied.
“But you guys have been friends for sometimes now, and I have been asking you what was going
on between you two and you said you are just friends. I hope you don’t have feelings for him
already? “I asked.
“Not reeeaaally…” she said, smiling.
“This your ‘not really’ is not a firm one, I hope your feelings will not cloud your judgment. So
what did you tell him when he proposed?”
“I told him I will pray about it, that’s all”
“And I hope you are really praying about it, make sure you seek godly counsel and inform your
parents and spiritual leaders too. And never visit him alone, please learn from my mistake dear”,
I advised as we ended our conversation.
We hugged and I went home straight.

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