Written by Mofoluwake Omololu.
Uncle Dede had listened without interrupting her and still had nothing to say, it was a few minutes after she was done recounting the meeting before he asked her to pray with him.
They held hands and he prayed, Lara was sure her uncle had shed a tear or two while he prayed but she wouldn’t bring herself to look at him, Lord knows what he thought of it all.
He prayed that God guide she and her husband, and that He give them a miracle.
After the prayer, he hugged her and told her to talk to her husband. The longer they pushed it away the less talk they’ll have between them, and communication was key.
Lara was of all minds to trash it out with her husband and get it over with, but it was their anniversary in a bit and she didn’t want to ruin the day for either of them.
So Lara took her husband out to dinner in a fancy place after work since it was their anniversary a few days after.
It was an exquisite dinner with courses and artistry. Kola was surprised that she had made the effort at all considering all they had been through in the past five years.
Of course he didn’t mention what it was they had ‘been through’ so as not to dampen their mood.
Lara just wanted a romantic evening with her husband, she needed to forget all they had ‘been through’ in the past years for this one night. So she was grateful when Kola turned the conversation to good times, they reminisced and laughed together for the first time in a long time and it felt good.
She and her husband made love that night without any underlying motives, Lara’s heart was full and she was happy.
Happy enough to consciously decide to take things as they came and not burden her marriage with things beyond her reach. She slept with a smile on her lips.
Kola must have too since he woke up in the middle of the bed, cuddled up to his beautiful wife, as opposed to his usual stiff nights where he woke up on his side of the bed.
He sent a quick thanks up to heaven and then nudged Lara awake so they could pray and start their day. They held hands, another first in a row.
Their anniversary had been a Monday and they went through the week in a bubble of euphoria. Even uncle Dede smiled more and had a few relaxed conversations with Kola.
Things were looking up and everybody seemed content. They even wore matching clothes to church on Sunday and sat together.
They arrived church with their smiles and almost walked in hand in hand, but then the service began and it was a Children’s day service.
Lara almost hit the ground in a faint, but Kola held and guided her to a seat nearby. She was blank as the visiting preacher went on and on about how no child of God was expected to be barren.
When he talked about how the quiver of a man was to be filled with children, almost together, husband and wife jumped out of their seats and made a rather noisy exit that raised unapproving mumbles.
The Pastor’s wife rushed after them, but they were already in the car and drove off in a huff.