Friends scare girl almost to death

By Mother-in-law

How I managed to get Mwanahawa out of her house I will never know. I guess it was one of life’s little miracles. I drove — slowly, at her insistence — to town. She didn’t want me to ‘harm’ the baby with my ‘reckless’ driving. Reckless? I may be a fearless driver, but I am very careful. In fact, in my 25 years of driving experience, I have only had two accidents and both were the other drivers’ fault. I tried to advise Mwanahawa to relax and take her pregnancy easy.

"Mwanahawa, there is such a thing as being too careful, you know," I said. "All your ridiculous precautions are probably doing more harm than good."

She reminded me she had miscarried before.

"I am not about to undergo the trauma and agony again," she said.

Anyway, we got to town in one piece, my ‘reckless’ driving notwithstanding. Finding a parking space was no problem — the second miracle of the day. I did not really have a plan. I just thought we would window-shop along Biashara Street and its environs and maybe pick up a few things. Remember, I had already bought all the baby items I thought she could use. We enjoyed ourselves buying a few cute but probably useless items. After two hours of this, I felt thirsty and suggested we have a cup of tea. Mwanahawa looked at me as if I were quite the idiot.

"Mum, don’t you ever learn?" she said, referring to the fact that Ali, her husband, had decreed she should not eat or drink away from home.

This girl is so frustrating. I willed myself not to lose my temper. I told her she could order hot water.

As we were finishing our beverages, Stephanie called.

Little detour

"We are ready. You can bring her now," she said, meaning they had set up the surprise baby shower and were waiting for Mwanahawa.

As we left the city centre, I told Mwanahawa I was going to take a little detour. She was visibly annoyed.

"Mum, I have enjoyed shopping with you. But now I am tired and just need to rest. Please take me home," she pleaded.

"Not straight away. Just say hi to my friend and then I will take you home," I said.

We got to Stephanie’s apartment building and walked to number B12, her flat. Stephanie had assured me Mwanahawa had never been there as she had recently moved in.

When we rang the doorbell, Mwanahawa’s friends opened the door and screamed: "Surprise!"

Mwanahawa was clearly surprised — actually shocked. I thought she might faint and harm the baby.

I did not like the reception. In my day we would have welcomed the expectant mother with gentle song and dance, not scared her half to death.

We were ushered into the apartment and it soon became clear this was a young women’s affair and I was expected to leave. I was quite angry, but tried not to let it show.

I resent being used. Do they think I am just a driver? Don’t they know they need the voice of older, experienced women at such events? I have six children. Stephanie’s mum has five. We have some pregnancy and birth stories these clueless girls could really learn from. I drove off in a huff.