THE BLACKWELL SURROGATE

Blessing’s POV

“If you don’t pay your debt in thirty days, you and your family will be left with no choice than to lose this house.” 

These words kept ringing in my head over and over again. 

“My family and I can’t afford to be on the street.” I thought.

*****

Few hours ago, two men stepped into our house. I was in the kitchen preparing a meal for my sick mother when I heard a knock at my door. I went to the door, opened it and found two men at the door.

“Good day, ma’am. Is this Late Mr. Hayes house?” One of the men asked.

It took me some seconds to respond as I was busy shifting my gaze from one man to the other. None of the faces looked familiar.

“Yes, he was my father. How may I help you?” I finally responded.

“Great. We are from Fixed Capital Investment Company. Your father loaned a huge amount of money from us and the time he signed to pay back is due. We heard he is no more and that is why we have come to inform the family so we can get our payment.” The other man said.

I instantly became dumbfounded. The man who was standing by my right side brought out the application and agreement forms. I glanced at the two forms simultaneously. My father’s signature was boldly inscribed on the papers and he agreed to use our house as a collateral.

“This house is all we have.” I said to myself.

“Ma’am, I need to also remind you that you have just thirty days to pay the money or else, you and your family will be driven out of this house.” I didn’t say a word.

“We will like to take our leave now.” The other man said as they both turned back and left.

I watched the men disappear down the road while still holding the agreement and application forms. I tried to say something to them, but words didn’t just come out of my mouth.

My father was a small business man. He didn’t have life and finance figured out. Yet, he took care of us the best way he could. My mother was a petty trader who sold provisions right at the front of the house before she fell ill after my father passed.

I remembered my father told me about the loan. He used it for his business that was dying at the time. He was duped by some foreign agents; we lost all the money and we were hoping to bounce back again. My father entered into a heightened state of depression and that was what lead to his death.

I knew these people were going to come for their money, I just didn’t know it was going to be that soon.

“Blessing.” My mother who was in sick bed called me. I rushed to her room.

“Who was that?” She asked.

“Oh, mummy. It is nothing serious. They came to the wrong address and they have left already.” I lied.

“Are you sure? You look bothered.” She asked worriedly.

“Yes, mummy, I am f…inee...... Ah!” I screamed. I suddenly remembered I put food on fire before the men came.

“What is wrong?” My mother asked.

“There is food on fire.” I answered as I rushed out of her room. 

My mind traveled really far for some seconds because I cooked the last two cups of rice we had in the house. if it got burnt, one thing was certain, we would all go hungry.

Thankfully, it didn’t get burnt. What a relief!

I served my mother and decided to step out when Leo, my nineteen year-old younger brother arrived from the football field. It was raining heavily and he was soaked. I didn’t even have the energy to yell at him for not hiding somewhere, instead of entering the rain; because I was about to do the same. 

“Blessing, where are you going?” Leo asked.

I didn’t feel like answering but I had to force myself because my disappearance would make Leo and mother worried.

“I’m going for a walk. Take care of mother and yourself. There is food in the kitchen.”

Before Leo could ask further questions, I left hurriedly. 

It was on a Friday around 5:30pm, it was raining heavily. 

I didn’t mind the outpouring of the rain. I needed to clear my head, I needed to think, I needed to cry, I needed to be far away from home. I didn’t want mother and Leo see me cry.

After thinking of different solutions on how to save my family, none worked. I was wandering aimlessly that evening when I saw an advertisement pasted on a bill board. 

“Private Surrogacy Opportunity; High Compensation…. Terms and conditions applied.”

I walked past it at first because I never thought of being a surrogate for anyone. I had heard different surrogate stories; some didn’t end well. What if I fall into the category of those whose stories didn’t end well? 

After taking few steps, I decided to go back again. This time, I read carefully. I noticed a contact number was written below. I brought out my phone and tried to press the number on my phone, I noticed the phone was off. Not because it had a flat battery, but because it was an old phone. It was meant to have been changed. Getting a new phone was the least of my worries because I had responsibilities to take care of.

I smashed the phone twice with my palm and it came alive again. I dialed the number on my phone and was still contemplating if I should call or not. 

I suddenly remembered that my dead father left me with a huge debt, I had a sick mother to take care of and a younger brother to put through school.

I stood on a spot for some minutes, shivering and dripping from head to toe. I was about putting a call through when I saw a car speeding through my direction. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize I was meant to leave where I was for the car to pass.

The car moved towards my direction and everything suddenly went blank.