The Stranger Who Almost Hit Me

Blessing’s POV

I shut my eyes. I thought that was the end of me. Suddenly, I heard a voice. 

“Hey, are you okay? You seem worried and lost in thought.” A gentle young man said as he stepped out of an SUV car. 

I finally opened my eyes. I found myself lying on the floor. He rushed to me, held my hands and helped me up. I felt so embarrassed to be helped by a rich, fine young looking man. He was neatly dressed and here I was, looking tattered from head to toe. 

Before I could process the whole situation, I heard another voice. 

“Baby, why would you even touch such a filthy thing?  Ewww! She looks so dirty.” And you, thank your stars the driver was patient enough; if not, you would have crossed to the other side. Next time, learn to walk with your eyes open and your brain intact.”

A young lady said as she dragged the man into the car. I could sense she was the man’s wife. 

“Carry your filthy body from the road before the driver hits you this time.” She screamed from the car. 

I managed to rise and moved off the road so their car could pass. I was deeply hurt by the words she said to me. But the present circumstances didn’t allow me to think of what to say. 

My father didn’t have money, but when it came to self-worth, he carried himself so well and he made sure we imbibed the same values;  seeing ourselves as something precious even though our present situation didn’t reflect it. 

“Gosh! My phone is dead again.” I said to myself. I struggled and managed to bring it back to life the usual way. Thankfully, it worked. But the phone number I dialed earlier was gone. 

“My God!” I yelled. 

I was about to go back to where I saw the advertisement when a call came in from my mother’s nurse. I picked it up.  

“Hello, Blessing. I came around a few minutes ago to check on your mum and I must be honest with you, her condition is deteriorating. We need to move her to the hospital for better treatment.” She said. 

“Ma, I…. I… know. But, I can’t afford hospital bills right now. Her medications are almost finished, I don’t know how to raise the money to buy another more. I am the only one taking care of the family and it’s a lot on me.” I said as I burst into tears. 

“I know, Blessing. I am afraid we might lose her if we don’t take her to the hospital for better treatment.” The nurse said calmly. 

I sat down on the floor and cried my eyes out. I tried taking online loans, but I wasn't eligible. I texted a few friends and none could help. I called my father’s family, and they cursed me. 

“God! I am tired. I don’t want to lose my mother like I lost my father.” I wept bitterly. 

“It seems surrogacy is the only option.” I thought to myself. 

I trekked back to where I saw the advertisement. I dialed the number again and this time, I placed a call through. Someone from the other end picked up. 

“Hello, good evening. How can we help you?” The voice of a young lady echoed. 

“Good evening, I…. I am Blessing Hayes. I am in…. interested in surrogacy.” I stuttered. 

“Oh, Miss Blessing Hayes, this is an agency and we have a couple of options available. You will go through a series of tests before we decide if you are fit for any of the options available. Come over to our office on Monday by 9 a.m. I’ll send the address to you very soon. Thank you for showing interest and I wish you good luck.” The young lady said politely.

“Th…thank you.” I replied. 

I returned home praying and hoping I’d be selected. But, what do I tell Mother and Leo. It bothered me for a while. 

Monday came, I woke up early, prepared pap for my mother, served her and ensured she took her medications before I left the house. 

“Mother, I will be stepping out soon. I want to go job hunting.” I informed my mother. 

My mother’s countenance changed. “My daughter, I am sorry for putting you through this stress. I am sorry you’re shouldering the whole responsibilities of the family on your shoulders at your young  age. I wish I could still work……” 

Before she could finish her words, she burst into tears. She managed to rise from bed, hugged me passionately and said, “go, daughter. You have my prayers.”

It was as though my soul was waiting for her hug and her prayers. Every part of me came alive. 

I kissed her on the cheek and I rushed out of the house. The address the lady sent was about a 30- minute walk from the house. I had to trek since I couldn’t afford transport fees.

I arrived at the office a few minutes before 9 a.m and I met other ladies who came for the same reason. We were given a form to fill out, after which  we were called in one by one  for interviews. 

“My chances of getting this job are very slim.” I  said to myself.

A lot of good looking ladies were in the seats “They’d rather consider them instead of considering someone like me.” I thought again. 

Everyone was still seated after the interview, that was the instruction. The results were out immediately and only qualified candidates were allowed to proceed to the next stage. 

A young lady stepped out to announce the results. 

“Good day, everyone. Your results are out. Out of 15 candidates we have here, only six made it to the second stage.” She informed us. 

Fear gripped me. I sat there reflecting on how my interview went. The interviewer didn’t really ask me many questions. He only asked why I chose to be a surrogate mother and while I felt  I was the best candidate for the job. It was my first, no experience, nothing! I didn’t really know if I did well. 

“Once you hear your name, stand up and move to that office there.” She  pointed to an office by her right. 

She called the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth names. My name was not among them. 

“We are sorry, other people seated are not qualified. You can leave.” She said while she looked at the nine of us pitifully. 

I stood up, tears rolled down my cheek. I dragged my legs because they were too heavy to carry. 

“Blessing Hayes.” A man suddenly called my name. I turned back, it was the same man that interviewed me.