The Woman Zara Despises

Blessing’s POV

“I am so sorry, I don’t know how they missed your name. You’re qualified. Please, join others in that office.” He apologized. 

I wiped my tears immediately. My heart leaped for joy and my joy knew no bounds. 

“Definitely, my mother’s prayers are working” I said to myself as I joyfully walked to the room. 

We were addressed again by the same lady. 

“I congratulate everyone here for making it this far. The next step is medical assessment. 

We have our own private hospital we use. Our Doctor is trustworthy and competent. We have been working with him for fifteen years now. 

The driver will drive you to the hospital to take your test and after some days, you will get an email if you are qualified or not. Only three persons will be selected; because there are three opportunities available. Even though, one opportunity is better than others. The best candidate will get the best.” She stated. 

A lady sitting at my right hand whispered to her neighbor by her right hand. “I heard that the  Blackwell needs a surrogate too. Anyone who gets that will be handsomely paid. I pray I am the lucky one.” 

Her right hand neighbor replied too; “ I pray I am the lucky one too.”

“The driver is set and the bus is ready. There is a provision for lunch and one of the wealthy families who needs this service provided your transport allowance too. Please, as you’re stepping out, remember to collect your lunch and your token. I wish you best of luck.” The instructor informed us. 

“Token? Lunch? Thank goodness, we have something to eat tonight. I will trek back home and use the transport allowance to buy Mother’s medication.” I thought to myself. 

We arrived at the hospital, we took the tests and everyone went their way. 

I returned back home tired. I bought Mother’s medication on my way back and bought little foodstuffs in the house. I was happy my family had  something to eat. 

“I’ve not started working and they gave us this amount of money, imagine what will happen when I start working for them.” I thought. 

I rushed to my mother’s room and I saw her lying in bed as usual. I stood for some seconds and said to myself “it all ends soon. By the time I get this job, I’ll have sufficient money for her hospital bills and to also take care of my brother.” 

I turned back to leave her room and I heard her call my name. “Blessing!”

I turned back. “Mother, I thought you’re sleeping.” I said. 

I moved closer to her bed and helped her up. 

“How did it go?” She asked. 

“It went well, Mother. I made it to the final stage. They said they’ll reach out to us. They gave us lunch and a token. I brought it home for you and Leo.” I replied. 

“What about you? What will you eat? You need to eat too. You’re growing thinner.” She said as the expression on her face seemed worried.

My mother was right.  I had lost so much weight. But, gaining weight was not even my priority. Taking care of my family was my priority. Although, I was getting tired. Shouldering the family’s responsibilities at twenty-five is no child’s play. 

But, I had no choice. 

Two days later, my phone beeped and it was a text message from the agency. 

“Dear Miss Hayes, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a surrogate mother for one of the families registered under us. Please, visit the office today by noon to meet the family you will work for. Congratulations.”

I wanted to scream. But, I was going to wake my mother up. I had also been avoiding her questions about the type of job I applied for. How do I tell her I applied to carry another woman’s child?

I rushed to the bathroom to take my bath and rushed to the office. I got to the office five minutes after the time I was asked to come. I entered the office, and I was directed to an office. 

The moment I entered, I saw a man and a woman seated having a dialogue with my interviewer. 

“Good afternoon, sirs and ma.” I greeted. 

“You? You’re the surrogate? God forbid!” A woman yelled. 

Those faces were familiar. I tried so hard to remember where I met them. Oh, the car that almost hit me, the young looking man who cared about me and his wife who spoke to me rudely. 

“How did a man this calm end up with a woman this wicked?” I asked myself. 

“Zara, calm down.” The man tried to calm his wife down, wrapping his hand around her waist. 

“Don’t patronize me. This was all your fault. Because I can’t give you a child, you plan to replace me. Just like that?” She yelled. 

The man was still calm and replied to her.  “Replace you? You know I can’t do that.”  He cleared his throat. 

“Zara, the Blackwell needs an heir and you know that. Since we can’t get one through you, a surrogate is a better idea.”

“Wait? Did you just call me barren?” She began shedding crocodile tears. 

“What is even wrong with rich people? Why is she crying now?” I thought to myself and became angry instantly. 

“Mrs Blackwell, please, you need to be calm.” My interviewer said. 

“Hello! Don’t you ever meddle in family affairs again.” He warned as she yelled at the man. 

“What a rude woman!” I said to myself. 

Something crossed my mind, I had been hearing Blackwell since morning. Could it be  the popular Blackwell family ? I thought to myself. 

If yes, I have hit a jackpot. This family had better resolve everything and accept me because I honestly need this job. 

“And you filthy thing! What are you still waiting for? A low life like you can’t carry the Blackwell heir.” She yelled at me. 

“Do you really think you can snatch my husband from me? You lie. Not someone like you. You’re just a shameless whore and a husband snatcher.” Mrs Blackwell abused me as he looked at me from head to toe. 

“Zara! What is this? Why would you speak to her that way! She’s human like us for God's sake.” Her calm husband yelled at her.

“Human? No! She’s an animal.”

“Mr Blackwell, please, speak to your wife.” My interviewer said. 

The moment I heard her call me an animal changed everything. I moved closer to her. 

“It’s better to be a fruitful animal than a barren human.” I abused her back. 

Everywhere was silent. She couldn’t say a word. She began shedding crocodile tears again. I didn’t even care. I felt satisfied. It was like a fifty-fifty thing. 

“Blessing, what are you doing?” I asked myself. 

“Miss Hayes, we wouldn’t tolerate you talking to our client like that.” My interviewer said. 

“Oh, but, your client can call me all sorts of names and you sit there and do nothing?” I yelled. 

“Miss Hayes, can I see you for a second.” Mr Blackwell requested. 

Fear gripped me. What if this man wants to punish me or hand me over to the police for abusing his wife? I am done for. I could have kept quiet. I have no power, no affluence or any rich family that can win my case if this turns to a battle. No one will even come to bail me. 

I went to my knees and pleaded. “Sir, I didn’t mean to abuse your wife. Please, don’t punish me. I don’t want my mother to die. I need this job badly.” I pleaded.