The Real Heiress

REAL HEIRESS OF DE VILLA DE ELLA.

The torrential rain poured down the streets of Balseka drumming on Felicia. By her side were her husband and elder sister. They both held her firmly, assuring her that she could pull through.

As her body writhed in anguish, her cries merged with the thunderous crescendo and for every contraction it felt like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep her away. 

“Hang on Felicia, you can do this”.

Nica, her elder sister, consoled.

“Don't worry my lovely wife, the taxi will soon be here… and I'm sorry I couldn't find our umbrella. The clouds seem to be at war with them.”

 “Let's take cover, over there, it's secluded," Nica pointed towards a short open shop with huge padlocks.

“Oouch!my abdomen!..” Felicia screamed, almost leaping, her clothes soaked, the rain wasn't giving any breathing space.

“ So sorry sweetheart, we will soon get to the hospital,” he reassured her as both carried her to the near outlet.

The contraction tripped, her cervix dilating, the pain was getting more intense and there still wasn't any trace of a tricycle passing by.

Felicia's husband, Peter, darted around the road, looking both ways whilst still holding Felicia in place.

“Oh my goodness!, what is happening? We really need to walk down a little, my wife is in pain.” He lamented, hugging her tightly.

“Sweetheart, listen to me,” he said, pulling closer to her face, staring her straight in the eyes.”

I can assure you, we will get through this and our baby will come through today. Quit the panicking…. Trust me on this.”

Felicia swallowed hard, Nica scanned the road for the umpteenth time, but it seemed as though the rain had scared our vehicles away.

“Please let her sit here.” 

Peter and Nica slowly lowered her to the pavement seat there.

“I think her wrapper should be in the bag, kindly get it out and help cover her body before she catches a cold.”

Nica quickly pulled the blanket off the bag as she wrapped it all around Felicia.

Felicia was still panting, her heart palpating.

 She swallowed hard, trying so hard to control the contraction, but it wasn't yielding, so Peter quickly rose up on his feet, leaving Felicia to Nica as he bolted towards the direction of the other street, eyes darting vigorously for any trace of a figure or vehicle passing by.

Thunder disintegrated the sky, Peter's eyes flashed like torchlight amid the imposing surroundings. He took a deep breath, trying so hard to calm down, but his mind went on beating.

He decided to walk a little further and from afar he sighted a vehicle. It was a truck precisely, which was clearly heading to offload its commodities. The back of the truck was covered with a thick dark cloth with wraps holding each product firmly. The glass of the truck seemed to be covered with fog, everywhere was getting all blurry like a mirage. The driver was not able to hear Peter as he called for their attention.

Peter persisted, pressing even really hard. He pulled off his jacket, swiping his face to see clearly.

“Please, please!, he called out even more, hitting the car with his hands. 

Still not backing out, he climbed into the truck, cleaning the front glass to get their attention.

“Who could this man be?, the driver said inside.

“Hmm, I think he needs our help,” the other replied.

“Yes exactly, we need to go get him.”

The driver opened the door.

“Young man, come in, I guess you need help.”

Peter swallowed hard, as he proceeded immediately.

“Yes you're right, I really need your help, my wife is heavily pregnant,” he said, pointing towards the direction he had left them, his chest racing in fear.

“Please, you really need to come pick up my wife please, she isn't far away. I left her with my sister. They are over there.”

He staggered, his feet shaking - the cold was really sipping into his spine.

“No problem Sir, please get in , let's go there immediately.”

Peter hopped in immediately, pulled off his tiny handkerchief that wasn't soaked, rubbed it off on the glass before they zoomed off.

“Over there!" He pointed from the truck.

They are the ones there. Please, we need to go to the nearest hospital.”

“That's fine Sir, just relax, everything will be fine.”

They assisted in carrying Felicia into the truck, departing for the hospital.

“Nurses!, Nurses!!, Nurses!!!.

He screamed at the top of his voice.

For him, he was already losing it.

“Hang on here, let me go inform the Doctor inside. Nica added.

In a short while, the Doctor arrived as he tried to calm down the situation.

Felicia was immediately admitted as both Peter and Nica stayed in the waiting room hoping to get feedback soon.

Peter stood, refusing to sit, his feet pacing to and fro, thoughts scattered all over his head, his chest bubbled like an impatient lion waiting to be served a sumptuous meal.

Due to Peter's pockets, he couldn't afford the luxurious ward for high-paying pregnant women so he settled for the lesser one. For him, he did not care at all, his attention was to see his child right in his arms.

As the rain reached its apex, the wind howled outside, beating against the glass of the hospital window.

At the other side of the hospital affluent business manager, Rihanna, lay on a plush bed, surrounded by her anxious husband and some team of attentive doctors. For every contraction followed a soothing massage and a reassuring smile, as she breathed through the pain, she just couldn't shake off the feeling that her treasure was almost there. Baby things were readily packed waiting for the conception.

Meanwhile, still in the same hospital but in a cramped, makeshift, low-budget section, Celestina, a young mother from a poor family, clutched her worn blanket, her eyes fixed on the faded ceiling as she rode through the waves of labor. Without any luxury of pain, relief or personalized care, she hung on a deep well of inner strength, her body bent and her spirit fierce, as she pushed against the odds to bring forth her baby into the world and, in a short while, both conceived their babies.

One of the junior nurses came running in.

“Favor, Dr Maxwell needs your attention in the theater room.”

Favor, who happens to be the head nurse who knew her onion when it comes to female anatomy and childbirth, quickly imputed their tags and their names according to what was stated by their parents before now.

“Alright, tell him I will be joining him shortly, I need to get done with the baby tags.” Favor replied, as she hurried with it.

“Just go ahead, I will continue from where you stopped, he's waiting.”

The junior nurse pressed on.

The junior nurse, Kamila, tightened her jaw, smiling as she watched Favor walk through the door.

He darted around the room surveying if there was a third eye somewhere watching. 

She swallowed hard..

“Kamila, you can do this,” she spoke, her voice calm and desperate.”

She tiptoed like lurking dangers in the darkness, her breathing steady but putrid, the stench that emanated  from her steps could send shivers down anyone who dared to come closer. Desperation laced at the edge of her expression. For her, she was focused on never backing down.

She stretched out her hands, reaching out to Celestina's baby, a beautiful young damsel that stole every feature of her beloved mother. She knew the plan and that was what she set out to execute.

“Swap the babies and get a whopping sum of two thousand dollars.” The voice spoke again, it's tone-strong and authorative. Carrying the baby, her feet shook with trepidation, it was a matter of life and death, but apparently Kamila had some exigent needs to deal with, so she had to take the bill by the horn.

Kamila pulled the door nob, perfectly covering the baby in a white cloth, leaving a free space for her face. Baby Sonia was sleeping at this time, so there was absolute quiet from within.

She faced in front, backing  the CCTV cameras, hurrying her footsteps upstairs to the other theatre. For her, she definitely needed to execute this perfectly, so she persisted.

In a short while, she went into the other theatre where Rihanna was admitted.

She's fast asleep likewise her baby Sofia.

Kamila swallowed hard, her heart beating really fast as she threw glances at the room, scrupulously surveying for any soul, but it seemed as though the universe had got her covered.

Frantically, she grabbed the other blanket concealing her face whilst she reached out for Sofia. Softly she carried Sofia as she exchanged their blankets to fit each other to avoid any form of traces.

Sofia was wrapped in sparkling pink robes, giving an aura of royalty and affluence. Her parents were big fish, popularly known as Mr and Mrs Don Vila del ella. Sofia was extremely beautiful, her flawless skin radiating natural beauty.

Kamila was still trying to get baby Sofia's things back in place to avoid traces when an expensive necklace dropped from her bed.

Curiously, Kamila picked it up.

“A necklace? Woohoo, let me see how it's going to look on Sonia instead, since she barely has any fancy stuff on her. Hmm, perfect, this fits her. She paused, staring closely at it again,” But I need to take it off immediately because Celestina and her husband might suspect because it's obvious they can barely afford this necklace.”

She was still experimenting with the necklace when she heard footsteps coming through the door.

“Oh my gosh!, I need to get out of here.”

She quickly dressed. Sonia backed into her bed, then turned to go with Sofia in her hands. Her hands shaking. She tiptoed like a thief, opening the door halfway. She took out her head and looked through the door-the figure had passed already. Quickly she hurried back downstairs, not wanting to leave any traces. Her chest bubbled with fear, sweat trickled down her cheek. 

She seemed to be playing a dangerous game at the Don Villa del ella. Some patients were moving to and fro, but couldn't notice or suspect a thing. For them, she could probably be doing her job as a nurse or something, so they worried less about the whole situation.

As she approached the other ward, she couldn't help but smile, soliloquizing deep down inside of her.

“I'm rich, I can't believe I was able to pull this out. Wow! First thing tomorrow morning I'm resigning and leaving this place immediately.”

She beat her lips, her shoulders raised high, appraising herself for a job well done. She shut the door behind her to return to her post of duty.

In a few minutes, Nurse Favor returned as she handed over Celestina's baby alongside all of her necessary information.

“Congratulations Sir, your wife just delivered a bouncing baby girl and, just as you stated in your request, her name is Sofia.”

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Nurse Favor, I'm glad and happy about this. Where's she? Can I see my daughter?”

“It's fine Sir, your wife will soon be out in a minute. You can both go. The doctor has administered all the necessary prescriptions for both baby Sofia and her mom.”

“Thank you once again.” Peter applauded, giggling in excitement.

“Hello Mr Don Villa del ella, congratulations, You now have a queen!” Dr Maxwell announced, his hands filled with all the medical necessities required for both baby Sonia and your lovely wife.”

“I knew she was going to make it. Of course, I saw it through her eyes when I went inside with her earlier on. Thank you so much Dr Maxwell. I transferred some money for the bills and I believe we can go now… because there are lots of celebrations waiting at home.”

Don Villa del ella divulged, his face scattered with euphoria, this was his first issue ever since he got married to Rihanna, a fashion and entertainment freak.

Rihanna strutted into the car with the maids and her husband solidly behind her. The guards opened the car as they drove back to the mansion.

Rihanna was still dizzy, her eyes deep and sleepy, she relaxed her back on the car seat as her breath came out in short gasps.

Light from the mansion flickered on, everywhere littered with excitement. The entire members of Don Villa del rushed out to celebrate as they welcomed their one and only true heiress of the Don Villa del ella.