'Do they want to kick me out of the compound?' Celeste couldn't help but entertain the anxious thought that crept into her mind. However, she quickly dismissed it, shaking off the negative assumptions. In the past, she would have immediately begun apologizing for any perceived mistakes, whether intentional or unintentional, before they even uttered a word. After all, the consequences could be dire, with her and her children left homeless and struggling to rebuild their lives. They might have to resort to extreme measures, even enduring hunger, or bargaining for servitude in the village chief's compound or on the farm just to secure food and shelter.
But now, with her son as a warrior and her eldest daughter excelling as a top worker on the farm, soon to be promoted, Celeste felt a newfound sense of control over her emotions. A wave of confidence washed over her as she locked eyes with Grandma Ingrid and boldly inquired, "And may I know what is so important that it has brought all of you to my hut at once?".
Grandma Ingrid's serious nod signalled her understanding, and she directed her finger towards Celia, indicating that she should be the one to deliver the news. Grandma Celia, feeling a little reluctance, let out a sigh at Ingrid's decision to shift the conversation onto her. However, she knew she had to speak up, and with Celeste's gaze now even more challenging to meet, she took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to say.
"If you don't mind, Grandma Celia," Celeste interjected, her voice laced with a hint of impatience, "I was a little busy before you all arrived, so it would be b....".
"I'm pregnant," Grandma Celia dropped the sudden revelation amid Celeste's words, causing them to trail off and leaving Celeste stunned. Her initial smile vanished, replaced by a mixture of surprise and confusion. She looked at Grandma Celia again, trying to process what she had just heard. "What did you say?" Celeste's voice held a hint of scepticism. Was this another attempt to embarrass her? She had braced herself for something serious, only to be caught off guard by this unexpected revelation.
But before Grandma Celia could respond, Celeste quickly interjected, "And I understand that for a while I have been making a fool out of mysel...".
Before Celeste could finish her sentence, Grandma Celia cut through her words with a high-pitched shout, "I AM PREGNANT, CELESTE!" The sudden outburst reverberated in the room, momentarily silencing any other sound. Then, with remarkable calmness, Grandma Celia added, "And I promise you, it's not a joke."
"I... We... Huh!" Celeste's mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts as Grandma Celia's words pierced through her consciousness, leaving her unable to gather her thoughts. She quickly focused her gaze on each of the elderly women standing before her, and even the typically smiling Grandma Derry now wore a serious expression.
Swallowing hard, as if trying to swallow an invisible lump in her throat, Celeste shook her head and extended a trembling finger to point at Grandma Celia. "You're pregnant?" She repeated the question, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and disbelief, unable to find the right words to express her surprise.
Grandma Celia nodded, her expression maintaining utmost seriousness, which only intensified Celeste's inability to articulate her thoughts. Gathering her courage, Celeste gestured toward Grandma Celia's stomach with her finger and asked, "What baby is it? Is it a boy or a girl?" Grandma Celia furrowed her brows at the question, momentarily caught off guard, but quickly composed herself. She realized that Celeste's reaction was better than expected, considering they hadn't even revealed the main news yet. Choosing to go along with Celeste's pace of understanding, she replied, "Isn't it too early to ask such a question?".
Immediately, Celeste nodded in understanding, her mind filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. She sighed tiredly, her voice tinged with exhaustion as she spoke, "True. I just wanted to know..." She paused, correcting herself, "Since you no longer have your fertility, I was curious to know if..." Celeste's voice trailed off, her defeated tone indicating that she had given up on expressing her thoughts. "Forget it," she concluded, trying to regain control over her emotions.
Taking a deep breath, Celeste finally focused on the most important question that had been lingering in her mind. Her voice wavered with hesitation as she asked, "Who impregnated you? Who is the father of your child?" She couldn't help but wonder about the man responsible for impregnating an elder like Grandma Celia. If word got out that his semen could impregnate women who had lost their fertility, he would surely attract attention in the village. Celeste's curiosity intensified as she realized that everything, she had been told so far was true. However, what she was about to hear next...
"Orion," Grandma Celia responded firmly, her words sending shockwaves through Celeste. She stood up abruptly, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Impossible," she muttered in disbelief, her face reflecting her shock. She scanned the faces of the five women in front of her, desperately hoping for some clarity. "Impossible."
The revelation that a man could impregnate women who had already lost their fertility was enough to send Celeste into a state of confusion. However, the revelation that the man responsible was none other than her own son, Orion, sent Celeste spiralling into a state of shock. The world seemed to spin around her as darkness threatened to engulf her vision. Her legs gave way, and she felt herself descending into the void. But just as she thought she would crash to the ground, someone or something caught her, holding onto her tightly.
"One of you, please go to the backyard and quickly fetch some water from the tank," Grandma Celia instructed, her arms tightly embracing the unconscious Celeste. As she held onto her, a mix of concern and weariness washed over her. "And here I was, thinking she was handling the news so well," she murmured, letting out a tired sigh.
