JUST AS SHE IS Chapter 4 An Affidavit

                                           

                                                Chapter 4

                                              An Affidavit

                  "My name is not Ivan, it's Frederick", he said.

      Nancy's jaw dropped! She knew Ivan (We shall call him 'Freddy' from now on) was a liar, but this was way beyond what she had expected. 

                  "Is there any truth in you at all?" screamed Nancy. 

       Everyone in the ward turned around to look at her. Susan glared at them both, pressed her finger to her lips, and then pointed it out. She meant for them to shut up and take it outside.

       Freddy got up immediately and left. Nancy was right behind his heels. 

       It would have been that Susan was trying to comfort her crying baby or because she knew of Freddy's lies, that she showed no sign of anger or surprise when he said his name was not Ivan. She continued to calm the baby and showed no interest in the loud voices of Nancy and Fred outside the ward that were drawing everyone else's attention. 

       Though Nancy and Freddy had started to move away from the maternity ward and were walking toward the reception, their voices could be heard. 

             "Isn't that your sister?", asked the lady in the next bed.

        Susan nodded. "And the man, your husband?" she inquired.

       Susan would have simply nodded again, but she didn't want to say he was her husband, so she said, "He is the child's father."

         "Is he under some vow? He seems like he hasn't had a shave for some time now?" asked the lady again.

          "I think so, " said Susan, wondering herself 'Why in the world he was looking like that.'

         "He wasn't here yesterday, was he? He came here only today. Is that why your sister is yelling at him?" asked the lady.

        Susan who was rather talking to herself than to the lady thought that the woman was very nosy, she was about to tell her off when she suddenly noticed the Bible in the lady's hand.

       Suddenly, it brought to her remembrance the prayer she had prayed yesterday to her mind. She was surprised. God had answered her prayer. He has brought Freddy today despite all the odds that were there yesterday. She felt very happy and said in her heart, "Dear Lord! Thank You so much. I did not believe that You would help me but You did, Thank you! Thank you so much". It was not Freddy's presence but God's answer to her prayer that brought such happiness into her heavy heart. 

        When the lady saw that Susan was absorbed in her thoughts and was not paying attention to her words, she turned around and started minding her own business.  

        As for Nancy and Freddy when they had gotten out of the ward, Nancy had immediately started again, "How many more lies have you told my sister?" she asked angrily.

       "A few more, one graver than the other," said Freddy coolly. 

       "How could you?", said Nancy. She was boiling hot with anger that her words were stumbling over. "How dare you? You cheat. I would kill you. You have broken her heart. She is such an innocent soul."

        Freddy looked grave again, "I didn't mean to break her heart, and I know she is innocent. But you must know what happened on my side too. You know how much I love Susan, I could never mean to hurt her."

      "Don't you dare say her name!" threatened Nancy pointing her finger at him. "Don't you ever say you love her after all that you did to her."

      Now they had reached the reception and Freddy began to speak to the receptionist, so Nancy stayed quiet. 

      "Good morning mam, I am Susan Xavier's husband. My name is Frederick Smith, but my sister-in-law by mistake had given you my nickname. I would like to correct it." he said.

        "I am sorry sir. It's been three days since the child's birth. I have already registered that name. You need to get an affidavit from the lawyer and attach it to the birth certificate." said the nurse.

        Freddy didn't argue. However, Nancy took this chance to retaliate again, "These things couldn't have been necessary if you had only told your real name in the first place."

        Freddy didn't argue with her either. Instead, he asked, "Do you like a cup of coffee?"

       "Even if I need one, do you think I could drink it with you?" snorted Nancy.

      "Whether you like it or not, I am your brother-in-law, so you better get used to drinking coffee with me," said Freddy and added "We could also get something for Susan to eat. The food here is really awful."

       "Eh? Hear who is speaking! Where were you when she was feasting on this awful food for the past few days?" asked Nancy.

      "Did she really like the food so much?" asked Freddy intrigued.

       "Oh! Shut up will you?" said Nancy " She hasn't taken a bite in three days. I really wonder how that woman is feeding the baby?"

       Freddy's face darkened with sadness. He said, "Hurry up! Let's go get her something to eat. I know a place where she likes to eat. "

      About an hour later Freddy and Nancy came back. Nancy sat on the bed and Freddy sat on the chair without being told. Nancy held out the food package for Susan to eat. She knew very well that Susan would never touch the food if she knew Freddy had bought it.

        ''What's this?" asked Susan looking at the package.

     "You haven't eaten properly in the three days. So, I got you something from outside," said Nancy trying her best to keep a straight face.

      Susan might be innocent, but she is no fool. As soon as she saw the restaurant's name on the package she knew well what had happened. She glared at Nancy.

     "I insisted on it," said Fred as if that would solve everything and added" I enquired about the name on the birth certificate, and the nurse told me to get an affidavit and attach it to the certificate. So that there won't be any confusion later." 

     Susan looked right into his eye and asked." Who are you to insist on what I eat? And what makes you think I care about what name is on the certificate? All that I want to know is why you are here? And what do you want?" 

................ to be continued