A Gift Beyond the Bow (a short story)

      As we celebrate Christmas, the spirit of giving takes center stage. However, it’s not always the shiny presents wrapped with colorful ribbons that make the most lasting impression. 

Sometimes, the greatest gifts come in unexpected forms, reminding us of the deeper meaning behind the season. This story explores the idea that the true gift of Christmas often lies beyond the material—found in love, connections, and selfless acts.

 Join me as we journey through a Christmas that transcends the wrapping paper and reveals a gift that lasts far longer than any bow.

  

You turn onto your other side and grunt sleepily. But subconsciously, you are begging your chi to give you a break tonight; that your heavily pregnant wife will take your unresponsiveness as deep sleep and stop tapping you to wake up. But it seems like your chi and your wife are both in a conspiracy against you, for the expectant mother unapologetically continues to tap and even shake your shoulder.

     “Baby? Baby nah! ” she shakes you even more.

Oh God, please let tonight pass me by with an uninterrupted sleep. And I promise. I promise to be nicer to my secretary. I promise to increase my driver's salary just as he has been asking for. I promise to tip my newspaper vendor more generously. Please, just give me tonight.

 However, the more desperate your silent pleas become, the more persistent your wife becomes. At this point, if you fail to respond, it will become obvious that it is intentional and not due to deep sleep in which you've been pretending to be in. So you induce as much sleepiness and ignorance as you can into your voice and ask as you rise. 

     “Babe? Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

You want to knock yourself on the head for that question. Of course, she needs something. She has been needing ‘something’ since she entered the last trimester of the pregnancy; most of which have been bizarre and nocturnal.

 From the last scan that was conducted, your wife is due to give birth on the thirty-first of December; exactly in a week's time. You both have even joked and placed a bet on the child coming a minute past twelve midnight of thirty-first. That way, her birthday would be celebrated on every first day of every first month in every new year. That will be so perfect! You both have agreed. But what you both did not agree on is the bizarre midnight cravings .

Bewaji had given you zero-stress since she took in. In fact, you have boasted to your friends about how proud you are of your beautiful pregnant wife who has neither experienced morning sicknesses nor the usual spitting that is typical of every pregnant women.

 If only you had known what awaited you. For the past three weeks now, hardly have you had a sound and uninterrupted sleep. With your house help gone a few days earlier to celebrate Christmas with her own family, you have been left to cater for your wife's midnight cravings. 

Last night, it was over ripe banana freshly blended and whipped with milk into a cream-like paste (She had specifically called it ’home-made banana yogurt’). Two nights ago, it had been cold pap with hot saucy ‘ponmostew. 

Thank God for little mercies, you had listened to your mother's advice of stocking up the fridge with all assorted edibles. Yet, there is a limit to what the fridge can hold. And as you switch on the bedside lamp, you pray again that tonight's craving will also be what you have in stock.

     “I can't sleep, babe. The baby is restless.”

Of course,that is just the prelude to the main reason why you're both awake. Sometimes, you wonder if Bewaji is taking advantage of the pregnancy or that is how it really is with all pregnant women. 

     “It's okay Sweet, you'll both be fine.”

You rub her bulging stomach hoping that will be the end of the discussion. But who are you kidding? The previous nights have taught you better. 

     “And I think I'm hungry too.....”

Here we go! You think but instead, you ask cheerfully,

   “What would my queen love to eat?Just name it. ”

Bewaji smiles sweetly and snuggles closer into your arms and you can't help but inhale the fresh fragrance that her body emits. You love your wife, no doubt. But if only the midnight cravings will stop........

   “I want puff-puff. Hot, crispy and crunchy.”

What in the world?! Puff-puff? Do you look like a caterer or something? You want to scream but that will not be the best thing to do. So you calmly argue your points.

     “But babe, we've got no flour. Besides, you know I don't really do those things. Can't you just take something else till morning when I can buy you some?”

     “No babe. I want it now.” Bewaji folds her arm and sulks. 

You know that when Bewaji goes like that, there is no stopping until she gets what she wants. So you feebly try another tactic.

     “Bewa, this is quarter to ten. Plus it's Christmas Eve babe. No vendor will be out by this time.”

     “Okay babe. Pass the car key to me then.” She says as she gets off the bed heavily. You can't help but notice the extra fat she has added. 

Although she doesn't complain to you, you often find her observing herself in the bathroom mirror. She misses her perfect shape. But to you, she is still the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. And that is why you're happy that the baby is a girl who would be a perfect copy of her mother’s beauty. 

     “Okay....okay. Fine. Just get back in bed. I'll go get you your puff-puff.” 

Bewaji smiles sweetly and opens her arm wide to hug you. 

     “Awww....I love you babe.”

Not bothering to respond nor change out of your pajamas, you pick the car key off the shelf and head downstairs.

Outside, you are met with the chilling air of harmattan that reminds you of every reason to be in bed, wrapped in the warmth of a duvet. You blare the horn at the dozing security at your estate gate, not caring if the noise is waking others. If your sleep can be disturbed, so can theirs too.

     “Oga, hope no wahala? You no dey comot house for this kind of time before.....”

     “No, thank you.” You answer, running out of patience. 

     “How madam? Or she dun ready to born?” The inquisitive security man peers into the car to see if Bewaji is in the car with you. 

     “She neva born! But she wants puff-puff of all things, at this time of the night. So if you don't mind, would you just open the damn gate?!” You snap.

You do not intend to snap at the poor old man. After all, it's no fault of his that you're out on the street on Christmas Eve searching for hot puff-puff when you should be enjoying your precious sleep. But the man is asking too many questions and he is starting to get on your already worn-out nerves. 

     “Heeeya. Oga, sorry ehn. No vex. Na so e dey do them pregnant women sometimes. Sorry ehn? You fit try Mama Chichi shop. That woman like money. She fit dey shop till now. Sorry ehn?”

You mumble a thank you and drive out as he opens the gate. You're familiar with mama Chichi’s shop. Bewaji and you are both her regular customers. So you drive over there and within minutes, you find yourself in front of mama Chichi’s shop. But it is locked. She has left for home. 

You hit the wheel and groan in frustration. You drive around for some time. It's quarter to eleven. You've been on the search for almost an hour. Returning home empty handed means no sleep for you till morning. Yet, you can't keep wandering on the street. It wouldn't be long before you are mistaken for a ritualist or something. Not knowing what else to do, you pick your phone and dial Maxwell's number.

Maxwell is your best buddy and colleague at work. Even after two years since he has bested you on your wedding day, he is yet to tie the knot with his long time girlfriend. You often made fun of him but you will do anything to be in his shoes right now. At only the second ring, Maxwell picks his call.

       “Let me bet, you're calling to wish me Merry Christmas.” He says.

      “Dude, it's not Christmas yet. And even if it were, you wouldn't be the first person I'd be wishing. That would be my wife.”

      “Oh sorry, the one who has a wife. So married man, what's got your pants on fire at this time of the night? Or wait! Is the baby coming? ”

      “I wish it was the baby man! I'm on the street as I speak, Max”

      “What?!? You got into a fight with B? ”

      “No man. Bewaji wants hot puff-puff tonight. Do you hear that? She wants hot crispy puff-puff at this time of the night and I'm here in the cold looking for what's not.....” You almost cry.

       Max burst into laughter and you wish you could reach out and quiet him with a jab in his ribs. 

      “This is no laughing matter brrrr! It's almost an hour to Christmas and I'm out here looking for hot puff-puff!!!” You exclaim in a near shout. 

      “Sorry man. Just can't help imagining how furious you are right now.”

      “Do you have any idea of where I can get puff-puff at the moment or should I hang up so you can laugh at my misery all you want?”

      “Calm your tits man. Have you tried Mama Chichi’s shop?”

      “Max, I'm presently parked in front of the sixth shop I have been trying. Everyone's closed and in bed enjoying their sweet sleep. Everyone but me!” You whine.

      “Alright.... alright. Drive over to my place.”

      “To your house Max? The last time I checked, you can't boil an egg.”

      “Are you driving over or do you want to stay there and discuss my lack of culinary skill?”

      “Fine. I'll be there soon. But you had better get me what I want.”

      The estate where Max lives is a twenty five minutes drive from yours, so soon, you get there just to find Maxwell also in his pyjamas holding a medium sized box. You alight from your car, amazed and confused. 

      “What’s this Max?” You asked, amazed. 

      “Your wife's hot and crispy puff-puff of course.”

      “Wait. Am I missing something? The Max I know can't make noodles talk less of frying puff-puff. And even if you can, it was just twenty-five minutes ago when I called you. So how are you able to get this so fast? ” You can't help but ask. 

      “You are welcome too. ” Max answers instead.

      “ I'm sorry man! Thank you so much. I owe you one. But I still can't help but wonder.......”

      “ I thought you said your wife wants her puff-puff crispy hot? ” Max asks, cutting you short.

      You pat his shoulder in appreciation and turn back to your car. 

      “ I really appreciate this man.....but you've got to explain this to me later ” You say as you drive off. 

Just as you drive into the estate, your wife's call comes in. You roll your eyes before picking the call.

      “Hey babe, where are you? I'm starting to get worried. ” She says.

      Of course. Right about time she gets worried, after you've been roaming the streets for over two hours. But instead you respond,

      “ I'm fine. I'm in the estate already. ” You pause, expecting what will come next.

      “ Okay babe..........And did you get the puff-puff? ”

      “ B, are you worried about me or your puff-puff? ”

      “ Awwww! Come on babe, why would you even say that?...... ”

      “ It's fine... it's fine. I'm here already ” You cut her short and end the call as you flash the light signal for your security man to open the gate. 

You drive in and open the door to find your wife seated in the sitting room waiting, the lighted Christmas tree her only companion. Either she is waiting for you or her puff-puff, you are not sure. But you give yourself hope and choose to believe she has been wanting for you. 

      “ Hey babe.....” Bewaji says as she rises from the sofa and you feel your heart soften as you behold her.

      “ Hey yourself there. ” You answer softly, all irritation and anger gone. 

      “ Here you go. Your hot and crispy puff-puff. ” You give the box to her and watch a broad smile spread over her face as she opens the box. 

      “ Awwwwnnn. I love you baby. ” She says, grinning from ear to ear.

      Your ego will not allow you to respond but you cannot hide the smile on your face either. If she is this happy over a mere box of puff-puff, then it's worth your time and sleep. You do not say this of course. Instead you say,

      “ Am I allowed to go to bed now ma'am? ”

      “ Come here.....” Bewaji says, opening her arms wide for a hug. 

      Wanting to tease her a bit, you look from her face to her protruded belly and give her a ‘ you-think-so? ’ look. 

      “ Really? Come on babe. ” She whines, her arms still open.

      “ Ok.....ok. ” You give in and go into her arms, the baby bump standing unapologetically in between.

      With your foreheads touching, you both look down at your awkward attempt at a hug. Just then you feel the baby kick. Once. Then again. And then again. At that moment, you completely forget that you missed your sleep, that you just roamed the streets of Lagos in the middle of the night in search of hot puff-puff. Instead, your chest tightens and your heart swells with love for both your wife and your unborn child. You know you would fight the whole world for these two. So this time, the declaration comes from you.

      “ I love you so much babe.....”

Just then, the clock strikes twelve.

      “ And Merry Christmas to you too baby. ” Bewaji responds and you both burst into laughter.

      Still in each other's arms, you look deep into her eyes so she can see how much you love her. Then you kiss her forehead and with no words left to say, you both head into the bedroom; with her box of puff-puff of course!

As the clock strikes a new day, the last remnants of Christmas day fade into the quiet of the night. You settle more deeply into the warmth your wife's body provided. And for once, it seems like she and your chi have both agreed to give you a break. You peer at the sleeping beauty and smile as she snuggles closer into your arms.

The short picnic to the beach must have taken its toll on her. 

You close your eyes too and succumb to your much deserved sleep. It's going to be a good night filled with sweet dreams. But barely have you closed your eyes when you hear her stir beside you. Then comes the tap on your shoulder.

No! No! You groan inwardly and resolve not to even stir no matter how hard she tries. 

       “Babe? ”

I'm sorry babe, not tonight.

       “Baaaabe....?”

Just let it go darling and go back to sleep.

       “Sampson!”

You snap your eyes open just as you feel a wetness in the duvet. Then the alarm went off in your head. Bewaji’s water just broke.....The baby!

You leap out of bed faster than you've ever moved and switch on the light. 

       “Oh my God. Baby, are you okay?” You ask, almost freaking out as you watch your wife's face contort in pain. 

       “I think she's here” Bewaji whispers, her voice barely a breath.

With no need to be told more, you grab the bag that has been made ready for the day like this and help your wife down the stairs and into the car.

At the estate gate, you do not wait for the guard to ask before you blast the horn and exclaim excitedly 

       “The baby's coming!”

As you navigate your way to the hospital, you take Bewaji’s hands in yours; the other firmly guiding the wheel.

       “Do you need anything Sweet?” 

       “No. Just get us to the hospital.” She answers and grips your hand more tightly like her life depends on it as another wave of pain wash through her.

       “You’re going to be fine. Both of you, okay?”

Unable to respond, she only nods and closes her eyes trying her best to control the pain.

Just as the time on the dashboard of your car displays 11:30pm, you drive into the lit premises of the hospital. The nurses are swift to swing into action as they help Bewaji down from the car and wheel her away.

God please....God please. These are the only words your anxious mind can process.

Exactly as the clock strikes twelve, you hear a cry that is going to be etched in your memory for the rest of your life. It's the cry of your child. And as the nurses call you into the ward, you are unable to stop the tears from rolling down your face.

Lying in the hospital bed is your own Bewaji, as pretty as ever. And there in her arms is the bundle of joy. There and then, you name her in your heart: Ebunoluwa (God's gift).

With a smile on her face, she places the bundle wrapped in a pink towel into your arms.   

  “Happy Boxing Day, my love.”

And like a child who has just received his Christmas present, you behold the perfect gift with awe. 

For this is one gift you're going to cherish for the rest of your life.

Thank you for reading!

I hope this story has warmed your heart and reminded you of the true essence of Christmas. What does the holiday season mean to you? Have you ever received—or given—a gift that left an everlasting impact?

Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And if this story touched you, don’t forget to share it with someone who might need a little Christmas cheer.

Stay connected for more inspiring content. Together, let’s keep spreading love, light, and the true spirit of giving.

Wishing you a Christmas full of merry, smiles and laughter 🎄😊❤️