"How long will I continue like this?
Is this life?"
Is this life?"
"I can't even talk to my own husband"
"In my own home."
"And to cap it up, this man has low sperm count!"
Hmmmm!
To think Layo had been beating herself up over their inability to have a child for the past two years of their marriage.
When Femi got mad, she thought it was her fault.
"If only I could get pregnant."
"If only I could have our baby."
"If only I could be more patient."
"If only I kept quiet more."
So many ifs.
He had refused to get the fertility tests done initially when Layo
raised the issue at first, it took the intervention of both their
mothers for him to agree, and grudgingly so.
He wanted the test
done at the hospital where he worked, which was an orthopaedic hospital,
but Layo and their mothers felt it made more sense if they did it at
the diagnostic laboratory where Layo worked, since it was owned by a
renowned gynaecologist who also owned a hospital as that would make
access to treatment easier, if necessary.
It was the result of the test that delayed Layo that fateful day.
The M.D himself was handling their case not just as a professional
courtesy to Femi, but as a favour to Layo, who had been a dedicated
member of his staff since her internship as a medical laboratory
scientist.
"It is treatable, the M.D had reassured her but he
ordered another round of tests for Layo, just to be double sure of her
fertility ability before Femi commences treatment.
She had to get the tests done after her shift, hence her getting home late and tired._______________________________
"Femi, please wake up, I need to talk to you. It is important."
She woke her husband up, damning the consequences after she had had
three sleepless nights. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to tell
him.
"What is it?" He growled again.
"I'm sorry dear but I
need to tell you about the result if our tests. I called you to make
yourself available so we could get it together but you gave me and the
Doctor the go ahead without you." She said, her voice shaking.
"Ehn ehn, and that was three days ago. Is this the right time to tell me
what the result said? Is it because you're scared of what will happen
if I knew you are responsible for our childlessness?"
"Oh no! I couldn't tell you that night because you were angry, and........
"Stop telling me stories and tell me what the result says."
"Here's the result, you can read through......"
"So I need to start reading in the middle of the night, abi?"
"You have low sperm count!" She retorted!
"And so what? Is that not a natural medical condition that could happen to any man?"
Layo jumped off the bed in utter shock!
She couldn't believe her ears.
"So, you knew?"
"And you didn't deem it fit to tell me, your wife? And you made me
believe I was to blame for our childlessness all these years? Femi, you
are wicked, you can kill, you are........
Next thing she saw were stars.
And then total darkness!
_____________________________
_____________________________
The feel of cold water on her face woke her up. She tried to talk but her jaw seemed locked.
"Take it easy darling, don't move in a rush."
And the memories flood her head.
Was it a slap?
Or a punch?
Or a punch?
No, it can't be either, the wall of their bedroom must have collapsed on her.
Thank God her husband is fine. Or so she thought.
All rights reserved
Written By Tolulope Fakayode-Faniran
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