“This is so difficult to explain. Hauwa, do you agree that there is a lot we don’t understand about…about life and…and love?”
“Of course, but what are you getting at?” Hauwa inquired impatiently.
“I am a sickle-cell warrior.” Now he could barely look at her.
“Oh my goodness! My blood group is AS!” She yelled. Pulling away, her legs gave way to her racing heart and woozy head. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and found herself on the ground.
“Now, do you understand what I’m trying to say?” Tobi asked.
“Yes… yes I do.” She replied faintly.
Lifting her up, Tobi continues his attempt to convince her.
“If we live together, Hauwa, you’ll eventually want to get married. And despite knowing that the chance of us ending up with a sickle cell child is 75%, would you still want to marry me? Whenever we make love, there’s a chance we could have a child that will be born with the sickle-cell disease. Do you want your child to live through that agony and pain?”
Hauwa who was now aware of the implications sobbed uncontrollably. She knew the inevitable had to happen but her heart wouldn’t think it. With tears filled eyes, as if pleading with him, she says,
“But I don’t want to lose you, Tobi.”
“I don’t want to lose you either,” he said while hugging her. “I’ve caused you pain. I should never have let this happen. I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t be sorry. Before you came into my life, I was lonely, now, I feel alive and happy. Even if having a child with you is now forbidding, I don’t have any regrets. I love you.”
They fall into each other’s arms, both trying to find comfort. That night, they made passionate love in Tobi’s apartment. The next morning, after breakfast, he dropped her off at her office and promised to pick her up at the close of work.
Hauwa was excited about the next phase of her life and after a lengthy discussion with her volunteer physician, she wanted to share what she had learned with Tobi. But he hadn’t arrived. It was already 5 p.m. and his phone was switched off.
“He’s probably in a meeting.” She thought to herself.
They had spoken earlier and he had reassured her he’ll be there. Tired of waiting at her workplace, she decides to go to his house to prepare a meal.
“What’s the usefulness of having a key without using it?” she muttered to herself.
On her way out, Tobi’s sister called, “That’s odd, I wonder why she’s calling” she pondered, attracting a faint frown line on her forehead.
“Hello?”
“Hauwa… its Tobi… he’s dead. He had a crisis, and we rushed him to the hospital. He died 45 minutes later.”
The words stung…no… It pierced through her and formed a hollow wound in her heart. She passed out and was rushed to the hospital.
Nine months later, Hauwa gave birth to a baby boy. Her son, the evidence of the love she shared with Tobi. She named him Oluwatobi Jr, and he grew into a healthy, handsome young man, whose uncanny resemblance to his father was a constant reminder to Hauwa. However, Oluwatobi Jr’s blood group was AS.