Mistaken genotype

The Ugwus arrived at the hospital unaware of what was amiss. The week before, Doctor Mbah had called and said that he wanted to have a meeting with them. He told Daniel Ugwu that it was about his wife's pregnancy. The doctor had reassured Daniel that all was well. The Ugwus though took some time before answering the call because Nkechi, his wife, said she was tired of walking, her legs were painful, and she wanted some rest.

Doctor Mbah was all smiles as they entered his office. The family file was already on his desk. He looked through the file as if pondering over some details. His white overcoat was sparkling, accentuating the beige paint on the walls. It was remarkable that for a man his age he wore no glasses despite reading countless books every day. By his right was a clock, along with a bell that he used to ring for the attention of the nurses. On the wall behind him were several awards that he had won as a doctor and that had been given to his hospital.

When he spoke, his tone was grave. "So, my dear Nkechi Ugwu, how is the baby? I hope she is pushing?"

Nkechi smiled. "Yes, doctor. Thanks for your care."

"That's good to hear. As I told your husband, something came up about the baby."

Nkechi Ugwu sat upright, holding her husband's right hand. Daniel Ugwu only pondered what the doctor must be about. He tightened his grip on his wife's arm to reassure her.

"We conducted some tests from the baby's blood sample," Doctor Mbah began. "It's a normal test to make sure our babies turn out well. I don't want you to be alarmed but you have to know that we found something interesting with the genotype test."

She breathed forced air, putting her right palms on the bump on her tummy. She had done several scans and the nurses always told her everything was okay. The baby was good. She only had three more months and she would have a bouncing baby girl; her first in her two years marriage. She straightened up once more, tying and untying the scarf on her head. "I hope nothing is wrong, doctor?" she asked.

Her husband repeated the same question.

"I must say there is something wrong." Doctor Mbah paused. "We did a NIPT test or what is called a non-invasive prenatal test. We discovered that your baby has sickle cell disease."

"That's not true," Nkechi retorted, looking at the doctor straight in the face.

"What are you saying, Nkechi? Could the doctor be lying?"

"But your genotype is AS and mine is AA. How could we give birth to an SS?"

Doctor Mbah allowed both of them to argue before he asked Nkechi. "Our tests are ninety-nine percent accurate. Why do you say I am lying?"

She stammered for an answer and apologized.

"But Sir, it's not possible."

"I suggest both of you go and do a test all over again. Either both of you are AS or one of you is SS. Twenty-five percent of Nigerians are AS so I presume you did a bad test from an inferior lab. Our labs are the best in the country. "

Daniel Ugwu cleared his throat and asked the doctor: "What does this mean for us? I mean, for our family since the child has SS genotype. All I know about children with sickle cell is that they regularly fall ill."

"That's right. Sickle cell disease is a condition where the oxygen cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body, starving key organs. That brings a lot of sickness with it. Many sickle celled children die at an early age. That is a prospect both of you need to take into account."

"And apart from that?"

"That is all. Just the frequent cases of illness. But the burden of the illness can take a heavy toll on the family, both financially and emotionally."

"I don't understand, doctor."

"I have to be frank with you. The cost of treating a child with sickle cell disease can be up to eight to ten million naira every year. You have to be ready. Also, there is the fear that your child could die at any time. Even a disease like the common cold can make her sick and die."

The amount the doctor said they would need each year to care for a sickle cell child was beyond his means. Daniel Ugwu mentally calculated how much he made every year from his auto spare parts business. He had not bargained for this. He brought his head down, staring at the floor.

"What can we do?" Nkechi asked the doctor. "I don't believe all hope is lost."

"There is no cure for sickle cell disease. No known cure yet. You just have to manage it and pray your daughter survives the crisis she will regularly be going through."

"Have you heard, dim," she said to her husband.

Daniel sighed deeply, shaking his head. His eyes were closed with his head bent as he imagined what the future will be with this child. This is a gift from God, he said to himself. I cannot reject this gift come whatever sacrifice that was needed.

"We have heard, doctor. Thank you for making us aware."

"I want you to have this card. It's that of Doctor Ahmed, a specialist doctor who treats children with sickle cell disease. You would need to be calling on him regularly from the day your daughter is born."

Daniel Ugwu took the card and dropped it into his purse. He hugged his wife and told her it would be okay. The cost involved in caring for this baby was prohibitive but the Lord knows best. "Who are we to reject a gift from God?"

"It could never be true," she kept saying as they drove home. She would not accept what the doctor had said. She had done what the Pastor had advised her before their marriage. She and Daniel had gone for marriage counseling where the Pastor told them that they needed to do a genotype test before fixing the wedding day. "To make sure there are no complications in your marriage," they were told.

Daniel was the first to do the genotype test. He turned out AS.

"If your husband is AS, I will not marry both of you if you are also AS. There is a possibility of your child being SS."

She did the first test and it turned out her genotype was AS. On a premonition, she decided to do a second test. The second result said she was AA. She told the Pastor about the confusion and he advised her to do a third test. When she did the third test, she turned out AA. Not satisfied with the result, she did a fourth and fifth test. She was AA still.

"There is a mistake somewhere," she said adamantly to her husband.

"Doctor Mbah is one of the best in his field. Please, let me have my peace. What has happened has happened."

"I will get to the end of this," she promised him. "My baby is not a sickle cell child."

That evening Daniel Ugwu's mother called. Daniel told her what the Doctor said.

"Shame on you, you stubborn child," his mother, Faustina Ugwu, said to him.

"I don't deserve to be insulted, mother. I just told you the problem we will be facing when this child is born."

"Did I not tell you not to marry that lady. That ogbanje lady. You have to carry your cross."

"This is not what I wanted to hear from you."

"What did you want to hear from me? That I should be dancing; that you want to give me a granddaughter that has no hope of surviving on this planet? Is she not ogbanje? Only a witch can give birth to a witch. I told you right from day one that your wife is a witch. Everything is revealing itself."

"If this is what you have to say, I think I will have to cut this call."

"Cut the call. Your stubbornness is what is leading you to problems. Let me talk to that your wife."

"Nke, my mother wants to talk with you."

"I heard what she said. I don't want to talk with her. It's all abuses and insults I hear from her."

"Just hear her out. Please."

"I will not!" She walked out on him and went to the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Mama, maybe she will talk to you when she is in a better frame of mind. Right now, we are all stressed out. Both of us are on edge."

Daniel Ugwu endured the insults that his mother unleashed. Listening patiently, he tried to reassure her that everything was part of God's plan.

"You will see me in that your house tomorrow. I have to talk sense into that your stupid wife. That ogbanje woman. I warned you, didn't I?"

******* ******* *******

Every permutation Nkechi did led her to the conclusion that Doctor Mbah could not be right. It was inconceivable that their child would have the SS genotype. She repeated it for the umpteenth time to her husband at bedtime.

"Woman, I know Doctor Mbah very well. He has been our family doctor for ages. Get that out of your head."

"It will not cost us anything to do another test. Let's just do it; just to be double sure."

"Did you not tell me you took your genotype test five times? Now, look at what we are facing. Please, let me have my peace. I'm not interested. I want to sleep, please."

"So, you will just accept his words like that! That's unlike you, dim."

"What's not like me? I have lots of mental trouble thinking about this. I don't want to compound my problems. We should be preparing for what will happen when this child is born, not doubting what has already happened. Not thinking about spending money for unnecessary tests."

She knew that when her husband went on like this, it was pointless discussing with him. When he has made up his mind, he could be very argumentative. What she wanted was to find out what side was lying to them - the doctor or the labs where she had done her tests. Or maybe her husband's test was wrongly done. She was sure there was a problem somewhere. It was hard for her to believe that one doctor would know best. Angry at his reaction to her suggestion, she turned her back to him.

"I just want to let you know," he said. "My mother is coming tomorrow."

"I know that's what she will do. She is always interfering in our lives."

"She's not interfering. She's only trying to help. You might not like her methods, but wisdom comes with old age. She might give us some suggestions that could be helpful. I am sure of that. By the way, you know she's well connected in Lagos. We could use her help."

"But whenever she's here, there is always trouble."

"Who conceives the trouble? Is it my mother or are you the one causing the trouble? Are you saying my mother is a troublemaker?"

"That's not what I am saying but that's what happens all the time."

"I've always told you that you need to change your attitude towards her. She is a very good woman, and motherly."

The last time his mother visited, her complaints had come in daily doses. The first day, she complained that Nkechi was not cleaning the house the way a housewife should. The second day, she complained that her son was bearing all the financial burden in the house. "We are in a modern age, Nkechi. A woman should be working." "But mama, you can see that I am pregnant. I am two months pregnant," was Nkechi's reply. On the third day, she complained that they had given her a small room because they did not want her around. "I know you are secretly plotting to throw me out of this house. For your information, this house belongs to my son." Everything about her was complaints upon complaints. Although they were not as rich as Daniel's parents, she and her husband were content. Nkechi did not want anyone reminding her that they needed to live like others, or assume the status of his parents. Or that they needed to build a house or buy a luxurious car. There was no relationship between having the most expensive pieces of jewelry and family happiness.

"When your mother comes, I will be on my own. I just want to let you know."

But Daniel did not hear her. He was already fast asleep and snoring.

She stood up from the bed and went to sit on the only chair facing the wall. Thank God, the electricity distribution company did not take the power. She needed some fresh air which the fan would blow her way. Thinking about their two years old marriage made her anxious about Daniel's mother's visit.

Nkechi was in the living room watching TV when her mother-in-law, Faustina Ugwu, knocked on the door. She looked at the time. It was just some minutes after 1 pm.

"Who is there?" She called.

"Please open this door!"

"Who is there? Don't you have a name?"

"Open the door now. I'm coming from a long way."

She then recognized the voice as that of her mother-in-law. "You could have been courteous to say who you are," she mumbled. She turned the key, and then the doorknob, opening the door for her mother-in-law.

"Mama welcome." She nervously opened the door wider for her.

Faustina Ugwu showed no sign that she was aware of her daughter-in-law's greeting. She took the heaviest of her luggage, dragged it along, and dropped it in the middle of the living room. She went back to the door and did the same for the other two pieces of luggage.

Nkechi admired the Swiss Polo three set luggage along with the black purse that hung on her shoulder. From what was in the living room, she concluded that her mother-in-law was coming to stay for a long time. Daniel had told her it would be a brief visit.

"Can I take your things into your room?"

"When did you start becoming my slave?" Faustina snapped. "Did you not tell my son I was making you a slave the last time I was here? You better mind your business! I can take care of myself."

Nkechi went to sit on her favorite couch. She was only trying to be polite. She did not want Daniel to accuse her of inciting his mother. "Do to her as she asks of you. She is the introverted sort of person; you need to understand that," Daniel had said to her the last time. Nkechi decided not to go beyond the boundaries her mother-in-law has set. She concentrated on the movie she was watching while nervously admiring the outfit of her mother-in-law.

Her mother-in-law was putting on formal clothes. But for the luggage, one would think she was going to an office. She was wearing a corporate yellow gown that hugged her body, making her look younger. The gown was accentuated by a cute formal flat shoe which must have been quite expensive. Nkechi had overheard her say that all her outfits were imported from Italy. Her eyes traveled to Faustina's earrings and she gasped. Her mother-in-law was courting robbers in broad daylight. Her earrings were gold stud earrings with a gold necklace. Nkechi then sighed. If only her manners were as graceful as her fashion sense.

She was watching a movie on African Movies Channel titled "Forbidden Love." It was the story of a boy from a simple background who was trying hard to date a girl who came from an elitist family. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to woo her. "If you had any sense," she said to the boy, "you would stick to women of your class!"

The story made her think of her situation. She had been warned about the Ugwus but she had turned deaf ears to her parents.

She had met Daniel Ugwu at a Christmas party organized by the Ezike Village Union in Lagos. She was elated that he had shown an interest in her. The son of a business magnate! She was overcome. Her mother told her about Daniel's mum.

"You cannot live with that woman. I tell you."

"Mama, I have been hardened by Lagos. I can live with even the devil and nothing will happen. Trust me."

Her mother told her that Faustina Ugwu was a confirmed materialist and very class conscious. She was renowned in the village. Even if she could live with Faustina Ugwu, she could not endure her. Only people who love and worship money can.

"If you don't have money, you are not a human being".

"Mama, just give me this chance to find joy in my life."

Her mother just sighed. They allowed Nkechi to have her way. The marriage was concluded quickly even though her parents disapproved.

"You better look for a girl who is your class. OK?" Nkechi said to the boy in the movie. He was courting trouble by trying to take her for a date through the help of some friends. Nkechi laughed. If only the boy in the movie knew what she was suffering in her matrimonial home, he would not have anything to do with the daughter of a billionaire.

Nkechi knew that there would be trouble now that her mother-in-law was around. The woman was never satisfied. She was drunk with complaining. especially when she notices a mistake made by Nkechi. What pains Nkechi most was when she alludes to her poor background. To Faustina Ugwu, it was a crime to be poor and Daniel would never be forgiven for giving her a poverty-stricken daughter-in-law. Nkechi was determined to try her best to ignore her mother-in-law and her insulting ways. She was only respecting her husband, Daniel, whom she admired so much, otherwise, she would have told her a piece of her mind without holding anything back.

The sharp retort to mind her business made Nkechi forget the custom of asking after members of her extended family.

"Is that how you are trained?" Faustina said, disgust written all over her face. "If you don't like my face, you should have respect for Big Daddy, or even for your husband's brother and sister."

"What did I do that is wrong, ma?"

"Did you ask after Big Daddy, and his welfare? Or after Robert and Chichi, your husband's brother and sister?

"I'm sorry, ma. I forgot." Nkechi gnashed her teeth. How could she have forgotten? That was unlike her.

"I will call Big Daddy and tell him. I think you are growing wings. This is something nobody forgets except where they have bitterness and hatred for the family. And I believe that's what you have."

"Is not true, ma. I was only minding my business." She knew she sounded lame. She felt like a cornered animal.

"I have become a piece of furniture in this house? I don't blame you. I blame myself. When Daniel comes, I'll surely make a note of this to him. He's not setting a good example. I've always told him his wife should respect him and respect members of his family. Look at!"

Nkechi fixed her eyes straight ahead, at the movie she was watching. Whatever reply she gives to her mother-in-law will surely result in more accusations. Slowly, she stood up from the couch, in order not to disturb the baby in her belly, and went to the refrigerator to take a bottle of cashew nuts that was placed on top of the refrigerator. She wanted to chew something. She was bored staying in the same room with her mother-in-law.

As she chewed on pieces of the cashew nuts, she felt sorry for the boy in the movie. The billionaire father of the girl had sent thugs to beat him up. "Stay clear of that girl," they told him. "Otherwise, next time, you will be sorry for yourself."

"I told you so, but you didn't listen," Nkechi laughed. He deserved what he got for not minding his business. She changed the channel.

"Where can I buy some bottled water?" her mother-in-law asked.

"There is bottled water in the refrigerator."

"I don't want the one in the refrigerator. I said where can I buy some bottled water?" She asked again, emphasizing the word "buy."

"Downstairs. Across the street. There is a grocery store there."

As her mother-in-law left the room, Nkechi shook her head. "Ordinary bottled water. What is bottled water? She has not seen the one we have and she has already rejected it." Her mother-in-law has enough money to spend. She would never understand this woman.

When Faustina came back with two bottled water in her hand, she dropped them on the table and went to the kitchen. Nkechi looked at the brand. The same brand as the one in the refrigerator. She snickered.

Faustina came back with a glass cup. She was frowning, evidently disapproving of what she had seen in the kitchen.

"Why are there so many dirty plates in the sink? What kind of laziness is that?"

"Mama, can't you see I'm pregnant. This baby always makes me tired. I'll wash them later."

"Are you the only pregnant woman we have in Nigeria, or is it Jesus that is inside your belly?"

"I said I'll wash them. By the way, they are not your plates. I didn't ask you to wash them for me."

"What do you mean? Is that how you and Daniel are living?"

"But mama, this is the first time you are seeing dirty plates in the sink. It's because of the baby. I'm tired!"

"You better stand up from there and go to that kitchen. You are living here with rats and cockroaches."

"I have heard you. I said I will wash them. Please, let me alone."

"This is the height of dirtiness, laziness, and carelessness. I cannot allow this in my house. Never! Diseases spread when you leave dirt around. The moment you are through with your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your husband, you should wash the plates immediately. That is why you are a housewife. What are you a housewife for? You want to tell me that because of your pregnancy you will not cook for your husband or because of your pregnancy, your house will be dirty? Just go to the kitchen. It looks like a kitchen for pigs. You are inviting cockroaches into your house by leaving dirty plates on the sink. You better go and wash them now. I don't want to go to the kitchen and see those things there."

Nkechi stood up from the couch and slowly walked towards her bedroom. She would not be ordered around in her own house. She would wash the plates at her pleasure.

"If you like go to sleep in that bedroom," Faustina called after her. "When your husband comes you will see what will happen."

In the bedroom, Nkechi made a call to her friend, Lebechi.

Her friendship with Lebechi started in primary school. Lebechi was not only street smart, a trait Nkechi wished she had, Lebechi knew how to deal with people. That was why she always ran to Lebechi whenever she had a problem. When she told Lebechi what the doctor told them, her friend had advised her not to disobey her husband. She should wait until she conceives, then she can do whatever she had in mind. They had also talked about Faustina, her mother-in-law. Lebechi had told Nkechi to always keep her abreast of what was happening.

"She's bossing me around again, Lebe. She thinks she is an iron lady."

"I have told you to give her fire-for-fire but you keep holding back. Treat her as if she is trash; as if you don't care. Insult and abuse her openly and she will go back to where she comes from."

"No, Lebe, I cannot do that. That would further tarnish my name and image in the family."

"What name? She has already rubbished you to other women that is why she is treating you this way."

"No matter what - even if she doesn't like me, I will always treat her as my mother. What I want is to know how best to react to her but don't advise me to insult her. I cannot do that. When she accuses me or complains, I don't know whether ignoring her would be better or to leave the room. I keep making mistakes."

"You know I'm not married so I cannot help you. But if I was in your position, I will make sure she doesn't visit any longer. I will make the place hell for her."

"My husband will take it out on me."

"Not if you are smart. There's a way to do it that he wouldn't know who to believe or trust. It would be your word against his mother's. You just have to be smart."

"I will think about it but that will be pricking my conscience."

Her parents had instilled a respect for elders into her and she did not know how to do away with that training. It was enticing to follow the advice from Lebechi and show some disrespect to this woman who calls herself her mother-in-law. She also had to deal with her conscience. It was like a dam that restrained the storm of anger and hatred that was welling up in her. She believed in being real; in honesty.

Thinking about her mother-in-law made her nervous. Nkechi felt her blood pressure was increasing. "You need not be unnecessarily anxious," she told herself. Her mother-in-law would be gone one day. She would have to endure the insults. "Just for some days, hm," she murmured. She would endure for her husband and her baby. She was suspicious Daniel was dependent in some ways on his parents. She believed that they were helping him financially, but how, he never told her. That must be the case. She began to rub on her tummy.

This baby is the love of her life. If she gives birth to her first child, it would at least make her mother-in-law and the family happy with her. Her baby would be the key to her acceptance into the family. A woman was not yet part of the family until she gives birth and gives them a grandchild. As she rubbed her tummy, she began to sing lullabies to her baby. The nurses at the hospital had told her that babies can understand music; that she should sing to it whenever she is anxious or nervous. That would have a calming effect on the baby.

The thought of her baby gave Nkechi comfort and renewed strength.

When she went back to the living room, Faustina was sleeping on the couch. Nkechi saw that her head was bent the wrong way and that it would give her pain, so she placed a duvet under her mother-in-law's head, careful not to wake her up. She then went to the kitchen to clean up.

"I don't understand this woman," she said to herself when she got to the kitchen. What her mother-in-law had described as a pigsty were just two plates and a teacup in the sink. She had used them for breakfast. The way Faustina had described the kitchen, one would have thought a company of dirty plates were in the sink.

"I need to endure," Nkechi said to herself.

She began to wash the plates. Later, she prepared jollof rice for both of them.

"Mama, I thought you'll be hungry after your journey so I prepared something for you."

Faustina clapped her hands in dismay. This was unbelievable. "Did I ask you to cook me anything?" she clapped at Nkechi. "Let this be the first and the last. I want to sleep. Take this thing away from here."

It was as if Nkechi had served her a plate of dog food.

Nervously, Nkechi picked up the tray with the food, and in her haste, the food spilled on the floor. She knelt and scooped the spilled rice into the plate. This was what it meant to mind your own business. She would never be kind to her mother-in-law any longer and would report this to her husband. He might start accusing her without being aware of what his mother was doing to her emotionally.

"Pig!"

Nkechi would have turned back and made a reply, something, anything caustic, to her mother-in-law but she did not know from where her self-control came. Tears fell from her eyes. She was doing this because of Daniel. And because of her baby. Her time would come.

"Nke, Nke, Nke - how many times did I call you?"

"Why should you be asking me that question? Have I done anything wrong?"

"You know quite well what you did to my mother. Since I returned, I've not had a rest."

"I am all ears. What did she say because I know all she does is lie about me."

"You believe she is lying about you?"

"OK. I didn't mean to say she's lying. What did she say; tell me!"

"She said you have not given her lunch since she arrived. She had to go to the kitchen and cook by herself."

"Is that what she told you?"

"Now tell me she's lying! Her food was even on the table when I arrived. I know you don't like eating yam porridge in the afternoon."

"So, she did not tell you that she rejected the jollof rice I cooked for her. So, she did not tell you that she waved the food away as if I cooked her trash. She made me look like a stupid person for cooking her lunch."

"She said you cooked jollof rice but that the kitchen was dirty that is why she did not eat your food. She did not know if you used a dirty pot."

"I have heard enough insults from you and your mother today. Please, I don't want to be disturbed."

"Not only that, when she arrived, you refused to help her carry her luggage. How wicked are you! How wicked! Will you do that to your own mother? Answer me!"

"Okay, you are in a hurry to accuse me of not carrying her luggage. When she came, I welcomed her with a greeting, but she refused to reply. I decided to keep to myself. She treated me as if we are enemies. If you were in my position, what would you do? So, I did not want trouble. I decided to stay on my own. She told me to mind my business when I greeted her. She did not tell you that, did she? You should not be defending your mother. If I carry her luggage, it will be trouble; if I refuse to carry her luggage, it will be another trouble. Please, Daniel, don't disturb my peace. I don't want your mother's trouble. I am tired of her. I told you yesterday that all she does is cause trouble."

"That means what she said, that you refused to help her, is the truth?"

"I did not say she said the truth. I said I did not help her because she did not allow me. Can't you or didn't you understand what I said?"

"She also said you did not ask after my father's welfare when she arrived. That the way you treated her was as if you were quarreling with everyone in the family."

Nkechi looked up to heaven for solace. This conversation was bordering on the incomprehensible.

"What has gotten into you? Why are you so proud?" Daniel asked her, disbelief written all over his face.

"Please, Daniel, I don't have strength. Leave me alone."

"I have told you to change your ways. Okay! You have to change! You are no longer with your parents. This is your family. My family is now your family."

"Am I not aware of that?" she shouted at him, powerless from the rebuke coming from her husband. "I'm trying my best but your mother is making things difficult for me. I don't understand why you don't even understand what I'm trying to say."

"What do I not understand? I have been a caring and attentive husband to you. I have told you several times - if you have any problem you should come to me and not fight with my mother. You will only turn out the loser. I know her very well. If you fight her, it will be worse for you."

"Please, Daniel, I have decided to be avoiding your mother. If avoiding her doesn't work, I will be ignoring her. I just want you to know. If I allow her, it will be trouble; if I don't, it will be trouble. Please, I am looking for peace in my home."

"I have told you my own, Nke."

As Daniel left her alone, she decided she would not keep quiet about the lies from Faustina, her mother-in-law. She followed him some minutes later.

The mother and son were discussing when she found them.

"Please, mama, I want to ask you something," she said, abruptly interrupting them.

"Hey, who are you talking to like that? You want to ask me something. Okay, what do you want to ask me?"

Nkechi tried to appear calm against Faustina's confrontational attitude.

"Mama, I don't like the way you lied to my husband. You told him I didn't cook you lunch."

Faustina started to laugh. "You call that thing you cooked food? Faustina, you have suffered in this life. Jollof rice with only one meat. Where did they teach you that a normal person eats only one piece of meat in jollof rice? There is even no vegetable. You did not bring water when you served the food. See me see trouble. Please, get out of my face!"

"Mama, I'm tired of you. I have to tell you. I've decided from today that if you need anything you need to get them yourself or ask your son. I will not do anything for you; no matter what you say. I will not allow you to give me high blood pressure."

Faustina became annoyed. She stood up and pointed her fingers at Nkechi. "If you don't know how to respect your elders, I will teach you respect. You better get out of my presence!"

"I respect my elders but I don't respect people who don't respect themselves. If you don't respect yourself, I will give you the disrespect you deserve. I don't want trouble but if you want to give me trouble, I'm ready for you!"

Faustina turned to her son, her face contorted. "Daniel, you see the disgrace you have brought to the family. This thing you call your wife cannot approach me on the street to insult me."

Daniel looked at Nkechi and started to laugh. "You have had your grand entrance. Now, can you excuse us? We were in the middle of a discussion when you interrupted."

"I will not. This is my family home. No one can come to my house and be bossing me about."

Daniel stood and went to wrap his arms around his wife.

"Nobody is bossing you. I wish you would just understand my mother. I think this is just a misunderstanding. If you know my mother, you will enjoy her."

Her protests fell into an echo chamber as he led her out of the room, reassuring her that she was just imagining things. His mother wanted their good and was only training her to be a good wife. "There are things you have to learn. Learn from her," Daniel insisted. He understood her frustrations and they would only be history with time.

Nkechi sheepishly went back to her room. Daniel had just made her look like a fool while her mother-in-law had called her a stupid person. She was living a hopeless life. What was there to understand about her mother-in-law except for her uncouth ways and arrogant attitude? She was not the proud one; her mother-in-law was more than proud and pompous. She wondered what Daniel meant. Her humility was making her appear foolish. She had not agreed to this bargain when she decided to marry someone from a wealthy family. The limits to her endurance were being breached.

"If you had married someone of our class, you wouldn't be subjecting me to this embarrassment," Faustina berated her son after Nkechi had left. "By the way, that's not why I am here. If you look at me, I am not a happy person. That is why I came here immediately after you spoke with me yesterday."

No mother expecting a granddaughter would be happy with the current news. Daniel knew his mother was looking forward to this baby; her first granddaughter. They had already suggested a name for her. The information from the doctor was bad news for the family and not just for him.

"I called our man-of-God after I spoke with you. I explained everything to him. He said he wants to see you personally."

"Let me think about it."

"There is nothing to think about. The man-of-God is very powerful. He was the one that cured my cervical cancer. He helps a lot of people; some even come from overseas to seek his help. He told me he has a vision for you."

"Are you sure? The doctor said that there is no cure for sickle cell anemia."

"Forget about what the doctor said. There are things in this world the ordinary eyes cannot see. Orthodox medicine does not understand spiritual things. If I was taking drugs for cervical cancer, I would have been a dead woman. Look at me - I am still strong even at my age and with my illness. It was because of the help I received from the man-of-God."

Her testimony convinced Daniel.

"Who is this powerful man-of-God?"

Her mother went on to explain how popular he was. He also has his TV channel on satellite TV.

Without hesitation, Daniel asked his mother: "When can we go and see him?"

"I have already booked an appointment with him for tomorrow," she said, grinning.

"How could you have booked an appointment without my consent? What if I am not free tomorrow?"

"The man-of-God doesn't do daily consultation. The earlier the better. If you don't go tomorrow, I don't know when we can have an opportunity."

"OK. I'll make arrangements for tomorrow. I'll go to my shop first thing to give some instructions to my sales girl."