Ridwan: Doctor, please, tell us! What's wrong with our child?
Doctor: Following your child's birth, we noticed concerning health indicators—jaundice, pallor, and signs of anemia. After conducting tests, we discovered your baby has sickle cell disease. I'm deeply sorry. There's a fifty-fifty chance of survival. Your child is currently in the pediatric unit.
Ridwan and Zainab: (shocked, their jaws drop)
Ridwan: No! Doctor, there must be a mistake. I am A.A. There's no way this diagnosis is accurate. My wife can confirm.
Zainab: Yes, Doctor, we're both A.A. There's been a misunderstanding.
Doctor: I understand your concerns. However, the test results are conclusive. Take a look for yourselves. (Hands them the report)
Ridwan: (takes the paper, hands trembling) This can't be happening!
Zainab: (reads alongside him, her expression grave)
Doctor: Doctor: which is why we are concern if truly you are A.A OR A.S, so we would like to conduct some test on you as well.. the mother of the baby is also A.S. so we need to confirm yours as well.
Zainab: (takes a deep breath, lost in thought) Poor baby.
Ridwan: Doctor, I swear I am A.A. Please, run another test on my child.
Doctor: Unfortunately, the baby's condition is too delicate for further testing at the moment. You may go see her, but first, we need a blood sample from you.
Zainab: And a DNA test, Doctor.
Ridwan: (angrily turn to her) What do you mean by that? Are you implying she's not mine?
Zainab: (defensively) I know you're A.A. We checked before we married. This doesn't make sense.
Ridwan: (interrupts) I expected you to support me, to be happy. Instead, you cast doubt. Assuming you had given me a child will all this happened? Yes you might be better than her with so many things but she is now way better than you with this, because she could bear me a child.. but you couldn’t because you are BARREN… and when I came running to you, what were you doing? You were with your boss when I needed you most! Now having affair in my back and you have the guts to speak here..
Zainab: (jaw drop in disbelief) Ridwan!
Doctor: Let's focus on the tests now, Mr. Ridwan.
Ridwan: ( exits angrily)
Zainab: (in tears, overwhelmed by the situation)
Doctor: Shall we proceed?
Zainab: (nodding, tears streaming down her face)
**********************************
30 minutes later.
AT THE PEDIATRIC WARD
Ridwan: (sitting by his baby's cot, watching her struggle for life) Oh, Allah! You've granted my prayer, but why sickle cell? Why this trial? All I ever wanted was a child... Please, let this not be true. I don't know how I'll bear it if my child doesn't make it. Have mercy on us.
A FEW MINUTES LATER
Ridwan approaches Rashidat's bed, finding her overwhelmed with tears.
Rashidat: Please, bring me my baby! Just let me see her, please. I need her!
Ridwan: (tears welling up, wiping them away) Rashidah, (sitting beside her, embracing her) it's going to be okay. Our baby will be okay. Stop crying. We must be strong for her. She's fighting for her life.
Rashidat: All I want is to hold my baby. Why won't they let me? (sobbing) Please, Ridwan, you've seen her. Bring her to me!
Ridwan: It's okay. The results will be ready soon. Just hold on. I'm here for you now. (patting her back)
Zainab: (watching sadly from a distance, tears streaming down her face) Ridwan! You called me barren... after everything I've endured for you? How could you? (cries out bitterly, sinking to her knees)
**********************************************8
TWO HOURS LATER
The doctor calls Ridwan back into his office to discuss the results.
Ridwan: So, Doctor, am I A.A.?
Doctor: (silent, handing over the paper)
Ridwan: (reads, then explodes) No! This can't be! How can I be A.S.?
Doctor: Mistakes happen, but our tests are accurate. As for your wife's genotype, the results are pending.
Ridwan: (struggling to compose himself) Please, Doctor, isn't there a cure for sickle cell? I can't bear to see my family suffer like this.
Doctor: I understand your desperation, but there's no cure. We can manage her condition with medication and treatment, but her prognosis is uncertain. We can't discharge her; she needs constant care.
Ridwan: But she's our first child together. We were supposed to have a healthy child...
Doctor: According to her records, she had a previous pregnancy that was terminated, likely with an A.S. genotype. Fate works in mysterious ways. All we can do now is provide the best care we can.
Ridwan: (falls his head on the table, overwhelmed with frustration and pain) This... This isn't what I wanted.
Doctor: Actually, we also tested your wife's blood sample, and fortunately, she's AA.
Ridwan: Please, let's focus on the present issue. Thank you, Doctor. I need to return to my family now. They need me more than ever. (extends his hand for a handshake) Thank you.
Doctor: You're welcome, sir.
........................
Later that evening at 5:59 PM
Zainab: (moves closer to Rashidat's bed) Hello, dear.
Rashidat: (quickly wipes her tears upon seeing Zainab and looks away)
Zainab: I understand this must be a difficult moment for you and the baby.
Rashidat: Hold on a second. Before you add to my pain... You succeeded in ruining my family life, didn't you? If only you had treated me well and taken care of me during my pregnancy, none of this would have happened. You were too selfish and jealous because I was carrying his child, weren't you? You were desperate to harm my baby. Well, you've succeeded. I didn't curse you to be infertile. So what are you doing here? Go away before I lose my temper! Leave!
Nurse: (interrupts) Madam, please leave so she can rest and recover properly.
Rashidat: (sadly steps back and turns to leave. She accidentally bumps into her husband, who looks equally miserable. He walks past her as if she means nothing, rushing into Rashidat's arms. This sight almost causes Zainab to collapse, but she composes herself and leaves the hospital in tears.)
*********************
A week later, in Munir and Mustakeem's room in the morning
Munir: Bro, you really let me down. How could you get a woman pregnant? Of all people, you?
Mustakeem: (exhales softly and turns away)
Munir: If I hadn't called you that day, who knows what would have happened between the families? I feel sorry for that girl's mother.
Mustakeem: I know, and thanks for calling.
Munir: You've really disappointed me. Being a father out of wedlock? Is that what's next for you?
Mustakeem: (furiously jumps out of bed) Are you lecturing me now?
Munir: Yes, because what you did was wrong.
Mustakeem: I know! Do you have to keep reminding me of my mistakes? I know I messed up, okay? Enough!
Munir: Taiye said this news has devastated the girl's family.
Mustakeem: I know! This is hard for me too!
Munir: let the truth be told.. this totally all your fault. I cant even look up to you again. bad leadership! How do you expect her family to ever be the same again? Mustakeem: see! I go punch you oo!. Munir: ogbeni shut up abeg and take corrections, if you be my elder brother doesn’t mean I cant talk shit to your head… (stand up and walk away) Mustakeem: (jaw drop) Munir!!!
****************************************
Few days after
Habibah: (looking frail and miserable, having lost a significant amount of weight, fails to emerge from her room)
Ummu: Here she is, Doctor... (opens the door) Here she is.
Doctor: As-salamu alaykum, Habibah.
Habibah: (whispers weakly) Wa alaykum as-salam.
Doctor: I've heard about the news regarding your pregnancy. It's normal to feel guilty for one's actions, but don't punish the innocent baby. I'm here to carry out some checks, so I need you to cooperate with me, okay?
Habibah: (sadly nods and looks away)
Ummu: (weary, gazes at her daughter) Be strong, okay? We're here for you.
Abu: (finally enters her room after a month) As-salamu alaykum.
Habibah: (surprised, her eyes widen) Dad... Dad? (tears stream down her face) Abu?
Abu: My child. (bends next to the doctor and tries to hold her hand when she jumps into his arms, crying loudly)
Habibah: Dad... I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry for all the pain... Please forgive me... Please.
Abu: At least stay still for the check-up.
Habibah: (tears intensify) I'm sorry... Forgive me... Please, it's hard to live without your love, Dad... It's killing me and my child. I can only survive with your love... Please, have mercy on me.
Later that day
Mum: I'll get the door, someone's knocking... (opens the door and her jaw drops) Zainab!
Zainab: (falls to her knees in front of her mother, unable to contain her emotions) I don't think I can do this anymore, Mum. I've been enduring, but I feel like I might die. I'm tired... (cries bitterly)