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Enjoy!

Chapter 1

It is one of life's mysteries, when on the surface most people long to be in another’s shoe but ironically, the recipient wished their lot was different. This was the classic tale of Ulo Okoro, which began the day she said the words ''I do.'' It seemed there was nothing she lacked, but those closest to her knew the only thing she wanted more than anything else, was a child.

It had only been five years and in most people’s opinion more than enough time to conceive. Initially, it was the friendly concern by well meaning family members and a few amebo’s .

As the months dragged on, there would be the quick look at her stomach followed by the hug and compliments about how well she looked.

''My sister you are glowing o. Is it what I think it is? Have you eaten the forbidden fruit?''

They would joke, earnestly praying for an answer yet receiving none. Her mother was usually calm but by the end of the first year, she became frantic.

''Have you seen the doctor, did you attend that prayer meeting? What did the pastor say? Did you eat the ube I sent? For your information, Apostle prayed on it; I hope you know it is no longer mere fruit? What of the juice I made the last time? Did you shake it thoroughly before drinking it?''

On the other hand, her mother-in-law (Mama Okoro) was what was termed ''a green snake under the green grass.'' She said little to Ulo, but attacked her son’s choice and pumped her other children with lots of ''had I known stories'' followed by ''I told your brother, my spirit does not lie.

He didn’t listen, my spirit never agreed with that woman. A beautiful woman is not everything, let him chop beauty now. The hen that has refused to lay eggs is only good for the oven.''

It was not like Ulo did nothing about it. By the middle of the second year, she had personally visited a gynaecologist and finally succeeded in dragging her husband to their family doctor, Dr Maxwell Bolefulekun, popularly referred to as Maxi B by his close friends.

Ulo’s argument was simple ''if there is more to this, its best we know.'' Her husband, Dennis was optimistic and had always avoided the issue of childlessness in their marriage.

He would tell her that God’s time was the best and how worry would only make things worse for her. It seemed like the right thing to hear at the start of the marriage but with pressure now applied from all corners, his soothing words had become the obstacle in Ulo’s path.

Everything about the visit was a drag. The issues ranged from the hospital to attend, to the date and time of the appointment, the doctor, amongst others.

Dennis finally decided the family doctor was the only person he would meet with. Ulo’s suggestion of a meeting a consultant at a Teaching Hospital (they were generally better) fell on deaf ears. At the end of the day, she had to admit it was a good thing he finally decided to visit a doctor of his choice.

It had taken two years of, crying, sweating, pleading, withholding sex, cajolingly, blackjacking and prayers to get to this point.

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Okay we go hold fire here. Just to make sure i am not alone. lolz

touchmeder:
Okay we go hold fire here. Just to make sure i am not alone. lolz

moving with you

We dey yia back...

Following!

Not too bad ehn. Timothy3113 good to have you back; what have you been up to? Welcome Divenpen and OnosJ.

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following as always. being a long time, touchmender how're u doing?

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lenmafon:
following as always. being a long time, touchmender how're u doing?

Awwwwwwwwwww dear i am fine. Good to see you. Did you ever comment on a previous story? I sure would have remembered you. Lemme go check. LOL

i caught u typing and am the first to read.*dancing efik and ibibio dance steps* nice story

u wont really remember cos i ve read only one of ur story - choice and consequence- and it was so touching. that was the period i also joined NL

lenmafon:
u wont really remember cos i ve read only one of ur story - choice and consequence- and it was so touching. that was the period i also joined NL

Ohhh really? Thanks for the compliment. That was my first story and everyone who dropped a comment really encouraged me and spurred me on then. I tried to write another (A day in the extra ordinary life of Nkemdili Odife)but i got so discouraged and yanked it off but its on my blog though. LOL Welcome again. I'd update tonight.

I will read dis, Welldone ooo
Let me read first b4 I greet una

zyzxx:
I will read dis, Welldone ooo
Let me read first b4 I greet una

Welcome.

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Intriguing I'm following this one.

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Chapter 3

''We have arrived oh, won't you come out again?'' Dennis announced cutting into Ulo’s thoughts.

She came out sighing in disgust. The sharp contrast of the African sun against the air condition in the car was glaring. Dr Bolefulekun, their personal physician attended to them straight away. The moment they entered his office, Dennis carried on chatting with his childhood friend like they were there on a social visit. Ulo was clearly disgusted but hid it well smiling at the jokes directed at her. When the Doctor finally got around to the business of the day, Dennis turned his face away like it was not his concern.

He suddenly turned to his wife and barked ''Doctor is asking why we are here. You dragged me here, so talk now. Me, I don’t have any problem o. I don’t see any issue.''

The next few minutes was heart wrenching but Maxi B was used to stories of this kind. He kept nodding his head and urging Ulo to continue. It was the nature of his job and over the years, there was nothing he had not heard from all manner of ailment to embarrassing symptoms, eye watering tales of STD's and 'abortion gone horribly wrong' stories. He had the habit of moving his glasses from his eyes to his forehead and moving them back when he wanted to read something.

''I understand Madam’s concern and it's only fair we do the tests to eliminate any hidden issue if any, but let me tell you, this thing can take time Ulo. Just because Mrs A takes in straight away does not mean something is wrong with Mrs B who seems to be taking longer. The quickest thing that will hamper your progress is stress and at the moment, I see you swimming in an ocean of it.''

He said all this while pointing a finger at Ulo, it made her feel she was the one with the problem. He reminded her of her primary school teaching wagging a finger at her for her illegible assignment. As he spoke, Dennis kept slapping the back of his palm against the other palm. Ulo was utterly disgusted by her husband's attitude; there was no end to his madness. He reminded her of an agbero or an uncouth politician from the rural town.

She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.

''We shall perform some tests here and I'd send you to laboratory to complete the rest. We don't have everything here. Oga shebi una never do jigijigi for like three days now because you sef go do your own test- SFA.

''SF gini?'' Dennis asked in disgust.

''Seminal Fluid Analysis'' the doctor said with a hearty laugh. ''Abi you dey shame, madam i beg escort your husband give am support.''

The men continued talking and laughing as Ulo walked out of the office with a nurse. Somewhere in her heart, she wondered if it would not have been better if she didn't bother with this appointment.

Woa. I respect ur power of imagination and thinking sir
Welldone
I think I will enroll as ur student for french class sir

zyzxx:
Woa. I respect ur power of imagination and thinking sir
Welldone
I think I will enroll as ur student for french class sir

My brother google naim save me oh. Just google popular french songs for children na so i see am oh. I love the language myself but unfortunately na there e end oh.

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touchmeder:


My brother google naim save me oh. Just google popular french songs for children na so i see am oh. I love the language myself but unfortunately na there e end oh.

u funny bro.
Ok, I will consult google sir.
Hw do d update flows sir?

Interesting

They ended up laughing although there was nothing funny about this conversation. It was weird hearing her boss speak in this manner but she didn’t want to appear rude by frowning or ignoring him. He finished by saying ''Gree for am now, we treat our women well. You can ask my wife.''

That was the moment the relationship she had with her boss changed. It seemed like he regarded her like a younger sister from that day and it remained long after her marriage to Dennis.

It took several months before she began to tilt in his direction. It started with a drive home while her mother peered from behind the curtain. A second date followed then more outings before another trip to her house. On that occasion, Ulo’s mother came out to greet Dennis Okoro. She asked the usual questions: what he did for a living, if he was a Christian, who his parents were and what state he hailed from. Ulo was embarrassed it was only three weeks but her mother made it seem she was engaged.

''Stop hassling my guest! He is here on a visit and not an introduction ceremony.''

Mama Ulo hissed in disgust while Dennis urged her on ''Mama please fire all the questions. As you see me, I am ready for the real thing not playplay. I’ve told Ulo already, I am not here to act boyfriend. I want to marry her.''

Later that evening after Dennis had left, Mrs Obinde quizzed her daughter some more. She was frustrated by Ulo's lack of interest or pretence of it. It didn’t make sense, as her younger sisters were both living in their husband’s house. It had not been smooth sailing though. Pearl was the first to shock everyone by switching truth for lies and reality for fiction.

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