chapter 6

Two months after the arrival of their precious son, Adebayo, and Rose stood before their loved ones, their hands joined in a promise of love and commitment. The ceremony was a celebration of their union, the joyous melodies of the Yoruba band filling the air as the couple danced and laughed, surrounded by the people they loved most in the world. The wedding was a dazzling display of culture and tradition, from the vibrant outfits to the aromatic dishes that adorned the feast.

The colorful aso- ebi, worn by the women in attendance, added a splash of vibrancy to the festivities. Dapper in their agbada, the men danced with joy and pride as the couple entered. The venue was adorned with flowers and streamers, the decorations a reflection of the couple's love. The traditional music, a mixture of drums and flutes, created a rhythm that was impossible to resist. The wedding ended blissfully, with friends and family gifting the couples With the wedding celebration behind them, Adebayo and Rose finally returned to their cozy home, their daughter cradled safely in their arms. It was the start of a new life, a life built on love and commitment.

A month later, they held a naming ceremony for their precious Anjolaoluwa, the name a reflection of their blessings and a hope for their son's future. Family and friends gathered around, singing and dancing as they welcomed the newest addition. Anjolaoluwa grew from a tiny bundle of joy into a curious toddler, and the bond between the family grew stronger. Adebayo and Rose reveled in their roles as parents, their hearts bursting with pride as they watched their son learn and explore the world around him. The home, once just a place of rest and recuperation, became a haven of laughter and love. Adebayo's heart swelled as he watched Rose engage with their son, their bond forged in the fires of parenthood.

All seemed perfect in the world of Adebayo, Rose, and their beloved Anjolaoluwa until fate intervened with a cruel twist. One fateful afternoon, as Rose and Anjolaoluwa played and giggled in the comfort of their home, the little one began to wail in distress, his tiny body wracked with unexplained pains. Panicked and desperate, Rose scooped her son into her arms and rushed to the hospital, her heart racing with fear. The moments passed in a blur, her mind clouded with the terror of the unknown. As Rose ran through the streets with her screaming child, her mind reeled with dread. What could be wrong with her precious Anjola? Why was he suddenly in so much pain? The seconds felt like hours as she ran, her feet pounding against the pavement as the heat of the afternoon sun beat down on her.

When she finally reached the hospital, the medical staff rushed to meet her, their faces filled with concern, Rose, her voice shaking with fear, could barely find the words to explain what had happened. The nurses, their faces etched with urgency, whisked the whimpering Anjolaoluwa away, carrying him gently to the emergency ward where a doctor was. ''We need to get him stabilized first,'' the doctor said, her voice calm yet firm. '' Give him a pain relief injection and run a full blood panel. Let's see what we're dealing with.'' The nurses worked quickly, their hands deft as they soothed the young boy, their reassuring words a gentle balm amid the chaos.

The doctor, her concern evident, turned to Rose, her voice gentle yet insistent. '' Madame, please come with me. Please tell me exactly what happened. When did this start? was there anything unusual about your son's behavior before this?'' Rose, still shaken, followed the doctor to her office, her mind racing as she tried to recall the moments before her son's sudden illness. ''Doctor, we were just playing, everything was normal,'' Rose explained, her voice cracking as the tears threatened to spill. '' And then suddenly, he just started screaming. He couldn't tell me what was wrong. It was like he was in so much pain.'' The doctor nodded, her eyes fixed on Rose's, her mind working through the possibilities. '' Did he have any recent illnesses or any other symptoms that you can think of ?'' Rose, her mind grasping for any clue, shook her head. '' No, nothing like this. He's always been so healthy.

As the doctor and Rose talked, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. ''Doctor,'' one of the nurses said, her voice tinged with relief, '' the child has been stabilized. We gave him the pain relief, and he's resting comfortably now. Here are his test results.'' The doctor took the folder, her eyes scanning the papers, her expression growing grave. '' Mrs Rose, I'm afraid I have bad news. Your child  is a sickle cell patient.'' The world seemed to spin around Rose as the words sank in. '' Sickle cell? But........ but how?'' she thought to herself. '' Did you guys conduct a blood test before your marriage?'' the doctor asked.

'' We didn't go for a blood test,'' Nadia choked out, the tears spilling down her cheeks in a torrent. '' We were still in uni when I got pregnant with my child and I was ready to abort my child. My husband accepted me then and we decided to keep the child.'' Afraid of how Adebayo might react or how his mother would react or also how the extended family would react if they heard this, Rose quickly went on her knees '' please, please, doctor, don't tell anyone. This must stay between us.'' The doctor placed a gentle hand on Rose's shoulder, her expression compassionate. '' I understand your fears. But this is a serious condition. your son's life depends on proper care and management. You need to tell your husband about his condition.''

Rose, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth, stepped out of the doctor's office and pulled out her phone, her hands shaking as she dialed Adebayo's number. As the phone rang, she struggled to find the words to tell him, to reveal what she had just heard from the doctor to him.

'' Adebayo, it is Rose.'' she said, her voice quivering with emotion.'' I need you to come to the hospital. something's wrong with Anjolaoluwa.''

When Adebayo arrived at the hospital, his face and his eyes wide with worry, he immediately searched for his son, ''' Where's Anjolaoluwa?'' what's happened to my son?'' Rose, her heart sinking with the lie she was about to tell, met his gaze, her voice trembling with fear. '' He's in the ward. The doctor said he had typhoid. They've given him the necessary injection so he is stable.'' As Rose finished speaking, Adebayo's relief was palpable. ''Thank God,'' he breathed, sinking back against the wall. ''Thank God he's stable. What do we do now? What drugs are we to get? let me  meet the doctor and ask him.'' As Adebayo made his way to the doctor's office, Rose stopped him,'' I've asked him about that so you don't need to do all that again.'' Hearing this, Adebayo made his way back to his son's ward.

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