Eventually, I managed to stop panicking. The rest of our days were filled with adventure and relaxation. We explored the vibrant coral reefs, embarked on sunset cruises and basically had the time of our lives.
When we returned home, it was time for me to finally break the news about my engagement to my dad, but of course, I couldn’t. I was too nervous when I visited my parents, so I asked my mum to talk to my Dad while I waited in my room for feedback.
“CHIOMA” I heard my Dad call out, after a few minutes of talking with my mum. I knew I was in for it. I slowly crept out of my room to the living room where he sat with her. “You didn’t tell me you had received your full medical licence. All the while I have been waiting and you didn’t think to let me know?” he asked, keeping a straight face, “Sir?” I asked looking confused, “where is your full medical licence? The one that confirms that you can now practise on your own” he probed further. I was still confused, what had mum told him? I was expecting to get feedback about David’s proposal and there he was, asking me about a full medical licence.
“I don’t have it yet” I responded, “ I still have about 4 months till I’m done with my housemanship” I replied. “Oh! You see what I am saying?” my Dad said , turning to face my mum, “no full licence and your mum is here telling me that someone proposed to you without even consulting me first. Where is that done?” he fumed, “Honey, that is how it is done these days” my mother replied, rolling her eyes. “Well, that is not how it is done in this house” My dad retorted. “Don’t come to me with any discussion about marriage till she has her full licence” My Dad said to my mum, “You hear that?” he said, holding his right ear and turning to face me. “But she’s old enough to get married, she just turned 27?” my mum argued. “A person who does not have the necessary qualifications to earn a living is not old enough for marriage. Am I understood?” my Dad replied, looking at me. “Yes Daddy” I replied returning to my room.
My Dad was so overprotective and overbearing, his words were always final. It was part of the reason I had opted to stay in the doctor’s quarters rather than go to work from home. I can only imagine the harassment David would have faced if he had to come home to pick me each time we hung out.
When I told David about what happened the next day, he was disappointed. He offered to pay my Dad a visit to speak with him, but I declined. “I have just 4 months left, I guess we can wait a little more,” I told him. Reluctantly, he agreed.
Everything was going as planned until one day, when I suddenly realised that my breasts felt a little tender and they seemed a bit fuller too. Now this wouldn’t have been an issue usually because sometimes, breast tenderness can happen as a result of changes in your menstrual cycle and some women experience this a few days to their period but what was really alarming in this case was that it was at that moment I realised I hadn’t seen my period.
My heart raced as I rushed to my calendar, my fingers tracing the dates frantically. Panic settled in my chest like a heavy stone as I realised I was several days late. I had always been meticulous about tracking my menstrual cycle. But this time, I had missed it entirely.
I tried to calm myself down as I immediately dialled David’s number, “what’s up sweety?” he said picking up the phone, sounding his usual cheerful self, “the worst has happened” I replied sounding terrified, “what’s the matter? Is everything ok? ” he asked, noticing the tone of my voice “everything is not ok. My period is late” I replied with tears rolling down my eyes. “Just relax ok? Remember you told me yourself that your period coming late doesn’t always mean pregnancy?”
READ ALSO :Dangerous Disguise – Episode 25
He was right. Many women will experience their period coming late at one point or the other in their lives. In many cases, it could be as a result of pregnancy but there are many other reasons why your period could be late besides pregnancy. Stress is a major factor that causes women to miss their periods. Stressful life events like the death of a loved one, divorce, major stress from work can interfere with the body’s hormonal balance, leading to delayed periods. Extreme dieting and exercise can also lead to delayed periods. Medical conditions such as PCOS where women have an irregular menstrual cycle can also be a cause. For older women, approaching menopause can also lead to an irregular menstrual cycle and delayed periods.
I had taken a second to evaluate myself, the only thing that could possibly apply to me was stress and honestly, I had been far from stressed until I realised my period was nowhere to be found. My current rotation at the hospital wasn’t a busy one, I didn’t even have as much call duties as my last rotation, so deep down, I knew I could possibly be pregnant.
“Can you come over?” I asked, “ Of course. I’ll be on my way” he replied. “Please get a pregnancy test kit from the pharmacy on the way” I added before hanging up.
David arrived about an hour later with the pregnancy test kit. My hands trembled as I clutched it. David stood by my side, his eyes reflecting a mix of anxiety and hope.
I took a deep breath and followed the instructions carefully, my heart pounding in my chest. Seconds felt like eternities as the test processed, the anticipation stretching time into an agonising crawl. David’s hand found mine, his grip was tight yet reassuring.
I picked up the test stick, my eyes scanning the small window that held the answer to my fate. The test was positive.
The room seemed to spin, and my breath caught in my throat. I looked at David, his eyes widened with shock and joy at the same time, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his excitement was palpable.
“We’re going to be parents,” he whispered. “Why me? Why now?” I cried, ignoring his excitement and flinging the pregnancy test strip. “I thought you’d be happy about this?” David asked looking disappointed, “but you already know why I’m not. How do I face my Dad?” I wailed, sinking to the ground. “Right now, he has no choice than to let us get married. Can’t you see? “ David asked, bending to the ground to pull me up. “It’s not that easy. I have always been my Dad’s favourite. I have never disappointed him. I don’t know how he’s going to take this” I blabbed on.
“Your Dad will be alright. You don’t have to worry about him. I will face him for us ok?” David said, reassuring me.
When I told my mom, she had mixed feelings. She was happy about the thought of becoming a grandmother again but at the same time worried about how to face my Dad. “We have to convince him to accept David’s proposal, even if it means telling him about the pregnancy and you should be the one to do it, not David.” she advised. “Mum, are you trying to get me killed?” I asked, looking at her like she was crazy. “We have no other option Chioma. The earlier we tell him, the better” she replied.
We decided we would discuss it with my Dad after dinner. Luckily for me, his favourite football team had won their game that day, so he was in an extremely good mood. I felt his good mood would at least give me a soft landing.
He was sitting in the living room watching the news after his football game with my mother sitting next to him on the sofa. “Dad,” I said, walking in and sitting in the chair across from him. “Daughter,” he responded, “I’d like us to discuss something really important.” I began, “ go on,” he replied, still focusing on the TV, flipping through channels and not giving me his full attention. “Honey, I think you need to listen to her,” my mom added, nudging him, “ Okay, Okay. I’m all ears” my Dad said, dropping the TV remote and raising his hands to show surrender.
“Dad it-it- it’s about David” I finally managed to say, “which David? The one in the bible?” he asked feigning ignorance, “my fiancé” I muttered, “your what?” he asked, flaring up. “Honey, you need to calm down, you’re getting old” my mum said, rubbing his back. “Warn you daughter” he replied, wagging a warning finger at my mum.
“Dad, I’m not getting any younger. I’m almost done with my housemanship. I believe it’s not too early to have this discussion” I said.
“I think I’ve had enough” my Dad said getting up to leave, I could tell he was irritated, from the tone of his voice.
“I’m pregnant” I suddenly blurted out, rea;ising I might not get a chance to finish the discussion when he walked past me.
My father froze mid-step, his face turning from irritation to sheer horror. His eyes widened, and his face went pale as my words registered. He clutched his chest, his hand gripping his shirt tightly as if trying to hold onto something that was slipping away. The colour drained from his face, and he staggered, falling to the ground.
“Dad!” I screamed, rushing to his side, my heart pounding in my chest. “What is happening?” my Mum shouted, looking horrified.
Find out what happens next tomorrow in episode 27 #checkwithdoctoro