Both of them, John, my driver and Efe, my maid, were standing just a few feet from my door. They rushed to my side before I could retreat into my room.
“Wait, sir. Please sir, don't do this to us,” my driver began to plead as he held me back.
“So the two of you tricked me, right?” I asked for want of any other thing to say. “Sir, we cannot resign from your employment. We only pretended we had quit and had left because we needed you to come out of your room. You have locked yourself up for hours now. You have not eaten anything,” Efe said. With that, she went down on her knees with tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks. To my surprise, John too began to shed tears.
I was touched; really touched. These two were showing that they really cared about me. I asked Efe to get up as I began to fight back tears. She got up. I led her and my driver to the living room. We all sat down.
For a while, no one talked. I could not say anything for fear of bursting out in tears. Finally, however, I got a grip on myself, cleared my throat and addressed them. I told them I had felt despondent and depressed after the second test showed I was not fertile enough to father a child. I then confessed I had begun to consider suicide as the only option left to me. John and Efe were shocked at my confession.
“But what more would I be living for. My wife has betrayed me. As if that is not enough, tests have proven that I am not the biological father of my children, Peter and Pamela, whom I love with all my heart. Then came the news that I am not fertile enough to father a child. So, what am I then living for?” I asked.
“ Daddy, we know how you feel. In fact we are all devastated by all that is happening. But seriously, suicide cannot be a way out. You have preached to us several times about how evil suicide is. Why resort to it now?” my driver asked me.
For the first time, I could not look into his eyes. I felt stupid ever contemplating suicide.
“You are right, John. I am sorry. It will never happen again” I said
Then John spoke again. He said he did not think all was lost for me. He had heard of fertility centres where men who could not father children are helped to become fertile.
“Yes!” Efe responded, brightening up immediately. “Fertility centres could help. I know two of them. John, you are right” she said.
I could see from the way she had brightened up suddenly, that they had been really affected by my plight. But, indeed, what John said made me brighten up too. There was nothing I would not do to become a father, a biological father.
Despite the truth having been made to me, my heart still yearned for Peter and Pamela. Yes, they may not be my biological children but I still loved them. It was going to be very difficult for me to turn my back on them.
…………to be continued…………
Watch out for the next book series "In search of Treasures" by Lewis Dampson. This is a story about an orphan who has been deprived of even the basic needs of life and sets out on an audacious mission to become successful in life. Don't miss this thrilling story!!! In search of Treasures (Coming soon!!!!) On www.kofibless.blogspot.com
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