~Azuaka becomes a father~
Azuaka and his wife Opula got to the hospital earlier than Gabriela. At a time when they waited without Gabriela availing her presence they wanted to drive to her home. But about exiting the hospital, she barged in, looking all stressed and gasping for breath with tears welled up her eyes already.
The doctor invited both parties into his office after explaining the efficacy of DNA test to them it was about conducting the test proper.
Azuaka couldn’t get his eyes off Duncan, even Opula could strike the resemblance between Duncan and Azuaka . It was already obvious that he was actually the father of Duncan.
Gabriela carried Duncan on her laps. Sniffing and sobbing silently all through the hour they listened to the doctor’s briefing. She was already missing him literally because often than not, she would hug him, stroked his long hair, kiss his brow, press him into her burst and squeeze his fingers.
“But mom why are we in the hospital?” Duncan queried with mountain of anger on his face. He pulled back his hand and gazed into her face. “You don’t seem to be alright, mom. Oh my gush are you crying? Why? Is anything the matter?” he was about unfolding his long list of questions.
Gabriela hugged him yet again and stamped a kiss on his brow, “You don’t worry son,everything is going to be alright. Nothing is the matter. We are just here to …” she stuttered the moment she gazed upon the hostile face of Duncan and Opula. She managed to mutter, “We are here to say hi to the doctor,” she had even lost the skills to tell a lie. She was wary and exhausted.
She was yet to believe that Duncan would soon be under the care of Azuaka and Opula. Everything seemed as a mirage to her.
The doctor collected a strand of Duncan’s hair and that of Azuaka for the DNA test proceedings before they all left for outside …
While they were outside Duncan couldn’t stop asking Gabriela, “Who are those people that were with us in the doctor’s office?”
Severally Gabriela had given him the cold shoulders and pretended as though she didn’t hear him. She wished Duncan could keep his mouth shut and stop dragging her into her perpetual misery before the appointed time.
But there was no stopping Duncan. Like every other child he was all about his childish ebullience. “Mom! Mom!” he called almost loudly, “You are yet to answer my question. Who are those people?” he queried and dragged a huge frown across his scanty face. “Mom?”
“Oh my son he is your uncle and she is your aunt. Is that settled now?” she sniffed and fought back the urge to cry. Inwardly she was full of tears. She wished she could turn back the hands of time. She wished she had aborted the pregnancy when she discovered Lucas wasn’t responsible for it. But now her heart bled, she thought she was going to deal with the fuss. It was just too late.
The bell went and a nurse invited them back into the office.
Gabriela literally lost her breath. Balls of sweat stood on her brow and nose that one could tell she was nervous. At the time she firmly held Duncan to herself as though Azuaka and opula would snatch him away soon.
Azuaka and Opula clenched hands together. With bated breath, they all waited for the doctor’s pronouncement. A hush of silence hung over them. Gabriela wanted a miracle at this time. She wanted everything to be in her favor. If there was a time she needed a miracle it was now and for that to come to pass, Azuaka needed to test negative to the DNA.
“The paternity result is out, ladies and gentle man,” the doctor said, grinned hugely before winking at the paper before him.
Azuaka swallowed hard and could feel the fingers of his wife, Opula losing grip. He was tensed and when he stole a glance at her, she had her eyes shut and tightly pressed.
Gabriela was already all tears, leaving Duncan to stare at her with pity and soberness.
The doctor snorted and remained hesitated. He read the result inwardly once again, wondering how he was going to present the test result.
“You see my dear, you all need to put yourselves together. This DNA test result shouldn’t destabilize any of you. I wouldn’t want this result to bring a fight but peace among you, please,” the doctor warned and peered at the test result again. “After scrutinous diagnosis, it has been proven repeatedly that Mr. Azuaka is the father of the child.”
Gabriela bowed her head and broke down in tears.
Azuaka and Opula hugged firmly amidst tears of joy.
The doctor explained further, “DNA testing is as paramount as any other medical diagnosis and should be conducted early enough to avoid the built up emotion of switching parenting among children. It is a pity, Mrs. Gabriela. My heart goes to you and your husband at this time,” the doctor consoled…
Duncan patted Gabriela on the shoulders, “Mom! Stop this, mom. Why are you crying if indeed nothing is the problem?”
Azuaka and Opula were at the corner, kissing and hugging passionately.
The beginning of heartbreak…