Is the test result ready, Miss? Steve asked the clinical laboratory scientist who was leaning over the counter. Not yet but soon. Give us a little time, the lab scientist replied.
You look anxious and worried, Mr. Is anything the matter? The lab scientist pressed on. Yes I'm fine, I'm just getting nervous....
About the genotype test result? She interrupted him.
*Yes, Miss. I pray it will be compatible with my fiancee's.
What is your fiancee's genotype?
Are you Mr. Steve, sir? Another lab scientist emerging from the laboratory asked Steve, interrupting their conversation.
O yes I am. Is the result ready? Steve asked, with his eyes fastened on the paper that swung under the fingers of the lab scientist.
Yes, here, replied the clinical laboratory scientist as she proffered the sheet of paper in her hand to him.
Steve collects the paper and begins to read. He does not seem to understand anything on the paper apart from the information that he gave the lab scientist upon her request at the check-in desk when he walked into the medical laboratory a few hours ago.
That letter is encrypted with medical parlance, Mr. Steve. You should have been patient. Let's go to my office, please. The clinic scientist who bore Steve's letter said while leading the way into her office.
I'm sorry, Miss. I shouldn't have opened the letter, I was getting more nervous, Mr. Steve broke the silence as he slumped into the seat offered to him.
Oh Mr. Steve, you don't have to be nervous. There is no crime in coming here to know your genotype. Your test result shows that your genotype is AS, the clinic staff announced in a friendly manner.
AS? My God! Thank you, Miss. I have to go now, Steve said as he stood up abruptly to leave.
No, please, a counseling session with you is very important before you leave, the medical lab technician suggested.
Not really necessary, thank you, Steve replied as he dashed out of the office.
Steve was recounting his ordeal at Mercy Hospital, Abuja to his bosom friend, Bayo. He was thinking about the hard decision to part ways with Nneka whom he had been in a relationship for three years.
About a month ago, Steve organized a breathtaking proposal party to officially ask for Nneka's hand in marriage after being in an undefined relationship together for three years.
As part of the marriage preparation, she had been to General Hospital, Abuja to run a genotype test. She was SS when her result came out and she had told her fiance in confidence.
Nneka really loved Steve, and so did Steve. Their love was so strong and was obvious even to the blind. So much so that when a young man approached any lady who knew about their love affair for a romantic relationship, he would be asked by the lady whether he was ready to love her like Steve loved Nneka, but whether or not they were going to finally marry each other was dependent on the outcome of Steve's genotype test.
What was Nneka's reaction when you broke the news to her? Bayo asked with disappointment reflecting on his tone.
She is not aware, Steve said emotionally as tears began to drop in torrents from his eyes.
Steve, you shouldn't have kept it this long. Medical experts advise that intending couples whose genotypes are not compatible should not think of marrying each other. You know the implication. You must give up on your plan of getting married to Nneka, I know it's difficult but you must accept your fate, Bayo advised as he wrapped his hand around his friend.
Bayo was still talking when Steve's phone began to ring. It was Nneka that was calling. It was all that he needed at the moment — Nneka's voice— for nothing would be as relieving as her voice.
*Baby, I saw your test result from Mercy Hospital, why did you keep this from me? Nneka said amidst sobs feeling betrayed.
I'm sorry darling, I didn't want to lose you, Steve stammered.
I'm sorry Steve, we have to let go of each other, Nneka said as she hung up the call on him, and that was the last time he heard from her.