And Now... The Story begins

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PART ONE »
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Standing in front of his big mirror, Dan could see with full
admiration, how the new Senators' suit fits into his body.
Such beauty and glamour...
He was indeed, so grateful to his last born son, Ekene.
Though a Jambite who made him proud recently with his
result, Ekene remained an enterprising young man whose
skills in computer repairs and engineering ensured that
money was always in his pocket.
Dan would always look at Ekene and smile.
Ekene is a true son of his father.
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While still turning around to have better view of the suit, he
heard a knock on the door.
His best friend Uchenwa had arrived yet again.
Dan wished he has a better news this time from the doctor.
Just a wish...
"I can't continue to be taking these same drugs forever,
Dan,,, I thought you said it was going to be different, see...
His drugs prescription are in no way different from that of
others"... Uchenwa complained, showing Dan the paper
scribbled with name of drugs.
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Dan had assured Uche that the new clinic which he was told
about in his office, would do wonders for his friend.
Feeling upbeat, Uche had approached the clinic with same
problem he has had for years.
Uchenwa was sterile - He cannot impregnate a woman.
This problem had defied both herbal and orthodox medicine.
Dr. Ekpenyong of Starlight Clinic was Uchenwa's last hope.
But now,
It seems that hope has been dashed.
Looking at those prescription from Dr. Ekpenyong, no drug
on that list looked strange to him.
He had taken them again and again, without any
improvement.
Almost every doctor recommends that same drugs to him
on consultation.
Consequently, Uchenwa has been childless for the seven
years that his marriage has lasted.
His wife had always been given a clean slate of health by
every doctor they ve consulted.
The problem was so much that family and friends never
failed to refer them to pastors and spiritualists.
Uchenwa would never take any of that.
A pastor even prophesied to Uchenwa to adopt a child -
preferably a girl-child, so as to open ways for his own
fruitfulness, but as usual, he was convinced that it would be
a stupid thing to do.
Even if it won't be his child, at least he wants everyone to
see his wife pregnant before he welcomes any baby into his
home.
He would never let down his pride and dignity.
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But now,
Uche seems to have been pushed to the wall.
Oh life !!!
"But, how could a man's sperm be at zero level?
What could cause it?
And why can't there be a medical solution to it?",,, Dan
wondered...
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But, he was in for a shock...
Uchenwa has a strange request to ask from him.
"What is it, Uche,,, just say it",,, Dan assured...
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But then,
It was a heavy request.
So heavy that his lips started quivering.
Uche has endured shame and bashing, so much that he
couldn't bear it anymore, he needed help.
At 42 years old, he still has no child of his own.
But his friend, Dan, a much younger man, already has three
children he can call his own.
Life no doubt has been so cruel to Uchenwa.
If only Dan can heed to this request.
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Turning to his waiting friend to say something, Uche knelt
down, holding his hands together.
"What could this request be that would make a gallant Uche
kneel for me like this?",,, Dan wondered...
Situations indeed, humbles us all...
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"Ca... Can... Ca..." Uche, kept muttering,
"Come on, bro, talk to me, you re scaring me",, Dan
complains...
Uche now had a deep breathe and decides to sit on Dan's
requests.
What a humiliating sight.
Thank God Dan's children and wife were away,, life has
indeed broken Mr. Uchenwa Nwafor.
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When it seemed like he has found the strength, he ended up
shocking his friend with the most odd request he has ever
heard.
He had an incentive to follow it up.
The plan was well hatched.
But, is he alone in this?
Raising the package to the wooden centre table, he opened
a nylon bag filled with money which he came with, and
placed it on same table.
Dan opened it and lo, it was money.
"Two hundred thousand Naira is the amount, would you do it
for me please, my friend,,, please don't say No",,,
Uche further begs remorsefully while he kneels again.
Oh God !!!
This is indeed, the most odd request Dan has ever received
all his life.
His two kids are already in the university and Ekene, his last
born son has a proud result that would ensure his entry into
tertiary institution too.
So, maybe...
Just maybe,
this money has come handy for the current financial
responsibilities facing him now.
It was hard to refuse.
Uche seemed to be more financially stable than him,,, his
only problem was his childlessness.
So what next ?
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The next day, Dan arrived at Lizzy's shop.
Elizabeth is his friend's wife - Uchenwa's wife.
After a warm greeting, he brought out bunches of banana
and apple as he handed them all to Lizzy.
"Wow"
shouted Lizzy as she surprisingly wondered what informed
about the gifts.
"Oh today is my birthday, dear, infact, your hubby is at the
place we would have the main party, just us. Just close the
shop let's go meet up with him dear",,, He says while
giggling,,,
Lizzy was confused...
"Close the shop?"
She wondered.
Reaching for her phone, she moved into the shop to call her
hubby for confirmation...
After dialling Uchenwa's phone line,
She was to discover that she does not have sufficient
airtime to make the call.
At this time, Dan was already in his car while the car horn
kept calling for Lizzy's attention, asking her to be fast so
they can catch up.
Lizzy became even more confused, but she was scared of
asking dis-trusting questions to her husband's bestfriend.
So, she closed her provision shop and hopped into the car,
still confused and a little bit scared.
Screeching off the scene, Dan headed to the place he told
Lizzy they were going.
Oh, not again...
His birthday celebration...
His birthday?
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YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THE NEXT EPISODE.
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Watch Out For PART-2 !!!