This is
my story:
On the
20th of September 2017, my 3rd child who happens to be a female was critically
ill in the hospital and the doctor informed us that she needs an urgent blood
transfusion. My wife and I were in the hospital and we both decided to have our
blood tested in other to know who has the same blood group with our daughter.
But to our surprise when the result came out, we were informed that none of us
has the same blood group with our daughter. We had to find a way out as soon as
possible.
Fortunately
for us, our first son came and he happened to be a match. I was innocent about
the whole thing because I didn’t know the implication of a child not matching
either of the parent’s blood group. After the whole thing was taken care of,
the doctor called me in privately to ask if I was the real father of my own
daughter. At first, I was furious but I calmed down and answered him by saying,
“Of course, why would you be asking me such question?”
He went
ahead to explain how a child can have either the mother’s or father’s blood
group. I was confused and I asked him what he was trying to tell me. And he
said it’s either I’m not the father of the child or my wife is not the mother
because one of us is supposed to match. But since none is a match there is a
problem. I didn’t take it seriously because it was sounding odd to me. When I
informed my wife about it, her answer was, “Don’t mind
that stupid doctor.”
After
3 days, our daughter was discharged from the hospital. My mind was no longer at
rest because I didn’t know what to do. I went back to the doctor and asked for
advice on what I should do. He told me that if I wanted to be sure of
everything, I should have a paternity test done on my daughter. When he
mentioned that to me, I almost collapsed because I know what that means. It was
too much for me to handle, but I had to be a man and face whatever is about to
happen. I asked him if I should do the same thing for the remaining 3. He told
me that will be a good idea if I can afford it.
I
decided to take the bold step even though it was not easy. I asked him if he
has an idea of where I can carry out the test here in Lagos and the cost. He
advised me of 2 places and their prices. Coincidentally, a friend of mine told
me that he saw an advert on Facebook about a company known as HumGene Limited,
that they offer the cheapest DNA Paternity test in Nigeria. I quickly called
the number they put on the advert and I spoke with the CEO of the company just
to confirm if it’s actually true. She was nice and helpful and booked an
appointment for me to come in with my 4 children in order to take samples from
us. I asked her how accurate the result can be, and she said 99.99% if am the
father and 0% if am not the father.
When
we all arrived at her office, she told me to come in alone. She asked me for my
story and if I was ready for this because the result could be either way and
especially four children involved, the eldest is 21 years old. At first, I was
scared and she asked me if I wanted to take time to think about it before
making the decision. I was surprised and asked her if she doesn’t want money.
She smiled and answered me by saying: “Sir, it’s not
just all about the money, I think of my clients’ psychological wellbeing
first.” I had to be a man and I told her I was ready. I asked her when
the result will be ready and she said 5 working days because she is yet to
start the analysis in Nigeria. So, for now, she sends the samples to her
partner company in Canada.
The
waiting period seemed like a hundred years to me. When the results came in, she
called me to come in for them. I was scared but at the same time, I wanted to
know the truth. When I got to her office, counseling began even before giving
me the results. I just knew the worst had happened but I didn’t expect it to be
all my children that I have laboured for all my life, giving them the best in
life. But unfortunately for me, when I opened the results all the four children
were not mine, three sons and a daughter. I couldn’t hold it as a man, I broke
down in tears.
At
first, I taught I was dreaming and waiting to wake up from sleep. The trauma
was too much for me. When I got home, I called my wife to the bedroom
immediately and gave her the results. She denied everything. I wanted to
believe her to make myself happy. I went ahead to call the CEO of HumGene
Limited to ask her if she was sure about the result. I spoke with her with an angry
tone, but she was calm and told me she is very sure and referred me to other
places I can try doing another test. She informed me that although the prices
are higher.
I didn’t
know what to do and I went to the doctor that advised me to go for the
paternity test. When he saw the results, he told me this can’t be a mistake
because DNA does not lie and that the 22 loci region is the highest in the
Paternity test. I felt more convinced and went back home. I told my wife that
if she does not tell me the truth, I would go ahead to our church pastor and
show them the result. After hearing me say that, she broke down into tears and
confession started.
She
had all my supposed children for the same man. That was why our son had same
blood group with the sister. She has refused to tell me the man and the reason
why she did what she did. We are yet to tell the children and our family
members. I’m in great shock and don’t know where to start from.
The
CEO of HumGene Limited has been of great help taking her time to counsel me
anytime I needed that. I need advice. Please, what should I do? Men out there
you need to be vigilant.
Here
is a short interview with the civil engineer…
Were you always travelling
when the children were conceived?
I was
travelling a lot, but the maximum time I spend out of the house was two weeks.
I did not keep track of when my wife gets pregnant.
Do you know the father of
your ‘children’?
No, my
wife is holding on to that.
Can you have babies?
I have
never doubted that. So, I didn’t have any reason to check if I’m medically okay
to have children, but I do not feel any abnormality in me. I will go for a test
to check, but I’m not in the right state of mind now.
What do you do? What does
your wife do?
I’m a
Civil Engineer and my wife is a pharmacist.
Why are you still living
with her?
I am
no longer living in the house now. I’m staying in the hotel.
When were the tests done?
Samples
were submitted on the 3rd of October 2017 and results received on the 10th of
October 2017.
What did you tell the
children when the tests were done?
We
told them they were going for a general checkup for genetic testing since
HumGene Limited offers the services for that.
What kind of samples were
taken?
Buccal
Swabs.
Were the children not
curious?
Not at
all. We didn’t give them any reason to be curious.
Who have you told about the
result?
Only
my wife and the Doctor that suggested the test.
What’s your wife saying?
Just
crying as usual and refused to tell me the reason behind her actions. I moved
out the next day because I did not want to be in the same house with her. The
more I see her, the angrier I get, and I don’t want it to lead to something I
will regret.
Are you not scared for your
life?
I’m
not, but this question is now making me think if I should be scared, I can’t
think straight right now.
What do you want to do now?
To be
honest with you, I’m yet to come to a decision. It’s very difficult. I have
worked so hard to give the children the best anyone can imagine giving to their
children.
How much did the tests
cost?
For
myself and one child, it was ₦60,000.00 and an extra child was ₦40,000. In
total, I paid ₦180,000 for myself and the 4 children.
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