A Journey Through IVF: Jabir and Amirah’s Story
Some preliminary tests were required before the IVF procedure. The doctors guided Jabir and Amirah through the process, which began on their first hospital visit. They returned to the hospital on the given date, which was a Saturday, giving them ample time.
A Journey Through IVF: Jabir and Amirah’s Story
The Doctor’s Consultation
When it was their turn, they went in together and the doctor asked them to sit. The doctor, a middle-aged man, first addressed Jabir.
The Initial Conversation
“Mr. Jabir Akinsola, is it okay to discuss this in the presence of your wife?” he asked.
“Is it related to the treatment?” Jabir responded.
“Yes, it is,” the doctor confirmed.
“You can go ahead,” Jabir replied.
The Problem Unveiled
“There’s a little problem that needs treatment before we proceed with the IVF,” the doctor began.
Amirah cut in sharply, “What’s wrong with me? Can’t I carry my baby? Do I have a problem?”
“Please calm down, madam,” the doctor reassured. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”
The Diagnosis
“Really?” she sighed but remained anxious. “What’s the problem then?”
“The issue is with your husband,” the doctor revealed.
“Subhanallah!” they chorused.
Jabir’s Condition
Jabir asked, “What kind of problem, doctor?”
“After testing your semen, we discovered that it lacks sperm. You have azoospermia,” the doctor explained.
“What does that mean?” Amirah asked.
Understanding Azoospermia
The doctor clarified, “Azoospermia means there are no sperms in the semen. This could be because the sperm is either not produced or blocked from entering the semen.”
“But he ejaculates during intercourse. Isn’t that sperm?” Amirah asked.
“The liquid released is semen, which should contain sperm. In your husband’s case, the sperm is absent, making it difficult to conceive,” the doctor said.
The Couple’s Reaction
“This is unbelievable!” Amirah exclaimed, staring at Jabir with accusing eyes.
Searching for Solutions
“Please, sir, is there a solution?” Jabir asked.
“There are treatments, but success is not guaranteed,” the doctor replied.
Emotional Turmoil
“Why should I calm down when Jabir has destroyed my life?” Amirah cried.
“Please don’t talk like that. It’s not his fault!” the doctor cautioned.
“Didn’t you say I had no problem? This man has wasted over four years of my life,” she lamented.
The Doctor’s Advice
“Mr. Jabir, do not think too much about the situation. Continue to believe in God for healing. We’ll start the treatment immediately,” the doctor said, giving them another appointment.
The Journey Home
Amirah didn’t thank the doctor and walked out briskly. Jabir parked the car and went inside. He sat on the chair weakly and held his head in his palms. Amirah also sat down and continued to lament.
Amirah’s Lamentation
“I can’t continue to stay with a sterile man. I’m not sorry at all. The second wife you married should stay with you. Let me even call her …”
“Don’t call Naila!” Jabir told her. “Allow me to tell her myself!”
“You can’t tell me what to do!” She hissed and put a call across to Naila.
“I’m warning you! Don’t call Naila!” He said sternly.
“Don’t give me that face! You no longer have that right because as of now, you’re no longer my husband. Please free me,” she requested but he didn’t respond.
Naila picked up her call at the second dial and Amirah raised her anxiety.
“Naila, listen, come to my house right now, your husband is VERY SICK,” she told her with emphasis.
“Subhanallah!” Naila exclaimed loudly. “What happened to him?” She asked anxiously.
“Instead of asking questions, why don’t you start coming immediately?!” Amirah urged her.
“I’m coming right away!” Naila said and the call ended.
Confrontation at Home
Jabir asked, “Are you out of your mind? What was the meaning of that?”
“Meaning of what? Are you not sick? Doesn’t she have the right to know what’s wrong with you or do you plan to hide it from her?” Amirah retorted. Jabir hissed and decided not to argue with her. He took his phone and dialed Naila’s number, but she wasn’t answering.
After Naila ended the call with Amirah, she dropped her phone on the bed and raced out of the house. She totally forgot to take the phone with her. Quickly, she started her car and zoomed off. Jabir called her to no avail. He wanted to tell her not to listen to what Amirah said or try to come to Amirah’s house, but Naila’s phone was inside her house.
Amirah waited for Naila’s arrival before packing her things. Jabir panicked as Naila wasn’t answering her phone no matter how many times it rang. Speedily, Naila drove the car and soon, she got to Jabir’s house. She parked outside and knocked on the gate. The gateman opened the gate for her and she hastened inside the house.
Naila’s Arrival
Jabir and Amirah were still sitting inside the living room. None of them had the will to do anything. Naila rushed in and greeted both of them swiftly.
“Oh, you’re here!” Amirah said.
“Yes, I’m here,” Naila replied and rushed to where Jabir was sitting.
“Mine,” she said, touching him all over his body. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked worriedly but Jabir couldn’t say anything. Amirah raised her nose.
“We’ll know if you genuinely love him now or you’re faking it,” she said.
“Mine, please talk to me. What’s the nature of your sickness? You don’t look sick,” Naila said as she caressed his body.
“He cannot look sick because his kind of sickness doesn’t show on the face,” Amirah replied. “His sickness is from under,” she said as she touched her own under.
“I don’t understand!” Naila looked confused.
The Revelation
Amirah turned to Jabir. “Do you want to tell her by yourself? Or do you want me to tell her?” She asked him.
“What do you both want to tell me? You’re making me nervous,” Naila panicked.
Jabir shook his head and held Naila’s hand. “Mine,” he said sweetly, “don’t panic, please. I’ll tell you later …”
“Tell her now!” Amirah shouted.
“Tell me what?” Naila was puzzled.
Jabir’s Explanation
Jabir decided to tell Naila himself. “Mine, I told you Amirah and I wanted to start IVF treatment, right?” he began.
“Yes, you told me,” Naila replied, her heart thumping.
“We visited the hospital for another appointment today and that was when the doctor broke the news that I have azoospermia …”
“Azoo … spermia?” Naila stuttered.
“Yes,” Amirah interjected sharply. “He has azoospermia. It means he cannot impregnate a woman.”
“Please don’t say that!” Naila cut in. “Azoospermia is treatable,” she said hopefully, and Jabir was amazed at her faith.
Amirah shook her head. “The doctor said that the success of its treatment is not guaranteed …”
“Forget what the doctor said!” Naila said sharply. “Azoospermia is treatable, and the success of its treatment is guaranteed by Allah.”
Amirah’s Decision
Amirah raised her nose at her. “It’s easier to resign to fate when you’ve not wasted over four years of your life with him. You’ve only been married to him for a few months. I have already wasted over four years of my life with him. I can’t continue to wait for something that’s not certain. I want to have my own child. I want to be a mother. I feel cheated and robbed already because if I knew he was a sterile man, I wouldn’t have waited for this long. He would have married another wife. He has already married another wife without even knowing he was the problem, so why should I stay?” She shrugged and moved to where Jabir and Naila were sitting.
She grabbed Jabir’s hand and placed it on Naila’s hand. “Naila, I give you this man in this life and the next life. Mo fun e laye ati lorun,” she said and rushed to her room to start packing her things.
