Genetic Counseling : Part 1
Story By Thiyam Ningol, Africa

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"Thirty years ago I was a young man"
"No; thirty years ago you were a bastard".

Maria had never used such vulgar words, especially to her husband. But after the incidents, her anger, shame and worries had made her utter the word which she despised most. She could not control any longer- she sobbed, she cried. John felt very helpless. He wanted to apologise to her but could not; he knew it was too late.

A beautiful, healthy baby boy was born few days ago. The arrival of the unfortunate baby started the dispute between Lillian and Robert, the father and mother of the baby.

Outright, the father denounced the baby and cancelled the engagement. But nobody blamed him for doing what he did.

Lillian and Robert 'was a couple in their early twenties. They were engaged to be married after Lillian gave birth. They both had ordinary, presentable African features but the new born baby had a strong Caucasian trait.

Lillian swore she had never had any sexual relationship with any other man except with her fiancé, Robert. But he was not ready to accept. He was sure the child was not his.

When secrets started coming out in the open naturally, Lillian's mother had to tell the truth to her daughter. Lillian was not the real daughter of the man whom she was made to believe and call father. Her real father was of mixed blood-European father and African mother.

Lillian felt disgusted. She accused her mother of hiding the facts from her and spoiling her future. She requested Robert to reconsider for the sake of the baby. She told him the truth about her real father. Robert insulted Lillian, blamed her for lying to him and called her names. Lillian tolerated all. She was ready to protect her child. She did not like her son to consider another man as his father while his own father was known. What she had experienced, she would not allow it to happen to her child.

She tried to persuade Robert but when Robert became adamantly stubborn and abusive, she sued him. The court ordered for a DNA test.

"Something is wrong here"-the specialist was scolding his junior who prepared the slide. "Perhaps you mixed the blood samples. Make another one, quick."

Again the same picture. The specialist was confused. He had to consult his fellow colleagues. They concluded the only way to solve the problem was to get a proper history first. They could be closely related.

They were given an elaborate counseling.

It was Robert's turn to find out about his origin. His mother who brought him up as a single parent died 2 years ago.

He approached his aunties for help. They all refused to help him; they did not like to disturb the resting soul of their beloved sister. Fear engulfed him whenever he thought of possibilities of him and Lillian to be children of the same unknown father.

Lillian's mother provided them the clue. She could not tell about his where about but at least the name was disclosed and a small photo was given to them. It made them much easier to find John.

Eight months had passed by since the baby was born. They had located John, he fitted all the descriptions. Both noticed the far similarities of their noses. Question arose-who and how to approach him.

Robert took the chance. He followed John in a bar and approached him politely; told him about the DNA test and genetic findings. John was not ready to comply. Exchange of abusive words took place. Robert just needed few drops of blood and few strands of hair from John. He hit him hard with his fists, which had a ring with stone. John bled. Robert took out his handkerchief and dabbed the blood and managed to pull out some loose strands of hair. John grabbed Robert's neck and strangulated him.

People from the bar separated them. Robert apologized to the public saying it was a family matter between father and son and paid for the damage. John was about to protest but Robert pulled him outside and threatened to take him to the police and get legal permission for DNA testing after publicly announcing or settle the matter there and then quietly. He told him the reason for hitting him and showed him the blood stained handkerchief and hair strands. John saw the hatred in Robert's burning eyes. Before John said a word, Robert walked out.

The final DNA test result was out. All four of them shared common characters.

Robert felt humiliated, ashamed and guilty for the insults and injustice he did to Lillian. He could not even look at Lillian after the results were out. He went straight to John. Fortunately, he found only John and his wife Maria in the house. Rest of the family had gone out. He did not like to meet the others anyway.

He threw the results on John's face and asked him how many more Roberts and Lillians were out in the streets.

Maria had not been told what was about the entire scenario. She demanded an explanation. John ordered Robert to get lost. Maria stopped him. She told John she would like to hear from him first. He refused.

Robert told Maria everything with disgust. John still insulted him as a liar. While Maria was still reading the results, Robert left the place. He heard Maria calling him to wait; he did not even look back.

Lillian felt equally ashamed but at least she had something to console;-she proved herself to be honest and trustworthy to Robert. Her mother was supportive of her decisions.

To be continued....