“Thank you your Honour”, Alfred said standing on his feet. “It is true that I am not the biological father of Zeal Alfred Adegbola. It is also true that Mr. Valentine did not waive his right over Zeal but I have taken care of that boy and given him fatherly love and support even before he was born. The question I want to put to Mr. Valentine is if I did not take in Zeal’s mother and take care of her and her family, if something had gone wrong to her health thereby affecting the baby, would we be having this mediation?
I legally adopted that boy, settled all customary obligations and have provided for him till now so I also have rights over him. I do not want any monetary compensations. I just want my son left alone where he is. It would be unfair to uproot him from a family he has known all his life. This case has already made him attract unnecessary attention. This boy is seventeen years and not an infant that can be moved from arm to arm. I have to express my displeasure over the manner Mr. Valentine handled the case. I believe it could have been handled better than this. Thank you your honour”. With that, he sat down. The Magistrate gestured to Valentine,” you may speak now”.
“Thank you, your honour”, Valentine said, getting on his feet, “I want to apologize to Dr. Alfred and his parents for any embarrassment or discomfort this case may have brought them. I am deeply sorry. Forgive me. I must confess that when I filed this case, I had other intentions apart from claiming my son but when I had a chance to meet with Zeal, even though I did not reveal my identity to him, he brought a longing I never knew I had. When I looked at him it was like looking at a mirror image of myself only seventeen years younger, I know that this is not easy for his adopted father and mother and I wish I could turn my back and walk away and let things be as they are, but my conscience will never let me be. My heart will hurt more than it is doing now if I walk away from my blood, my son. I wouldn’t dare to bring up a monetary compensation because that would never pay for the love, care and time you have invested in him. But I sincerely hope that my rights will not be ignored even with the situation of things. Dr. Alfred has had a chance to know him. He has been there when he was born, when he first uttered a word and when he went to school. He has seen Zeal’s formative years. He has had the chance to instill his values and principles into Zeal. I just want a chance to know him, to be a part of his life. I want a chance to be his father. I want him to recognize me as one...”, Valentine choked and walked out of the room. Everybody felt how emotional the whole situation was. He came back shortly and the Magistrate asked Valerie to speak briefly before he gives his judgment. “Thank you, your Honour”, she said standing to address everyone.
“I want to seize this opportunity to apologize to my husband and his parents. I am sorry for the embarrassment. When I made that decision to marry my husband and give my son a father, I never knew a day like this would come. I know it seems as though I took the easy way out”, she paused and looked at everyone in the face “and maybe I did. I just lost my father, I was about to be homeless and I was pregnant. I went to Valentine’s parents and ...”, Valerie looked at Valentine’s mother and the look the woman gave her spoke millions but Valerie continued “they wanted nothing to do with me. They told me their son said he did not have any form of relationship with me and was not responsible for the pregnancy. I was warned to stay away. I know everyone here might be of the opinion that I should have tried to survive on my own instead of getting married at such a young age but I boldly say that you can only judge me if you passed through exactly what I did and you had the exact emotional and physical capabilities, I had at the time. I know single mothers do exist but with a secondary school certificate, I would never have been able to give my son the comfort, protection, love and care Alfred gave him. Yes, I said it”, she said, raising her voice. “Yes, Alfred gave him the luxury that I could only have imagined in my dreams. I know I sound like a gold digger to you all, and my mother-in-law is probably happy that finally, the words she has been using to describe me are coming from my mouth, but I am being honest here. When my father died, we were neck-deep in debt. We had borrowed so much to offset his bills and buy his drugs that the doctors prescribed almost every day. Even when his health got so bad, I just kept hoping and so did my mom. Even till that last day we bought drugs for him. When he passed on, I was distraught and Alfred was a strong shoulder I leaned on. When I was caught between keeping the pregnancy and terminating it, Alfred stood by me. When I decided to keep it, he told me everything was going to be ok, and it was” she said, a sad smile on her beautiful face.
“It was ok until now...”
“It was ok until you cheated on him”, her mother-in-law cut in, Alfred’s mother was a perfect contrast to Valentine’s mother. Dr. Mrs. Adegbola was a woman that says what she feels; with her, what you see is what you get.
Dr Mrs Adegbola cannot pretend to save her life. That is why when her son brought Valerie home to introduce her formally to the family, his mother made it clear to everyone that she did not approve of Valerie as a daughter-in-law. When Alfred insisted, his mother gave in and had a cordial relationship with his wife. But her opinion of her daughter-in-law had not changed one bit over the years.
“I have always known that you can take a dog out of a gutter but you can never take the gutter out of the dog. You stand here and praise my son but you are the reason we are here. I keep asking myself why you told this young man about the child that has been legally adopted and well cared for, for good seventeen years of his life. What were you trying to prove. Let me finish”, Dr Mrs Adegbola raised her hand shutting up Valentine’s mother who was about to say something. “Okay let’s say you were suddenly struck by your conscience and you wanted him to know about his son, even when his parents had told you their son was not responsible for your pregnancy”, she paused and swallowed, “why then did you sleep with him. Did you forget your marital vows or you really that loose?
Even if you wanted to misbehave did you have to be so stupid as to go out to the public to get a DNA test? Did you forget who you are married to? You made a public spectacle of my son’s private life and ours too. Why weren’t you discrete? You could have found a way to perform those tests without telling the whole world that my son is sterile...”, “That is okay Mum”, Alfred cut in.
“It is not!”, she yelled rising to her feet. “I will not have you yelling here, Doctor. Try to comport yourself”, the Magistrate finally spoke up. Alfred’s mother sat down, the Magistrate beckoned on Valerie to continue.
“Mummy”, she called, looking at Alfred’s mother, “I am so sorry about all this. If I could take back everything that I have done, I would. Please, your Honour, I plead that Alfred should remain Zeal’s father. I know Valentine also has rights over Zeal but let's not forget that Alfred has legal papers that give him rights over Zeal and he has fulfilled all customary obligations. Thank you, your Honour”. The Magistrate spent a few minutes, taking down notes. When he raised his head, he looked at everyone in the room and fixed his gaze on Alfred. “Dr. Alfred, I believe you were instructed to come with Zeal. Please invite him here”.
Alfred walked out of the room and came back a few minutes after with Zeal. When he came in, he was ushered to a seat by the Magistrate overlooking both sides of the family. The atmosphere was so tense and everyone was silent. The Magistrate turned to Zeal who was seated by his right hand side, “Zeal, I believe you have already been briefed by your family about what is taking place here right now”. Zeal nodded and the Magistrate continued, “I know this is a very difficult moment for you, though you are young and may not know the full implication of what is happening here today. However, I am sure you know that the judgment passed today will change your life. I am going to ask you a question that will help the ruling of this case, having been briefed before you were brought in here. Mr. Zeal Alfred Adegbola, for the record, your biological father, Mr. Valentine Owoh, proved by a DNA test is demanding for your full custody. I want to hear what you have to say concerning this suit that was filed by Mr.
Valentine. You are seventeen years of age and your mental faculties can take this, so can we hear you”.
Zeal stood up and greeted everyone....
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
After Zeal greeted everyone, the magistrate waved his hand for him to sit. The Magistrate knew that whatever the boy was going to say he was going to need some kind of support and sitting on the chair was better than standing.
“Your honour”, Zeal began, “when you say this is a difficult moment, I have to say it is an understatement. I never even thought a day like this would exist, I never for once imagined that the man I call my father, a man I admire, my role model is not my biological father. When I found out, I thought I was having a nightmare and will soon wake up.Everything is happening so fast. My dad warned me, this day might come and I prayed so hard that it will remain a probability but then again, fate always has its own plans. I love my family and would never trade it for anything in this world but like my dad will always say, “nothing happens without a reason.
Right from the day my dad told me that I might be called to make a choice between himself and Mr Valentine, I have been having nightmares. I see myself called in here like I was today but each time I woke up before it’s time for me to speak. Each time I woke up, I wished that the decision would be made for me and I wouldn’t have to make such a difficult choice”.
While Valentine waited in Alfred’s private living room, he couldn’t believe the turn of events at the mediation. What Zeal said in the presence of everyone shocked him and the look on everyone’s face mirrored his own. When the boy finished talking there was no dry eye. The beautiful private pictures of members of Alfred’s family hung and place strategically in positions that made the ostentatious manner the room was decorated more appealing and intimate. His eye wandered to one picture in particular where Zeal was sitting alongside Alfred, both looking smart in well-tailored suits, the smile they both have on their faces speaks volumes about their relationship. His eye dwelled on Zeal’s face and that moment in time flashed before his eyes and the scenes that took place.
After Zeal greeted everyone he was silent for about one minute. He just kept looking at everyone’s face as though he was looking for a particular face to focus on.
“First of all”, Zeal finally spoke up, I want to apologize to my father”, everyone knew he was talking to Alfred because his roaming eyes were now focused on Alfred.
“I feel a bit responsible for all the embarrassment you have had to go through because of this case. If someone had told me two months ago that I would be here today, I would be so angry with that person for thinking up such a cruel tale. Daddy, I want to thank you for all the love and support you have given me throughout my life. I have looked up to you and felt I had the best father in the world. But now, having found out what you did for my mother and me, a part of me thinks you are not human. That kind of unconditional love is not exhibited by humans. I have thought about the repercussions my decision here might have and I might not know its full implications yet but I believe God never gives a man more than he can handle. I have been briefed before I came in here about Valentine Owoh’s part and my mother’s version of what happened.
“Your honour”, he called looking at the Magistrate. “I would rather remain with my present family and at the same time. Mr.Valentine Owoh is my biological father and he never gave up his rights. On one side my father had legalized by adoption and traditionally he has satisfied all customs at the same time. I would want to give my biological father a chance to have a relationship with me; and still, I cannot walk away from my father. He made me the person I am today.”
Zeal stopped to catch his breath. Everyone present could sense the struggle the young boy was going through.
“I want to remain with my father Dr. Adejumobi Alfred Adegbola, but I want to now be known and addressed as Zeal Valentine Owoh.
I will spend most of my holidays at Mr. Valentine’s house so that we can forge a relationship but I want to continue living with my father. I know my decision might hurt you father”. Alfred’s showed no reaction whatsoever, so it was hard to tell how he was truly feeling; his face was hidden by his left palm. “I love you Dad, but like you said Valentine is my kin, we are blood. That day you spoke to me, I sensed you were trying to tell me something. When I made this decision, I felt some kind of calm. Please forgive me, Dad”.
“It’s ok, son”, Alfred spoke up, “I raised you well, and I taught you to always respect people’s decision and look on the bright side. I respect your decision, son. I respect it”. Alfred stood up and Zeal got up from where he was seated and walked to where his father was standing. They stood looking at each other, then Alfred opened his arms and Zeal hugged his father. It was a really emotional scene for everyone present. Valentine couldn’t believe and even as he stared at his son's image in the 36-inch square portrait.
He couldn’t believe Zeal had accepted him as his father. Anyone looking at him could be deceived by his cool exterior. He was so anxious as he waited. There was a lot of activity, going on in his stomach right now.
“Good afternoon, sir”, Valentine turned to see the person greeting him and it was Zeal. “Sorry, you had to wait”, Zeal apologized. Valentine smiled and said, “a few minutes wait is nothing”.
“I was waiting for my father to arrive. He said he wanted to see me off”, Zeal explained.
“I understand”, Val said. “Let’s wait for a few minutes maybe he is delayed by something”.
They both sat and a minute after Alfred arrived. Valentine and Zeal got up when he entered the room. “Sorry to keep you waiting”, he said walking up to Valentine and extending his hand. Valentine took the hand and pumped it, “it’s okay, Sir”, Valentine said.
“I’m set to leave, Dad”, Zeal said. Alfred walked to his son and hugged. The hug was unexpected but Zeal needed the emotional support the hug provided because he hugged Alfred tightly. They both refrained and said nothing because at times, words were not necessary and this was one of those times. “Shall we”, he said to Valentine and he took his son’s briefcase and led the way. When they got outside, Alfred turned and asked Zeal, “are you taking your car?”, Valentine answered, “I actually, got this one for him”, he said pointing to Red Ferrari parked a few feet from where they stood.
“Quite flashy”, Alfred chuckled, “I thought it was yours when I drove in”.
“No” Valentine exclaimed and burst into laughter, “It is flashy, too flashy for me. I thought he might like it. I really don’t have an idea what to get for a seventeen-year-old”. “Actually”, Alfred cut, “Zeal has always wanted a red Ferrari”.
“Wow”, the exclamation distracted them and they turned to see, Zeal caressing the car and jumping with so much excitement. “My dream ride, its almost as if you read my mind !”, Zeal screamed. Valentine threw the car key to him and he caught it in mid-air and got into the car.
“I want to apologize and ask for your forgiveness, Alfred for every single pain and embarrassment I have caused you. You have proven to me that angels still walk among us. Please forgive me for trying to break your home. I was only thinking about myself, I’m sorry”, Valentine pleaded.
“Its okay, man”, Alfred said, patting him on the back. “I have silently lived in fear and we both know what you fear usually comes upon you. I saw the depth of her love for you and I have feared that the embers of that love will one day burn again. We have both witnessed the extent of her love for you...”. “But she is still pledging her loyalty and devotion to you”. Valentine cut in.
Alfred let out a sad laugh, “loyalty you say, but she opened her legs the moment she set her eyes on you. I don’t know about devotion, what she feels is gratitude”, Alfred’s eyes were still fixed on Zeal as he spoke. “I don’t want any woman to stay with me out of gratitude...”, Valentine opened his mouth to speak but Alfred raised his hand stopping him, “don’t patronize me Valentine. I may have loved her boundlessly but I’m not a fool. She proclaimed in
front of the magistrate that she wants Zeal to stay with me but I can see through her actions. Her love for you has withstood years of separation. Why else did she still tell you about the true paternity of Zeal. Its because she couldn’t stand you having a less than perfect image of her. She may not be jumping into your arms right now but I know that it is because she loves you enough to let you go. That is a selfless man, so don’t patronize me, you won”. Valentine sensed that the conversation was coming to an end, and an unpleasant one. “Concerning the Ferrari”. Alfred started”, I have always known Zeal wanted a red Ferrari but we didn’t get him one because we don’t want him to grow up with a sense of flamboyance and entitlement.
By We, I mean Valerie and I always wanted him to grow up with what he needs and not spoil him. With kidnapping on the rise, we didn’t want him to draw too much attention to himself. But he is also your son and you have a right to mould him and integrate into him your life principles but since he will be spending more time here, I don’t want our parenting overlooked and trampled on.
I know I don’t have to tell you but do take care of him”, with that Alfred walked away, calling out to Zeal, “take care son. I will see you soon”. “Alright, Dad. Take care of yourself”. Valentine drove out in the red Ferrari with his son.
As Susanne watched her baby sleep she couldn’t believe how her life had turned around. The quick smile on her baby’s face made her heart flutter. Susanne always wondered what made her smile in her dreams. With the maternity leave from the hospital and her mother flying in to take care of her and the baby, Susanne almost didn’t miss Valentine. Occasionally she needed someone to hold but since the arrival of the baby, she has been blissfully too tired to lay awake at night pining over him.
Choices Page 14
