Stanley knew that he was in real trouble. He loves his mother so much and would not want to hurt her. Her mother’s prayer has always been that God would give him a wife that will take the place of the daughter she never had.

When he was choosing Nnenna, he was very sure that his mother would love and appreciate her. But everything seemed to be crashing in his presence. The more he thought of the whole drama the more he became weak. The next morning, he took permission from office to visit his dad.

His dad felt pity for him because he knew exactly what he was going through.

“Son you have to take things easy. You are taking this too hard,” his dad pleaded.

Stanley shook his head and kept mute.

“You don’t wish to go against your mother’s wish. Do you?” His dad asked softly.

“Dad, I love Nnenna. She is the only lady that I have ever loved sincerely.”

“I know. Most times, love does not come on a platter of gold. You have to fight for it. My only challenge is that this issue is complicated. I wish we don’t know about it. The wish of every mother and father is to carry their grandchildren. So hearing the news that our only son can never have a child is a bitter pill to swallow.

Mine is worst because I am already seeing that girl as my daughter in law. ”

“Dad, what do I do? Please don’t suggest that I should forget about Nnenna.”

“Son, it’s your life. I will let you live it the way you want. If you know that the love you have for her is strong enough to endure childlessness, then you can go ahead and marry her. But in everything you do, make sure that you carry your mother along. You are her source of joy.”

Stanley did not find the succour he needed from his father he left with frustration and decided to visit pastor to explain what was going on.

Pastor could not believe what he heard that his secretary did. He decided to call her for questioning.

“Clara, what did you tell Stanley’s mum?” Pastor queried in anger.

“Sir, I did not tell her any bad thing. I had no evil intention.”

“That is not my question. I asked what did you tell her? “Pastor asked again.

“I gave her prayer point concerning Nnenna. Since Nnenna was going to be her daughter in law. I felt she should join us in praying for her.”

Pastor looked at her in wonder, “Why do you need to pray for her. Did she give you any prayer point?”

“Chinasa her friend told me of the need to be praying for her because of her condition.”

Stanley was boiling inside like hot water. He felt like beating the daylight out of Clara. But he had to respect himself because of pastor.

“What exactly is the condition?” Pastor asked.

“Chinasa told me that Nnenna lost her womb through abortion. She wanted us to be praying so that God can restore the womb,”

“Clara I am so disappointed at you. It’s unfortunate that I never knew that you are a chameleon. Not minding that you committed this kind of heinous crime, you still want to implicate another person. Now go and pick everything that belongs to you and leave. You are not qualified to work in this office.” Pastor ordered.

Minutes after Clara left, Stanley still bowed his head.

“Stanley, I will encourage you to take things easy. This not a time for anger or worry, it is time to go to God in prayer. The Bible said that all things work together for good to them that love God. If Nnenna is the will of God for you, no power can stop it. God has the power to change your mother and make her to love Nnenna. Do you remember that the first day you came to tell me about Nnenna, we prayed a prayer?” Pastor asked

“I remember sir.”

“What was the prayer?”

“We prayed that if she is not the will of God for me, no matter how I strive, I will not have her. We also prayed that if she is the will of God for me, no power can stop it.”

“I am happy that you remember. I have seen cases that are worse than this, yet God took control. Continue praying, God will do what he want to do.”
*************

Nnenna was coming from the office canteen when a Toyota Highlander jeep drove into the compound. A beautiful, fair woman alighted from the car. Nnenna looked at her again and got the message.

“This is Stanley’s mum. This is where Stanley got his good looks from,” She told herself.

“Good day ma” Nnenna greeted and the woman responded.
She was about walking into the office when the woman called her back.

“I don’t know you. Do you work here?”

“Yes ma. I am a new employee.”

“What is your name?”

“Ma, my name is Nnenna.”

“Oh! You are the Nnenna that has set fire in my house.”

“I don’t understand ma?” Nnenna said in agitation.

” Never mind . Do you know me?”

“This is my first time of seeing you. But I think that you might be Stanley’s mum because you look like him.”

“Hmm! Talking of Stanley, don’t you know that any well trained lady would have strived to know the mother of the man she want to spend the rest of her live with?” She asked in a mockery tone.

“The first time Stanley told me about you, he said that you travelled out of the country. I learnt that you came back day before yesterday. ”

“And you didn’t know that you ought to come and welcome me? A well trained child should know that.”

“I’m sorry for that ma. I thought Stanley should be the one to invite me to the family at the appropriate time.”

“I can’t see any ring on your finger. Are you trying to hide it from your numerous lovers?”

Nnenna was taken aback by the accusation but she responded politely, “I have not collected any ring from him. I am yet to accept the marriage proposal.”

Stanley’s mum laughed bitterly

“You amuse me my dear Why would you Keep him waiting? Complete women are the ones that play such games not a barren one like you? A retired prostitute.”

Hot tears flowed from Nnenna’s eyes.

“What are you crying for? Are you surprised that I am aware. Oh, you don’t know that my son would tell me. Anyway, he doesn’t hide things from his mother. He said that he is no more interested in the relationship.”

“Mummy?” Nnenna called but Stanley’s mum halted her.

“Who is your mummy? Never you make the mistake of calling me your mother. Do I look like your wretched mother?”

“I called you mummy because you are a mother to a beautiful soul. For that, you deserve all the honour and respect. Stanley is a complete gentleman, he can never break a woman’s heart. The only thing is that there was never a relationship between us, so I wonder why he should send you to inform me that he is not interested in what never existed.”

“Are you trying to tell me that Stanley cannot leave you?”

“No mummy. What I said was that I have no intention of coming in between you and your son. Stanley told me about the love that exist between you and him. God forbid that I should be a reason that a happy family should start having a challenge.

I know that Stanley love me so much and will never want to hurt me, I will settle the matter by myself. It is easier for me because I have not accepted to marry him. But mummy, I want you to note this, I am not a barren woman. The Lord said that I am fruitful and I believe his word. My story must end in praise.”

“I don’t care, just leave my innocent son alone That is what I want.”