Our Stories (2nd Edition)

By Happiness Nkan

Dr Ben was deep in thoughts as he studied the file before him. The loud rapid knocks jolted him back to his environment. Looking at the door he concluded that the person at the door was not just a patient.

The visitor opened the door as quickly as he had knocked. He wandered in. If despair was a person, it was Ukeme. It was written all over him.

Alarmed, Dr. Ben hurriedly stood up from his chair, held his hands and led him to the red velvet couch, where he usually have a heart-to-heart discussion with his clients.

As if making sure that despair wasn’t taking over Ukeme, Dr. Ben scrutinized his body and face. Satisfied, he asked him what the challenge was. 

Ben was one optimistic fellow that never liked the word ‘problem’ as it sounded so negative. He believed there would always be a way out in every dire situation.

One would think he was just waiting for a prompt, as Ukemespontaneously unburdened his heart in less than a minute. Not that it was funny, but Dr couldn’t help chuckling as soon as Ukeme was done explaining. But he quickly realised this was a grave matter at hand.

Mr. Ukeme Akpanebong, a dark cute neatly bearded deaf guy in his early 30’s was madly in love with Mboutidem Anieowo, a naturally endowed chocolate- skinned damsel in her early 20’s, who is hard of hearing. Both of them are of average height, Ukeme might be some insignificant inches taller than Mboutidem.

While Ukeme is a state civil servant, his fiancee is at the verge of completing her 2 years training at a popular beauty parlour in town.

Why did Dr Ben laugh? Ukeme had just told him that Mboutidem has not been able to conceive despite three attempts. He is sad because her becoming pregnant is the only way he could claim her as his own.

Remembering the sanctity of marriage, Dr Ben quickly asked Ukeme: You two, married? And he firmly rebuked him for what he had done.

True, the girl’s parents were making things difficult for Ukemeto take home his bride. With a three page foolscap marriage list which amounted to about ₦3million naira. It was an exorbitant list that could put a sprint lover on hold. But not Ukeme. He was determined to have his hearthrob at all cost not after the sevenfaithful years they have known each other for or the life promises they had made to each other.

So he decided to go through an indecent process to get her to be his forever, oblivious of the damning consequences.

But Ben in his usual calm amusing manner helped Ukemeunderstand that there are better ways to handle the marriage rites issues and still have his sweetheart.

…………………………………………………..

This story was used to teach the importance of SUBJECT PLACEMENT in sign language in order to avoid repeatedly signing the subject’s name. 

Do you know that the story told in sign language, was less than 3 minutes but detailed with gestures and facial expressions? Oh! The beauty of sign language.

Sign Language Class Set Of 2022