Why we cannot marry even if we tried: My Lamentation, her Tears.

It was not as we wanted it to be but somehow we made an effort even though what we did was out of ignorance and our carelessness to knowing the truth before now. This was the story of Jack and Margret, both were lovers who have loved themselves for more than five years but when it was time for marriage, reality became their nightmare and greatest enemy. Oh if they were told earlier, would they have believed that their love life could come to an end in such a manner even with no fault of theirs or should I say because of their ignorance to what must be.

Jack met Margret on his first day in college and that day became the best day of his life because meeting her turned his life into an awesome sweetness filled with unforgettable memories. He was studying Engineering while Margret also got admission to study Medicine. Their meeting was magical because Margret had already finished with every school activity and was on her way to the hostel when she got a call from her girlfriend who informed her that she had forgotten one of her textbooks. At first, she suggested that her friend should bring the textbook for her while coming back to the hostel, but her friend told her that she would not be coming back to the hostel because she wanted to join her group members who had scheduled to meet at one of their group members house where they will finalize on their project. This response made Margret turn around and head straight back to school because she remembered that she will need the

textbook to finish up with the assignment that was given to them. Jack who had already finished with his after-class reading of all that was thought on that day, packed up his textbooks in preparation to go back to the host. He walked out of the class room in such haste that he did not notice that someone was coming. Before he could spell Jack, he had already bumped into Margret who dropped all that she was carrying on her hand due to the force at which Jack collided with her.

Margret lost her footing if not that Jack was fast enough to catch her by the hand and get her back on her feet she would have landed very hard on the ground. Instantly, Jack’s mouth was filled with “I am sorry” but as soon he set eyes on Margret’s face, he was captivated by her extreme beauty which can only be attributed to that of mermaids. Jack forgot that he was rushing to go back to the hostel because he wanted to join his friends to play the evening soccer which they play every Wednesday and Friday of the week. After helping her to pack all her books that was scattered on the floor, he pleaded that she allowed him walk with her as a means to show how sorry he was. At first Margret refused but after his subtle but consistent persistence, she succumbed and they both walked to her class. That day ended even in a more beautiful way because Jack walked her to the hostel and because of his cuteness and charisma, she agreed to give him her phone contact. From that day, their lives turned around because they both shared the kind of love that could only be seen in the movies or read in the novels.

By the time the graduated they have become so inseparable that none can be seen with the company of the other. Their love story became more interesting when they both got their appointment letter on the same day. It was truly magical and their love life made a lot of friends to want to fall in love but as we all know;

love is best experienced and not wished. 

As they got employed in different offices according to their qualification, everything began to fall into place. Within the shortest period of time, they started talking about sealing their love through marriage. Throughout the entire years they were together, they got everything right but there was something they failed to do which was as important as their love for each other. What did they not get right?

What they did not get right.

First I must state that the issue I am about to discuss here is as important as anything one can think of when it comes to relationship and marriage. Before I go into it I would want to state clearly that a lot of families are already suffering because they partners failed to do this one and all important thing. You might be in love with someone but you must understand that love will and can never be enough when it comes to this particular issue. We all know that HIV/AIDS cannot hinder marriage in this era due to the fact that there are anti-retroviral drugs for control and IVF can also be used for child bearing, but when it comes to the issue I am talking about, it goes beyond love and personal interest.

As we all know that today is celebrated around the globe as World Sickle Cell Day, there is a great need for all of us to look at sickle cell anaemia from the angle of either neglect or carelessness from partners who are intending to tie the knot through marriage. In the story I told above, Jack and Margret were so lost in love that they forgot to check their Genotype in away to know if they are both compatible for marriage. It is appalling to know that most youths do not understand the effect of not knowing their genotype before saying I do. This is why we are still witnessing a lot of issues of children who out of the carelessness of their parents has been to go through excruciating pain which comes with sickle cell anaemia. My question is this; is love enough?

Is Love Enough?

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If Jack and Margret should go on with the marriage after finding out that their genotype is not compatible, they will come to the point in life when they will have to explain to the child why they chose to bring him/her into this world to suffer. Love can never be enough when it comes to issues like sickle cell, the only thing one needs to do is to get the records straight even before committing to a relationship which has up to %85 chance of ending in marriage. We should not act ignorant of this fact because ones the mistake is done, there is no going back and we all know that the world is yet to get a cure for this disease.

I am mostly touched to write this article as a way to show support for the fight against the spread of sickle cell through incompatible marriages. I have seen what this disease can do to a child and I must tell you that it is not something any one should play with. I remember losing two friends who were siblings to this deadly anaemia. Even though their parents fought so hard to keep them alive but after wasting all their life savings, these my friends died one after another within a month. I cannot forget how broken their mother was because she was left with just a son who was the first born. This happens every day and yet we feel very reluctant to do the needful. In as much as it will be very painful to end a relationship you have built over the years with someone, you must think about these children who are going to suffer all the rest of their lives because you failed to do the right thing.

Jack and Margret

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Do not think that stories like the one I have told you about these two do not happen in real life, they do happen and ones it happens there is no going back. Jack tried all he could to find a way out of the predicament they found themselves but all his effort was futile. Margret cried nights and days hoping that some sort of miracle will happen for them to go ahead with the marriage but her tears was not enough. After fighting for over a year, they both agreed to let go of their age found love. A quick advice to you who is reading this article; instead of seeking to go for a vacation on your first date, use that day to go for a check up which will reveal if your genotypes are compatible with each other. A stitch in time saves nine.

Let us spread the news and save a child and a family from the pains that comes with the crisis of sickle cell anaemia. I love you.

DISCLAIMER: The names used in this article are all fiction but if there is any resemblance, please ignore because it was not intentional.

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