Philip sat reluctantly before his parents, they had called him to tell him what they had in mind to do.
"Philip, you know in Igbo land, a pregnant woman can't be betrothed until she has put to bed, her bride price can't be paid if it is discovered she is pregnant. I don't know if it is the same for Yoruba land, but we will need to go there and find out. The only solution I can think of right now is getting married to Grace which I am not sure is an actual solution because she had already conceived out of wedlock" Philip's dad said while clearing his throat at intervals.
"Thank you, Daddy,"
*
Philip and his family finally went to pay a visit to his girlfriend, Grace's family house. They were dressed in their Igbo native attire and sat nervously on the couch.
"Do not say a word during the conversations unless you are asked to do so, you hear me?" Philip's dad commanded Philip.
"Yes, daddy"
Grace's father came out to welcome them, he was on Agbadas and Fila but one wouldn't categorize the look he gave them as a welcome.
He adjusted his agbada and sat down. Then, he spoke in his Yoruba accent. "I don't want to waste your time but I will address a few things. This girl has been pregnant for six good months and you people are just coming now. I and her mother found out about it two months ago. We urged her to tell us who was responsible but she was so strong-willed, she wouldn't speak. At some point, we concluded she didn't know who the father was and we decided to accept the shame and disgrace that came with her and her pregnancy. It was a tough one. Now, when it is drawing nearer for her to put to bed, you people have decided to show up. Can you please tell me why?"
"Good afternoon once again sir, we are really sorry to have come this late to claim responsibility for the pregnancy but the news just reached us a few days back. We…"
"Are you trying to say your son just told you about her pregnancy only a few days ago?"
"Yes sir"
"Then, he is not worthy to marry her. He is irresponsible."
"Ah in-law, it is not like that…" Philip's mom tried to explain.
"Which dirty in-law? Don't call me that again, please. I have known Igbos to have no regard for anybody or anything and I am not ready to have that disrespect in my family."
Philip's dad gave Philip a stern look.
"Daddy Grace, please be considerate enough to…"
"Abegi!" Grace's daddy cut Philip's dad short. "Your son can't marry my daughter and that is final. When she put to bed, you people can have the baby. She will come to visit the baby once in a while"
"Daddy!" Grace came out of her hiding place, about to shed tears. "Daddy ejoooo, please, just let me…"
"C'mon get inside ojare! You want to marry disrespect into this family. Over my dead body"
"Mtchewwwww" Philip's dad hissed and stood up, adjusting his dress. "It's not like we want to marry your daughter either, it's just because of condition but if you have chosen not to give us your daughter's hand in marriage then we would dust out the dirt off our feet and leave. You can keep the child, we don't want the child either"
"Daddy!" Philip shouted and his mother gave him a spank to shut him up.
"No o, you better come and take the child when the time is due because if after one month and you don't come, you would never see that child again."
"Let's go biko, this man is a stupid man," Philip's dad said as he walked out of the house, his wife followed, and Philip also reluctantly did after giving Grace a sad wave.
***