SAILING THROUGH THE OCEAN

"Mrs Eze, I was told that today is her birthday" Doctor Meshach asked, glaring around to gather the entire family as they paced about.

"Yes doctor! She slumped at the occasion of her birthday." Dike jumped from behind with a response, his breath, panting heavily.

"Was there something, I mean anything possible that could be bothering her?" He asked.

"No, we don't think so, except for maybe over excitement. Please doctor, is she okay? Mrs Eze asked flipping her fingers in plead for safety.

"She is fine. A check was made and we realized that she had gone through a sudden emotional anxiety. But she is perfectly okay now. She only needs to be observed and ensure that there is nothing, such as that would cause her anxiety. Please come on in." He pleaded and the Ezes went in with a look of questions on their faces.

Tabitha was in a sitting position faking exhaustion.

"My daughter!" Mrs Eze ran to her and checked her body to ensure she was fine.

Tabitha gleaned on the faces of everyone ensuring that she was all fine.

"I'm sorry Mom. It's just that I was overcomed by my emotions. I would have held on a bit." She apologized.

"Not at all my child. It is obvious the excitement and surprises went beyond you. We should have informed you earlier if not for the much love we have for you." Mrs Eze begged for her pardon.

"Thank you Mom. Where is dad?" She asked and Mr Eze made his way from the entrance point to where she was sitting on the bed. There was a brief conversation between them and Tabitha offered that she was good to be back on the event.

"No! You have to lay back and rest. We will call the event to a close so that the doctors can examine you better." Mrs Eze said.

"She is fine mommy." Dike said from behind, placing a hand on Tera's shoulder.

"Seems like you are now the doctor. There is something between you two." Tera said pushing his hand away playfully.

"I am fine. I can return to the party." Tabitha said.

"In that case, let's inquire from the doctor first." Mr Eze said moving out to call for the attention of the doctor.

Soon he was in and agreed that Tabitha could be back for the party, establishing that there was nothing indicating complications, except that she should be well taken care of to avoid anxiety.

The party continued that day in good fate, but the adoption package was suspended until things were cleared.

That night, Dike could not sleep. He was worried about losing his love to becoming his sister. Worse of all was that the occasion wasn't right for him to have a brief moment with her so they could discuss things.

As men would do things, that night, he made up his mind that he was going to disclose the matter to his father the following day.

As soon as the thought was conceived, he picked his phone and text his dad, requesting for a hangout with him the next morning. This he did because it was already late for him to ring his door.

Mr Dike doesn't joke with his time out with his son anytime he calls for it because whenever it does happen, he is sure there are pressing things that would leave eternal remarks his son wants to share with him.

Around 4am when he woke up and checked his phone, he saw his son's message and responded with a dancing emoji.

When Mrs Eze Ngozi was awake later on, she was informed that he and Dike would be having a time together before the family's general meeting which was scheduled at 2pm.

When the day was fully awake, Dike drove his dad to a family resort in town where he had in mind to hold the meeting with him.

"Dad," He begun, after they were sited.

"There is something that has been troubling my heart."

"Okay, I count it a privilege to hear son. I am here to give you my listening ears. Please speak to me." Mr Eze said.

"Please dad, I don't know how this will sound to you. I do not mean to cause you nor mom harm. You are my father and I have the right to share my burdens with you. Please don't be angry." He pleaded.

"Come on son, i am here for you. Speak up, you are a man." Mr Eze encouraged him.

"Alright. Thank you dad. It's about I and Tabitha." He said.

"You and Tabitha? Is anything wrong?" He asked.

"No dad. Nothing is wrong. We have been in love with each other." He summoned courage and broke the news.

Mr Eze remained quiet and still for a moment then spoke softly.

"Wow, this is heavy for me to take in son. Are you serious about what you are telling me?" He asked and Dike affirmed.

"And non of us have suspected something like this? Are you saying you love her or you both are in love with each other?" He asked again.

"It has been for a while. I love Tabitha and she loves me too. She faked fainting yesterday because she didn't want the adoption so that we could get married. We have been afraid to disclose our conjugal attachment to each other because Tabitha has feared that this wouldn't be welcomed by you and mom and it will seems an act of ingratitude towards you both. She is not aware I am telling you this otherwise she would have stopped me." He said and pleaded.

"Please dad. I will be happy if you and Mom will allow me to marry Tabitha."

Mr (chief) Eze stood to his feet and pulled his son to a standing position then gave him a warm hug.

"This has pulled some hair out of me son. I am happy. If this be the case, then I am excited. I don't know how your mother will take it, but I believe she will be excited too." He said and had Dike back to his seat.

"But son, Tabitha is a single mother. Are you sure you won't discard her tomorrow on this account?"

"No dad. I am so sure I love her. I won't do such a thing." He answered.

"In that case, I am happy this news is coming to me. I shall discuss with your mother."

The two spent a little more time and returned to the house gladly.

It was a step forward for love.