Writers 
The Love I thought Would Last Forever
Osivue coming into my life felt like an answered prayer. He was almost perfect in my eyes — so intelligent, smart, successful, pleasant to look at, and he treated me with so much kindness and respect. Truly, I couldn't ask for more.
My relationship with him really felt like a bed of roses. I would have sworn that I needed nothing else.
Having been in an abusive relationship before meeting Osivue, I had missed out on the real essence of a relationship — vulnerability, peace, and companionship. It was so toxic that completely cutting him off was the first thing I did when the opportunity of leaving for school came. I wanted to be as far away from him as possible.
I intentionally built my defence wall so high, toughened my heart, and remained resolute about not entertaining any guy at the time.
Osivue actually didn't find it easy gaining my attention and trust. Yes, he was a flawless speaker, and he always seemed to know the right things to say and do at every moment, but still, I wasn't moved.
In fact, he had asked me out three solid times and even had to use the popular "ignoring strategy" before he could finally get to me. Even at that, we didn't start dating immediately. We first agreed to be friends before dating properly.
We actually didn't stay as "just" friends for long. He had literally swept me off my feet, and I couldn't bring myself to say no when he popped the question again.
I became so used to Osivue that it didn't take long before I made him the very centre of my existence. He was literally everything I had wanted in my man — and even more.
He was my confidant, my best friend, and my hero. At that point, I couldn't even imagine doing life without him.
He made falling for him so easy. He treated me with so much intentionality and kindness. It was that kind of love that made one's heart contract whenever it came to mind.
Alas, life had more in store for me.
My almost perfect relationship abruptly came to an end in its third year.
Genotype happened.
Osivue had become successful at quite an early age, and it honestly didn't surprise me. He was one of the smartest and most focused young people I had ever come across. He was so intentional about building his career in tech, and being the intelligent person that he was, it wasn't long before he struck gold.
Life became easier, and the next thing he wanted was to settle down with the love of his life — me, of course.
When he mentioned wanting to get married to me, I wasn't surprised. Our relationship had been so healthy, and truthfully, I really wanted to be with him too.
But my whole world came crashing down that night when he called me with a completely different tone in his voice. Worry and fear had replaced his usual jovial tone.
He had called to confirm my genotype, and the moment I told him I was AS, he disconnected the call.
It wasn't a surprise to him, though. He had always known from our friendship stage that genotype was something I took seriously.
The topic had come up at different points because it was something I never joked about. I had seen the realities of sickle cell through people who first knew what pain meant before they even got the chance to fully experience life — those who depended on drugs and injections, those who battled complications daily, and those who suddenly passed away at the very point when they dared to hope.
It definitely wasn't a condition I wished on anyone I knew, not to talk of my precious children.
I had always told myself that regardless of how much I loved someone or how far gone I was in a relationship, the moment I found out that our genotypes were incompatible, I would leave without turning back.
Life, however, taught me that things are always easier said than done.
Life also taught me that it is always easy to speak against or condemn a situation you have never experienced yourself. Sometimes, you never truly know how strong you are until being strong becomes the only option available.
I never knew that one random day could change the entire trajectory of my life.
Indeed, life happens.
Osivue had always believed that he was AA. In fact, he was very sure of it. His mother had told him that she and his father were both AA, and two out of his four siblings who had also carried out their genotype tests had turned out to be AA.
This made him confident and relaxed about his own result.
However, I insisted that he go for a test. I had heard a few stories of people who were misled by what their parents told them about their genotypes, got married without any form of hospital confirmation, and later ended up living with regrets.
I never wanted such to be my own story, especially because I already knew I was AS.
I wasn't insisting because I suspected anything. I simply wanted him to confirm it and see for himself.
Sadly, the tide seemed to have been against us.
Osivue was AS.
He had done the test three times in different hospitals, but nothing changed.
It turned out that his mother had also never done hers. She had held on to what her own mother told her about being AA. After Osivue got his result and insisted that she did hers, it was discovered that she was actually AS.
His siblings, who had also been relying on what their mother told them, had to do theirs as well. It turned out that two out of the five of them, Osivue inclusive, were AS.