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Two years ago, I had informed him that I wanted to start taking contraceptive injections. He had lashed out at me and accused me of wanting to commit evil by killing my unborn children. He even went as far as reporting to my brothers that I was being an unsubmissive wife. Now that same idiot was sitting across from me, nodding his head to everything the doctor was telling him. The doctor, a small fair-skinned lady, had a scarf around her head (something he would never permit me to wear) and she spoke with authority. When he smiled at her, she ignored him and his countenance fell. He collected the prescription from her and beckoned on me for us to leave the office. Something in me felt like staying back, I didn’t like the lady, although it felt more like jealousy. I was envious of the fact that he felt smaller around her. He was physically taller and bigger than both of us. Perhaps I should have stood up to him back then, had I done that, I would never have known the meaning of the initials BSO + TAH the doctor had scribbled down on my emergency folder.
Ebuka is a Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights advocate and a freelance volunteer. Follow EBuka on Facebook and Instagram.