Conflict
CHAPTER TWELVE
**FIVE MONTHS LATER**
Jim and Joan's engagement was the talk of the town. They decided to travel to Jim's hometown to see Jim's parents.
When they got to Jim's hometown, Jim's parents were so happy their son is going to settle down and make them grand parents. "My daughter you are welcome. What is your name?" Mrs Angela asked with her face lit with smiles.
"My name is Joan Ma" Joan answered happily.
"Ah Mama she just got here, how about serving us food and then you can ask later" Jim said.
"Pardon me I am just overjoyed that my son is going to get married soon... Let me go and bring food" Mrs Angela happily said as she rushed to her kitchen.
"Come and sit down my daughter. Please make yourself comfortable" Mr Bennett said.
He bought fresh palm wine especially for Jim because Jim loved drinking palm wine.
"Jim do you still drink palm wine?" Mr Bennett asked.
"I still do occasionally though. Let me have a glass of it" Jim said and his father pours some wine in a glass cup and hands it to his son.
Angela enters with varieties of foods on a tray. She kept them on the dinning table where they all gathered. Jim ate the food with smiles knowing that he had missed his mother's delicious foods.
"Delicious as always" Jim said as he licked his fingers.
"Thank you" Mrs Angela said happily.
When they were through with the food, Mrs Angela and Joan cleared and wiped the table.
When Mrs Angela and Joan got to the kitchen,they exchanged their phone contacts.
"So can the introduction begin now?" Mrs Angela excitedly asked.
"Sure we can have peace now" Jim said and they laughed.
"Well, my name is Joan Ada Felix from the next town. Am the only child to Mr and Mrs Felix Ander... though my mom is late" Joan paused.
"I'm sorry my dear for your loss, but that name Mr Felix Ander sounds like I've heard it before, l think the name rings a bell. Like the wealthy entrepreneur we all hear about" Mrs Angela asked and her husband nodded.
"Yes my dad owns Diploma Group located in Lagos where I oversee as the group's managing director. Jim and I have gone to see him and he approves of our engagement" Joan said and Jim chuckled.
Mr Bennett and his wife looked at each other as if confused.
"Erhm... Please Joan my dear spare us some time as my wife and I wants to discuss something with our son" Mr Bennett said and Joan nodded in agreement.
"What is it Mom" Jim asked.
"Let's go talk something inside" Mrs Angela said. Jim followed them.
"Mama, Joan is my fiancee and you should have said anything you want to say in front of her" Jim said.
"I'm finished! My husband I told you to allow me to find a wife for our son you refused now look at what he has done to us" Mrs Angela said and got Jim real confused.
"Where did you see that girl?" Jim's dad asked Jim.
"We met in Lagos at a station, if you must know" Jim answered, still confused.
"Sorry but we can't allow you to marry that girl" Mrs Angela said and then silence.
Jim broke the silence after he took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry I don't seem to understand what you mean" Jim said as he almost fainted.
"That girl's family is popular around this parts and a credible source has revealed that she's unwell" Mr Bennett said and Jim stood amazed.
"Oh you don't know the news is everywhere? See I am your mother and you know that I've always had your interest at heart because you are our only child. Let me tell you, I know that Joan didn't tell you anything about her health...leave that girl! She wants to destroy your life, our generation!" Mrs Angela shouted and Joan could hear her from the sitting room
"And so what? Yes and so what Mama!" Jim shouted angrily
"Oh maybe you didn't know she had HIV" Mr Bennett said popping his eyes out
"Yes I know and what about it? Only God knows how you people sniffed around to know about her health status but I honestly do not care" Jim said and almost loosing it.
Mr Bennett and his wife looked at each other and they just couldn't believe their ears.
"Young man, you mustn't marry that girl... I hope she didn't use dark magic on you. It's not too late to stay away from her. The father is a well-known man around this parts and people living with them disclosed to outsiders about Joan's health" Mr Bennett shouted and this time Joan heard it all.
"Dad! Mum! for your information I'm not leaving that girl, she's the one I want to marry and that's final" Jim shouted. He walked out on them angrily, grabbed Joan's arms and they drove out of the compound.