The Ascendance

Chapter 2 - Truth

Two days had passed since the couple went to the hospital for their checkup. Their doctor called them and asked them to go back to the hospital to show them the results of their examination. Both of them felt nervous, and praying is the only thing that they can do while they wait for what the doctor will say.

They went to hospital the day after their doctor called them. Samuel held Jopphia's hand as they walked inside the hospital. One of the doctor's assistants ushered them again. They sat on a bench near the doctor's office and waited for someone to go out and call their name.

It was past 2 o'clock in the afternoon when one the nurses called their name, the couple stood up and anxiously walked to the doctor’s office. As they entered the premises, they noticed that the Doctor was waiting with a serious look on his face while holding a piece of paper that is obviously the result of their tests.

“Mr. and Mrs. Asher, I’m afraid that this will break your heart," the doctor said.

Jopphia and Samuel looked at each other. Jopphia grasped on Samuel's hand became tighter.

"But based on your examination, you can no longer have the chance to bear a child,” the Doctor added in a sad but comforting voice.

Jopphia gasped and was almost out of breath when she heard the news. They were both disappointed with the result. They cannot believe what they heard.

"Why? What happened?" Samuel asked firmly.

The Doctor showed them the results. It was also explained to them carefully one by one so that they could better understand what the doctor was explaining to them.

After hearing everything about the result of examination, the couple almost lost their strength to stoop up. Their dream of having a family, a child, was shattered by their test results. Samuel hugged his crying wife, it was hard for him to watch her cry.

For a few days, Jopphia could barely eat when they found out that they were both barren.

Samuel hugged Jopphia as she was blankly sitting on a stool in their kitchen. He knew how devastated Jopphia was, and he needed to support his wife.

"I was thinking, what if the doctor tests were wrong? How about we try to look for a different doctor and let him check on us again? If the result is still the same, then we will try to look again for another way to somehow cure us," Samuel said, giving hope to Jopphia.

Jopphia just nodded at Samuel, but somehow her spirit was uplifted by Samuel's words. "Okay. Let's give it another try, Samuel," Jopphia replied.

The couple looked for a different doctor in a different town and was examined, but the same result came out on their tests. The couple was broken after knowing the result, but did not lose hope quickly so they tried to look for a different doctor again.

After going to different doctors, the couple failed to have a different result. All the doctors they went to said the same thing, that there is no hope for them to have a child. One doctor suggested they adopt, but Jopphia refused.

They were tired, their time was consumed, and their hope crushed. Samuel comforted Jopphia. He could not bear to see how his wife breaks down in front of him. He stayed by Jopphia's side and did not let her to be alone.

Although his hopes were broken, Samuel persevered and continued to work on their farm for Jopphia's sake because he loved Jopphia so much.

Some weeks have passed since the couple consulted many doctors, Jopphia did not give up. She held on to her faith, the only thing that gives her strong hope. She continued to go to the nearby Church for her daily prayer.

One day when she went to the church, an old woman in white clothes approached her outside the Church.

"Never forget to pray every day, young lady. You never know how powerful a prayer can be. Sometimes, when He," the old woman pointed upward. "When He hears your prayer, He will give you something you never thought was possible," the old woman added.

Jopphia smiled at the old woman then reached for her purse, but when she was about to give the old lady some coins the old woman was gone and she couldn't find the old woman. Jopphia was surprised that the old woman vanished too quickly.

Sometimes Jopphia would ask Samuel to come with her when she goes to the church. Samuel would come with Jopphia when he is not too busy on the farm. This helped them regain their lost hope, they built a stronger faith.

They would go to various churches in distant places just to pray. There were a few times where Jopphia and Samuel went to different kinds of Church or religious groups, sometimes they do not share the same beliefs. They had also tried to follow various superstitions to bear a child.

The two of them were desperate to have a child, even if sometimes their other relatives think that they are losing their mind.

"Are we still doing the right thing?" Samuel asked.

They have been waiting for many years, hoping someday they will be given a child.

Jopphia returned to the church where she had talked to the old woman, hoping she would be able to talk with the old woman. Expecting that this old woman would know something that can help her and Samuel to get a blessing from above.

Samuel got tired of what they were doing. He wondered how many hours and how much more money would be wasted for this. But still he wanted to support his wife.

"I bought you a dog, my dear. I hope you would like it," Samuel said happily.

He bought a dog to lessen Jopphia's stress. He knew she was really looking for someone to take care of and be considered a child.

Samuel thought that caring for a dog may help to alleviate some of the stress of Jopphia from not getting pregnant.

Having a pet dog has not been effective. Jopphia was still hard headed and continued to look for different Churches to pray for. Samuel could do nothing, but accompany his wife.

Five years later, they were both exhausted. Regardless of how tired they were, they worked hard to keep their hope and faith alive.

It was Jopphia's birthday, her wish did not change. She really wanted to have a child. She had nothing else to ask but a child of her own.

Until one day after her birthday, Jopphia felt dizzy. Samuel was worried and let his wife rest for a while.

The next morning, Jopphia was still dizzy and vomited. They were both nervous that Jopphia might have had a disease that the doctors did not find.

"Wait, is it possible that I am pregnant, Samuel?" Jopphia asked hopefully.

Samuel was suddenly startled. Samuel left his wife to his parents.

He immediately went to the city to buy a pregnancy test kit. He also bought some food for his wife.

He went to church alone to pray and ask for a good sign. He also thanked The Creator in advance if Jopphia was pregnant.

Nausea and vomiting had also occurred to Jopphia several times in the past five years, but it turns out that she is not pregnant.

When he returned home, he immediately handed over the test kit to his wife.

"This is the last time I will take a pregnancy test, Samuel," his wife said sadly. "After that, I will erase all my hopes from my mind. I will accept that we will never have a child."

Jopphia immediately went to the comfort room to try the pregnancy test kit again. She promised herself that this will be her last try.

Samuel and his family could do nothing but wait for the result.

Samuel was comforted by his and Jopphia's parents.

Jopphia cried out. They were briefly surprised from what they heard. Samuel quickly ran to the comfort room to check on his wife.

"Jopphia!" Samuel shouted. "What's happening?"

He saw his wife stunned while staring at the pregnancy result that she could not speak.

"Are you okay? Why are you acting like that?" Samuel asked worriedly.

Jopphia turned the test kit and showed Samuel the result. He was speechless when he saw the result of his wife's pregnancy test.

Jopphia's pregnancy test was positive.

"Samuel, this is what we have been waiting for," Jopphia said tearfully. "Everything we worked for had paid off!"

They embraced each other with great joy filling their hearts. They showed their family the test kit's result. Everony could not believe what they saw.

They are crying over the good news. This is probably the best thing that has happened to them that year.

"This child is a miracle, you two are lucky," Jopphia's mother said.

Samuel carried Jopphia in shock. He said, "Finally, we will have an angel!"

They were all very happy. They did not expect what happened. Even though many doctors told them that they will not have a child, within the seven years of their marriage, they would be still given a miracle baby.

"I will make sure you and I will have a healthy baby," Jopphia assured.

Samuel kissed her forehead. He promised, "I will never leave you. I will consider it a great blessing to have a good wife and an angel."

They laughed. Samuel had a wonderful time. Finally, Samuel felt this different kind of happiness again. They went through a lot of trials, but they did not lose hope.

They were pretty sure that Jopphia is pregnant because they have tried the pregnancy test three times today.

"I know that I am really pregnant," Jopphia said. “I can feel it!”