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@ALL... I have updated the new story 'Heartstrings' enjoy *winks*

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER FIVE

He dished the hot steaming catfish pepper soup into four different bowls. He placed the bowls on a big stainless steel tray and carried it out of the kitchen, a step at a time. He navigated his way to the dining and placed the tray on the wooden table. He looked sideways. Where were they? He returned to the kitchen and poured hot milky chocolate beverage into four large mugs. He placed the mugs on a plastic tray and carried it to the dining. He arranged each mug beside each bowl and took a seat. Should he go and call them or wait? He raised his head and glanced at the wall clock. It was past eight. He heard footsteps and turned his head. The dark chocolate skin slim elderly man, about five feet seven inches, approached him. He looked better now that he had freshened up. The red tee-shirt and black trousers was a little bit big for him, but, it wasn’t that noticeable. His wife followed. She was darker, shorter, slimmer and the clothes she was putting on made her look like a clown. He averted his eyes and tried not to laugh. Their daughter walked behind them. Her chocolate brown skin was complimented by the brown fitted blouse and white ‘A’ shaped skirt. She was taller than her parents, probably his height.

He lifted his eyes and met her watchful brown gaze. She was pretty. Her straight dark brown hair graced her shoulders. Was it her real hair or a hair-extension? Women and their weave-on were like inseparable twins. He tore his gaze away and leaned against the wooden chair. They all took their place at the dining and started to eat. The hot soup warmed his body and chased the biting cold away.

“My name is Bassey Etim; I am a Christian and a Dentist by profession. Welcome to my home,” he sipped at the hot liquid.

The elderly man cleared his throat twice, “Oluwatomisin Philips is the name. Thank you for…” he coughed and met Bassey’s encouraging gaze,

“Em… we are grateful.”

He nodded with understanding, “You are welcome sir.”

“Jesutofunmi is my name.”

He turned to look at the man’s wife.

“We are strangers, yet… you accommodated us. God will bless you,” her eyes smarted with tears. Her husband reached out for her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“I am Oluwagbemisola.”

He directed his eyes at the young woman.

“I am the only surviving child of my parents. Thank you for helping us.”

“Thank God.”

They ate in silence for a while, each lost in his and her own thoughts.

“I… I was a business man,” Tomisin finished eating and pushed the empty bowl away, “I dealt in the import and sales of exotic cars here in
Lagos. I brought my best friend into the business and…”

Bassey snorted at the sound of the word ‘best friend’. It seemed best friends all over the world were dealing with their friends mercilessly.

Tofunmi noticed the young man’s angry expression. It was truly a wicked world if his best friend had also hurt him too.

“He took over my business in less than a year. He stole all my customers, manipulated my investors and rendered me penniless…” Tomisin had a lost look on his face.

Bassey pushed his plate away and picked up his half-empty mug of milky chocolate drink. He was beginning to feel very irritated. Why were
people so wicked?

“I couldn’t pay the loans I took at the bank. They claimed my houses, cars, properties, everything was taken from me,” Tomisin’s voice shook.

Misi stopped eating. She could still remember everything that happened to her family like yesterday.

“We… no one… not even family… relatives… friends… no one helped, no one came to our rescue,” tears spilled all over Tomisin’s face.

Bassey’s stomach tightened with pain. He placed the empty mug on the table and swallowed hard.

“I… I lost my children. One after the other, to sickness and hunger…” Tomisin began to weep. His wife started to cry too, “Here we are… no way forward…” he sobbed. His daughter covered her face with her hands and cried.

Bassey pressed his lips together. He breathed out loudly and held back the tears threatening to burst out of his eyes.

“Sir…”

Tomisin looked up at the young man through blurred eyes.

“It is going to be all right. God has not forgotten you,” Bassey’s voice turned hoarse.

Tomisin nodded in agreement. He had not lost his faith in God.

“You can all stay in my house for now. We will put our heads together and think of a way forward.”

“Thank you,” Tomisin whispered. His heart swelled with gratitude.

“Thank you sir,” both women chorused. God had sent them help when they least expected it.

Bassey pushed the chair backwards and got up, “Have a goodnight,” he smiled at them and left the room.

Tomisin held his wife and daughter’s hands. They bowed their heads and said a prayer of thanksgiving.


xxxxxx

Bassey could hardly sleep that night. The Philips family situation lingered on his mind. He called his parents and told them about the Philips. They decided to donate their old clothes. They promised to send it through his younger sister the next day. He called his sister the moment they hung up and asked her to sort her wardrobe and bring everything she wasn’t wearing or using to his place the next day. He also called his brother and asked him to start looking for any vacancy in his place of work. He hoped to get Misi somewhere to work before the end of the week. He would also discuss with his parents about employing Tomisin and Tofunmi. They would be able to start afresh and move on with their lives. He had seen the sign board of a two bedroom flat for rent along the street where his clinic was located. He would check out the place on his way back from work the next day. He had learnt early in life that it was good to be good. One never knew when one would also need help. No man was an island. He felt a bit relieved and at peace with all the plans he had made. He turned on his side and closed his eyes.

xxxxxx

Misi leaned over the sink and washed the dishes. Her parents were fast asleep, but, sleep had evaded her. She couldn’t remember the last time they had a decent meal and bathed with clean water. She had thought she would work in her father’s company as an accountant when she graduated from the university, but her dreams ended when his friend hijacked the firm. The thought of how her siblings died one after the other consumed her. Everyone turned their backs on them, even those who had benefited from her father’s wealth. It was exactly a year since they had been living on the street, jumping from one uncompleted building to the other. She didn’t want to think of what would have happened to them if the doctor had not rescued them from the angry crowd.
God I cannot thank you enough. E se baba.

“E se o o o, baba oluwa, e se, e se, baba oluwa, e se baba, baba wa, baba e se…” she started to sing and dance.

Bassey strode into the kitchen and found her washing the dishes, singing and dancing. He leaned over the refrigerator and watched her with a
smile on his face. Her voice sounded nice to his ears. He knew the song she was singing, although he doesn’t know the meaning. He had heard
it in church a number of times. She appeared graceful as she moved left, then right, swirling her hips, lost to the world.
Instinctively, Misi sensed that she wasn’t alone. She turned around and found the doctor in the kitchen watching her. She stood still and heard the throbbing of her heart. The loud thuds echoed in her ears.

He walked over to the cabinet beside the sink and opened one of the drawers. He brought out a tin of Milo and a tin of Dano milk. He set it on the table and reached out for one of the mugs she had just washed.

She returned her attention to the sink. She wanted to finish washing the dishes, but, her hands refused to respond to the message her brain
had passed.

I have made a fool of myself. What does he think of me now? He found a crazy girl dancing in his kitchen. Misi, Misi, Misi oooo!

She exhaled loudly when he left after making himself a hot mug of chocolate drink. She bit at her lower lip and started to rinse the bowls she had washed. His face flashed through her mind’s eyes. She recollected that he was actually smiling when he caught her dancing. She made a sign of relief. He definitely didn’t think she was crazy.

xxxxxx

Bassey emptied the mug and placed it on the bedside drawer. He changed into his boxers and returned to the bed. Misi’s dancing figure flashed through his mind’s eye. He smiled and closed his eyes. He liked it when people knew how to praise their God. A heart full of thanksgiving was much more valuable than gold. He drifted off to sleep and dreamt about a woman singing and dancing. She called his name and asked him to join her.

CHAPTER FOUR

Damilare Peters arranged the pay-slips on the desk. The end of every month felt like a jackpot for him. He had a lot of debts to settle and a few things to purchase. He hoped he would have enough left to get him by before he received another paycheck. He considered himself lucky to have gotten employment in Hopewell Dental Clinic as an Accountant. His paycheck was the double of what his peers earned. The nurses strode into his office without knocking, followed by the receptionist.

“Don’t you girls ever knock?”

“The Accountant,” Adanne sat on his desk.

“Accountant, accountant, how you dey now?” Ibinabo settled on a chair in front of the table while Sikemi took the other seat.

“Where is our pay slip?”

He searched her face. The receptionist never wasted time. She was always direct and straight to the point. He liked her, but his height might be a problem. She was at least three inches taller. He knew several girls who didn’t like dating men shorter than they were. He had seen her ogle at the CEO on more than one occasion. He was shorter than her too. If she liked their boss, maybe she might give him a chance.

Sikemi stared back at him puzzled. His intent gaze made her uneasy. Was he interested in her? He wasn’t that bad. He had a good physique, but too short for her liking. He was from her tribe and that was a plus. She was interested in their boss. If only he would notice her. The man had been acting beside himself lately. She had a feeling that he was sort of depressed. She wished he would confide in her. Who was she anyway? His employee, she wasn’t even his friend.

“Have you noticed Oga’s mood swings?” Adanne tapped her on the shoulder.

She looked up at her and nodded.

“That’s true. He is being kind of cold and unapproachable lately,” Ibinabo chimed in.

“May be he is stressed up,” Adanne reasoned.

“Abeg, abeg, take your pay-slips. Don’t turn my office into a gossip center,” he distributed their slips. The nurses chuckled, collected their slips and headed out.

“Oga has turned to stone cold Steve Austin,” Damilare said casually.

Her confused look made him to laugh, “Who is Steve Austin?”

“Steve Austin now, Wrestle Mania…”

Her clueless gaze remained on his face, “I don’t watch wrestling matches.”

“Like seriously?”

She eyed him and got to her feet.

“Steve Austin is mean, cold, powerful, six feet, broad shouldered, fair, six pack, steel-like stance, emotionless and strong.”

“So, our boss is Stone cold Bassey Etim?”

“Exactly, without the height, muscles and you know.”

She started to laugh.

“I was there when he lashed out at Doctor Sylvester.”

“What happened?” she sat back on the chair, eager for news.

“If words were swords, Dr. Slyvester would have had severe cuts all over him.”

“Ouch!” She placed a hand on her chest.

“A broken heart does nasty things to a man’s mind.”

“But, I thought he was over his ex-girlfriend,” she raised an eye-brow.

He shrugged, “Maybe something or someone re-opened his old wounds.”

“Ouch!”

“I guess we are in for a repeat episode of what happened when they just broke up a year ago.”

“God help us,” she leaned against the chair and folded her arms across her chest.

xxxxxx

He drove homewards, despite the storm; he navigated his way into the Government Residential Area. He thought of eating catfish pepper soup for dinner after taking a hot bath. A hot milky beverage would make him to relax and send him off to Slumber land. He had not been sleeping well and it was affecting him physically and mentally. Two houses away from his place, he saw a group of people gathered at a corner and shouting at a man, a woman and a young lady. They stayed closed together, drenched and shivering. What was going on? Should he find out or head home? He didn’t like getting wet in the rain. He drove off and stopped in front of the white house. He changed his mind and got out of the car. He approached the crowd and recognized many of them. Most of them lived on that particular street.

“Uncle Bassey,” she tapped him on the shoulder.

“What are you doing out here? Don’t you know you can catch a cold?” he eyed his neighbour’s daughter.

She pouted her lips.

“What is going on here?”

She moved closer to him, “This man, his wife and daughter, have been living in that uncompleted building down the street. The people in the area want them to live.”

His brows creased in a frown. What was their business? “Nobody has a say in this matter except the owner of the building.”

“The sister of the land owner is the one leading the protest.”

“Witchcraft,” he said under his breath.

“They said they don’t have anywhere else to go, but, no one is listening.”

He sighed and approached the stranded family.


“Doctor Bassey…” someone called him from the crowd, “Please tell them to leave or else I will call the police.”

He ignored the person and addressed the family, “Good evening.”

They stared back at him blankly and cringed.

“I live in that house over there,” he pointed at the white house, they followed his gaze, “It is raining, let’s go in… least you catch a cold or something worse, then, we can talk.”

They exchanged glances and looked back at him.

“Please come with me,” he beckoned at them.

They followed him immediately, but, with caution. The crowd watched them and dispersed, but, Chinyere followed the doctor and the strange family. He led them into the building and returned to get his car. He parked the car inside the compound and hurried into the building. He met Chinyere by the stairway.

“Uncle…”

“Not now, not now,” he dashed off.

She stamped her feet on the ground and watched him leave. She wanted to know why he took the family home. What he did was very risky. He didn’t know them from Adam and they were inside his house. She decided to confront him in the morning. She dragged her feet and returned to her flat.

xxxxxx

Bassey led the family into one of the guest rooms.

“Do you have anything to change into?”


They shook their heads.

“Okay, I will be right back,” he hurried away and returned with a pile of clothes. He dumped them on the large bed, “This…” he picked up a
tee-shirt and a pair of black trousers, “It belongs to me…” he sized up the man who looked like he was in his fifties, “I think this will suit you,” he gave it to the man, “The blouses and skirts are for my younger sister, she spends her weekends here sometimes,” he looked at the woman in her forties and the young lady in her mid-twenties.

“Thank you,” they chorused.

“When you have all taken a hot bath, please join me at the dining,” he retreated and found his way out.

The man held hands with his wife and daughter. They were grateful to God for rescuing them from the angry crowd. They had been terrified because they had nowhere else to go that night. The uncompleted building had been their abode for several months. God had sent them an angel and they were grateful.

@all... Updates resume tomorrow *winks*
May God deliver us from wolves in sheep clothing, e.g, Stephen.

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER THREE

Stephen gave the child a pack of chocolate. He had developed a habit of giving candy and chocolates to every child that visited his dental clinic. It made the child’s experience endurable, regardless of the procedure he or she was brought in for. Most times, it was usually the removal of a bad tooth. It didn’t matter if he was available or not, he had instructed his staff to follow suit. He had been running the clinic since he completed his internship at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He inherited a ten bedroom duplex amongst other things from his late father and had converted the ground floor into a clinic and the upper floor into his living quarters. His patients loved the fact that he was accessible. He had two other dentists working with him, three nurses and a few non-medical staff. He hoped to set up branches of the clinic in different parts of the country at the end of the year and at least three other branches in the West African region.

The mother and child waved goodbye and walked out of his office. His personal assistant came in immediately.

“Sir, there is someone here to see you.”

“Who?” he returned to his seat behind the oval glass desk.

“Doctor Bassey.”

His gaze flew back to her smiling face. He had not seen his childhood friend in a while. It was intentional. He had come up with one
excuse or the other over the past few months. He knew he would have to face him one day, but, was he ready?

“Let him in.”

“Okay sir,” she retreated and closed the door behind her.

Stephene rose the moment the door opened and Bassey walked in, “To what do I owe this impromptu visit?”

“You are the busy one,” Bassey approached the desk.

“Business has been very good,” he circled the table and shook hands with his friend. He towered over him. His six foot figure made him
look like a Greek god.

“At least you have a large staff,” he released his hands.

“Yes, em… what can I offer you?” Stephen placed both hands on his hips.

“Why don’t you explain this?” he brought out the invitation card from his pocket.

“Oh…” he recognized his wedding invitation card. He took a step back and leaned on one of the leather chairs in front of the desk.

“Is this why you have been avoiding me?” Bassey threw the card on the glass desk.

He grinned, “What do you want me to tell you?”

An angry expression took over his fair face, “You stole my fiancée.”

Stephen started to laugh, “Come on man mi. Darn it, she called off the damned wedding.”

“After you brain-washed her.”

He scratched a spot on his eyebrow, “I am going to marry Lovejoy, nothing and no one can stop that from happening.”

Bassey took a closer look at the man he used to call his friend. There was something off about him.

“You have had it good all these years; it is my turn to feast.”

“Feast? On what doesn’t belong to you? What rubbishing are you spouting?”

“Do you think you are the only one that will make it?” his tone raised a pitch.

Bassey watched him with keen interest.

“I am taller than you, much more handsome, broad shouldered and all, compared to your skinny self.”

His friend’s disdainful look astounded him. He was beginning to think that Stephen was jealous of him. He folded his arms across his chest and paid attention.

“I don’t know what babes see in you. They melt at your mere presence and flock around you like bees. Every girl I ever liked was in
love with you,” he pointed an accusing finger at him.

He swallowed hard. His friend had been envious of him all along. How come he didn’t detect it?

“We set up dental clinics around the same time, but, yours picked up faster than mine.”

“What are you talking about? Look at this place, you are more successful,” he looked around him.

“I have always loved Lovejoy. You were going to marry her and I decided to do something about it.”

Bassey shook his head in disbelief.

“I convinced her that you were sterile and eureka! She became mine.”

His eyes became red. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.

“At long last, I have something you can never ever possess in a million years, lucky me,” he winked at him and laughed.

Suddenly his friend attacked him. Both men swerved from one spot to the other, pushing, kicking and hitting each another. They
landed on the tiled floor with a thud.

Stephen pushed him off and sat on the floor, “You are crazy!” his breath came fast and hard.

“You allowed jealousy and envy to ruin our friendship,” he lashed back at him.

“What friendship?” he eyed him.

Bassey shook his head and got up.

“You are invited to the wedding.”

His personal assistant came in, in a hurry. She looked at both men, and then backed out.

“You can have her,” he adjusted his blue checkered long sleeve shirt.

He chuckled, “She is already mine.”

“I don’t want someone who didn’t trust me enough to confront me, regardless of how convincing the evidence against me was.”

“Whatever, your loss, my gain,” he got on his knees and rose.

Bassey took his eyes off him and marched out of the large office.


xxxxxx

The moment she saw the silver car coming through the gate, she sneaked out of the flat and ran to meet him. He staggered out of the car and locked it. He straightened himself and noticed his neighbour’s daughter heading his way. He hissed. He was in no mood for her charade.

“Uncle Bassey, welcome. You are late today. Did you attend to a lot of people? You must be tired,” she tried to pat him on the back,
but, he slapped her hand off. Her shocked gaze lingered on his emotionless face. He strode towards the one storey building and left her standing by the car, wondering what had come over him. He climbed the stairs and met Halima and Simisola at his doorstep.

“Doctor welcome,” they chorused.

He ignored them, unlocked the door and went in. They exchanged glances, wondering what was wrong with him.

Bassey went straight to his room, got out of his clothes and locked himself in the bathroom. He came out an hour later, clad in his boxers, and went straight to bed. He had no appetite. Food was the farthest thing from his turmoil mind. His encounter with Lovejoy and Stephen had been a bad experience. He turned on his side and reached out for his phone. He went through his phone book list and placed his younger brother and sister on a conference call.

“Hello…”

“Hello… Bros you no dey sleep at all?” he heard his younger brother’s voice.

“It is almost midnight for heaven’s sake,” his younger sister complained.

“Shut up, shut up, see this children wey they born yesterday.”

He heard them laughing. Their voices soothed his aching heart.

“When was the last time bros called like this?” Imabong asked.

“That time now,” Eno responded.

“Oh okay, Lovejoy matter,” Imabong whistled.

“Serious matter o,” Eno chimed in.

He listened to their chit-chat and sighed, “I met her today.”

“What?!” Eno exclaimed.

“Who?” Imabong wasn’t sure he heard him clearly.

“Lovejoy now,” his sister answered quickly.

“Ehn-hen… where?” Imabong’s curiousity accelerated.

“She is…” her face flashed through his mind’s eye, “She is getting married to Stephen next month.”

“Wow! She didn’t waste time,” Eno sounded disappointed.

“Which Stephen?” Imabong asked.

“Stephen Edet,” Bassey replied.

There was a moment’s silence.

“Stephen Akpos Edet!” his siblings chorused.

He could discern their surprised state in their voices, “Yes, my childhood friend.”

“This is unbelievable!” Imabong hissed.

“He planned it. He told her something false about me and she called off the wedding.”

“This girl is dumber than I thought,” Eno hissed.

“Why didn’t she ask you?” Imabong felt angered.

“She just believed your friend like that,” Eno hissed again.

“Na so I see am o,” Bassey sighed heavily.

“I can still remember how her parents rained insult on us and called us unprintable names the day we went to their place,” Eno
sounded sad.

“What did he tell her sef?” Imabong’s voice was laced with gloom.

“He convinced her with a fake doctor’s report that I was sterile.”

“Eh! See gbege,” Eno cried out.

“Sharp guy. That your friend messed up. See lie,” Imabong felt distressed.

“Lie from the pit of hell,” his sister added. “I will let dad and mum know.”

“Thanks Eno.”

“Come to think of it, bros you dey sterile?” his younger brother asked.

“Imabong!” they chorused.

“What? I supposed ask now.”

“Where did Stephen get a fake doctor’s report?” Eno wanted to know.

“Beats me,” Bassey couldn’t imagine the length at which his friend went to deceive his ex.

“Bros sorry o.”

“Hang in there.”

“Thanks.”

“Should I come over after work tomorrow?” his sister asked quickly.

He frowned, “No, no, no, Eno thanks. I am fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said I am fine.”

Imabong’s laughter rang in their ears, “Eno won go clear bros kitchen. Ah… Eno, na wa for you o.”

“Shaarap there.”

“Have a blessed night you two.”

“Goodnight bros,” they chorused.

He hung up and lay on his back. He felt relieved after talking with them. It was therapeutic. His parents would be so disappointed at
Stephen. At least, they would know why Lovejoy called off the wedding. He closed his eyes and said a prayer. He lay all that concerned him at God’s feet.

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER TWO

She powdered her face and stared at her reflection in the hand mirror. Her dark skin looked flawless. Her big dark eyes were similar to that of the ancient Egyptian women, darkened above and below the eyelashes. Her full luscious lips were coated in red. She flashed herself a smile. Her eyes twinkled with pleasure. She liked what she saw.

“Make-up guru,” one of the nurses approached her. She kept the mirror in one of the drawers attached to the desk.

“One needs to look good,” she looked up at the brown skin, tall and plump lady.

“Hmm… I hear you,” the nurse leaned on the high semi-circle desk.

“You know I am the face of this clinic.”

“Face of clinic ko, face of Africa ni,” the newly employed nurse walked up to them.

“I am the one every customer sees before both of you attend to them and transfer them to the doctors.”

Adanne clapped her hands and began to laugh.

“Is Oga around?” Ibinabo stood beside the semi-circle desk.

Sikemi shook her head. Her curly shoulder length braids danced around her face.

“The first time I came here, I thought Doctor Sylvester was the owner of the clinic,” Ibinabo glanced at her colleague.

Adanne shook her head, “He is not. He assists Oga to run the clinic.”

“He is like the second in command,” Sikemi added.

Ibinabo smiled to herself, “Oga is so cute. He is short for a man though.”

“He is not short! I am five feet seven and he is exactly my height,” Adanne eyed her.

“Ehn… okay, fine, he is not short,” Ibinabo looked back at the nurse, wondering while she was upset.

“I am five feet nine inches, I am taller than you,” she pointed at Ibinabo, “But, I don’t mind dating someone like Oga,” her big dark eyes had a dreamy look.

The nurses turned to look at the receptionist.

“He is too slim for my liking,” Ibinabo blinked and turned her head towards the flat screen television on the wall.

Sikemi chuckled, “I like him that way, at least, he has six packs and his cropped curly brown hair makes him look sexy.”

Ibinabo frowned, “You are not his type. You are too tall for him.”

Sikemi eyed her, “Who are you to determine what his type is?”

Adanne grinned, “I am more like his type. I am his height and I am almost as fair as he is.”

They glared at her.

“Doctor Bassey is oyinbo, you are not even close,” Ibinabo hissed.

“Presently, he is single and available,” Sikemi played with a strand of her hair.

Adanne leaned closer to the desk, “I thought he was dating that oyinbo babe, what’s her name now?”

“Lovejoy,” Sikemi chuckled.

“Yes, Lovejoy,” she nodded.

Ibinabo glanced from one to the other.

“The mumu babe called off the wedding,” Sikemi hissed.

“Ah!” Adanne placed a hand over her opened mouth.

“Do you remember those six months that oga didn’t show up at work?” Sikemi tilted her head.

“Yes, doctor Sylvester almost died of frustration,” Adanne looked towards the doctor’s office.

“Exactly! Oga was nursing a broken heart that period,” she hissed again.

“Aww… I wish I knew,” Adanne rubbed her jaw with her fingers.

“I just found out. Anyways, he is back in the market and I am definitely for sale,” Sikemi batted her eyes.

Adanne sighed; she had a lost look on her creamy brown face.

Ibinabo absorbed all the information she had gathered. She drummed her fingers on the desk.

“Good morning nurses,” Bassey walked past them, “Sikemi…” he beckoned at the receptionist.

They froze with shock. The nurses exchanged glances. They didn’t notice when he walked. They hurried to their office and hoped he
wouldn’t query them for gossiping during office hours.

Sikemi sprang to her feet and ran after him. Her high heels made click sounds on the tiled floor.

“Do I have appointments this morning?” he walked into his office and settled behind the mahogany desk.

“No sir,” she followed him in and stood by the large desk, “Doctor Sylvester is attending to the patients that came in this morning.”

“Okay,” he leaned against the chair and pressed his knuckles.

“Can I get you anything sir, tea, coffee, beverage?”

He closed his honey coloured eyes and opened it, “No, thank you.”

She nodded, turned around and walked out. She closed the door behind her and sighed with relief. She had thought he would scold her.
She noticed that the nurses were peeping through the slightly opened office door.

“How far?” Adanne whispered.

“We live to see another day,” she winked at them and cat-walked back to the reception area.

xxxxxx

Bassey shut his eyes and opened it. Was he dreamy? Did he just drive past his ex-fiancée? Was that Lovejoy? It had been almost a year, eleven months to be precise, since she called off the wedding. He could still remember the day he went with his family to see her parents and find out why the wedding preparations were stopped. They received the embarrassment of their lives that day. They were driven out with no explanations. He checked the in-coming traffic and reversed the car. He stopped at the bus-stop and looked out of the window. A fair lady in her late twenties stood among the crowd. He was right. She was the one. He smiled and honked several times. Someone standing beside her tapped her on the shoulder and pointed at his car.
She looked in his direction and a surprised look took over her face. She approached him with steady steps. Her jeans clung to her like a second skin, show-casing a round eye-bulging backside. The white and blue stripe fitted short-sleeve blouse complimented her fair skin and revealed a considerable amount of cleavage. He swallowed hard, she had not changed one bit.

“Hi,” she leaned towards the window.

“Hi… where are you headed?”

“Home.”

“Can I drop you?”

“Yes,” she had been standing at the bus-stop for over thirty minutes. She was on the verge of calling her fiancé and asking him to
come and pick her up.

She opened the door and climbed in. He joined the traffic and changed the direction in which he was headed. She stole a glance at him.

He looked cute as always. She missed playing with his short curly brown hair. She remembered why she broke up with him and frowned. He turned his head when he sensed that she was staring at him. Why was she frowning? He returned his attention to the road and noticed the stand-still ahead. His facial expression indicated anger. He hated been stuck in traffic.

She opened her bag and brought out an invitation card. She threw it on his laps and looked out of the window. He picked it up and glanced at her. He opened it and saw her full name, Lovejoy Idiongho Akpan. He directed his gaze at her again. She was getting married? She had the right to move on, he reasoned.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Who is the lucky man?” he scanned the invitation card again. His heart stopped beating when he saw the man’s name. Stephen Akpos Edet, his childhood friend, his best friend.

She caught a glimpse of him and smiled, “We hooked up months after we… we broke up.”

He glared at her, “You called off our wedding and went after my best friend.”

“It wasn’t like that,” she eyed him up and down.

“Or have you two been… were you cheating on me with him?”

“No!” she felt infuriated by his accusation.

He clicked on the air-conditioner button. The temperature in the car had gone up all of a sudden.

“Stephen and I started dating three months after we broke up,” she tried to clarify his misconception.

“How convenient,” he wished the car in front of him would develop wings and fly.

She folded her arms across her bosom. He could think whatever he wanted. She wasn’t the one at fault.

“Why did you call off our wedding?” the emotion in his voice tugged at her heart.

She darted her gaze towards him and noticed the way his eyes glistered with tears. Hasn’t he gotten over her yet?

“Why didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t father a child?” she confronted him.

He blinked. What was she talking about? “I don’t understand.”

“Your sperms are weak and there is a ninety percent chance that you might not be able to father a child.”

He stared back at her, open-mouthed.

For the love of God, this girl is driving me nuts. This is a plot. This is a plan hatched out from an evil mind. This is wickedness of the highest order.

“You know what I am talking about. You were going to marry me in deceit.”

He shook his head, “Brilliant, this is just brilliant. Is this what you told your parents? So this is what you told everybody…”

“Stephen confirmed it!” she erupted.

“What?!” a million thoughts ran through his mind. What rubbish did his best friend fill her up with?

“He showed me a medical doctor’s report. He spared me a life time of pain and shame,” she eyed him. She was glad that she found out the truth before he ruined her life. She thought he loved her. If he had confided in her in the first place, they might have worked things out.

“And you believed him?” he stared at her in disbelief.

She took her eyes off him and faced the window. She wasn’t in the mood for an argument. She wished she had not gotten into his car.

“You didn’t even bother to ask me… why… why didn’t you ask me first before cancelling our wedding?”

She didn’t respond. He placed a hand on his forehead. He was beginning to feel a headache. It was impossible. His best friend wouldn’t
do such a thing. It was a lie. A doctor’s report? Where did he get that from? Did he really? Could he really? He had known the guy most of his life. What would have been the motive for such an outrageous act?

“You can come to the wedding if you like. I will take a bike home,” she opened the door and got down from the car before he could say
another word.

His heart rate quickened. If what she said was true, his best friend had a lot of explanations to give.

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HEARTSTRINGS


CHAPTER ONE

The blue sky was clear, cloudless, not entirely, an after effect of the rainstorm early that morning. Cool icy wind blew, hitting the skin with a firm grip. The street was empty. Different colours of houses lined both sides of the road. Some were decorated with palm trees, variety of flowers, plants, while others stood out with artworks on the walls and sculptures. He stopped the car outside the white house with a big black gate and honked thrice. He heard the sound of metal. The security guard in green and white uniform poked his head out. He was a short man in his mid-forties. He retreated into the compound and opened the gate.

“Good morning sir,” the man stood aside and waved.

He waved back in acknowledgement and drove in. He parked the silver Prado jeep alongside three other cars and killed the engine. He picked the black polythene bag on the front seat and alighted from the vehicle. He closed the door and locked it. He sneezed thrice and thought of a hot bath. It would chase the cold away he reasoned. He turned around and headed for the one storey building. A tall slim figure raced out of the ground floor flat towards him.

“Uncle Bassey, Uncle Bassey, welcome…” she tried to collect the bag in his hand, but he wouldn’t let go.

“You can’t carry it. It is heavy. Thank you,” he tried to smile.

“Where did you go this morning? You left while it was raining.”

He kept on walking. Was she monitoring him?

“Did you go to work? I thought you hardly go to work on Saturdays, except when there is an emergency.”

He glanced at her. When did she start to keep tabs on him? Wasn’t she too young to be nosy? The dark skinned eighteen year old girl towered over him with an inch. Her slim frame looked athletic in the blue jeans and red short-sleeve blouse.

“Uncle Bassey, I think I will study Dentistry like you. You make a lot of money. You drive a very expensive car, you are living in a three bedroom posh apartment in Ikeja G.R.A, and you run your own dental clinic. How old are you? You are a rich young man.”

What in the world!

He halted and looked at her closely. Was that how she saw him, a rich young dentist with an expensive car and a posh apartment? It had not always been that way. One doesn’t become successful in a day.

“Young woman, you should really think about what you want to study. Do not use anybody’s success or failure as a yardstick.”

She beamed at him, white teeth, rosy cheek, dove eyes.

Was she even listening to him at all? “Chinyere!”

“Hmmm…” she blinked, all her thoughts cleared.

He shook his head. She had not heard a thing. He walked past her and stepped into the building. She ran after him.

“Uncle Bassey, how old are you?”

He grunted, “None of your business.”

She walked beside him, marching his speed with quick steps of her own, “Come on, we are neighbours. I am… I am like your sister.”

“You are not my sister,” he eyed her and went up the stairway.

“I know. How old are you?” she followed him.

“You are eighteen years old, add seventeen to that.”

She stopped and pondered. Her eyes widened with realization. Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes turned pale. She bit at her lower lip and climbed the stairs to the first floor.

“You are like, almost… twice my age.”

He placed the bag on the floor and fished out the door key from the bunch of keys attached to the key-holder, “I am old enough to be your father.”

“You are not my father!” her dark eyes flashed with anger.

He caught a glimpse of her and opened the door. He lifted the bag and walked in, “Have a superb weekend.”

“Wait…”

He turned around.

“Can I come in?” her pleading eyes held his expressionless ones.

“No.”

She folded her arms across her bosom.

“Go home. You mama needs you.”

She eyed him, “My mama is sleeping.”

“Bye Chinyere,” he shut the door and locked it. He carried the bag into the kitchen and dropped it in the sink. It was a good thing that he had
gone to the abattoir early that morning. He had been able to purchase different parts of cow, goat and ram meat. He would be able to make enough soup and stew that would last him for a week or more.

His work at the dental clinic had taken a demanding turn due to the number of people that patronized the place. He was able to hire a doctor, a dentist by profession, who had been like a pillar of support for him in the past three months. He had also employed another nurse. The work load had taken a bad toll on the only nurse in the clinic. Now, she wasn’t alone again. While working at Lagos University Teaching Hospital a few years back, he had never thought he would set up his own clinic, although it had always been his dream. It was when his parents’ Calabar restaurant boomed and became a household name that the idea really came to life within him. He believed that before the year ran out, he would be able to set up another clinic in Abuja. If Jesus tarries, by the time he was forty; his dental clinics should be all over the country.
The door-bell rang. His thoughts faded. He turned off the tap at the sink and wiped his wet hands with a napkin hanging on the kitchen window. He hoped it wasn’t Chinyere. She could be a pain in the neck at times. He wasn’t expecting anyone that day. The only person that showed up at his place unannounced was his younger sister. If she was the one at the door, he would drive her away. He cannot stress and cook while someone else would devour the whole thing. She loved spending her weekends with him. It had become a routine after his fiancée broke up with him. His sister had taken care of him until he was emotionally ready to return to work. Those six months had been unbearable. If not for her, his apartment would have turned into a pigsty. Nevertheless, it didn’t give her the right to raid his kitchen whenever she visited. He strode out of the kitchen and walked towards the front door. He peeped through the door hole and saw his neighbour’s daughter. His brows came together in a frown. He unlocked the door and opened it.

“What are you still doing here?” his stern voice didn’t dissuade her.

“I want to stay with you.”

“Go home,” he glared at her.

“Uncle, please now,” her eyes became misty.

He hissed, took her by the hand and dragged her towards the stairway.

“Wait!”

He raced down the stairs, pulling her along. She tried to break free from his grip, but he tightened his hold on her. He halted outside her flat and pressed the door bell.

“Let me go!”

He released her and pressed the bell again. The door flew open and a woman in her early forties stepped out.

“Chinyere, where have you been?”

The girl pouted, stamped her feet and went in.

“I have been looking for this girl…” the woman hissed and looked at him, “Good morning doctor.”

“Morning Madam,” he turned around and returned to his flat. He met two of his neighbours at his door. They lived directly opposite his flat. He
groaned and looked heavenwards.

Oh God… not today.

“Good morning doctor,” they chorused.

“Morning,” he feigned a smile.

“Do you have salt?” the darker and taller one grinned.

“Me I need sugar,” the other squeaked.

He had left his door wide open. His neighbour’s daughter was responsible.

That girl.

He walked into his flat with gritted teeth and the ladies scurried after him.

“Men, I like coming to your flat. It is so organized,” she looked around her.

“Organized with class,” the darker one settled on a leather chair facing the 40’ flat screen LG television.

“Anyone that marries you is lucky…” the other danced around the room, touching and sniffing everything.

“Doctor Bassey, you live like a king,” she winked at him and parted her dark long legs. The purple mini skirt she was wearing barely covered
her lumpy thighs. The matching lilac blouse barely covered her chest.

He looked away in disgust. He had no interest in women who lay all their cards out in the open like wares for sale.

“This is my dream house men,” the other sat beside her friend and flashed him a smile. Her shorts which could hardly be called shorts was similar to a granny pantie, but tighter. Her red blouse could hardly carry her heavy chest. Everything was hanging out like over-ripe plantain.
Did he make a mistake by renting the flat? Since the day he moved in, his female neighbours had been after him like flies hovering over faeces. His neighbour’s daughter wouldn’t give him a breathing space and these ones wanted his attention at all cost. He could never date the likes of them.

Heaven forbid!

If his fiancée had not called off the wedding, he would have been happily married by now.

“Halima, Simisola, I am kind of busy right now.”

“Doctor…” Halima cooed, adjusted her blouse and ran her hands over her thighs in a slow motion.

Irritation crawled all over him. He turned away and clenched his teeth.

“Doctor Bassey…” Simisola got up, walked up to him and squeezed her heavy bosom. She smiled and blinked her fake long lashes.

He coughed and held the door knob. The girls exchanged glances and chuckled. They walked sluggishly and blew him kisses before stepping out of the apartment. He kicked the door shut with his leg and returned to the kitchen.

I should have been married by now. All this kind of nonsense would have been avoided. This is torture.

He turned on the tap at the sink and continued to clean the red meat. He switched his thoughts to the kind of soup he wanted to prepare that morning.

HEARTSTRINGS




All rights reserved.
© 2016 Serah Iyare


SYNOPSIS

His world became frozen when his fiancée called off the wedding without giving any explanation.

An act of kindness introduced him to another.

Will she be able to melt the ice-wall around his heart?

@all... watch out for my new story 'Heartstrings'. Update begins today *winks*

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@all... Watch out for my new story this week 'Heartstrings'

@all... I will be posting a new story next week.
Watch out for 'Heartstring'
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@all... I will be posting a new story next week.
Watch out for 'Heartstrings'
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CHAPTER TEN

Nosakhare stood at the window, gazing at the busy street. He heard a knock on the door and turned around. Osayuki opened the door and stepped into her father’s office.

“Darling,” he stretched out his hands.

“Daddy,” she hurried into his arms.

He gave her a bear hug, “What are you doing here?”

“Visiting my daddy at work.”

He released her, “Come…” he led her to the sitting area opposite his desk, “How are you doing?”

“I am good. I am here with Efe.”

“Oh! Really?”

She nodded, “He is waiting for me in the car. He is resuming work at Saint Nicholas hospital tomorrow.”

“So I heard. He has been very helpful.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Are you also planning to resume work?”

“Yes, daddy.”

“Good, good. I have a proposition for you.”

She raised an eyebrow. What was he up to?

“I want you to work for us as a consultant.”

Her brows creased in a frown.

“Hear me out,” he raised a hand.

She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the seat.

“As a consultant, you can work for as many firms as you can handle. Your experience in the industry has coined you as a very hot cake.”

She chuckled.

“Many of my friends have asked me times without number to loan you to them.”

“Wow!”

“You have helped us to grow and I believe that it is high time you carve a notch for yourself in the business world.”

She sighed. She had never thought about building her career that way.

“But, you must remember, Goldenberg Insurance Company comes first.”

“No problem.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Thank you daddy,” she embraced him.

“Where are you and Efe off to?”

She released him, “Lunch.”

“Lunch? At six in the evening.”

She shrugged and got to her feet.

“O-kay. I guess I will see you at home before midnight.”

“The fact that I am living under your roof for the time being doesn’t mean that you can dictate how I come and go.”

He placed both hands on his tummy and began to laugh.

“I am not sixteen dad, I am thirty.”

He continued to laugh.

“See you at home, whenever…” she marched out.

“Hey! These children will not be my undoing.”

Etinosa walked in, “Honey, are you ready?”

“Ah… yes dear.”

“I saw Osayuki.”

“Yes. She stopped by.”

“Did you tell her?”

“Yes, she accepted.”

She came to sit by his side, “Wonderful.”

Someone barged into the office. They turned around and saw Osayuki by the door, breathing fast and hard. He leapt to his feet.

“Darling, are you okay?”

She glanced back at him. Her eyes were shriveled with fear, as if she had just encountered her worse nightmare.

Her mother ran to her side. “What is it? What happened?”

She held her mother by the hand and pointed at the opened door.

“Speak up. What is it?” Nosakhare’s impatience wasn’t lost on her.

She swallowed hard, “I saw him…” she whispered.

They exchanged glances.

“Who?!” Etinosa panicked.

“He is in Osaretin’s office,” she held her chest, in an attempt to still her racing heart.

It dawned on them that she was talking about the person who lured her to the beach and raped her before the hoodlums found her.

“Are you sure?” her mother placed a hand on her forehead, checking her temperature.

She nodded, stepped forward and collapsed in the chair.

“Stay with her,” he instructed his wife and dashed out.

A few feet away from his son’s office, he heard loud voices. He quickened his steps and opened the door slightly. He saw Osaretin and a taller
man holding each other by the collar. He eavesdropped.

“I have already paid you.”

“I need to travel out of the country.”

“Do I look like a bank?”

“You are going to give me every penny I want, whether you like it or not.”


“I have already paid you for the job. You messed things up. Did I ask for a refund?”

“How was I supposed to know that those hoodlums will find her and do whatever they wanted with her?”

“It is all your fault. What if they had killed her?”

“But, they didn’t!”

“You need to leave and never come back.”

“Give me the money I asked for and I will disappear.”

“You will not get a kobo from me.”

“You lie!”

Nosakhare stepped back. He couldn’t believe the conversation he had overheard. He dialed the detective number on his phone and spoke with
him in a low tone. He hung up and opened the door.

Osaretin let go of the man when his father walked in.

“What is going on here?”

“Nothing dad,” he adjusted his collar.

“Are you sure? You were both about to strangle each other a moment ago.”

“We will continue this later,” the taller man tried to leave, but, Nosakhare blocked his way.

“No one is going anywhere.”

The man looked back at Osaretin.

“Dad, let him go.”

“No one is leaving until I know why you have decided to turn my company into a boxing ring,” he closed the door and leaned against it.

“It is a private matter dad.”

“Sir, I have to go,” the man pleaded.

“No one is going anywhere.”

Osaretin swallowed hard and met the taller man’s glare.

Several minutes later, someone knocked. Nosakhare stepped away and opened the door. Two uniformed men walked in, followed by a man in
black suit, about six feet tall.

“Thank you for coming detective,” Nosakhare shook hands with the six footer man.

Etinosa and Osayuki followed them in and stood by the doorway.

“Miss. Ehaekpen, can you point out the man who raped you at the beach?” the detective asked her.

She pointed at the young man standing two feet away from her father.

“Good, young man, you are under arrest,” the detective faced the young man.

Stephen fled. The two policemen ran after him and caught up with him down the hall and brought him back to the office.

“Mr. Osaretin, what is your relationship with this man?” the detective asked him.

He broke out in cold sweat, “He is an old friend.”

The detective faced Stephen, “Who is Mr. Ehaekpen to you?”

“He was my course mate back in the university. We reconnected at a friend’s party last year and he asked me to help him get his sister out of
the way so that he can become the second in command in his father’s company.”

Etinosa and Osayuki glanced at Osaretin. He bowed his head in shame.

“He paid me a million naira.”

“You are coming with us to the station. You are an accomplice to the crime committed eight months ago at the beach by this man,” the
detective walked up to him and took him by the hand, “If you become hostile, I will handcuff you and drag you out of here like an animal.”

“Dad…” his voice trembled with fear.

His father turned away and walked out.

“Dad!” Osaretin cried out, shocked that his father wouldn’t come to his rescue.

Etinosa pulled her daughter closer and led her out.

CHAPTER NINE

She woke up and found her mother sleeping beside her. She yawned and stretched out her hands and legs. It had been a long time since she had slept well. It occurred to her that she didn’t have any nightmare. She had slept like a baby.

Thank you Jesus.

She closed her eyes for a moment and opened it. If her nights continued that way, her full recovery was manifesting sooner than she thought. Someone knocked. She looked towards the door. Efe opened it and walked in.

“Morning.”

“Morning,” she sat up.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thanks,” she grinned.

“Should I ask Mrs. Grace to bring you breakfast in bed?”

She shook her head, “I will take my bath first. I think I will eat at the dining.”

“Okay, good.”

“Thank you for coming to get me last night.”

“You are welcome. But, the next time you want to leave the house, for whatever reason, just call me.”

“Okay. I will.”

He stepped closer, “I am glad that you are all right. I was worried about you.”

She nodded, “I didn’t have any bad dream last night.”

He smiled, “I noticed.”

“I slept like a baby.”

“I am glad,” he could see the excitement in her eyes.

“God has answered our prayers.”

“Yes, he has.”

Their gazes locked. He was sure that in a matter of weeks, she would be able to go back to her normal routine. He had noticed that no man had come to check up on her. Was she single? He had seen in her hospital records. She was thirty. Why wasn’t she in a relationship at that age? Maybe she allowed work to take over her social life. He had noticed that her siblings were also single and work-driven. They all needed to do a rethink. Life wasn’t all about work, money and fame. There were other things that made it beautiful and worthwhile.

Etinosa stirred and opened her eyes. She turned on her side and noticed that her daughter was awake. She followed her gaze and saw Efe
standing by the doorway. Why were they staring at each other like that? She looked from one to the other. Have their relationship gone beyond nurse and patient to a more intimate one? Was there something else going on between them? The young man was decent and hardworking. He would make a fine husband for her workaholic daughter who had not dated anyone since she graduated from the university. She cleared her throat thrice.

Osayuki blinked and turned away from the intensity of his gaze. She perceived that her mother was awake.

“Morning darling.”

“Mum, morning,” she glanced at her.

“Good morning ma.”

She threw a glance at him and smiled, “Morning Efe.”

Why was she smiling at him like that? She was looking at him as if she had discovered something.

“Please, excuse me,” he retreated and walked out.

“Fine young man, isn’t he?”

She raised an eyebrow and her puzzled stare captured her mother’s excited ones.

“I think he is single.”

She shrugged. She didn’t know what her mother was driving at.

“He will make a fine husband for a lucky woman.”

Osayuki blinked, she was not sure why her mother made such comment.

The elderly woman started to laugh. It was possible that the nurse and his patient had no idea about what was going on between them. If it was meant to be, they would find out for themselves. She decided to stay out of their business.

“What are you having for breakfast?”

“I don’t know. I will like to take my bath first.”

“Okay. I will tell Mrs. Grace to make you pancakes and oatmeal.”

“Sounds perfect,” she got down from the bed and headed for the bathroom.

She lay back on the bed. It would be wonderful if her eldest daughter got married. Her dreams of being a granny would finally materialize. It
might encourage her other children to settle down. Her first son was thirty five. Her second son was thirty three and Osabohen was twenty
eight. She couldn’t remember the last time they introduced anyone as their intended. They were focused on work, power and positions in her husband’s company. Did they make a mistake in involving the children in the family business? She turned off her line of thoughts and pulled her weight up. She climbed down from the bed and yawned. Her husband would have woken up. He must have noticed her absence from his side the other night. She smiled; he could do without her once in a while.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Osayuki found her father’s car keys in his bedroom. She took it and headed out. She found her father’s black Hummer jeep parked in the usual place, got in and drove into the dark quiet street. It was past eight. An hour drive would do her some good. She had one of her new phones with her. She would be able to reach Efe if need be. She should have called him earlier, but, she had a feeling that he might convince her not to leave the house. Her vision became blurry. She wiped her wet eyes with the back of her hand. She was angry at every single member of her family.

Moments later, she realized that she was on the road leading to Eko Hotel and Suites. She became alarmed when she remembered that the beach was also close by. She had been attacked on the beach by someone she hardly knew and two hoodlums. The darkness of the night intensified her realm of thoughts. Her heart raced wildly. She found a spot at the parking lot outside Kuramo beach and parked the car. She got out and paid one of the boys hanging around to watch it.

Her erratic thoughts pushed her towards Bar beach. She removed her red gladiator sandals and climbed over the huge rocks. The sand felt cool beneath her feet. Her heart thundered against her chest. She began to feel a nagging headache. She walked around, looking for the bamboo hut that was covered with blankets.

What am I doing here? Why did I come here? I shouldn’t have left the house.

She sighted the hut at a distance and froze. She fell on her knees and throw up. She took in long in-take of breath and exhaled, it had a
calming effect on her nerves. She dialed Efe’s number on her phone and waited for it to ring.

“Hello…”

The sound of his voice eased her chaotic thoughts, “Efe… come and get me.”

“Osayuki, where are you?”

“I am at Bar beach.”

“What in the world!”

“Come and get me.”

“When did you leave the house? I thought you were having dinner with your family.”

“Efe…”

“I am on my way. Try and relax and breathe, okay, deep breaths.”

“Deep breaths…” she repeated and inhaled. She sat on the sand and hoped that he would come soon. She wasn’t sure she would be able to walk back to the car. She checked the time on her phone; it was nine o’clock on the dot.

xxxxxx

Efe found the Ehaekpen family in the dining room, arguing.

“I am sorry to disturb you sir…” he approached Nosakhare.

“It’s okay,” he motioned for him to come.

He bent down and whispered into the sixty year old man’s ear. His dark eyes widened in shock. He got up immediately and picked up his phone.

Efe took a step back.

“Honey what is it?” Etinosa worried look captured his alarmed face.

His eyes darted at her, then across the table. He pointed an accusing finger at his children.

“Your sister has put herself at risk because of all of you.”

Etinosa got to her feet. She glanced at Efe, then back at her husband. She hoped Osayuki had not come to any harm.

“I will be right back,” he gave his wife a peck on the cheek and hurried out of the room with the male nurse.

She turned to her children, “If anything happens to your sister, I am holding each one of you responsible,” she eyed them and walked out of
the room.

Osabohen hissed. She wished she could leave. She would rather be home browsing or watching Telemundo.

Osarodion sat back on his seat. He hoped his sister wasn’t in any kind of danger. She had gone through enough.

Osaretin crossed his arms and stared at his empty plate. He was still boiling within. He didn’t care what happened to his sister. He was tired of his parents’ constant attention towards her.


xxxxxx

Nosakhare and his daughter’s nurse arrived at the beach. He dialed her number and got a description of where she was. After about ten minutes, they found her seated on the sand crying. Efe lifted her and swept her up in his arms. He carried her back to his car while her father searched for his Hummer jeep. He found it and paid off the boys that were watching it. Efe called Doctor Bia and intimated him of her present condition. The doctor suggested that they should bring her to the hospital immediately.

Osayuki heard people arguing and fighting at a distance. She looked out of the window and watched them. Efe noticed the expressions on her face. At first, it was a curious look, then recognition, but, it was replaced by fear, pain then anguish. He followed her gaze and saw two men fighting. Suddenly, she started to scream. He jumped out of the front seat and joined her at the back seat of the car. She held her head with one hand and pointed at the men with the other. Her father hurried to her side.

“What is happening?”

Efe pointed at the hoodlums that were fighting. He followed his direction. “I think she recognized them.”

Nosakhare nodded and dialed the number of the detective in charge of his daughter’s case.

Efe tried to calm her but to no avail. He wished he had brought along a tranquilizer.

“Breathe… take long deep breaths.”

She nodded and shut her eyes. Her breathing came fast and hard. She had just seen the men that attacked her. Her mind was going crazy.

Fourty-five minutes later, two uniformed men arrived. Nosakhare approached them and pointed at the hoodlums. They were still arguing and other riffraff gathered around them. The policemen separated the men and dragged them towards Efe’s car.

“Do you know these men?” her father pointed at the hoodlums being held by the policemen. She looked at them. One of them had a deep scar
across his face and the other had a disfigured ear. She nodded quickly.

“Daddy… they raped me. I asked them for help, but, they raped me,” she began to weep. He pulled her close and hugged her. He felt his blood
boiling with fury. If not for the presence of the policemen, he would have taken laws into his own hands.

“It is okay darling. They are going to pay for what they did to you,” Nosakhare signaled to Efe and got out of the car. The male nurse drew
her close and comforted her.

Nosakhare called the detective again and intimated him on what had happened. He gave one of the policemen his phone and watched him
communicate with the detective. The officer returned the phone and dragged one of the hoodlums to their vehicle. His colleague dragged the other along.

Efe and his boss set off for Saint Nicholas hospital.

Doctor Bia attended to her that night and discharged her after he had confirmed that she was in a good frame of mind.

Nosakhare was surprised to meet his children in the sitting room when he got home at about eleven. He thought they had gone home. They circled around him, hungry for news.

Etinosa followed Efe to Osayuki’s room and helped him to settle her in for the night.

“Just thank God for your sister’s life. The two hoodlums that raped her that night have been caught.”

“Wow! Praise the Lord!” Osarodion was relieved at the news.

“I am going to see the detective tomorrow morning. Those men are going to pay for the misery they caused my daughter,” Nosakhare said with determination.

“I will come with you dad,” Osarodion volunteered.

“Okay, okay,” he settled on a chair. He was tired, but relieved at how the night had turned out.

“I am going to check up on her,” Osabohen left the room.

Osaretin was still angry at how the family dinner had ended. He wondered if Mrs. Grace had turned in for the night. He thought of going to
look for something to chew in the kitchen. He would have to spend the night in his parents’ place. He couldn’t go home, it was already late.

Etinosa sat beside her daughter. She had not said a word since she was brought home that night. Efe had narrated what happened. She was
grateful to God that two out of the three men that molested her had been caught. She decided to sleep in her daughter’s room that night.
She wanted her to feel safe.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Nosakhare sat in his large office. He had been running Goldenberg Insurance Company since he completed his youth service. He inherited the firm from his late mother. It used to be a small company, but, over the years, it had grown into an international establishment reckoned with worldwide. One after the other, his children joined him in running the company immediately they completed their service year. He had placed them in charge of different departments, within the sphere of their capacity. Osayuki had been outstanding. It didn’t matter where he placed her, she always excelled. Her intelligence and knack for business had encouraged him to put her in charge of everything. She was like his second in command. His sons had shown their disapproval, but, he had no choice. No one could handle the reins of the firm like she did.
It had been four weeks since she was attacked. She seemed to be getting better, but, she couldn’t resume work in her frame of mind. He had decided to share her duties amongst all his children. He believed with time, one of them might be able to fill in her position until she gained full recovery and was ready to return to work. He hoped that by the time he retired at eighty, she would take over the company as the CEO. He heard a knock and looked towards the door. His wife, sons and youngest daughter walked in. The women sat on the seats opposite the table while the men stood behind them.

“I feel that one of you should take over your sister’s position, until she returns to work.”

Osaretin smiled from ear to ear. He had been waiting for his father to make that decision for weeks. He believed that he was capable of handling the position as the second in command. His elder brother nodded in agreement with their father. As the first son, he was supposed to be charge, not his sister. Her situation had created an opportunity for him to show his father that he was capable of running the company. He noticed that his younger sister was nodding her head. Osabohen was glad that her father had come to terms with what happened to their sister. She believed that she was capable of taking over from her.

“But, the second in command position cannot be taken lightly. There is a lot at stake. This made me to decide that it is best if your sister’s
position is shared amongst the three of you.”

His first son frowned. Osarodion didn’t like the idea of sharing titles and powers with his siblings. As the first child, it was his right. His younger
brother’s smile faded. Osaretin had thought that their father would choose him. Their sister folded her arms across her bosom. Osabohen didn’t mind sharing powers with her brothers. Overtime, her father would see that she was his best option.

“Thank you for coming. You can all return to your offices,” Nosakhare leaned against the leather seat.

His children walked out of the large room one after the other. He met his wife’s pleased gaze. He smiled back at her.

xxxxxx

Efe woke up in the middle of the night. There was a faint sound in the background. It sounded like someone was sobbing.

Osayuki!

The thought of her in distress made him to jump out of bed and dash out of the room. He knocked on her door and opened it. He walked in and saw her seated on the bed crying. The room was illuminated by the bedside lamp. He approached her and sat at the side of the bed.

“Are you okay?”

“No!”

Her anger didn’t come as a surprise to him. Her constant nightmares were enough to drive anyone nuts.

“Do I look okay to you?” she glared back at him.

He swallowed hard, his eyes darted sideways. If lashing out at him would make her feel better, he was ready to be her punching bag.

“Will I ever be okay?” her tears-stained eyes focused on his sad ones.

He felt sorry for her. He wished he could take away all her pains.

“I keep seeing their faces… I keep dreaming about what happened… I feel like I am going crazy… sometimes, I think… suicide might be the
best option.”

He shook his head, “No! No…” he drew closer, “Don’t ever think about doing that,” his firm voice got through to her.

“But, it is better than…”

“No!”

“I feel useless, rotten, wasted, wrecked…” she placed both hands on her head.

“Hey… don’t say that.”

“I am tired,” tears began to flow again.

He pulled her into his arms and rocked her liked a baby, “Ssssh… it is okay. It is going to be all right.”

“Where was God when I needed Him most?”

“He was right there with you.”

“Watching?” her voice raised a pitch.

“Yes, watching and making sure that you didn’t die in the moment of your affliction.”

Her wet eyes brightened, “He saved me from death.”

“Yes he did.”

“Why didn’t he stop them?”

“There are some things we might never fully understand in this lifetime.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know Osayuki.”

The sound of her name on his lips had a soothing effect on her fried nerves. She leaned into him, taking comfort in the warmth of his arms.

“I want you to know that God will never leave you or forsake you.”

“Hmmm…”

“He feels your pains…”

“Ehn-hen…”

“He knows exactly what you are going through.”

“O-kay…” she sounded drowsy.

Is she sleeping?

He pulled away and found out that her eyes were closed. He placed her on the bed gently and tried to get up. She stirred and opened her
eyes.

“Don’t go… stay with me,” the fear in her voice tug at his heart.

“Okay,” he sat back on the bed.

She closed her eyes and coiled into a ball. He sighed heavily. He would do anything to make her bad dreams to disappear forever. It had been
eight weeks since he had been taking care of her. Her family seemed satisfied with his service. His probation period was definitely over. At thirty-five, he hoped to work and make good money as a nurse and a psychiatrist. Someday, somehow, he would set up his own clinic and psychiatric centre.

God it is all in your hands now.

He looked down at her. It seemed she had fallen asleep again. He got up and sneaked out of the room.

xxxxxx

The Ehaekpen’s family sat at the dining, enjoying a delicious meal of pounded yam and egusi soup with assorted bush meat, smoked cat fish and grilled pepper chicken. Silence descended on the room when she walked in, clad in a black and red short evening gown with matching red low heeled gladiator sandals. She had on a shoulder length braids curled at the tips; the attachment was a selective shade of brown. She greeted her parents and siblings, took a seat at the dining and began to dish her food. Her parents exchanged glances. It had been three months since the incident. They were pleased that she looked well and had decided to eat with them.

“How is the company?” she directed her gaze to her siblings, one after the other, “I heard that my duties have been divided amongst you all,”
she sipped at her drink.

Osarodion glanced at his father then back at his sister. If they think he would give up his current position as the second in command of the company, although he was sharing the title with his siblings, they had something else coming. He was the first child; he was where he was supposed to be in the first place.

Osaretin stopped eating. He pushed the plate away and caught a glimpse of his parents. They were excited that their favourite child was back on her feet. If she thought she could return to work and take over the reins of the company, she better think again. He wasn’t relinquishing his present position to anyone.

Osabohen dropped her fork and knife on the plate and stared at her elder sister, “You look well…”

“Thank you,” Osayuki smiled at her.

“But, do you think your mind is sane enough to handle the company’s business?” Osabohen searched her face.

Her smile faded. She swallowed the food in her mouth and took a long drink.

“Sabby, that is no way to speak to your elder sister,” her mother rebuked her.

Nosakhare shook his head. At times, his youngest daughter vomited a lot of rubbish.

“Let her be mum. She speaks the truth,” Osarodion held his mother’s shocked gaze.

“I concur,” Osaretin added.

Osabohen smiled. She was pleased that her brothers supported her.

Nosakhare and his wife exchanged glances. Were their children ganging up against their sister? Weren’t they happy that she was recovering?

Osayuki pushed her plate away. She could sense the heat at the table. There were times she wondered if they wanted her to be bedridden for the rest of the year. Heavens forbid!

“Well, well, well, so what I heard is true,” she stared at them.

Her younger sister eyed her. What had she heard? She glanced at her brothers.

Osaretin didn’t care anymore. He was ready to fight for what was rightfully his.

Osarodion was tired of the favouritism in the family. He was ready for war.

“I heard that you all convert my position in the company, you have also seized my car and converted my apartment into a guest house.”

“Your car and the apartment are part of the benefits of your job title…” Osabohen rattled off.

“Shut up!” her shrill tone cut off her younger sister’s defense.

“Don’t tell her to shut up. She is right. You are in no state to run the company. We have taken over,” Osaretin slammed his fist on the table.

“True, your things have been moved back to your father’s house. He can buy you a new car and rent another place for you,” Osarodion added.

She pushed the chair backwards and got up, “You have no right… none of you… no right at all,” Osayuki stared at them stonily.

“Enough!” Nosakhare thundered.

She looked at her father, “You allowed them to do this.”

“It is not like that,” the hurt in her eyes saddened.

She shook her head and marched out.

“Osayuki…” her mother called after her, but, she didn’t respond. Etinosa turned to look at the rest of her children. What had gotten into them
all?

Osaretin started to eat. He liked the way things had turned out.

Osabohen smiled and hummed to herself. The favourite child should go back to her shell. She wasn’t wanted in their midst. Her tenure was
over.

Osarodion met his father’s angry stare. He looked away and sipped at his drink. He believed that if he allowed his father to have his way, he
would make his younger sister the CEO of the company when he retired. It was time to stop that from happening.

CHAPTER SIX

Doctor Bia sat in the living room with his wife’s younger brother. They had been waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Ehaekpen for more than fifteen minutes. The House manager, Mrs. Grace, had told them that the couple had just woken up. He knew how exhausted they were the day before. He expected them to stay indoors and rest.

Nosakhare and Etinosa walked into the sitting room. They looked a bit refreshed and visibly tired.

“Good morning doctor,” they chorused.

Doctor Bia and his brother-in-law got up and greeted the couple. They returned to their seats, while the couple sat opposite them.

“I thought you said the nurse will resume this morning,” she looked at the doctor then at the fair young man seated beside him.

He cleared his throat, “Yes, em… this is Omefe Esiri, my wife’s younger brother. He studied Nursing in London and he also has a diploma in
Psychology.”

Her dark brows creased in a frown. She caught a glimpse of her husband. His facial expression depicted displeasure. They had both expected
a female nurse.

The doctor cleared his throat again, he could sense their disapproval, “Omefe is very good at his job. He will offer both medical and
psychological help to your daughter.”

Nosakhare and his wife sized up the young man. They felt that a female nurse would have been appropriate.

“Can’t you get us a female nurse?” Etinosa directed her gaze at the doctor.

“I can vouch for Efe. Let him take care of your daughter for a couple of days, if you are not satisfied, I will go out of my way to search for a
female nurse.”

Nosakhare assessed the young man. He looked as old as his first son, “Why didn’t you stay back in London?”

“I worked in different hospitals back in London, but, I decided to come home to give back to my country.”

He snorted and got to his feet, “I am off.”

Doctor Bia and Efe rose.

“Let’s see what the young man can offer.”

“Thank you sir,” the doctor relaxed.

Efe sensed that the middle aged woman was staring at him. He needed the job. Since he returned to the country two years ago, his earnings
were nothing compared to what he earned in London. His sister’s husband had assured him that the Ehaekpen family would pay handsomely.

Mrs. Grace walked in briskly, “Sir, ma, she is awake.”

They all turned around and looked at her.

“She is screaming her lungs out.”

Etinosa panicked. Nosakhare grimaced and glanced at the doctor.

“Where is she?” Efe picked up his small bag and approached the woman.

“Come with me,” they hurried out of the room.

“She will be all right. He will take good care of her,” the doctor assured them.

He relaxed and pecked his wife on the cheek, “See you in the evening.”

She sighed and watched them leave.


xxxxxx

Osabohen met her parents taking their dinner when she arrived at the Ehaekpen’s ten bedroom mansion that evening. She chatted with them for a while before leaving for her sister’s bedroom. She met a fair young man attending to her. She was taken aback. Where was the nurse? The man was clad in a white short-sleeve shirt and trousers. He looked like one of the male nurses in the sitcom ‘Grey Anatomy’. He noticed her presence and greeted her. She gave a nod and left the room. She hurried back to the dining and took a seat.

“I thought Doctor Bia was supposed to bring a female nurse,” she looked from one parent to the other.

“Male or female, as long as he or she is a nurse, I am fine with it,” there was a note of finality in his voice.

“If you say so,” she eyed him and caught a glimpse of her mother. She looked weary.

“I didn’t see you in the office today,” Nosakhare took a long drink.

“I couldn’t lift a finger when I woke up this morning. I needed the day off.”

Her brothers walked into the room. They greeted their parents and stood by the dining.

“Have you both had your dinner?” Etinosa searched their faces.

They nodded in unison.

“Should Mrs. Grace bring you something to eat?”

“No, mum, thanks,” Osarodion took a seat.

“I had dinner with some friends on my way here. I am stuffed,” Osaretin smiled at her.

Mrs. Grace came in, greeted her employers’ children and cleared the table. Efe joined them and informed his new employers that their daughter had been sedated for the night and would soon fall asleep. They thanked him. He said his goodnight and returned to his quarters, a room directly opposite his patient’s room.

“I thought Osayuki’s nurse was supposed to be a woman?” Osaretin sat beside his brother.

“Is it wise to employ a male nurse?” Osarodion looked at both parents.

“My point exactly,” their sister added.

Nosakhare assured his children that the male nurse was highly recommended by their family doctor. They should all concern themselves with their sister’s quick recovery and not the person taking care of her.

xxxxxx

She lay on the bed in her pajamas. She had, had her dinner and was waiting for sleep to overtake her. It had been two weeks since the incident at the beach. Her nightmares came every single night. She hoped it would stop soon. Whatever the male nurse sedated her with always calmed and lured her back to sleep. Her dreams were usually centered on the faces of the men that violated her. The torment gnawed at her soul and made it impossible for her to sleep.

Lord Jesus... will I ever get over this bad experience? Heal me Lord. Make me whole again.

Someone knocked. She looked towards the door. The male nurse opened the door, walked in and took a few steps towards the bed.

“You are still awake. I thought I should check up on you.”

She sighed and turned on her side. He folded his hands across his chest. His elder sister’s husband had told him about her condition. He had
treated people like her in the past. Many rape victims lose their minds due to their ugly experiences. Some find it hard to relate with men.
Some became men haters. Others find solace in lesbianism and a great number turned to nymphomaniacs. He prayed that his patient would recover with all her faculties intact. It was a good thing that she was a believer. Her faith in God would help her heal physically, emotionally and psychologically. It would also help her through every challenge she might encounter.

“Good night,” he turned around and saw himself out.

She heard the sound of the door. She sighed again and lay on her back. Efe had been very kind to her. At times, she heard him praying for
her. He was always at her side whenever she had nightmares. He would stay in her room until she drifted off to sleep. His presence was comforting. She let out a loud yawn and turned on her tummy. She blinked several times and dozed off.

CHAPTER FIVE

She opened her eyes. She felt she was somewhere familiar. Was she home? She tried to turn on her side, but the pains that attacked her made her to groan.

“She is awake,” Osabohen announced. Her parents and brothers gathered around the bed.

“How are you doing darling?” her father’s voice felt like a balm, soothing all her aches.

“Daddy…” she croaked. Her throat felt very dry. She started to cough.

“I think she need a drink,” her mother stared at her youngest daughter.

Osabohen frowned. Why was she looking at her? Why can’t someone else get the drink?

“Sabby…” her father signaled to her.

“A drink it is…” she got up and hurried out of the room.

“How are you feeling?” Etinosa sat beside her daughter. She turned to look at her mother. Her eyes were red and she had a sad look on her face.

“I am… in pains,” she started to cough again.

“Where is Osabohen?” Osarodion looked towards the door with irritation.

“You are going to be all right darling,” Nosakhare sat beside his wife and reached out for his daughter’s hand.

Osaretin stood at the edge of the bed. He kept looking at his sister. She seemed thinner, frail and fragile. He saw Osabohen with the corner of his eye; she was carrying a glass of water. Her mother collected it from her. Nosakhare helped Osayuki to sit up, while his wife gave her a drink.

Osarodion watched his parents. Trust them to dot on their favourite child and pamper her to stupor. He shook the thoughts away. He was
supposed to be praying for her quick recovery, not licking old wounds.

She drained the glass and lay back on the bed, “My car… I parked my car outside the beach.”

Nosakhare glanced at his first son.

He met his father’s gaze and nodded, “I will go and get it this evening.”

The thoughts of what happened at the beach clouded her mind. She closed her eyes and tried to shut out the memories. The sinister look in Stephen’s eyes, the way the hoodlums ate her up, the fear that consumed her mind and the pain that took over her body exploded in her mind. She began to scream.

“Osayuki…” Etinosa shook her by the shoulder. She didn’t respond, her eyes seemed lost and distant, like she was somewhere else. She panicked and turned to her husband.

Osayuki continued to scream, holding her head and trying in vain to stop the trail of her torturous thoughts.

“Darling…” Nosakhare climbed the bed and tried to hold her. She flinched at his touch and sat up. She held her head with both hands and her shrill filled the room.

“I think we should call the doctor,” Osabohen joined her brother at the edge of the bed. Her sister’s sudden reaction had scared her.

Nosakhare motioned to his first son. Osarodion dialed Doctor Bia’s number on his phone and dashed out of the room.

“Osayuki…” she moved closer to her daughter. She recognized her mother’s voice and flew into her arms.

“Mummy!” She held unto her like her life depended on it.

“Yes, darling. I am right here. I am not going anywhere.”

“Mummy…” she sobbed, “I see them… I see all of them,” she wept.

“It is going to be all right darling. Mummy is here. I promise you, I won’t allow them to hurt you ever again.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, darling, I promise.”

His eyes smarted with tears. He got up and staggered out of the room. Osaretin watched his father leave. He felt saddened by his discomposure.

Osabohen examined her mother as she consoled her elder sister. None of them had eaten or slept a wink since they returned from the hospital
that afternoon. How were they going to cope with Osayuki’s situation? She doubted if things would ever return to normal.

xxxxxx

Doctor Bia sedated Osayuki and she fell asleep almost immediately. He turned around and looked at them, from one to the other.

“You all need to rest, eat and rest.”

“How is she?” he was worried about his daughter.

The doctor sighed and turned to the sleeping beauty, “She will be fine. She will have a lot of episodes like the one you just witnessed… nightmares inclusive.”

“Ah!” Osabohen panicked.

“For how long?” Etinosa wiped the tears on her face with the back of her hand.

He stood, “I cannot say.”

“What does that mean?” Osarodion folded his arms across his chest.

He directed his gaze at the young man, “I suggest you employ an in-house nurse.”

“What for?” Osaretin eyed the doctor.

He stared at the younger man, and then faced their father, “The nurse will sedate her with a tranquillizer whenever she has an episode or a nightmare.”

“For how long?” Etinosa paled.

He turned to look at the elderly woman, “Until the episodes and nightmares stop.”

“Wow!” Osabohen leaned against the wall. Things were worse than she thought.

“Can you help us to get an in-house nurse?” Nosakhare faced the doctor. He was ready to do whatever it took to help her to recover as fast
as possible.

“Yes. She also needs to see a Psychiatrist once she is up to it.”

“Whatever for?” Etinosa got to her feet and faced the doctor.

“Talking to a Psychiatrist will help her to off-load the weight on her mind and bring her some form of closure.”

Etinosa began to shake her head. Her daughter didn’t need a shrink. She wasn’t crazy.

“Ma, she needs to speak to someone about what happened to her.”

“We are her family. She will speak to us,” Osaretin walked up to his mother and placed a hand around her shoulder. She found comfort in his gesture.

The doctor glanced at the head of the family, “She needs a neutral person.”

Nosakhare nodded in agreement. The detective assigned to his daughter’s case also wanted to speak with her. He doubted if she was ready to share her experience. Her mind seemed fractured. He couldn’t fathom how long it took for the human mind to heal and recover from such ghastly experience.

“I will make arrangements for the in-house nurse. She will be here first thing tomorrow morning,” doctor Bia headed towards the doorway.

“I will see you to your car,” Osarodion saw the doctor out. He had a lot of questions to ask.

“I think you should both go home. You can check up on your sister tomorrow,” Etinosa patted her son on the back and glanced at her
daughter. Osaretin kissed his mother on both cheeks and hugged his father. He needed to rest. He might not go to work the next day. He was the head of the Accounts department in his father’s company. He might call his assistant and intimate him on how to oversee things in his absence. Osabohen followed her brother out of the room. They met their eldest brother at the car park. He was also on his way out.
Nosakhare and his wife walked out of the room and closed the door gently. They hoped that Osayuki would remain sedated throughout the night.
“Are you going to work tomorrow?”

He placed a hand around her shoulder, “As the CEO of Goldenberg Insurance Company, I have to be there, come rain or shine.”

She sighed heavily.

“I will go mad with worry if I stay back at home.”

“I will stay. I want to meet the nurse and help her to settle in.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t stop wondering…”

“About?”

“Where was God when our daughter was been molested?”

He sighed and pulled her close in a hug, “God is ever present.”

“But…”

“Ssssh… there are things we might never fully understand, but, that doesn’t mean that God wasn’t or isn’t there.

She exhaled loudly.

“He never leaves or forsakes us.”

She knew he spoke the truth, but, it was a bitter pill to swallow at that very moment.

“We will trust in the Lord with all our hearts and depend not on our own understanding. In all our ways, we will acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths,” he paraphrased the third chapter of the book of Proverbs, verse five and six.

She would try as much as possible to trust in God and rest in Him. After all, He sees the end from the beginning. Her daughter was safely in
His arms, regardless of what she had gone through.

CHAPTER FOUR

She regained consciousness. It was dark and very cold. She tried to move but severe pains attacked her body. She needed to leave the beach. She didn’t want to fall into the wrong hands again. She got on her knees and used her hands to search for her clothes, shoes and bag. She found nothing. She started to sob. She couldn’t leave the hut naked. She thought of the dusty dirty blankets that covered the hut. She crawled to the entrance and pulled at one of the blankets with all her might. One fell on the sand. The dust that emanated from it made her to start coughing. She wrapped it around her body and pulled her weight up by holding the wooden frame firmly. One step after the other, she walked towards the exit. She made it to the roadside and stopped the first taxi that she saw.

“Madam, where you dey go?”

She thought for a while. Should she go home? Should she go to the police station? She needed medical attention. Their family doctor worked at Saint Nicholas hospital. It was close enough. She hoped he was still on duty.

“Take me to Saint Nicholas.”

“Hospital?”

“Yes.”

He unlocked the back seat door. She opened the door and climbed into the car. She closed the door and lay back on the seats.

“Madam, you dey okay?” he watched her through the mirror.

“Take me to the hospital, fast.”

He nosed the car into the road and drove off. Ten minutes later, he parked at the hospital gate.

“Madam, we don reach.”

“Go in and ask for Doctor Bia.”

“Wetin be all this wahala sef. Abeg pay me my money make I commot for here.”

She sat up, “Please, go in and ask for Doctor Bia. He will pay you any amount you want.”

He hissed and killed the engine. He got down, mumbling to himself, closed the door and hurried into the large compound. He returned with an elderly man in his fifties. The moment the doctor saw her, he ran back into the hospital and returned with two nurses carrying a wheel chair.

xxxxxx

The ringing of his phone woke him up. He heard his wife hissed. It must have woken her too. He sat up and switched on the bedside lamp. He reached out for the phone which was on the bedside drawer and picked the call.

“Hello…”

“Sorry to disturb you Mr. Ehaekpen.”

“Doctor Bia… morning,” he recognized the family doctor’s voice.

“Morning sir, sir, Osayuki is right here with us.”

His heart beat accelerated.

“Sir, she is in a critical condition.”

“What happened to my daughter?”

“Sir, you need to come right away.”

“I am on my way.”

Etinosa sat up and saw the panic on her husband’s face, “What is it?”

He turned to look at her, “Osayuki is in the hospital.”

“What?!”

“Call the driver; we need to get there right away.”

She nodded and fished for her blackberry phone which was under her pillow.

“Call the children too. They need to meet us at the hospital.”

She nodded in agreement. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

xxxxxx

Osabohen picked up her blackberry phone. It seemed whoever was calling her was desperate to get her attention. She checked the caller’s I.D. It was her mother. She glanced at the wall clock. It was past two. What was so important that couldn’t wait till the sun rose?

“Hello…”

“Sabby, you need to meet us at St. Nicholas hospital.”

She sat up. What was going on? Was she ill or worse, did her father fall sick?

“Sabby…”

She liked it whenever her mum called her ‘Sabby’. It felt like an endearment, “Mum, what is going on?”

“Your sister has been admitted?”

“Osayuki?”

“Do you have any other sister?”

Was her sister sick? Was that why she didn’t show up for the family dinner?

“Your father and I are on our way to hospital. Meet us there.”

She climbed down from the bed. It would take her about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital from her place in Lagos Island. She thought of calling her brothers. Her mother would have called them. She looked around for her car key. Where did she drop it?

xxxxxx

Osaretin got out of bed. He had just received a call from his mother that his younger sister had been admitted into the hospital. He didn’t understand why he should be dragged there as well. Was he a doctor? He flung his wardrobe open. What was he going to wear?

Osayuki, Osayuki, Osayuki. It was always Osayuki.

He hit his fist on the wooden door.

“Ouch!” he held his hand in pain. He could sense it already; it was going to be a very long day.


xxxxxx

Osarodion joined his parents and younger sister in the waiting room. It turned out that he wasn’t the only one in pajamas. His father had a big black coat over his green pajamas. His mother had a red long coat over her blue pajamas. His sister had a blue jean jacket over her pink pajamas. They all looked like attendees for a slumber party.

“Have you seen her?” he sat beside his mother. She shook her head in response. Her eyes were red. She must have been crying. He glanced
at his father. He looked worse. He directed his gaze at his younger sister who was seated behind them, fiddling with her phone.

Osaretin strolled in, in a red tee-shirt and a pair of blue jeans and matching blue boots. He had his phones in one hand and the key to his car in another. He greeted his parents and siblings and sat beside his sister.

Nosakhare raised his head and saw the doctor approaching them. He took a long deep breath.

“Good morning everyone,” doctor Bia addressed them.

“Good morning doctor,” they chorused.

“Osayuki came in a taxi before dawn, naked, bruised and… we discovered that she had been molested.”

Etinosa covered her mouth with her right hand, stifling a scream. Tears rolled down her smooth dark face.

“Molested…” Nosakhare repeated. It was hard to believe that something that gruesome could happen to his daughter.

“The extent of the injuries in her private part showed that she had been molested by more than one person.”

“What?!” Osaretin jumped to his feet.

Osabohen felt goose bumps crawling all over her body. She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to block the scary thoughts that
flooded her mind.

“She was able to confirm the sexual assault before she drifted into unconsciousness.”

“Where did the taxi driver pick her up from?” Osarodion boiled with anger. He hated weaklings who called themselves men, men who took
advantage of women to satisfy their despicable sexual pervasions.

“He claimed that she stopped him along the roadside, by Bar beach.”

“Bar beach?” Osarodion and Osaretin chorused.

Doctor Bia faced Nosakhare, “I have notified the police. The taxi driver has taken them to the spot he found her. They promised to continue
their investigations from there.”

He pulled his wife into his arms. She started to cry out loud. She felt as if she was going to die. Osabohen stared at her parents with pity.

She couldn’t imagine what they were going through.

“If you are ready, you can all see her now.”

He helped his wife to her feet. They followed the doctor down the hall. Their children walked behind them with unsteady steps.

The doctor led them into a private room. They found Osayuki covered up with bandages.

Osabohen sat at the bedside. She couldn’t imagine what her sister had been through. She would not wish such a thing on her worst enemy.
She hated rape stories. She felt angry, hurt and helpless all at once. She hoped her sister’s attackers would be caught and brought to justice.

“Thank you for everything,” Nosakhare shook hands with the doctor. Doctor Bia nodded and left the room.

Etinosa sat at the other side of the bed, “Oh God… look at my baby,” she wept.

Nosakhare folded his hands across his chest. He couldn’t hold back the tears again. He let it flow freely. His chest tightened in anguish.

“Those bastards are going to pay. I swear on everything I hold dear, they will pay!” Osarodion seethed.

Osaretin glanced at his elder brother, his anger was infectious.

@bibijay123... Thanks gurl *winks*
@ibukunoluwat... Am pleased. Thanks.
@osleek... Amen. Thanks.
@Silensa... Thanks.
@stephinnoyewole... Thanks.
@preetypam... Glad you had fun *winks*

@Olabantu... True talk. In matters of love, we need our hearts and brains working in sequence.

@Olabantu... In the search of love and bliss, women do the craziest things. Some times, we get into trouble. Other times, we escape.

My people *smiles* I will resume updates tomorrow before lunch time.

The flash I took to the cafe was malfunctioning.

I had to go back home and re-save 'Winds of Fate' word documents on the naughty flash.

I cannot return to the cafe today.

See you guys tomorrow *winks*