Before
Michael arrived, I went to his bar section to get myself occupied with a bottle
of booze. I needed something hot down my stomach. My conversation with Ndidi
dried my throat. Most of the things she said to me penetrated into my thick
head, I forced myself not to think about the things she said and the threat she
made. How could she think that I would fall in love? I know I have done many
bad things in the past but I one thing I can never do is commit murder.
I also have done good things
for people. I always give to the poor whenever they ask for my assistance. I
was the one who gave Mrs. Bola money to furnish her apartment. I paid the
expenses of the trip of my secretary to London to give birth to her children. I
have never spent Valentine’s Day with a woman. I always buy things in bulk and
visit orphanage homes to spend time with children and the only person allowed
to go with me was either Mrs. Blessing or any of my friends available. I love
children and I cannot wait to have mine. The love I will not have for their
mother, I will transfer it to them and they will be my happiness.
“Where
is Ndidi?” Michael asked me after he came back from his outing.
“She has
gone.” I replied him.
He sat
down beside me. “Gone where?”
“She has
gone for good.”
He
picked up his phone and called her number thrice but she did not pick. Michael
glanced into my eyes. “What have you done?”
“What do
you mean?”
He sprung
up, hiked inside, and came back in fury. “I can’t find her travelling bag she
came with, I can’t see any of her things in my bedroom."
“Are you
deaf?” I asked in a serious tone. “I said she has gone.”
“And I
ask you what did you do or what did you tell her that made her
leave?” he asked me. His eyes flashed with anger.
“If you
smoked weed before you came here, you better go back and get yourself
together.”
“What do
you take me for Hector?” he asked me.
I did
not answer him but relaxed my back on the chair to listen to his outbursts.
“Hector
you are keeping quiet abi? I know you never liked her and you had this idea
that she did not love me but it is my life and it is none of your business. You know
my situation right now and I need her by my side. Maybe you are jealous of me.”
“Jealous
of you?” I asked surprised. “How can I be jealous of my cousin who I am more richer
and handsome than?”
“Oh
please keep quiet!”
“Have
you forgotten I am older than you? Don’t you dare insult me.”
“I don’t
give a shit!”
I
laughed loudly and his left eyebrow went up.
“What’s
funny?” he asked.
“I can
understand why you are talking like this and I will allow you say whatever you
like. You can insult me and I won’t blame you. It’s because you are
frustrated.”
“Fuck
you!!”
I
laughed more. “See what frustration has caused.”
He rose
on his feet and set his hands on his waist pacing round his leaving room like a
monkey. “Hector, I don’t care if you are more handsome or richer but have it at
the back of your mind, money can’t buy love or happiness.”
“You are
talking nonsense.”
“You are
jealous because I love someone but as for you, your heart is very little for
such. You don’t believe in it but I know you must have thought of never
experiencing what it means to be loved by a woman.”
“What
the hell are you talking about? Melissa loves me.”
He hissed,
stopped to pace and faced me. “Don’t be fooled! Melissa wants to marry you for
your look, money and name.”
“She is
also rich.”
“Forget
about that.’ He said. “Melissa cannot marry a poor or an average man. You know
it. She wants to marry one of the richest bachelors in the country.”
“And you
think that is the reason for accepting my proposal?”
“I won’t
deny the fact that she may love you but she also loves your status in the
society.”
“Is that
not love?” I asked.
He
smiled, walked to sit down and crossed his legs. He appeared calm. “Love is inevitable,
so no one can measure it. You don’t love someone because of something he or she
has. For example what if you had an accident and you are confined in a wheel
chair, do you think Melissa will still marry you or even stay by your side?”
“Why
don’t you ask me the other way round that if it was Melissa confined in a wheel
chair whether I will still marry her?”
“Will
you still go ahead with the wedding?” he asked.
“No.” I
replied and it was nothing but the truth.
“I know
but if it was true love I swear you will stay by that person, you will do
anything to make her walk again. You might even marry her on a hospital bed.”
“I
reject that in Jesus name.”
He
laughed. “Hector I have really missed you. You always make me laugh when we are
together even for the fact that you have pissed me off today.”
“Do you
really love Ndidi?” I asked him.
“I
really liked her a lot but if she really loved me she won’t have walked out of
our relationship just because of you.”
“Because
of me?”
“Of
course.” He said. “You must have done something to make her leave. Did you
offer her money to leave me?”
“No. The
money you have spent on her is enough.”
He
signed. “I wish you all the best with Melissa. I only hope you won’t miss the
bone of your bone.”
“What do
you mean by that Mr. Lover man?”
“What if
you find someone you love tomorrow or even on your wedding day. What will you
do?”
“I don’t
know what I will do because I have no experience of loving a woman. How will I
know am in love.”
“Do you
believe in love at first sight?” he asked me.
I
hissed. “Are you here to discuss what happened to Cinderella?”
“Hector
I am serious, this is no joke.”
“And I
am not joking too.” I said to him. “The prince saw Cinderella for the first
time and felt she was the one. This is a cartoon you are talking about not what
happens in reality.”
“Titanic
movie is a true story.”
“The
writer for that movie must have twisted the story. Jack could not have died for
Rose.”
“You are
ridiculous I swear.” He said. “You always try to divert things in your own way and
it will cost you.”
“I shook
my head repeatedly. “It won’t cost me anything and besides I am saying the
truth.”
“You are
running from the truth Hector, probably you are scared that when you fall in
love you might not be able to handle it.”
“I can
handle anything. Can you stop this love shit talk and tell me what the
commissioner said.”
“There’s
nothing to talk about. I will only advise you not to marry Melissa. Forget it,
that woman has plans for you. Don’t forget she knows about your exploits with other
women. If you two get married she won’t give you breathing space.”
“Melissa
has better things to do than follow me around. I have my reasons why I want to marry her so leave me alone.”
“Who
will be your best man?” he asked.
“Are you
interested in it?”
“Am I
not the one?”
“A
question with a question,” I said. “When the time comes you will know who would
be my best man.” I stood up.
“Are you
going?”
I checked
my wristwatch for the time. It was 7:55pm. “I will spend the night here but I
need to eat something now.”
“Why did
you change your mind?” he asked.
“I want
to watch you tonight so you don’t commit suicide.” I teased him.
He
laughed aloud. “You should be a comedian, I swear. I can never do such a thing.
I have a bright future. You need to let them know you won’t be coming tonight.”
“I will
send Hillary a text later. I am very hungry.”
**********
At 10:
15am the next day, I arrived home and what I saw made my heart skip. My mother
Harriet, Hillary and Hope were in the living room panicking.
“What’s
going on?” I asked.
“My
mother ran to hold me. “Your father is sick.”
“What!
What happened? Where is he?”
Hope
spoke up. Her eyes were red and puffy. “He’s in his bedroom with a doctor and a
nurse.”
“Is he
not supposed to be at the hospital?”
“He
refused and the doctor says it’s diabetes.”
“My
mother and Hillary burst out crying. “When did this happen and why wasn’t I
told about this?”
“It
happened yesterday evening and your father warned us not to let you know.”
“Why?”
“I don’t
know my son.” My mother said. I hugged her very tight.
“I am
very angry at father.” Hope said and wiped tears from her eyes. “I suspected he
was sick the last time we spoke but he assured me he was fine only for Hillary
to call me last night.”
My
mother freed herself from me and went to sit down. “Your father has been unwell
for some time. He did not want to bother the three of you.”
“And you
agreed to it?” Hope asked angrily.
“It was
your father’s decision to make. I could not disrespect him.”
“No
wonder you came to the office to check on him.” I said to her. “You have been
telling me to check up on him in his office too. I was foolish not to think
something was really wrong.”
“It not any
of your fault.” she said. “Your father does not want you three to panic. What
he needs now are your prayers and love.”
“Nothing
must happen to father.” Hillary said with tears tripping down her eyes. I went
over to hold her hands. The doctor and a nurse came out to speak to us. He gave
us the list of drugs, things our father needed and he would always check up on
him from time to time. I went over to see my dad, he laid down tiredly on his
bed. I carried a chair to sit close to him.
“Why
didn’t you tell me about your illness?” I asked.
He
turned to look at my face. “I am an old man Hector and I have every right not
to tell you about my condition.”
“But I
am your…”
He cut
me short. “Let’s talk about something important. My lawyer will bring all the
necessary documents for you to sign on Monday. Everything will be yours.”
I
signed. “What about Hope and Hillary?”
He gave
a faint smile. “I will give the two of them houses but Hope does not need my
money, she wants me alive and as for Hillary she will still remain on her
monthly allowance. You can increase it if you want. All my money will be transferred
into your accounts here in Nigeria and abroad. I trust you Hector.”
“It’s
time Hillary starts to work.” I said. “Mom is not helping her at all. Let her take
over the bakery for a start.”
“She
will use the money for shopping and to host parties. She is not a baby and if
she comes back to her senses she will tell you what she wants.”
“I only
hope it will not be too late. What about Michael?”
“The
restaurant will be given to him.”
“We have
two restaurants in Lagos and one each in Benin and Port Harcourt. Why can’t you
give him two and the filling station in Ibadan?”
He
closed his eyes and opened them slowly. “The restaurant is enough.”
“Why?”
“That is
what your mother wants and don’t ask me any more questions. I want to talk to
you about your marriage with Melissa.”
“What
about it.”
“Don’t
marry her,” he said. “Do not make a mistake.”
I was
shocked! “I thought that is what you and mom want? You are a close friend to
her father.”
“It is
what your mother wants not me. If you do not want to marry her, I will always
support you. You are my son and I want your happiness. Marriage is a lifetime
commitment or are you planning to divorce her later?”
“No dad
but the date has been fixed.”
“Your
mom informed me.” he said and swallowed. “I have done things in the past that
would have destroyed my marriage but your mother forgave me and I did not make
that mistake again.”
“What
did you do?”
“It’s
all in the past.” he said. “You don’t need to know about it. Are you sure
Melissa is the one for you?”
I held his right hand gently. “No
but I will go ahead to marry her. I wanted you to be my best man.”
He
smiled widely. “I’m honored but I will advise you to get married to a woman you
love.”
I stood
on my feet. “I don’t love any woman, Melissa is the woman that can tolerate
me.”
“Tolerate?”
he asked. “What do you mean by that? That should not be enough reason for
marrying Melissa. You marry a woman because she is the one you adore, the one
that completes you. You marry your friend. Do you even gist, relate…?”
“That’s
enough father!” I could not allow him to go on. My head would explode if I let
him. “I don’t know why since yesterday all I hear is ‘don’t marry Melissa’. I
have had enough and I will go ahead with the wedding.”
“Who
also talked to you about it?”
“It’s
not relevant for you to know. Don’t you think it’s best you stay at the
hospital?”
“No.” he
replied.
“I
should leave you to rest. I will check on you later.” I walked to the door to
open it. My mother was already standing at the doorstep. I guessed she was
listening to our conversation but I refused to ask her. I went to my room and
undressed to have my bath.
******
“We are
expecting Mrs. Bola and the new cook today.” Hillary said to Hope in the
kitchen.
“That’s
very good. I will miss Mrs. Bola despite not living here anymore.”
“Me too but
let’s hope this new person will be better.” Hope said.
“I will
be with mom to interview the woman.”
Hope
took a glass of water to drink. She dropped the glass cup on top of the table and
turned to face Hillary’s way. “Why did you not inform me of going to see my
husband?”
She
cleared her throat. “I went to see him, to apologize. Is that a crime?”
“No.”
Hope answered her. “It’s no big deal but you should have called me to ask for
my permission. Anyways I will be travelling very soon to France for a
conference dad sent me and I want you to help me check up on Peter once in a
while.”
“No
problem about that. When are you travelling?”
“I will
inform you a day to when I am going.”
“Okay.”
As Hope turned
to leave the kitchen, a wicked smile sparkled on Hillary’s lips.
*******
(HECTOR)
I came
out from the bathroom boiling with rage. I was infuriated that my father was sick
and that whatever they said about my marriage to Melissa was correct. I called my
fiancée’s number to cancel our date, letting her know the condition of my
father. She wanted to come to be with me but I declined that I needed time
alone to think. It was a lie, the truth was that, there was nothing she could
do to cheer me up. Her presence could worsen my mood.
To be
continued….
Hmmmm...interesting...Hector start loving Renee sharply nau.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...interesting...Hector start loving Renee sharply nau.
ReplyDeleteI think his dad and mum are acting...just to make sure he marries ASAP
ReplyDeleteNma's Blog
Great read, well done!
ReplyDeleteGetting more and more interesting. Next one soon please.
ReplyDeletePamscrib.blogspot.com
Cheii this is getting more interesting
ReplyDeletewow, this is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteTwagFashion
Chai update tonite pls pls
ReplyDeleteI can't wait ooo, please dish the next episode soon
ReplyDeleteWww.miimisdiary.com
Did is gttn crious... I'm beginning to love dere father cos he is truly matured. Hillary! Hillary!! Ur own don done if he dies...
ReplyDeleteNext plzzzzzzz
Hector and renee,sharp sharp, ....i can't wait...getting more interesting day by day...most times, when I read the episode,i feel angry when I see....to be continued .very soon.,nollywood go,act this kind thing...the end go be SHOKI LOVE part1....
ReplyDeleteRly 9ce
Deleteyou are an excellent writer! and your stories are very striking so so..deep and full of lessons.
ReplyDeleteplease next episode, have you ever seen an interesting movie and when u are deep into it, as in been carried away....it ends and the next thing is to be continued? yea dear dat what u r doing pls input next episode!
www.wlcmwisdom.com
www.wlcmwisdom.blogspot.com
Delete@Akuoma... Na so!..lol
ReplyDelete@Nma.. Thanks for your comment!
@Blogoratti.. Thank You Blogo!
@Pammy.. I appreciate.
@Nyasha... Thanks girl!
@Chiamaka.. Thanks.
@Vivian... I will dear
@Mimi... Ok dearie.
@Temitope.. Lol.. Abi ooo
@Gloria... Hahaha. you are very funny.
@Mo.. Thanks
@Lucy.. Thank you so much. I will!
q2