Mrs. Eugene was not spared her husband's anger over the current situation. He was of the belief that if Mama Gloria had succumbed to his refusal to hand over his beloved daughter in marriage to Bernard, they wouldn't have been in this terrible predicament.
"You have been the Genesis of this problem! If you had left me with my decision, I would have prepared Gloria's passport and flown her out of the country. But hell no! You and your daughter turned me into a devil who wasn't after her happiness. Have you seen what your foolishness has caused us?" Mr. Eugene flared up while speaking to his wife who had a pensive look and stared at the floor all through her husband's outburst. She was speechless at first but finally found some words to calm him down.
"My sweetheart, please. I am really sorry for what happened. After all, we both own the missing daughter. She's our blood. I believe she's still somewhere where we can't fathom at the moment but I pray she will be found soon. Their conversation was interrupted by the news report on the television screen.
"Good afternoon. My name is Jimoh Temitope with the mid-day news. Before I proceed, please, listen to the headlines.
KOGI WEST: MELAYE LOSES APPEAL AS COURT ORDERS FRESH ELECTION
LAGOS RESIDENTS TO EXPERIENCE HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING
SEX FOR GRADES: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT URGES VICTIMS TO REPORT ANY FORM OF ABUSE TO THE POLICE
FOUR PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM KIDNAPPERS DEN YESTERDAY. Now listen to the news in detail...
Chief Eugene and his wife's joy was without limit as soon as they saw the picture of their daughter alongside three other rescued victims. They stayed glued to the television screen and listened with rapt attention to the news in full.
Having listened to the news details, Mrs. Eugene jumped up for joy. She was happy that she would finally see her daughter alive, more so, Bernard would be exonerated and finally gain his freedom from police custody. She was convinced of Bernard's innocence from the onset but his imprisonment was beyond her power and her husband never listened to her appeal. He was an ill-tempered man whose anger never subsided until he took an action meant at hurting whoever is responsible for annoying him. Mrs. Eugene on the other hand was a very calm and soft-spoken woman. Gloria often wondered how she had been able to cope with her father's temper for so long without losing her composure. "Marriage is a school where no one graduates from. You must learn how to tolerate one another. It is an institution where you get to learn about each other gradually. You don't expect to understand each other in one day, tomorrow, or in years to come. That's why you have to choose carefully and after that, learn how to tolerate one another. A solid relationship generates good fruits while a bad one generates bad fruits which later affect the marriage in the future" Mrs. Eugene would lecture her children who would nod their heads in affirmation. Gloria never prayed for a man like her father. He was too strict and harsh for her liking. Love is blind. She solely believes that God's hands are truly in their marriage. If not, it might have long gone down the drain irrespective of the efforts her mother might have contributed to its work.
"Honey, let me drive you to the said police station. I can't wait to see my daughter." Mr. Eugene said excitedly to his wife.
"So, I have automatically become your honey now, abi?" Mrs. Eugene teased.
"I am sorry, my dear. You should understand much I love my daughter. Please, let's go on time before the road eventually get tight like heaven gateway" Chief Eugene said while he hurriedly took the car key from the table. He had only enough time to put on a shirt and shorts before he dashed out while his wife followed suit. She wished she could put on something nicer than the skirt and blouse she wore but she knew there wasn't enough time to change as her husband could drive off in his impatience, leaving her stranded.
"Good morning. Please, we learned that our missing daughter is here" Mr. Eugene quickly announced as they arrived at the police station. He was immediately interrupted by his wife, "No. They are two women. We came to see two of our children that are here"
"Do you now have another child that I know nothing about?" Mr. Eugene asked in dismay.
"It was Gloria and....."
"Don't worry ma'am. We will get you both of them here" One of the policewomen said to stop their argument.
Just then, Alhaji and the other kidnappers were led outside like goats and their hands in cuffs. They were headed for one of the prison cells. Mr. Eugene couldn't take his eyes off Alhaji. Alhaji had been his friend and they belonged to the same political party.
"Alhaji, what happened? What makes you be among these criminals? Why are you here? Where have you been?" Chief Eugene asked confused. Alhaji couldn't utter a word. He was too ashamed to open his mouth. He was aware Mr. Eugene was yet to know about the atrocities he had committed in the name of politics. He was just a friend who never knew anything about his ugly side.
"Oga, he can't open his mouth and talk. He is behind all the kidnapping issues these days. He has a lot of bad records already. As you can see, he has been handcuffed already, and sooner or later, he and his gang are going to jail and are likely to be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. He will still help us in our investigation to get other crooks like him" A policeman explained to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene.
"You mean I have been punishing an innocent soul all the while? I hope God will forgive me and I hope Bernard will understand and forgive me too.
Gloria and Chioma were led to where Mr. and Mrs. Eugene had been standing. Gloria was overjoyed and ran to hug her parents while Chioma stood, smiling.
"Common, give me a hug too." Mrs. Eugene stretched forth her hands to embrace Chioma warmly.
"Mummy, daddy, I hope you are hearing from my sweetheart. How is Bernard doing? Hope he is fine?" she asked. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene glanced at each other and sighed heavily.
"Mom, Dad, please speak up. This silence is killing me. I hope Bernard is doing fine. When last did you see him?" Gloria asked once more.
"This... is..is a... family matter. We will have to get home to sort it out. Mr. Eugene finally broke up the silence
"No. You will have to tell me what happened here. I mean right now!" Gloria replied in desperation.
"You see, your daddy had Bernard arrested and locked up when we couldn't see you and there was no trace of you from anyone" Mrs. Eugene tried to explain to Gloria.
"Is this a joke or something? Why do you have to get him locked up? What evidence do you have as proof before you went that extreme? Oh no! I won't take that from both of you. You must provide my husband today or I take a walk from both of you!" Gloria roared angrily.
"Please, don't do that. Your husband is much alive. Let's go and see him now" Mr. Eugene replied while he led them to his car before heading off to the Police station where Bernard was locked up.