I woke up this morning feeling so cool and sweet after I had a wonderful day with my family like I have not done in a while. My wife, Jess was still lying on the bed, so I decided to let her be, perhaps she was tired from the previous day. I kissed her cheeks softly and went downstairs.
For a very long time, I haven't felt this excited and I realized how much I had really missed her, her jokes, her laughter, her everything. I knew I wanted more of that, so I was going to work to get more of it. I was going to prepare special breakfast for the family, it has been awhile since I did that, a long while.
I remember when I used to do that with Jess. We would be in the kitchen, discussing and preparing the meal and at the same time have a short romance once in a while. It used to be my best moments. The times I spent alone, with her, till she started becoming awkward and I got fed up. Perhaps, I didn't understand how she was feeling and I went off to find my own space.
Today, I was going to fill up that gap that has been left opened up in a while.
I was going to prepare my special egg sauce recipe to be eaten with buttered toasted bread and tea.
Then, I would help the kids prepare for school after that, before preparing to start my business for the day. By then, Jess should be up and maybe we would do so together.
Excitedly, I went to the kitchen and started preparing what I needed to make my sauce. I was humming so loud to myself, but not so loud enough to disturb the neighborhood per say.
It was past six already and as usual, Amanda my sister was up already to prepare the kids. So, that part of my task was settled.
My phone was in my pocket and I heard it buzz, so I took it out to check who was calling. It was Alex. I wondered why he was calling that early. I told him that I was leaving the hotel yesterday, perhaps he thought I was joking when I said it? But, I wasn't at all and I am so glad I didn't hesitate in leaving, as yesterday was my best day!
"Hey man! What's up? I said, putting it on loud speaker and dropping on the table, while I continued cutting the veggies.
"I can't say I'm fine though, because I'm not actually." He replied, sounding like he was ill.
"Come on man, you are no longer a baby, come off it. What is the problem anyway? What is it? I asked.
"Did you leave the hotel? You know you didn't call me and I didn't have the chance to call you yesterday."
"Yeah, I left that morning. Just few hours after you left for work. I made sure I got home in the morning. Is there a problem? Because you don't sound like someone who is okay." I asked, now more concerned about him.
"It's Sonia." He answered slowly.
I felt my heart race faster. "What about her? I questioned to be sure of what I was thinking.
"They took her." He answered again.
"They? Who took her? What is going? I asked, then was more conscious, so Jess wouldn't hear. That was her best friend we were talking about and I know she wouldn't take that.
"The detective called me yesterday, so I left my office on time, only to get home to see a lot of story, bad story. My driver has been killed, by those kidnappers and they asked that Sonia come with them. She was asked to go to the train station alone or else, the rest of them will be killed. She didn't have a choice than to do it. I wished I was the one asked to come, I wouldn't mind being the sacrifice myself, to save my kids."
I might not really understand the pain he was passing through at that moment, but I know he was passing through one and I felt pity on him.
"Alex, please, calm down and take it easy alright. I know it's going to be difficult for you, but then let's hope it's for the better. But, how do you intend going to get her back? Do you have a backup plan? I asked.
"Well, the detective and some police officers are here. They have been here since yesterday and they are working on it, I just have this belief that they will make something out of it and not only will my wife be found, my kids will be found as well." He replied with assurance in his voice.
I was glad he believed that and I hope it really does work out. Sonia is a very nice lady and I wouldn't want him to lose her.
"Alex, she'll come back home safely. The odds are against the enemy, not us, so let's be hopeful that she will come back to us, and not just her, the twins as well." I encouraged.
"Yes, I believe that too. I really do."
"In the meantime, embrace yourself and wait patiently for the good news. I might come over to the house if I'm opportuned to. But then, don't hesitate to call me if you needy help in anyway and on anything, alright?
"Yeah, definitely I will. Thanks for the encouragement. How about Jess? Hope she is good? I'm not sure she has heard, please keep it from her for the meantime."
I wanted to tell him about our yesterday, to tell him that I have settled my issue with my wife, but at the moment, I'd rather mourn with a friend than rejoice to him about myself.
"Jess is fine, she is still asleep. If you insist, I won't tell her. Though, she needs to know." I added.
"Yeah, I know, but not yet. Please, do send my regards to the family. I guess I will catch up with you later then."
"Yeah, I will call you later though. Please, be good okay."
"Sure!
He ended the call, so I continued from where I stopped, whilst humming my favorite song. I was done preparing all I needed to make the sauce and was whisking the eggs when Amanda came into the kitchen. He expression showed that she was really shocked to see me in the kitchen, trying to prepare a meal.
"Alex, is that you? Amanda asked, walking over to me.
"Yep. Just thought to do something in the kitchen today, makey fingers busy." I answered.
"Wow. Good morning. Though, to be honest, that is so weird of you. Like damn! Do you know where the kitchen is? I mean, yeah, you always know where the food is, but the work in the kitchen has never been of interest to you. What's up? What did I miss? She asked inquisitively.
I chuckled softly, but didn't respond to what she was saying.
"Wait, don't tell me it has to do with the outing you guys had yesterday. Really? It must be it. That is what you have been missing."
"Yeah, you are right. It had a eighty percent effect on me and I'm so glad I didn't miss it. I'm banking on having a lot more of that with my wife, Jess."
"Wow, I am so impressed. Speaking about her, where is she? Amanda asked.
"She's still asleep. She will wake up soon." I replied.
"She must be really tired to be asleep by this time, what you did you guys do?."
"It's nothing, you don't need to worry yourself, it has been handled."
I prepared the sauce immediately, while Amanda went to take care of the kids. I focused on preparing what they would ear first. They left as soon as their school bus came around. I continued to prepare some more sauce, I wanted Jess to eat a lot more when she eventually wakes up from sleep.
Amanda left me in the kitchen as was I trying some dish out some of the things I made into a. She returned to the kitchen with this gloomy look on her face, as I noticed it because it was so obvious.
"Amanda. What is it? Why do you look so awful? I teased. "Tell me, what is the problem? I asked.
"It's, uhm. Well, never mind. It's my business, so just face yours." After that, she left me in the kitchen to do my thing.
I arranged the egg sauce, the new sauce I did, the bread I toasted and the tea in a big fancy tray, then I went to serve her in our room.
I got to the room, I dropped the tray on the side of the bed. I noticed that Jess was still sleeping and that was a bit weird though.
I waved it off as the fact that she was really tired. So I decided to wake her up.
I climbed the bed to her and kissed her lightly, then I nudged her gently to wake up, but she didn't respond to that.
I touched her hand and felt that it was a bit cold. That scared the hell out of me. Till, I checked her pause and the realisation that my wife was gone from this Earth came to me as a big shock that I never could have expected.
I didn't believe it, out of fear, I called Amanda who came and confirmed my fear. She had already come to check up on her and saw what was going on.
I almost ran crazy as I carried my wife in my arms and cried so loud.