When the car pulled up and I looked to know if it was the store owner of where I sat. I recognized the car immediately I saw it. Even in my dreams, I won't forget how the car looks like.
She waited in the car for a few minutes without stepping out. I thought, she was waiting for me to jump up from where I sat to go hug her? Mission Impossible.
When she saw that I was not making any moves, she got down from the car, closed the door and walked up to me.
"Sonia." She called calmly.
"What do you want again? I left your car for you, why are you still following me? I asked bluntly.
"Sonia, we fighting won't help solve the matter and it won't give us any tangible information we need to set things right. Sonia, you need to...."
"I just need my space Jess. I can't think straight, the thought of the kids still, still making me crazy. I am doomed Jess, can't you see it."
"No, you are sick and you need rest! You just came from the hospital, you know what that doctor said, he said not to stress yourself or do any hatdwork." She confronted me.
"Well, I'm glad you said hardwork and, what was the next one? Oh, I remember, stress. I haven't done either of them, so I guess you shouldn't bother about me then."
"You, are so stubborn." She said angrily, whilst raising her voice. Seems she realized that, so she comported herself and started talking calmly again. "Listen, you fail to realize that the dangerous thing that eats us fast isn't the stress and hard labour. It's not the work load and staying up late. We fail to notice that, thinking too much eats up and wearies our mental health and make us sick."
"I have heard you Mrs nurse. I really don't know why you didn't sign up to be a nurse, why you got so stuck with me in the cosmetic world."
"Well, you know since high school, it's actually been our dream to work and also own ours, that's why or how we got stuck and I'm glad we did." She replied with a little chuckle.
"Jess, I don't have time for memories, don't you understand that I just want to be alone? Can't you get it and leave me alone for once! I screamed.
She laughed out so loud that I became irritated and wondered what was funny.
"Young lady, in the previous years, I might have listened to you and left you, but I heard people should always learn from previous mistakes, right? You think I don't miss my family? For goodness sake, I have been with you since yesterday, but I know what is at stake, that's why I am not leaving alright."
Deep inside me, I knew she was right, but I did not want to own up to it. I was so glad she returned, because I could not have tried sleeping in that house alone. Jessica is a very caring lady, and I really do love her. Though, at this time, I thought it was more reasonable for me to be alone so I can think straight and try to work things out on my own.
"Jessica, thank you so much for your time and help. I really do appreciate every bit of it. But, cab you atleast do me a little favor? I asked.
"Well, of course, yeah I can. If it doesn't involve me leaving you on your own, I would gladly do anything to favor you." She answered.
There was no need asking for the favor since she just openly turned down my main favour.
"Jessica, wait! I need to go the police station and report the case to them. Yeah, that's it."
"Not so fast Sonia, not so fast. It's not up to 48 hours after the incident, so you can't make it as a missing people report. Those guys there, won't listen to you."
"Why are you always against me? Since few days now you just counter whatever I say. Tell me, why? Why is that? I asked angrily and quite hurt.
"I am not against you my dear. I only told you the truth. You know that it takes 48 hours before something like this can be reported as missing persons, right?
"No, I don't! I only know that my two children. The only children I have in this whole wide world is missing and I can't do anything about it. The only stupid thing I can do is sit around, arguing with my best friend!
"Listen. I just want you to be safe alright. You only returned from the hospital some hours ago and now you are on the run in search of your two children. What if you slump like the other time and never make it, who will find your children then? Huh? Who will? Who will take care of them? Who will bend down to make all the sacrifices you can for them? Think straight Sonia and stop acting selfish!
"All I want is to find my children, that's just all I want. I don't want you to be so stubborn and..."
"You are the one being stubborn. Just for today, rest. After today you can whatever you want."
"So you want me to stay just for today. How do you expect me to sleep soundly when I know that deep down I am slipping away?
"You aren't. You just need to rest today so you can be strong for tomorrow and the next and the next till you finally find them." She explained.
"So, you are saying that I should.."
"I am not saying you should do anything, just rest that's all, only for today."
"Okay. I understand the very fact those kids are missing, your kids. But, don't be selfish right now. Nancy is missing too and so is your driver. What about them? Don't they have family as you?
"Alright, I give up."
Jessica succeeded in taking me home after a lot of arguments. I couldn't take it anymore so, I had to accept all her excuses and follow her.
She drove me back to the house and luckily for me, she promised to stay with me for the night, so I literarily have nothing to fear.
On reaching home, we met that man again. He stopped us while we were about entering the compound.
"Hi, hi, please wait. Uhm I was or have been curious after you came to my house the other day. Have you been able to find them yet? The man asked.
"Well, no, not yet. We haven't sir." Jessica replied.
"Oh God. That's terrible. I'm really sorry about that. Is there any way I can help at all? He asked, feeling very sorry for us.
"Sir, please not today and not now. I will get back to you later on. For now, I have to take her home, she came from the hospital earlier today."
"Okay, okay. But please, just contact me if there is anyway I might help okay."
"I will sir, I definitely will."
"I will be waiting alright."
When they were done talking, Jessica drove the car into the compound. We got down from the car and headed to the house.
We had to refreshen ourselves. After that, Jessica prepared a light meal for both of us so we could eat and retire for the night.
She made sure to prepare something that won't be heavy for the night. Then, she made me take all my medicine.
Later on, when I came to the kitchen to sit and think about my life, she came around and asked me to go and sleep.
"Aren't you tired already? You need to sleep now." Jessica said just as she entered the kitchen to drop the cup that she was holding.
"I know you will talk about me going to sleep. Yeah, I know but I just want to think a little bit."
"All the thinking that has kept you up most of the times, how many problems did they solve? Huh? You still haven't realized that thinking without having a tangible strategy is just a waste if time. If you haven't taken that to heart, please, do so."
"I have heard you Jessica, thanks. You can go now."
"Well, I am not sure. If you really heard me, you will be going to your room to sleep."
"You know what Jessica, after tonight, I am very serious, after tonight, I won't listen to any damn thing you will have to say to me. I promise."
"Leave your promise for tomorrow. But first, you have to go to bed. If you must wake up and start your search again, then, you must be strong for tomorrow. If not, you are only wasting your words."
"Yeah, I have heard you. Anyway, thank you for your time and your help and everything. Don't mind the fact that I am a pain in the back, but seriously, you are the best. I promise." I said, getting up from my seat.
"Well, that's so sweet. I will see you tomorrow then, good night." Jessica answered.