This morning after breakfast, mother asked that we all together, go to the police station and report the case and that she will help us to maneuver our way so we can get a better attention.
We had our bath and dressed up quickly, so we could get to the police station on time, to avoid funny stories. We need to find our children, this is the third day of the incident and we were becoming so worried about everything, most especially me.
I still had the symptoms of fainting, as I could still feel those dizzy spells again. But, I had to manage myself so I can find my children. I wonder how I could continue living without them being around me. The thought of it alone sickens me and I usually drive it out of my head whenever it comes.
Alex came up to the room after spending few minutes downstairs. His face was a bit gloomy and I wondered what the problem could be.
"Darling, hey, what's wrong? You don't look like you are okay. Is anything the problem? I asked concerned about him.
"Yeah, it's just that.." then he paused and looked at me from my head to, perhaps my toe.
I waited for him to continue or complete what he started, but he didn't say anything but sat down on the bed, cupping his jaw with his palm. I went over to where he was sitting and sat beside him. Raising his head to face mine, I asked him again.
"Alex, what is the problem, come on. Talk to me. You are making feel bad right now. What is it? I questioned him, so determined to get the answer from him.
"I don't want you to come with us. I don't think it will be safe for you out there. You see, yesterday you almost fainted and..."
"Alex, these are my children we are talking about and you are saying I should just stay home and do nothing? Come on you should know better than that Darling." I said in a more tensed tone and I stood up from the bed and walked back to the dressing table.
He walked up to me and held me closely from behind. Then, he kissed my neck calmly and whispered into my ears. "Babe, I want the best for you. I know you are a great mother and a wonderful wife as well. You have been doing a great job and I admire you for that, always. I know, I know you won't just stand here and do nothing when..." He paused, then continued. "When our kids are missing. I know you can do a very good job by helping find them. But darling, let's be true to ourselves, you are not strong enough to go through all the stress." He said trying to convince me and him still holding me so close.
"I understand what you are driving at. But, I won't be comfortable with that. I want to do something, I want to suffer for it. Do you know how I feel each night that I cannot go to their rooms and meet them there. Going to their room every night, that has been my ritual Alex, since they were still babies. It hurts each time and I cannot bear it any longer."
"You are not listening to me darling." He complained but in a calm voice.
"No, you are not listening to me." I said bluntly, slightly raising my voice. Then I shoved his hands off me and moved away from him.
"You don't want us to start an argument do you? Huh? If you are ready for one, let me know."
I looked at him, biting my index finger and not wanting to accept whatever he was saying or had to say.
"What did the doctor say, before or after you were discharged. You know, you can't lie to me right? So, tell me what the doctor said to you."
I didn't answer him. He wants to use that as an excuse to stop me from going to the police station with them. I just kept mute and pretended I didn't hear him.
"Darling, do you want me to repeat myself? I will gladly do. The doctor that administered to you yesterday, what did he tell you!
"He he..." Then I stopped.
"Erm, I guess I should confirm from someone I know will tell me the truth."
He took out his phone from his front pocket and placed a call. I figured who he was going to call, no one else but Jessica.
He was on the call for about few minutes. I couldn't hear what he was saying though even when I tried though,inally hung up. The way his face was, I knew immediately that Jessica had told him everything. I couldn't blame her though, I would do the same if I were in her shoes.
Done with his call, he turned to me. His face was expressionless, so I couldn't fathom what he wants to say.
"This is what's going to happen now. Huh, you will stay here till I and your Mom return home from the police station. Whatever we discuss they will be communicated later to you. If you decide not to accept it, I won't say anymore. Your Mom already agreed with this, even if you decide not to, you will still stay home."
"Alex, you can't do that to me, that's not fair. I won't let you do that to me. No!
"I have made up my mind and that's final Sonia! He finalised and walked out of the room. Closing the door behind him, though he didn't lock it.
I was shocked at first. That was the first time he has ever called me by my name since we got married. I knew then that he was very serious and I decided to respect my humble self and stay back home without further hesitation or arguments.
I just sat down on the chair just to reminiscence what just occured. Thinking about it, I realized he was right though. I was supposed to be in the hospital persay, but here I am, still wanting to add more sickness to the already made one.
I sighed deeply then I got up from where I sat. I undressed immediately and changed into a soft top and a short, then I lay on the bed after that.
I heard a knock on the door, so I sat up, wondering who was knocking. Alex and I share this room, so why would he be knocking on the door to enter. I reluctantly asked who it was, just to fulfill obligations.
"Who is at the door please? I asked.
"It's me." Someone answered and I recognized the voice immediately. It was my mom's, so I jumbed off the bed the bed and went to open the door.
"Mother, what," then I looked out of the room to be sure Alex wasn't nearby, before I continued. "What brings you here Mother?
"I just want to talk to you about something, come let's sit and talk. It's going to be a brief one though, so don't you worry about taking too much of your time and my time as well." She said and walked towards the bed and sat down at the edge.
I had no option than to do as she had said. I sat down on the bed and listened to what she had to say.
"Alex, your husband, we talked about letting you stay at home because of your medical condition just to be at the safer side. As a matter of fact, I was the one that brought it up, because of what happened yesterday. I would not let you go out there and expose yourself. It is very possible that you could faint on the way."
"But mom, you should have told me earlier eeh. Why didn't you tell me first of all before discussing with my husband. We almost had a fight not long ago. We argued for a lot of time." I said, squeezing my face.
She hissed lightly. "You stubborn girl. You just took after your father in all ways. Would you have accepted if I told you first huh? You could have shushed me. Well, I wasn't taking chances at all, so I had to do what I could."
"I understand Mom, thanks for your kind gestures. But please, when you get there, try to keep me updated alright."
"That won't be a problem. But, I want you to do something for me."
"What is it again Mother? I asked.
"Go and apologize to your husband. I think he deserves an apology, or what do you think?
"Yeah, you are right. I will do that right away Mom. Okay."
"Good girl."
My Mom left the room, so I left the room as well to go find my husband and ask him to forgive me for being so stubborn just as my Mom termed it.
I saw him in the sitting room, I guess he was waiting for my Mom so they would go together.
"Darling." I said when I got a bit close to him.
"Yes." He answered dryly.
I smiled a bit. I knew he was still angry with me, perhaps in a way. So I walked to him and wrapped my arms round his waist.
"Darling, I am really sorry about the last time, I was, I mean I overreacted. I am really sorry okay." I apologized using the nicest voice I could, just to compel him to accept it.
"It's fine. You don't have to apologise okay." He said holding up my hand and kissing it lightly. Then he grabbed me by the waist towards him and he planted a very deep and passionate kiss on my lips of which I reacted to, by kissing him back.
"Just promise me that you won't leave the house for any reason." He said.
"Okay my love, I promise. I won't bleave the house till you return." I answered, smiling coolly.
"That's good then. Thank you for finally listening. You know I love you and would do anything just to keep you safe my darling." He said sweetly.
"Yes baby, I know and I love you also." I replied, deepening the kiss.
After a while, I had to shove him off, after the thought vof my children crossed my mind and I shivered.
"Babe, are you okay? He asked, noticing the way I reacted so sudden.
"Yeah yeah, it's fine darling. Don't worry about me. Please, when you get there, please don't forget to call me and inform me of any news alright."
"Yeah, I will. But, Sweetheart, are you sure you are okay at all?
"Yes I am fine. I just need to rest my body for a while." I answered.
"Hmmm. Please, do so. You really need the rest well."
Just then, Mom walked in. I could bet that she has been watching us from afar. She could do that kind of a thing, so I don't doubt that.
"Uhm, Alex are you ready? I think we need to go now, we are running late already."
"Yes mother, I'll go start the car now." Alex replied, then he gave me a peck on my cheeks and left. Mom looked at me and smiled, then left as well. I watched them leave the compound through the window. Then, I locked the door to the entrance before finally leaving to my room.
As I walked to my room, I stopped at the kitchen and grabbed a jug of orange juice, then headed to my room with it. I thought of what I could to to keep my busy through the day, before Alex and my mom returns. I couldn't leave the house because I had promised to stay indoor till Alex gets back home, so that's aside.
I got to my room, opened the door gently, conscious of the jug I was carrying, because it was ceramics and then walked in.
I dropped the jug on the table, got a glass cup from our fridge and poured some into it. Then, I sipped it gently.
I lay on the bed, thinking of what to do to keep myself off from boredom. I remembered that I had not called the office for the past two or three days now. So, I picked up my phone and dialed Hannah's number. She hasn't called me since I stopped checking in to work. I wondered the flimsy excuse she would give this time around.
Her phone rang for a while before she picked it, though still on the first ring.
"Hello Madam, Hannah on the line. Good afternoon madam." She said, sounding a bit excited about something.
"Yeah, good afternoon Hannah. How are you doing today? I asked slowly.
"I am very fine ma'am. How about you ma, how are you doing? Mrs. Jessica told me about your ordeal."
When she said that, I was transfixed where I was for the meantime . I didn't want this news to spread out till my kids were found, how come Jessica told them already without informing me... I thought in my head.
"She told me that you were admitted to the hospital and because of that, you won't be at work for the rest of this week till you get better. How are you now?
"Ohhh, my dear. I am getting better. I was discharged, but I'm still on my medication though. I just hope I will be stronger before this coming week." I said.
"Ma'am, I am thinking, why don't you go on sick leave? It will be better than to miss work without any proper attention, especially when the national supervisor comes around. Atleast, your sick leave will be an excuse for you." She suggested.
"Wow, that's excellent my dear. I will do what you say. That's a brilliant idea. But then, I will have to put someone in charge before I leave."
"That won't be a problem ma'am. I will put up a sick leave letter on your behalf. By Monday, it should start counting."
"That's so nice of you Hannah. Thank you so much. I knew I would always count on you when I am not available."
"Well ma'am, I owe you a lot. You deserve more than this. You have done so well for me ma'am. Uhm, this just crossed my mind. Madam Jessica asked me to reschedule all the meetings and appointments you had this week. I did, but it is left unscheduled."
"Jessica did that? Oh my, God bless her soul. I can't believe I literarily forgot that. God bless you two."
"Big Amen to that."
"Okay then, leave it that way for the meantime, by next week, I will know how to go about it."
"Okay ma'am, that will be just alright."
"That will be all for now. If there is any other thing I need to tell you, I will let you know."
"Noted ma'am. Please, do take good care of yourself and get well so soon." She said mildly.
"I will, definitely."
After I ended the call, I tossed my phone on the bed and lay down. Then, I decided that it's better I slept, in order to avoid too many thoughts in my head. So, I closed my eyes and let sleep have it's way.