We didn't go to church today being Sunday. We couldn't just leave the house. Luckily, we connected through the online service that was ongoing, so we don't miss out completely.
When our district pastor called to know why we weren't in fellowship that morning, my husband had to use the opportunity to tell him about the recent incident. He was shocked to hear that, then he promised to put the issue in prayer and also check up on us. We thanked him for his concern and he ended by saying a short prayer through the phone for us.
After that call ended, I sat up on the bed, because we have been lying down there for a while now and without even saying any word to eachother.
It was becoming so lonely even with him by my side and I am sure that it's the same with him as well. I usually wished that they were never missing and I was never put through such situation as this. It's life draining, time wasting and drastically changes one's plans and schedules. I just want them back home. Back home, safe, sound and not injured.
"What are you thinking? Alex asked, bringing back to reality.
I turned my head towards his direction and faced him, trying to smile, but it wasn't coming through, so I faked it a little bit. "Well, to be honest." I paused then continued, "I was thinking about the kids. Wishing they were just here with us. I just realized that they mean so much to us and this house. You can see how cold here is, just because they are not around."
"Yeah, they mean a whole lot to us. But then, we would see it in a different perception if it happened to be that they travelled for a holiday, or went to the Mambira's place for the weekend. We won't miss them so much or feel the way we are now. This situation or condition is quite different though." He replied.
"That's true though. I understand where you are going to. I am having mixed feelings about the whole thing. I feel our kids are safe, but at the same time, I feel there is something wrong somewhere." I answered, trying to understand what I was spitting out.
"When you say something wrong, what do you think? He asked me.
"I don't really know. You know when they say a mother feels her child's pain. I think that's what's happening to me. I know they are safe, but maybe they are not properly taken care of." I replied, looking at him to know what his reaction would be.
He didn't seem to grasp so much about the information I was trying to pass to him. "I don't know how that works, though, I have heard some things like that, but then, let's just hope they are safe. That's my prayer. All of them."
"Yeah, you are right." I answered.
I rested my back on the bed and counted the ceiling in my heart just to keep my heart from wandering from one thought to another.
He seemed to notice that I was a bit distracted, so he went on to ask me questions just to keep me engaged in the discussion with him.
"Darling, is there any other thing you might want to share with me? You know I am always here to listen to all you have to say." He said, in a way to lift my spirit so that I would spill it out, whatever I was having in mind.
"It's nothing so serious my love." I replied, "uhm, did the detective say when he will be coming next? I asked, trying to change the topic.
"He didn't specify, but he mentioned that he will get back to us whenever there is a turnup on news and then, he requested that I always let him know if I get to come across anything that could help in the investigation."
"That's not bad. I am glad that he is trying to do something, that's a good start. I hope it will lead to somewhere."
"Yeah, it will, definitely. I just hope."
"It's important that we have hope and we are positive about these things."
"So, what is it that you had in mind. I know there was something you were thinking about. The look on your face shows that's it's important. I wanna hear it."
"I was just wondering.." then, I paused and looked at him, not knowing how to state it.
"Just say it anyway okay, just say it any way you wish to."
"You know, the detective talked mentioned something like, it could be someone around us. I was trying to imagine or recall if there is any one around me, or you that could do such a thing to us."
"I thought about that too. But, then, even if my colleagues would want to do that, it won't be that easy, checking the way they were carried away. Moreover, I hardly mention my family to any of them, and that's for a reason. Is there anyone you think you can point fingers at?
"Technically speaking, no one at all. I don't know anyone who might do this to me. I can swear that Jessica would never do that, I can swear with my life."
"That's enough. Stop bringing that up. I know you are pissed with that detective for bringing it, but the detective doesn't know who Jessica is. He is only trying to do his own job and also trying to help us as well."
"I'm sorry, I won't bring that up again." I answered, loosening my face.
"That's okay. It's gonna be alright babe. Come here."
I crawled up to him and lay on his chest while he cuddled me gently. His body always have me this soothing warmth and calm desire and most times increases my sexual arousal. But, at this time, I would prefer not to let that happen, we need to find our children first of all.
Not so long afterwards, we heard a knock on the door. At first, it was a bit faint, so we were not sure if it was an actual knock or just the breeze.
"Did you hear that? Alex asked me.
"I am not sure. What was that? I asked him, lifting my head up off his chest.
"I think I heard someone knock on the door. Maybe tha wasn't a knock though, forget it."
"Okay." I answered and lay back, comfortably.
We heard the knock again, this time, it was louder and clearer, without doubt.
We shouted in unison, "who is that?
"It's me." Someone answered.
Well, I know that voice. Even if I am asleep, that voice cannot pass me by without me taking note of it.
"It's mother." I said to Alex.
"Yeah, I know. Go check it out. I think she needs something or she wants to talk to you."
"Alright." I replied.
I got down from the bed and went to check why she was knocking on our door. I opened it gently and peeped, so she could see just me.
"Mother, is everything alright? I asked.
"Yes, yeah. Jessica and her husband just got here and they are requesting for your presence." My mother answered.
"Ohhhh, they are here already. Okay ma'am, please keep them busy for me, we will be downstairs in a jiffy. Just tell them that we will meet them down soon."
"Oh yeah. Let it be quick though, so you do not keep them waiting, okay."
"Yes mother." I answered.
She left, while I closed the door when I saw that she has gone out of sight.
"What was that? What does she want? Alex asked, sitting up on the bed.
"Nothing in particular. The Mambira's are here. I mean, Jessica and her husband. She said they just came in not quite long. We have to go meet them."
"Oh really. Oh wow. I'm going downstairs right away. Are you coming with me?
"Don't worry, I'll be behind you. I want to change my dress into a simple one. I will meet you guys in a jiffy." I answered.
"Okay, if you say so. Just take your time though, we are not rushing."
"Alright."
He left the room after that, while I proceeded to change my clothes, because I still was on my night wear. I searched my wardrobe and took out a simple gown and put it on.
I didn't bother about my hair because it was done and still neat. When I was done with what I was doing, I closed the room gently and walked downstairs.
I heard them talking while I was coming, so I joined them by the time I got there.
"Hi Eddy, good afternoon." I greeted him.
"Hey Sonia. Good afternoon. How are you doing? He asked in return.
"Well, I'm trying to be okay though." I answered, forging a smile on my face.
"Ohhhh. I heard what happened, I am really really sorry about that. It's gonna be okay, very soon. It will be sorted out."
"I believe, it will be. Thank you."
He smiled briefly, before turning his gaze at Alex. I went where Jessica was sitting and dragged her out of the sitting room, to the dinning room, where we can have our own little privacy. The men continued with their own discussion as I had no idea what the discussion was all about and what it was centered on. But, as far as Eddy and Alex are concerned, there was nothing I needed to be worried about. One way or the other, I will get to find out what it was, if it is important that I do anyway.
"Calm down baby girl. Why are you in a haste? Jessica asked, in a rather mischievous tone, laughing with ridicule all over.
"Silly girl. You sit down. Let's talk like adults now, not kids. I just thought we should have our little space to spot out secrets, just incase." I said, overlooking the laughter that followed.
She quietened down before answering, "okay okay, I get you now. I'll be a good girl, yeah."
She sat down on one of the dinning chairs whilst I sat down just beside her, to be very close to her. We both started to talk, but we stopped again, waiting for one of us to start talking, but none of us did.
After a little while without saying anything, I decided to break the odd silence.
"Jessica, go on. You start first, what do you have to say? I am all ears." I said to her.
"I think you should go first, I think you started to talk first. Besides, you might have a more important thing to tell me." She answered.
I disagreed totally with her and asked her to go on with what she had to say. "Jess, please, go on. I will speak when you are done with yours, besides, you are the visitor here and visitors usually go first. They come with the main gist. We don't need to argue about everything, so, I am listening." I said to her.
She agreed with what I said lastly and she started to talk after that.
"I went to the hospital yesterday, I don't know if I mentioned it to you when you called."
"About your son's illness? How is he now? Hope he is okay? I'm sorry I didn't ask on time." I apologized sincerely, but briefly.
"No, that's not a problem. He is fine now, thanks for asking. I don't mean the hospital where my boy was, I mean the one you were admitted in for a day. Doctor Kenny, remember?
"Oh, that.. what about it? Why did you go there? What did you go there for? I asked in surprise, wondering what led her there.
"I went there because of you Sonia. I went there to pick up your diagnostic test results." She said, dipping her hand into her bag and bringing out a big brown envelope. Then, she handed it over to me. "Open it and check what is inside."
I looked at her scaredly before I went on to take the envelope from her hands. I tore the envelope open and took out the result sheets that were inside it.
I glanced through it carefully, Jessica looked at it as well. We were going through it when mother talked from behind us and I almost jumped off from the chair.
"Did I just see, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, and, wait, open it, sleep apnea?
"Mother! I've told you to stop sneaking up at someone. Please stop, you just scared the hell out of me now." I retorted angrily.
"Oh my, I'm sorry about that. But, did you see what's in that test result? When I told you that you needed enough rest and you should stop worrying, you felt I was only talking right? But, I can see what the results here says." She continued talking, not really minding my complaints about her actions.
"Mom, please, give us a little bit of privacy, will you? We will talk about that later on, for the meantime, I want to talk to my best friend."
She looked at both of us and shook her head sadly, then she left and went into the kitchen. I sighed deeply as soon as she was gone.
"Don't you think that was too extreme? Jessica asked, staring at me coldly.
"What?
"The way you spoke to your mother. Don't you think that was too straight and maybe rude in a way? Don't you think?
"I think we should focus on what we have here and forget about my mother. She will be fine. This isn't the first time we are having this kind of talk." I replied.
"I won't advice you continue with that. It's, it's not really fair on her side. I feel she is lonely and needs someone to talk to."
"Why not sign up and become her foster daughter. I heard it's usually not too late to do such a thing, if you have the money. I bet she would be so much glad to have you as her wonderful and beloved daughter." I answered.
"Don't be so sarcastic, Sonia. It's your mother we are talking about. Well, deep down, I know you love her so much, maybe you are just too proud to let her know it "
"That's your business, I don't have anything to say to you. If you want to keep talking about that, you can continue, just that, I will gladly leave the table for you." I answered bluntly.
"Are you saying all these on purpose, out of your clear mind? Do you have any issue with her? Jess asked with so much worry.
"I don't have any issue with her. She should learn how not to say what's not her own business. She should always mind hers, that's not fair."
"I'm sure she doesn't do that to other people though. Besides, you are her only daughter, so you are definitely her business."
"Why do you keep siding her? She is my mother, don't you think I know what I am talking about."
"I know you do, but I feel you are taking it too extreme. You should reduce it. She is getting older you know."
"I don't know why you didn't sign up to be a health care worker. Thanks for the update, I will work on it." I answered her with the assurance that I accepted what she said.
She smiled at me and I smiled back, while we continued to go through the diagnostic test result.