I glanced through this test result for a long time, reading and rereading it. I didn't like what I was seeing, what was happening? Sleep apnea? Of all things or diagnosis. Damn it! I sleep well, I sleep every day. As a matter of fact, I haven't stayed up all night, except on very few occasions which is also very rare on my time table.
About the stress, well I cannot say for sure if that is so true, but I know that I don't stress myself so much to be getting all of these. As a matter of fact, I always take my break seriously and I use it to rest, so what else does the doctor want from me?
I really won't let Alex see this, if he does, I'm likely not to step out of this house ever again. I want to find my children, I want to help find them anyway I can. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Jessica took the paper from me and looked at it intently, taking note of every single details in the result and typing them in her note that is in her phone.
"What are you doing? I asked her, grabbing the paper from her hand.
"Well, taking some important notes that will aid me in the future. Because I know my friend is capable of discarding this paper, throwing it into the ditch, or even burning it to dust. So, incase there's need for reference purposes, I can refer to my phone." She answered, smiling mischievously and then typing something in her phone.
"Future purposes? What do you mean by that Jessica? I asked, confused and a bit distressed as I remembered what the detective said earlier, about her.
"I was talking about you. Tell me you don't want to burn that." She pointed at the paper I was holding, "I know that is what you will try to do. The Sonia I have known for a long time, hasn't changed. So, even if you might do that, I have back up in my phone. Atleast, I took a picture of it, which you cannot delete." She boasted as she spoke, smiling like she did something brave.
"What's your business if I burn it? Can't you guys allow me do what I want? Wait, you took a pic.., Jessica! That's not fair." I lamented.
"I cannot allow you do anything stupid. Your health is your life and your life is more important than anything you want to do. So girl, if you will not be willing to show that to your husband, I will do so myself. Maybe, Eddy could help me do so." She answered calmly.
"Who says I'm going to do anything stupid huh? I didn't say that, did I? I asked, trying to cover up for myself, because I knew personally, I wouldn't want Alex to see this results, atleast, not yet.
"As I said, it's only for future purposes, that's if you decide to flop on this. As a matter of fact, you don't have to worry so much if you know you are going to do the right thing, alright."
"Well, uhm. Okay, yeah." I stammered unknowingly.
Jessica always know how to get me. She knows me so well. Honestly, I would have burnt that paper, never mention it to Alex and scold mother if she ever dares to bring that up. I still might do that, if telling Alex will make him want me indoor all the time.
I think Jessica noticed that I had drifted off a little but and tried to call to my attention.
"Girl, are you okay? She asked, sounding concerned.
"I am fine." I answered dryly.
She stared at me for a while, as if trying to observe me to know if I was saying the truth or not. She shook her head gently and said,
"I know you are not, your face just says it all. You know you really don't know how to fake your facial expression, atleast, not to me. So, tell me what's wrong now." She requested, this time, authoritatively.
"I said I'm fine Jess. It's just that, a lot of things has been going on in my head since what happened. I really don't know what to think. I need to find my children, I really have to, by all means. I'm getting tired of everything." I complained bitterly, controlling myself, so as not to cry.
"I'm sorry about that. I really don't know exactly how you feel now, but I feel bad as well. But, it's gonna be okay, alright? We just need to believe it." She bielded.
"Thanks Jessica, you have been a great friend. I don't know how I will thank you enough, for always standing by me. I really don't know how to thank you." I said, sniffling so bad.
"You don't have to, I am just doing what I have to do, for my best friend and sister." She answered smiling. "Please, calm down okay, it will be fine. Come here." Opening her arms wide, she embraced me briefly in a way that will quieten me.
After a while, when I was much better, we disengaged from the little embrace. I felt calmer and cool within me and I knew I would be okay.
"So, Sonia, has the police come up with anything yet? Have they started the investigation already? Jessica asked enquired.
"Well yeah. A detective, I mean two detectives, but one is in charge of it, says his name is Jide. Both of them came here yesterday to ask us some questions, you know the usuals, so perhaps they could have an edge towards starting the investigation proper." I answered
"That's a very good start. So, to be positive, we are sure to find them before the end of this week, right? Jessica interrogated.
"To be frank Jess, I really don't know what to think, whether to be positive or negative. My thoughts are crowded and scattered, I'm beginning to see myself as someone who could be insane." I replied, bending my head down, in sorrow.
"You are not..." She raised her voice, almost screaming. Then, she looked around, just to be sure no one heard. Convinced that no one did, she continued. "You are not insane Sonia and will never be. I don't want you being all dramatic and negative. You have to step up this game girl. What do you think your husband will do if he hears this from you, maybe by mistake. Be careful." She corrected immediately.
"Well, you are right, but still, it looks like every single things is against me. I am tired, I just want to see my children, that's all. I only want them back." I kept grumping.
She frowned her face in disappointment "You are doing that again. I told you I don't want you to. Hey, listen, you're gonna be okay, do you understand me?
"Okay, okay. I understand. Thanks again."
"Yeah. Now, I'm feeling bad asking you about the police and their reports. I guess we will have to talk about it later on, maybe by that time, you can cope with it." She suggested.
I considered what she said and nodded, smiling inwardly. How can that detective say that Jessica is a suspect. A lady as sweet as this that can do anything just to make sure that I am okay? I did this just to see how she would react to it. But then, I know when she is being sincere and right now, I can tell that she is, without a doubt.
I needed to tell her about that detective, what he said about her, I guess she deserves it, doesn't she? I thought. It's not going to be a bad idea, besides the detective didn't ask me to keep it a secret, so I guess no harm will come to anyone if I spilled it to her.
"Sonia, do you have any plans? Forget about work, I will have that settled on your behalf. You assistant manager will cover up for you. You really need this break from the office, don't you think?
"Yeah, I know. I've requested for a sick leave already. I asked my secretary to do that for me. The national manager will have to consider that."
"He definitely would. This is the first time you are requesting for one after many years now. You deserve one yourself. You can attach the results to it. The test results, just for proof."
"Yeah, that's a good idea. You are right. By tomorrow, it might be out. Even if it's so sudden, I will get it by tomorrow."
"You are a big lady. You know your way around."
I smiled calmly. Thinking about how to tell Jessica what the detective said, it seemed so difficult for me and I wondered why. Some part of me wants to tell her, the other part of me prevents me from doing so. But all the same, I made up my mind to tell her. I needed to prove a point, an important one.
"Uhm, there is something I want to tell you." I said to her, watching her closely.
"What? What is it? I am listening, go on." She said, staring at me.
"Uhm, yesterday, when the detective came. You know I told you that he asked me some questions, according to him will aid in the investigation. Well, he asked me what happened that day and I explained." I said, looking at her.
She didn't understand, that wasn't the the end of the story, I guess that's what she's thinking. So, she asked, "okay? Is that all? That can't be all, what happened next, please don't keep me in suspense." She frowned, eager to hear all I had to say.
I continued to talk, "Well, uhm. I told him how after I knew about them missing, how I called you and you were able to show up in time because you said you were around my area." I paused again, clenching my fists.
"So..? She asked again, impatient of my whole drama and act.
"Okay, the thing is that, he asked why you were in my area by that time when I called, since your house wasn't around there and was a bit far from mine. He said, you are a suspect Jess." I said finally and watched to see her reaction.
She stared at me wide eyed in shock, surprise and that left her speechless for a while. She held her chest up for a while and I got scared at first.
"Jess, Jess, are you okay? I asked her, bringing my chair closer to hers.
"Yeah, yeah. I am. I just. I wasn't expecting that. Gosh, me a suspect, wow." She said really surprised at that simple revelation.
"Well, it's fine. I knew he was just saying that. He doesn't know you and he doesn't know or understand the relationship that coexist between both of us, so he could say anything."
"That's right though. Coming to think of it, he says I'm a suspect, that's cool. I'm not guilty in other words, till I am found guilty. Since, I didn't do anything, I know deep down that I can't be found guilty either."
"Exactly. But, come to think of it Jess, I am really wondering what you were doing around that place that faithful day. What was it? I asked, very curious to know.
She looked at me for a while, then shook her head in negation. "It's not something you need to know. It's nothing serious, so I can't tell you." She answered me.
I stared at her for sometime, a sense of doubt starting to build up in my heart. What if she actually did send those kidnappers. Was it actually coincidence? I began to wonder.
"Jess, atleast I need an explanation from you. Don't I? As a friend?
"Maybe. Seriously, are you even asking me where I went to that day, while I was in your office earlier. Didn't I tell you that I was going out with those ladies? You just want me to bring that up again, didn't you?
"Oh true, I, I just remembered. You are right, you mentioned something like that. What's up with you and those ladies, I don't understand."
"If I tell you, then I'm sure Eddy will find that out as well, from you. So, I'd rather keep my mouth shut." She answered.
"Seriously, you don't want to tell me? Wait, dies it have to do with your husband, like the misunderstanding you said you two have been having? I asked.
She didn't reply, but turned her head towards the sitting room, where our husbands were. I turned towards that place as well, then I felt it had to be that.
"Jess, are you cheating on your husband? I asked bluntly, getting angry if her answer would be a yes.
She turned and faced me quickly. "Why would you ask that? Damn, Sonia. I would never do such a thing." She replied fiercely.
"Are you seeing someone else then? Maybe you're seeing someone but you haven't slept with him yet? I asked corrosively.
She sighed deeply, but didn't respond to that question, but kept quiet.
"Jess, you have to give me an answer. I won't take silence for one either."
She looked at me with deep sadness in her eyes before she replied "maybe, maybe I'm seeing someone. But, it's not serious okay. I will explain it better to you when the time comes."
"Why? Why can't you tell me now? I want to know." I refused to agree to her, frowning my face to show how displeased I was with her.
"Girl, you don't want to know. Besides, we have something more important to settle. When I'm sure it's settled, I will spill everything out. I promise."
I had no option than to agree with her. I guess she has her reasons for postponing it. At this time, I just have to respect that, till she decides to tell me. I wondered why she and Eddy kept having issues recently, maybe I should ask her some other time.
Just then, mother walked into the dinning room from the kitchen, where she had been all these while.
"Hey ladies, I need some hands in the kitchen, would you guys mind helping me? She asked in a subtle tone.
Jessica got up quickly from her seat and offered to help out outrightly. "Yes mother, we don't mind. What is it you want us to do for you? Jessica asked, walking up to my mother and smiling.
I knew that I will have to join them, even though mom never allows me enter my own kitchen since she arrived here.
I got up sluggishly and throttled behind them as they moved to the kitchen. When we got there, I saw that mom was done cooking and even dished them out in the serving plate.
"Oh my goodness, you are done already. You are fask cook mother, I must confess." Jess said, praising her.
"Of course I am and a good one. Now you two, set the table and take this out, so we can have something to eat." Mother commanded.
We did as she ordered us to. I set the table, with the plates, spoons, cups and other necessary things, while Jessica brought in the food.
When we were done, we called the guys to come and eat. We sat at the table to enjoy the meal set before us.