I stood at that particular spot, almost like a frozen statue. What I saw what not only shocked me, it terrified me and is at the verge of tearing me apart.
I looked at my wife with fury In my eyes, the compassion in me turned drastically to hatred and I was very hurt. I tried to understand how that was possible, but then, the thought of it was driving me crazy! She looked at me without understanding why the sudden change in my mood and action.
I turned to look at my mother-in-law, then she stared back at me in confusion. They haven't seen the paper yet and what was inside, so, basically they had no idea the trouble both were into at that moment.
In serious anger, I threw the paper on the floor, hissed sadly and stormed out of the place and headed to my room. As I left, I noticed my wife running to pick up the paper that I had deliberately thrown away, which if I had my way, I would have torn it to shreds. Unfortunately for me, the detectives were here and that was an evidence of something they could hold on to to aid their investigation.
Walking out angrily, I heard the detectives call me back, but I wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone or anything anyone had to blab to me at that moment. I was in deep pain, I was angry, I was sad. I could sense depression creeping up on me, that was one of the weirdest way I have ever fight in my entire life.
Getting to the room, I shut the door and used the key to lock it properly, then I tossed it on the floor and fell on the bed.
Next few minutes, I could feel some drops of tears fall on my face. I think, this was the second time I'm crying. The first was the time I lost my parents and siblings in a plane crash on their way to the house after they had come to visit me. That, was the worst day of my life.
That day was my birthday and they decided to come surprise me in school. I had no idea, I guess that is why is was called, a surprise. As the first son and first child of my parents, with four siblings, they made me understand the kind of responsibility I had and I always tried so hard never to fail them. Most of the times, I always made them proud and I was proud of myself for that.
I was in my room on my bed as usual, reading a story about life which was written by a renowned writer. The story got to me and I couldn't help but get so engrossed with it and I almost forgot that it was birthday.
Normally, on several occasions, I would go out with some close friends, play some games, eat out, maybe swim, do some funny stuff and when we get tired, we'll all go home to sleep like lazy munchkins.
This faithful day, which happened to be my birthday. I wasn't interested in going anywhere or doing anything shitty. I was just focused on the interesting book I was reading and it tied me down to that bed.
Going towards three-quarter of the book page that I was reading, I heard my phone ring. That was what took my attention off the book for the first time that day. I dropped the book on the bed, careful to tag where I read last so I don't lose track of it.
Checking my phone, I saw that It was my best friend Eddy, on the line. I picked up and we chatted for a little while. Then, he asked me how I was getting ready for my birthday outing, which was our usual tradition. I answered that there was no outing and I wasn't in the mood to go out.
He acted a bit confused and surprised. Well, he had to as that was awkward anyway.
After some brief talk and my light explanation to him, he asked me to stay back home while he come over to my house, stating that he had a very big surprise package specially for me.
I was kinda excited to know what the surprise would be like. You know, whenever we are told about surprises, we always anticipate too much. Sometimes, we get more than what we anticipate, sometimes less and some other times, we get overwhelmed by what we see.
Eddy came over to my house about thirty minutes or so after he called. I wasn't expecting to see him that soon, but since it was my birthday, I just guessed that he was only trying to make me happy, for my day atleast.
We chatted for a little time, then he brought out something from his bag and handed it over to me, saying it was my birthday present.
Excitedly, I took it from him quickly and opened it, unwrapping what was used to cover it up. It was a game set, a big game set. Mine got lost some weeks ago after I had accidentally left it somewhere. This was more of a replacement and I was very grateful. I hugged him so tight and thanked him profusely for the birthday gift.
I was still admiring my birthday present when he said that it wasn't the surprise he had for me. Stunned by what he said, I had to wonder what could be more special and surprising than what he just gave me. He grabbed my hands, without any choice, I followed him as took me outside.
I was shocked to see my parents and my siblings standing outside my room, smiling sheepishly. Eddy whispered and said to me, "they asked me not to tell you, I only gave them the direction to this place, just as she requested."
I ran and hugged them passionately, very happy and excited to see them all, that was a surprise indeed, it really got to me.
My parents had already organized food and drinks, through the help of Eddy, which was delivered to my house. I had to option than to call my friends and some course mates, inviting them over to my place to celebrate with me.
That day was one of the few days I have had so much fun with my family and friends outside our usual territory at home.
My parents and siblings left for home the next day after booking a flight which as slated left early afternoon. I tried to call them after some hours to know if they were home yet, but they weren't answering. I left them a message asking them to return the call when they read the message.
It was Eddy who was still in the house with me, rushed to me asking me to come check what was on the news. I saw that there was a plane crash some minutes before.
I called our account manager to confirm the airline that was booked and the time for their departure and it corresponded with the one on the news.
To cut the story short, I stayed in a coma for over a month, out of the shock I got from the news. but I lost my family in a minute, just because of a stupid birthday. I kept blaming myself over everything that had happened I only stopped blaming myself about their death after I became a father myself, because it helped me get over it. That was the most horrible day of my life till date, but at this moment, I think I will have two horrible days.
I couldn't help but think about what I read in the paper. It was more of a threat than a request, well bandits do not request for something anyway, they take by force.
I felt I was literally running crazy, or perhaps I was dreaming or so. First, it was my only kids, are they mine now? Now this!
The paper was a DNA test result, stating that the twins weren't mine, but for another guy, which sounded strange to me. Strapped to the test result was a short write-up, stating that they need me to give up on searching for the children since they are not mine, also it was also written there that they want Sonia, my wife to be released to them, with a condition.
The first condition was, one of my employers will be killed, then followed by the other, which will end up leaving just me. Which if I still insist on having them, it will warrant me to be killed, In cold blood.
That threat didn't scare me, what actually scared me was the DNA test result. For the fact that I have lived over eleven years with my wife holding on to children that weren't mine and treating them my life hurt me so much. I couldn't resist thinking about the times I would take them all out, spend a lot of money on them, give them what they need so they don't lack, it hurt me!
I thought about my wife, Sonia, who I could do anything for, just to make sure that she was okay, she was happy and lacked nothing as a woman. She, treated me so well though, but this is just the height of it all, I don't think I could bear all of that. It's just too much for me.
I thought of something I could do that will take my mind off the situation for the moment. I went to the fridge and opened it, then took out a bottle of sparkling wine. I corked it open and poured some into a glass cup. Gulping it quickly, it went down my throat, I almost got choked. I didn't stop, I kept forcing myself to drink, till I drank more than half of it's contents.
I lay on the bed, hitting myself so hard, forcing myself not to cry, but the tears were too resilient, they came down again, with full force.
I couldn't bear the pain it was causing me. I felt I should just die and go to a different world. Perhaps, that would be much better for me?
After a while, I heard a knock on the door, but I ignored it totally. I wasn't ready to go into any conversation with anyone as regards this case, till I have gotten my mind all cleared up for the next step I will take.
I heard the knock on the door again, but this time it was louder. I didn't bulge from where I was lying down. Whoever was on that door should be ready to leave whenever the person is tired of knocking, as that was how it must be, I thought.
After a while, the knock turned into a loud banging, then I heard Sonia calling my name.
"Alex, Alex, please open the door, please. Let's sort this thing out. That DNA results is a fake honey. I haven't slept with any man since I met you, I promise. You know I would never lie to you." She paused for a little while. Maybe, to catch her breathe or to know if I would respond to her plea.
"Darling please listen to me. Those guys are only trying to destroy our family. The family we both built together, come rainfall, come sunshine, we did it together. Please, don't let them take this away from us." She cried loudly.
I have never seen or heard her cry that way before and that pricked my heart so hard, because, I still loved her so much. But, I couldn't do anything at this moment, what is at hand is just too much for me to handle.
The banging continued louder. "Babe, babe please open the door. Let's talk this out, please babe. We need to bring our children back babe. Babe, I will never ever cheat on you darling, sweetheart, please listen to me. You are hurting me so much, please don't do this to me." She cried, and kept hitting the door.
If I ever want to open the door, it was because of the banging, because it felt like it was channelled to my head. Sonia didn't stop. She kept banging and saying a lot of things, that I was at some point tempted to get up and open the door, but, I restrained myself, for a reason.
"Babe, babe. I'm sorry I'm putting you through all these but it is all a lie. I don't have any guy I am secretly seeing. I love you so much and I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt you darling. I don't want to lose you sweetheart, please open the door."
I felt heartbroken the more I heard her say all of those things, but it still couldn't change what has been done and that's what hurt me the most.
After a while, I heard my mother-in-law, or ex mother-in-law? I heard her asking Sonia to leave the door to give me some space to think about what just happened. She explained that it wasn't my fault that I am acting this way, that she should only make sure she, Sonia is on the right track and everything will be settled with time.
After sometime, I didn't hear them talking again and Sonia was no longer banging on the door, so with that, I figured that they have left the place.
I sat up on the bed, thinking of what to do next, to runaway from the madness that has decided to take over my household for the meantime. I needed to stay away for a little time and think about all these.
I took my car keys and some cash from the drawer. I didn't bother changing into any other clothes as I thought that it wasn't necessary I did so. I checked the time and I saw that it was already past 7 PM.
I unlocked the door noiselessly and I left the room, very careful not to alert any of them as I wasn't planning for any drama.
Getting outside, I opened the gate carefully as well, then I got into my car and drove out of the compound. I came back to close the gate before finally driving off. I headed to the estate bar that was just around the corner. Still driving, I put a call across to Eddy, asking him to come over to the bar. He asked what the problem was, but I explained that it was not something I could explain over the phone.
He told me that he won't be able to make it to the bar not because it was an impromptu call, but he said that he was not in a right mood, then he added that he fought with his wife that evening, though he didn't mention the cause of the fight.
I was left alone to think for myself and also, make my own decision. I hope, I would make the right choice in all of these. I actually need to.