"My father has had enough rest", Olamide said going toward his father's room.
Mr. Garba's plane landed in Nigeria at the early hours of the day and Olamide felt he needed rest before he could voice out what has been troubling him.
He turned the doorknob of his father's bedroom and ventured inside only to see it empty. 'Where could he be?', he asked himself.
He went out of the room and checked the sitting room which was also empty. He was about to go outside when he bumped into Bisi, the cook.
"Bisi how far, do you know where my dad is?", he asked.
"He is at the balcony. I went to give him a glass of fruit juice now", she replied politely.
"Ok, thanks", he told her and strolled out.
His father was going through some files with a glass of juice on a small stool in front of him.
"Dad", he called.
"Yes", his father answered looking up.
"I have been looking all around for you."
"Yes. I came here to get some fresh air. What's the matter? You look worried", his father remarked.
"Dad, I have been meaning to discuss something with you even before your unexpected trip but I haven't been able to summon up the courage to do that."
His father chuckled and said: "You are a man. You should be courageous at all times. Tell me what it is."
Olamide cleared his throat with the hope that it will build up the boldness to tell his father what the problem is.
He said: "The thing is I made a mistake... I... I never knew it will turn out this way. I'm sorry I couldn't help it."
"Stop stammering like a fool and tell me what it is", his father said with an angry tone.
"Rachel..", he voiced out.
"What happened to her?", his father asked with impatience.
"She is pregnant for me. I'm sorry."
"What?!", Mr. Garba exclaimed. Then he gave Olamide a resounding slap.
*************************
Mrs. Obed had to force her daughter to go home despite the protest from Fola.
She left for home very late while the others including Femi and one other police officer, waited for the kidnapper's call throughout the night which never came.
Mrs. Balogun was tired of crying. The tears were no longer coming and her eyes were still red and puffy.
The next day, Fola woke up late and quickly cooked breakfast for her father before dashing off to the bathroom to take her bath. By the time she was done taking her bath, it was already 12 p.m and she was the only one in the house.
She guessed her father had gone to work. She wondered why her father didn't complain about her mother's absence and for her own late home coming the previous day.
She guessed he was changing or probably too busy to drag words with any of them.
Fola was still dressing up to go to Malali when she received a call from Femi.
"Femi, what happened?", she asked alarmed.
"Nothing happened. Why aren't you here yet?", he asked her.
"I woke up late. I will be there soon", she answered.
"Your friend is back and is also here. She came down here after dropping Biodun hoping to see you here so you better come quick before she comes there to drag you down here", he chuckled and whispered, "You know how crazy she can be."
"I heard that Femi. You are gossiping about me with Folake abi", Bolu uttered from the background.
Fola laughed too and said: "I will be there in a jiffy. Bye", she said and ended the call.
She got there around half past 1p.m because of traffic and was surprised to see Ife sitting in front of the verandah crying.
"Ife what happened? Why are you crying?", she asked the little girl but was met with silence.
Just then Femi appeared and said: "Thank God you are here. Come inside."
Fola went inside with reluctance and asked: "Femi, "What happened? Why is she crying?"
"The kidnappers called and requested for 5 million naira ransom", he announced as they walked inside approaching the living room where others were sitted.
"What?! Where do we get such amount of money from?", Fola asked.
"I have no idea", Femi answered.
They were now in the living room and Fola greeted the two women.
Bolu stood up and gave her a hug. Fola hugged her back and suprisingly they were both in tears.
"Fola this is not the time for tears but action. They instructed us to ask the girlfriend to bring the money", Femi told her.
"But he doesn't have a girlfriend", Fola replied.
"They were referring to you", he answered back.
"Do they know about me?", she asked.
"It seems you don't know who we are dealing with. They are smart people and they have their ways of knowing things. I just hope and pray they aren't seeing or listening to our every conversation."
"So you mean I will be the one to go with the money?"
"Yes."
"No my daughter can't go", Mrs. Obed sobbed silently.
"Mummy, I will be fine I promise", Fola assured but her mother shook her head and sobbed the more.
Fola turned around and asked Femi: "Did mummy hear Ire's voice for us to be sure he is fine and that he is actually with them?"
"We didn't even think of that. Mummy please try the number", Femi instructed politely.
Mrs. Balogun did as instructed but the number was unreachable.
"Let's wait till they call back then", he told them.
Few hours later, Mrs. Balogun received a call from a strange number.
"Hello", she said into the phone.
"Your son says he would like to speak with you", the lady said and gave the phone to Iremide.
"Iremide okomi, how are you doing? Hope you are not hurt? Are they feeding you well? Don't worry you will be fine. We will look for the money and come save you", his mother said in one breath.
"Mummy", Iremide called and groaned in pain.
"What is it, my son. Are you ok?"
"I love you", he said.
"I love you too", she replied as tears rolled down her eyes.
Fola moved closer and grabbed the phone from her.
"Iremide", she called.
"Folake?", he called back.
"You will be fine. Just be strong for mum and I. We don't want to lose you. Please."
"Whatever happens, know that I love you and take care of my mother and kid sister", he muttered in pain.
"Nothing will happen to you by God's grace", Fola assured.
"Whether you come with the money or not, they will still kill me", he voiced out and groaned again.
"Take the phone from the idiot, how dare you? T-boy, beat the stupid boy up", a lady commanded as the call ended.
Fola gasped and she let her tears flow freely. "Iremide", she called but he was gone.
"Fola what happened?", Bolu questioned her.
"Rachel", she said staring into space.
"Rachel? What has she got to do with this?", Bolu asked.
"The voice from the background belongs to Rachel", she stated.
"What?!", they all chorused.
*********************
Mr. Obed went to visit his friend Mr. Garba after waiting in vain at home for his wife and daughter.
He was feeling bored being home alone all of a sudden. Hearing of Mr. Garba's arrival from Germany, he decided to pay him a visit.
He met him at the dinning area with his son eating. Mr. Garba asked him to join them and he did.
Dinner was boiled yam and egg sauce with fruit juice which Bisi brought when they were almost done eating.
When they were done eating, Olamide excused himself as they sat in the living room discussing.
"You haven't said anything about our last discussion", Mr. Obed diverted.
"Which discussion?", Mr. Garba asked nonchalantly.
"About Fola. I think she has a feeling for that guy."
"Don't worry about that", Mr Garba assured him with confidence.
"I know my daughter to be stubborn and it seems her mother is now supporting her", Mr. Obed complained.
"I told you not to be worried. It has been taken care of already", Mr. Garba blurted out unconsciously.
"What?", Mr. Obed questioned with fear.
"Nothing. I said I will take care of it", he replied avoiding Mr. Obed's gaze.
Mr Obed was silent as he eyed Mr. Garba with suspicious.