"Daddy, I have been trying Rachel's number for 2 days now but it's not going through", Olamide complained to his father.
"Keep trying", his father told him nonchalantly.
"Dad, hope you haven't done anything to her because of the pregnancy?", he questioned his father.
Mr. Garba raised his head up from his phone and replied him. "What is that thing that I have done to your little sweetheart?"
"Dad, I know what you can do. Just let Rachel be. If she says I am responsible for her pregnancy, then it means I am actually responsible."
His father shook his head and smilled. "Olamide, sometimes you amaze me. You think I am doing all of these for myself? No, I am doing all this for your comfort. I know who Rachel is and the kind of person she is. Do you think my insistence on your marriage to Fola is for nothing? Of course not."
"Daddy, I know but just let Rachel be. I want to marry her not Fola."
His father chuckled lightly. "Apparently, you want to marry a woman that can satisfy you in bed just the way you want and not the one you have to teach every single thing. I can't say yes yet until I confirm the pregnancy is truly yours", his father finished.
"Dad....."
"Don't daddy me. I am done talking", his father stood up and went to his bedroom leaving Olamide standing.
*********************
Femi spent the night with Mr. Obed at Zahrah hospital. When the doctor assured him that he would be fine, Femi quickly took his leave.
He went home to take his bath and also went to Mrs. Balogun's home to pick a few things for the ladies. He wondered where they took Ife, Ire's sister to. He didn't see her with Mrs. Balogun in the hospital and she wasn't home either.
Afterwards, he went to the station. He met with the D.P.O who was his friend.
"You won't believe they can't find the 5 million naira ransom that was supposed to be given to the kidnappers", Femi told him.
"What? How come?", the D.P.O asked.
"I assigned two of the police officers over there to go search the building and they came across the briefcase. I think Rachel and T-boy were trying to share the money before they got to know of Fola and Ire's attempted escape. I was in a hurry to take Fola who was unconscious to the hospital so I ordered one of them to come along with it while the other police drove us to the hospital."
"That's serious. You should have asked him to put the briefcase in your boot."
"It didn't even cross my mind. I was not myself", Femi uttered.
"How is she now?", questioned the D.P.O
"Dead."
"What? Oh my God!. So unfortunate."
"Yes I still can't believe it. I think we would have to release Rachel's mother", Femi told him.
"Why would you say that?", he asked.
"Rachel has been caught, Fola is dead", Femi stated.
"So? What if she knows about her daughter's evil deeds?"
"You need to keep her", Femi's assistance said coming in.
Femi and the D.P.O turned to look at him.
"Who?", Femi asked.
"Rachel's mother", he answered.
"Why?"
"Because Rachel has escape", he announced.
"What?", Femi said standing up.
**********************
"Jaguar, where the hell are you? This is almost noon", Mr. Garba said.
"We are almost home boss. I did a perfect job."
"Good. Where is she?"
"She is here with me. She almost lost the pregnancy", Jaquar informed him.
"Alright. I want you here as soon as possible."
"Ok boss", Jaguar said and dropped the call.
Just then, another call came in.
"Wise one, good day to you", Mr. Garba greeted into the phone.
"Good day to you too my son. How have you been?"
"I'm sorry I haven't had time to check up on you wise one", said Mr. Garba.
"It's okay. I understand. I called to remind you that its almost time to feed the gods."
Mr Garba laughed and said: "Baba, it is not time yet. You said 15 years and this is just the 13th year."
"I did not say that. I said 13years."
"Haba baba, I thought you said it is when he clocks 30 and he is just 28."
"No I did not. The deadline is 28 and you need to do something about it before he clock 29 or else....."
Agitated by the stated, Mr. Garba asked calmly, "Baba, so you mean he needs to get married this month? He is going to clock 29 by month end."
"Yes. Why is this a trouble? I thought you said there is a girl already?", the man asked.
"Yes but alot has happened and I can't even bring the issue up now to the father. Can we look for an alternative?"
"That girl is the best. But if you can look for an alternative and bring her to me on time, that settles it."
"Alright wise one. I will come see you next week."
"God bless you my son."
Mr. Garba hunged up and smiled: 'Rachel will be useful', he thought to himself.
*************************
Femi got to An-nur hospital in Maraba Jos around 12 noon and he parked his car at the hospital's parking lot.
He hopped down from the car carrying a small bag. He was about to enter the hospital building when he saw Bolu and Mrs. Balogun from afar smilling. He wondered what was amusing them.
The death of Fola was still having a toll on him. He was trying so hard to shut his mind from recalling all that had happened because he couldn't help but feel guilty.
If he hadn't slept off, Fola would not have been shot. If he had been at alert, he would have rescued them before any of them got hurt, he thought.
The more he tried to forget it so he could have peace of mind, the more difficult it becomes.
He felt he was been haunted. "Do I deserve it?", he asked himself.
He sighed deeply as he got closer to Bolu hoping to hear something good that can lighten up his mood. "Good morning ma", he greeted Mrs. Balogun.
"Son, welcome", she replied him moving away.
"Morning love", Bolu greeted with a side hug and he nodded in response.
"How is Iremide doing?", he asked.
"He is doing fine", she answered.
Raising up the small bag in his hand, he said: "I brought a change of clothes for you guys."
He turned to hus fiancee and said to her, "I don't know if the one I brought will suit you because I was unable to go to your house."
"Guess what?", Bolu told him.
He looked at her with curiousity and asked, "What is it?"
"Fola is alive", she announced and slammed her body into his in happiness.
Femi was wide-eyed with suprise and shock. "How come?"
"We thought she was dead", Bolu whispered.
"Thank you Lord. How is she now and where is she?"
"She's still in a coma", she responded.
"Oh My God!", he exclaimed. "I hope she comes out of it soon."
"That's our prayer. Hope nothing happened to her father?", Bolu inquired.
"It was bad of you to have announced such a thing to him over the phone. He collapsed and I had to rush him to the hospital."
"Oh My God! How is he now?"
"The doctor assured me that he would be fine."
"Ok."
"You won't believe T-boy is dead and the money is missing", Femi told her.
"Who is T-boy?", Bolu asked him.
"Rachel's partner."
"Oh! How come the money is missing?", she questioned.
"The guy we assigned to the job of retrieving the money escaped with it."
"What?"
"The police here are doing their best to track him down. I went there first before coming here."
"Alright. I hope they get a hold of him as soon as possible so we can use some part of it to pay for the hospital bills. This hospital is a great one. They treated them before giving us the bill."
"We will by God's grace", he prayed turning around to find himself a seat. "That reminds me, Rachel has escaped."
"What?"
**********************
"Good morning doctor, my name is Mr. Garba and this is Rachel, my daughter-in-law, this is Olamide, my son", Mr. Garba introduced.
"Welcome to Zahrah hospital", the doctor said.
"I have my family doctor but Rachel kept saying good things about your hospital since she got back yesterday, that's why we came here", Mr. Garba said.
"Alright, how may I help you?", he asked.
"My daughter-in-law is pregnant and we want to confirm if the pregnancy is really for my son Olamide. It's not as if we don't trust her, it's just to clear some doubts we are having", he told the doctor smilling.
"I understand", the doctor said and looked at Rachel before asking, "How old is the pregnancy?"
"5 weeks", she responded calmly.
'5 weeks?', Mr. Garba repeated in his mind. 'That means the baby isn't mine'
"Why not wait till the baby is born. Carrying out a DNA at the stage is risky and can give us an unclear result. So I suggest we wait till she gives birth", the doctor said to Mr. Garba
"Thank you doctor. I told my father but he wouldn't listen", Olamide grinned and shook the doctor's hand.
"Alright doctor. Thank you. We will get going now", Mr. Garba muttered rising up.
They got out of the hospital building and Mr. Garba said: "Give me the car keys Olamide."
Olamide gave him the keys and he continued as they got close to the car. "You two should find your way home. I need to be somewhere. You two are getting married tomorrow."
"What?", Olamide exclaimed.
His father ignored him and entered the car. Then he zoomed off while Rachel was with a satisfied smile on her face.