SISTER MARY
Coolvalstories
EPISODE 27
I got to the police station and had a brief chat with the officer who was extremely surprised to see me. Unfortunately he wasn’t willing to discuss Mary’s case in his office and so ended up asking me to meet him at a small drinking joint close to the station by 8pm.
I left thereafter and headed back to Mary’s house once again but neither she nor her sister were available. I turned and returned to Chioma’s apartment, tired and a bit nervous.
“hmmm, what a way to spend a day we planned being together” chioma smiled after i told her how the day’s event went.
“well don’t be too dejected, i believe things will soon get better” she assured me with a smile.
By 7:45pm, i headed out to meet the police officer once again. He was already at the bar when i got there and equally was the first to see me. He smiled and waved, i saw his hand, breathed deeply and approached him.
“you see your issue with Mary is quite a delicate one. The best i can do is to discourage her from reopening the case if she comes to me. But you know she could easily take it to another police station and then start up the whole process over again. The only good news about it is that the case might be flung away in the end if you defend yourself very well, by claiming to have settled her, but it still won’t stop you from going through hell in the process. The best advice i can give is for you to try everything possible in stopping her from reopening the dead case. Do anything possible my friend, threaten or use force if possible but don’t quote me or leave loose ends” he adviced and gulped down the second bottle of beer i bought for him.
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As i drove back to Chioma’s apartment fifteen minutes later, i thought over the officer’s advice. He really was right, i had to do everything to prevent Mary from reopening the case if actually she was planning to do so. I truly wasn’t comfortable with the idea of using force since Jboy wasn’t available anymore.
“but I once offered her money which she refused accepting. I tried brainwashing her with fake love and it failed, all that is now left is the use of force which really isn’t easy, moreover i’m no violent person… How do i go about this mess?” i wondered as i drove back to chioma’s apartment. “The officer made a strong point but it’s going to be very hard dealing with Mary which ever way you choose to follow. Or do you have any other plan?” Chioma asked as we discussed Mary’s issue on her bed later in the night.
“nothing really, just the old plans Jboy and i made way back, but things have changed and so it’s no longer useful” i sighed uneasily. She smiled reassuringly and placed her head on my chest.
“well i think you should forget Mary’s issue and deal with Jboy’s burial first, plus you know there are still much work waiting for you at the office. I suggest you deal with them before facing Mary’s issue, at least it also will give us time to plan and await whatever she is planning for us. My apartment is yours, so you are free to stay as long as you want” she advised seriously. I nodded and shrugged.
“i guess i have no other option than to abide and follow your suggestion” i murmured with a smile.
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SISTER MARY Episode 28
Days later, i travelled to Jboy’s village, discussed with his family, fixed the burial date, returned to the city and informed his colleagues about the burial arrangements. It really wasn’t easy at all but it was a debt i owed him as a true friend. His colleagues however paid for the coffin and ambulance that took his corpse home, while i footed other bills like the burial posters, pamphlets, entertainment, mortuary fees and so on.
My account almost emptied in the process but it was a little price to pay for a wonderful friend.
I equally was lucky that Mary never showed up her face nor surprised me with any trick as i ran around for the burial. Though i avoided her like a plague by staying away from my apartment and living with Chioma all through the period.
Jboy was buried two weeks after i moved into Chioma’s house and it was quite an emotional scene. Everyone who witnessed the event wept, especially as his body was lowered into mother earth.
“Life is nothing. We have to live each passing day with prayers and good deeds as if it is our last day on earth. We have to be prepared because we can depart this world any time, any day” The Reverend in charge of the ceremony preached as we bade my most loyal friend goodbye….
Surely life is nothing but mysterious….
Two days after Jboy’s burial, i made up my mind to go back to my apartment but Chioma fought very hard to prevent me from leaving.
“what’s pursuing you from my home. Isn’t it better you continue staying with me until you settle issues with Mary” she protested,
“you are right baby, but don’t worry. I can take care of myself. I can’t continue hiding from her. I don’t want to give the impression that i’m scared. I equally plan on visiting her this evening” i explained. She breathed deeply and shrugged.
“very well then, but i don’t see the sense in hurrying to leave my apartment which you know is very safe” she murmured with resignation. I kissed and hugged her.
On getting to my apartment later in the day, i was informed by a neighbour that two ladies checked up on me the previous day. The descriptions i was given matched that of Mary and her sister. I was a bit nervous over the information.
I couldn’t imagine what was their plan, showing up at my house but refusing to answer my phone-calls.
“What are they up to?” i wondered.
By 7:30pm, i freshened up, dialled Mary’s phone number again but as usual she refused answering. I cursed under my breathe, grabbed my car keys and headed out of my apartment.
My mind raced wildly as i drove towards Mary’s house. I was uncertain of the fate that awaited me there. My spirit was weak but i was determined to reach a compromise with her.
The only thing i prayed for, was to meet Mary alone in the house. I couldn’t stand her elder sister and i had no doubt that things would turn out badly if i was unlucky to meet the obnoxious lady.
As I got close to Mary’s apartment, i called Chioma to tell her about my movement and equally hear her sweet reassuring voice but unfortunately she didn’t answer my phone call. I breathed deeply, dropped the phone and drove on.
Exactly ten minutes later. I arrived at Mary’s place, knocked nervously on the door and prayed silently. The door was soon flung open by no other person than Mary’s obnoxious sister. She frowned on seeing me while i smiled politely.
My phone rang that moment, drawing my attention.
I stared at it for a while, not sure to answer the call or not, since it was Chioma who was calling.
“hey how far” i finally answered, but the voice that spoke to me wasn’t Chioma’s,
“good evening sir, your friend just had a car accident. Please can you come over to St. James hospital, at hospital road. I hope you know the place? Our sign post is lighted, once you get to hospital road, just drive straight you will see the place” a female voice announced, sending cold shiver down my spine.
“hello sir! Are you there?” i heard the caller ask,
“yeah i’m coming right away” i replied and hung up, while Mary’s sister scanned me with her cold annoying eyes.
Chioma never told me she was going anywhere that fateful evening, and I couldn’t help but wonder how the accident could have happened.
“First it was Jboy, now Chioma. What’s happening?” i wondered as i stood facing Mary’s sister.
