#CASSANDRA
Episode 44
‘’it’s not as if I don’t want Edwin arrested and dealt it but the problem is about my safety. Arresting Edwin means signing my own death warrant. His friends will come for my head and the police wont be there to protect me. I’m a young girl and I don’t want to lose my life over such thing’’ she explained, turning her back on me while I stared at her, not knowing what else to say. Of course her explanation failed to convince me and I kind of felt she was protecting the silly guy over something she wasn’t telling me.
‘’I know you wont understand my position. Of course you have never been to the university. You haven’t witnessed first hand how dangerous and careless the cult boys are. But I beg of you. Let me handle Edwin my own way. I promise he will never disturb you again.’’ she pleaded, turning to face me with a deeply shaken mood. I swallowed hard as I stared at her uneasily. She softly held my hands, pleading with all her soul.
‘’i’m very scared. You just have to understand that I’m fighting for my life. Yes I admit the idiot is my friend but come on, you should know that no girl in her right senses will have anything to do with such a rascal. I’m just in a pit that I cant escape. Let me handle Edwin my own way’’ she pleaded desperately.
‘’so I shouldn’t involve the police?’’ I asked with a deep breathe. She nodded instantly.
‘’yes involving the police will do more harm than good. Please for the sake of my life, let me handle Edwin’’ she pleaded one more time.
‘’okay I succumb to your pleas. But if I see that rascal ever again, I wont have any choice than to have him arrested. I said softly with a smile. She threw herself on me, hugging me tightly.
‘’thank you. Thanks so much’’ she breathed happily.
———————
After dinner, I headed to the second room to have a little discussion with my mother. I desperately needed to know her plans with Nora. Of course I had every right to know.
My mum smiled as soon as she saw me enter the room. It was very obvious she was expecting me.
‘’mum you know we still have some things to talk?’’ I stammered as I sat beside her on the bed. She nodded and breathed deeply.
‘’I’m heading home tomorrow and I guess you want to know all I discussed with Nora?’’ she asked while I nodded like a child.
‘’you see Nora and I reached a very good agreement. Her child belongs to the family and so will have every right as you and your siblings. Nora equally accepted me as her new mother and from now onwards I will play a very special role in her life. It doesn’t matter if you give your consent or not. She now has a stake in our family. However I still have things to discuss with your dad. The issue with Nora’s pregnancy still need to be settled between the two families. You are free to get involved, you are also free to abstain. It’s all on you’’ she said with a very serious demeanor , her eyes running through me.
I couldn’t say a word when she was done and even though all she said appeared normal in some way, I just wasn’t prepared for it. I felt empty and hopeless.
‘’I have heard you mother. Good night’’ I breathed, got up and headed to my room with a very clouded mind.
———————–
As I got to my room, I saw Cassandra sitting on the bed instead of lying down. She smiled as i walked in. The effects of the discussion I had with my mother still very much on me.
‘’hey sweet, I really was waiting for you’’ she breathed. I slowly sat beside her, staring at her curiously.
‘’I really don’t know how to ask you this but I desperately need your help.’’ She breathed, I urged her to continue.
‘’it’s the issue of my birthday. Yes it’s true I lost the money you gave me but I still need to go on with it. You know all the arrangements has been made and I cant just cancel the whole stuff’’ she stammered, looking very innocent. But for the second time, I reacted very angrily towards her. I instantly sprang up with great anger , surprising her with my reaction.
‘’you want another money to give away to your student boyfriend huh?. No no no. that’s not going to happen. I’m giving you no money for your birthday and that’s it”. I shouted at her.
‘’but you promised earlier in the day to do anything for me?’’ she quickly reminded me.
‘’yes I did but I cant give you another money for your birthday’’ I said once again.
‘’’okay thank you. Good night’’ she breathed, drew back and fell on the bed, while I slowly calmed down, regretting ever shouting at her.
I instantly felt bad seeing her go to bed with sadness in her eyes but for no reason I couldn’t get myself to take back my decision and do her bidding.
————-
I never gave her another money for her birthday but only gave her five thousand naira as she left early the next day. At first I thought she wouldn’t take the money but she did take the money with a drawn face.
As she left that fateful morning I couldn’t help but fear that our relationship might never remain the same again.
to be continued
