*EPISODE 11*
(MY SOULMATE)
9 months later, Gloria gave birth to her son. When asked what she had decided to name her child, she flashed back to Chris words,
“….I have always wanted to name my first daughter Zara and my first son Collins.”
And so he was named Collins.
Meanwhile, Chris had relocated to the city immediately after his marriage to Vanessa. Leaving the village and all its hurtful and beautiful memories behind. He changed completely. He became cold and hardly smiled.
Vanessa on the other hand, was just married for marrying sake. Never for once had Chris slept next to her on thesame bed. Cause the sight of her, reopened his old wounds. They both lived like neighbors. The only time they stepped out as couple, was in public gatherings. And once the event was over, Chris driver drives him home in his own car while Vanessa’s driver (Ken) picks her up in her own car.
Few days after Gloria’s delivery, Vanessa also put to bed a healthy baby boy. When asked what name they would like to call their son, Chris said it’s up to Vanessa to decide. Vannessa was left with no choice but to name her son Eric.
25 years passed.
Collins had grown into a very good looking young man. Apart from the fact that he was handsome, he was unbelievably humble, intelligent, and respectful. He grew up to love his mother so much. His grandfather had made sure to see him through school. He completed his university education and came out with flying colors. Everything about him reminded Gloria of Chris.
But Gloria never regretted giving birth to Collins cause his birth brought consolation to her soul.
Meanwhile, Eric grew up without experiencing fatherly love. His supposed father Chris, was always away from one business trip to another. All these was just to keep himself far away from Vanessa and anything that had to do with her.
Countless times, Vanessa had caught Chris having the best moments of his life in the arms of different women. But unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about it.
“Chris, for heaven sake we are married. I’m your wife and I deserve some respect from you. I’m not against you having affairs with numerous women. Just please stop rubbing it to my face. It makes me feel bad.” Vanessa lamented.
“Vanessa. Mrs. Chris Ogbuefi. I’m sure you got married to me so you could retain that title. So don’t bother yourself. Cause i’m not going to take that title from you. Isn’t it obvious, that that’s the only thing you have owned eversince we got married?. And please feel free to live your life while I live mine. You signed up for this remember?.” Chris said.
As he turned to go, Vanessa asked.
“Why are you doing this to me?. It’s been 25 years Chris. 25 good years and you are still holding on to the memories of the past?. When will you stop blaming me for everything?.” Vanessa said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Chris turned to give her a piece of his mind when he saw Eric who was on his way to work, staring at them. He then had to compose himself and embraced Vanessa for the first time in 25years. Vanessa thought Chris had changed but he unbelievably whispered into her ears.
“Dream all you want but my heart still belongs to Gloria wherever she is. You are just a piece of trash who thinks she can reap where she didn’t sow. I promise. You haven’t seen the worst of me yet. I’m sure going to make this marriage a living hell for you. And trust me this is just a tip of the iceberg.” He said smiling at Eric who smiled back and walked away.
As soon as he left, Chris let go of Vanessa who was literally shedding tears.
He picked his suitcase, knotted his tie, grabbed his jacket and walked away.
When he stepped outside, he found Eric waiting for him beside his car.
“Eric.” He called walking up to him.
“Good morning Dad.” Eric greeted.
“Good morning. Why haven’t you gone to work?.” Chris asked handing his suitcase to his driver who put it inside his car.
“Dad, I was hoping we could go to the office together. I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like.” Eric pitifully said.
“Alright then. You are free to tag along.” Chris said tapping him on his shoulder.
“Thanks Dad.” Eric said with a bright smile.
He happily followed his father to work. As soon as they got to the firm, Chris saw Janice waiting at the front of the building.
“Isn’t that Janice your fiancee?.” Chris asked Eric pointing towards Janice location.
“Yes Dad. But I don’t know what she’s doing here by this time of the day.” Eric said not happy with her presence.
“What’s wrong with stopping by to say hello to your husband to be?. I see nothing wrong with it. You should be happy to have a girl who sincerely loves you.” Chris said.
“But dad, I don’t actually like her that much.” Eric said.
“Really?. Then why agree to get engaged to her?.” Chris asked totally marvelled.
“Because mom said she’s the perfect person I need to get to the top. You know how wealthy and influential her family is. I wouldn’t want to lose that for anything.” Eric said.
“Really?.” Chris asked totally shocked. “You see son, it’s wrong to get tied down to someone you don’t love just because of their family’s wealth and influence. The end is nothing to write home about. If you don’t love Janice, then it’s best you let her go. Find someone you will be happy spending the rest of your life with. This is a piece of advice from me to you.” Chris said.
“Alright dad. I will keep that in mind.” Eric said getting off the car.
“I really can’t believe Vanessa still haven’t learnt from her mistakes. What exactly has she gained from marrying me?. Why would she want to push her son into thesame fire that is still consuming her?.” Chris wondered within himself.
“Hi Janice.” Eric greeted standing next to her.
“Hi Eric. What’s up with you huh?.” She asked folding her arms.
“What do you mean?.” Eric asked.
“Is this what this relationship is all about?. You hardly call, text, or even make out time to come see me, or spend time with me. Sometimes I’m forced to believe that you don’t have feelings for me.” Janice lamented.
“Come on Janice. It’s not what you think okay?. I’ve been very busy lately.” Eric said.
“Yeah. Same old story repeating itself everyday. Don’t you get tired of this same story?. When will you change Eric?. I thought I meant a lot to you. But I guess I don’t. I’m seriously considering Calling off this engagement.” She said fighting back tears.
“No no no Janice. It hasn’t gotten to any that. You can’t think of calling off our engagement over a little misunderstanding. Come on.” Eric said.
“Then play your role well Eric. And stop giving me double thoughts.” Janice said.
“Fine Janice. Fine. I will change for good okay?. Are we cool now?.” Eric asked smiling at Janice.
“We will see about that.” Janice said hopping into her car.
“Don’t you think it’s high time you got yourself a driver?. Ive lost counts of the number of cars you’ve crashed in a month.” Eric teased.
“Just be careful. You might be the next person that would be getting crashed.” Janice said starting her car engine.
Eric watched her drove out of sight. He took a deep sigh and walked back into the building.
Janice Obum was a very beautiful young lady who came from a rich family. She was the first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Obum.
Her parents were childless for five years until they adopted her. Two years after her adoption, God answered their prayers and gave them a child. But as soon as Mrs. Olivia Obum had her baby, she suddenly turned against Janice. She suddenly realized that Janice was not her blood. And that was the beginning of Janice’s agony. Janice had always wanted to be loved. Her dream and desire was to end up with a man who would sincerely love and accept her but unkown to her, Eric was just with her because of her family’s wealth.
Meanwhile, Collins decided to go to the City to look for a job. While he was getting ready to leave, his mother gave him the bracelet that was given to her by Chris.
“Come on mom, I’m not a woman. What’s with the bracelet?.” He asked smiling at his mother who forced it into his wrist.
“It’s just to remind you of me. You know how much I love and adore you right?.” Gloria said rubbing his head.
“Yes mom. But is this bracelet really necessary?.” Collins asked.
“Yes son. Because apart from you, this is the only thing that reminds me of your father. The bracelet is from him and I believe with this, his spirit and presence will go with you.” Gloria said.
“Alright mom. I get it now.” Collins said.
“And don’t get carried away by those girls in the city. You know how troublesome and destructive they can be.” Gloria said.
“Don’t worry mom. You are the only woman that owns my heart. You don’t have to bother about other women. Cause they’ve got nothing on me.” Collins said embracing his mother.
Before he left for the city, his grandfather squeezed some money into his hand but asked him to keep it a secret from his mother and grandma who might get suspicious and start questioning the source of his money. Collins understood his grandpa and kept the money a secret from his mother. Not knowing that the money actually came from Chris’s father who had already secured a two room apartment for him in the city. He placed someone there to act like he owned the room and was accomodating Collins for the meantime so Collins won’t get to start asking how his poor grandfather was able to pay for a two room apartment in the city.
When he got to the City, he quickly settled in in the apartment with his roommate John and the next day, he went for job hunting.
Chris’s father would have easily secured a good paying job for him if he had wanted to. But he allowed him to pass through that phase so he would gain more life experience and managing skills. And aswell, learn to fend for himself. He didn’t want Collins to start thinking that life was easy. He wanted him to face the reality of life.
Two weeks of job hunting yielded no positive results for Collins who became frustrated and tired. He gave up and started selling things on the roadside and on the streets.
One hot afternoon while he was hawking his goods, he came across Janice who was battling with her car that suddenly broke down in the middle of the road. He walked up to her and offered to help cause he learnt how to fix cars while in the village and as such, he also knew how to drive.
He helped Janice in fixing her car and that got her excited. She then tried to pay him off but Collins rejected her money.
“Please I don’t need this money. What I need right now, is any decent job that can put food on my table. If there is anyway you can help me secure a job, then I will be very grateful.” Collins said.
Janice was taken aback by his words. And after engaging him in a lengthy discussion, she got to realize that he was a graduate with good results.
“You know what?, I will look around and get back to you when I find a suitable and well paying job. So for the meantime, you can have my number.” Janice said.
“Do you have a driver?.” Collins asked.
“No, why do you ask?.” Janice asked.
“In that case, can I be your driver for the meantime?. I just have this feeling that you won’t get back to me again. Cause you are not the first person that have told me this same thing.” Collins said.
“Hahahaha. Wow!. You are indirectly asking me to keep you around so I would be reminded of my promise to you?.” Janice asked not believing his wiseness.
“Yes ma’am. I can be your driver and your mechanic if you wouldn’t mind.” Collins said.
“And how much would you like to be paid?.” Janice asked folding her arms.
“I believe you are a good and kind-hearted person. So you will definitely know how best to compensate me for my job.” Collins said.
“Interesting. You know what?. I think I like you already. What’s your name again?.” Janice asked.
“Collins ma’am.” Collins replied.
“Collins, I am Janice. So when do you want to begin?.” Janice asked.
“Today ma’am. If you wouldn’t mind.” Collins said.
“Fine. Take the car key and drive me to O.G firm.” Janice said throwing the car key to him.
He stretched forth his hand and caught the key.
Janice was walking towards the back seat of the car when Collins said.
“Excuse me ma’am. Can you please come sit at the front?.” He said.
“Why?.” Janice asked totally confused.
“Cause I don’t really know my way around this city. I’m new here you know?.” Collins said scratching his head.
This got Janice laughing.
“Alright. To the front seat then.” She said entering into the car.
When they finally arrived at O.G firm, Janice went in to have a word with Eric. And when they were done, Eric followed her to where her car was parked.
“Alright babe. I think I have to be on my way now.” Janice said and they both embraced each other. Collins couldn’t help but looked away.
Just then, Eric noticed Collins.
“Babe?. Who is he?.” Eric asked pointing at Collins who quickly stepped out of the car.
“Oh. Forgive me babe. He is my new driver.” Janice said. The turning to Collins, she said. “Collins, say hi to Eric my fiance. Eric, this is Collins my new driver.” Janice said with a broad smile.
“Nice meeting you sir. I’m Collins.” Collins said stretching forth his hand for a handshake.
Eric reluctantly held his hand. Forcing a smile, he said,
“Nice meeting you too Collins. I’m Janice’s fiance.” He said pressing Collins hand.
Collins felt pains but had to hide his pains as he kept gazing at Eric wondering what he had done wrong to him.
