*EPISODE 20*
{MY SOULMATE}
Madam Agnes sat at the back seat of the car with Eric’s head laying on her laps. She couldn’t control her tears as they poured down heavily. She kept praying in her heart begging God to preserve Eric’s life. Ken on the other hand, was completely focused on the road as he drove in full speed racing to the hospital where Collins was admitted.
Janice arrived at the hospital with her heart beat racing faster. She left the house in such a hurry that she didn’t notice that she was putting on two different foot wears.
When she finally got to the ward where Collins was, her heart broke at the sight of Collins who was still laying unconscious on the hospital bed. She broke into tears rushing over to Collins.
Gloria, Chris and everyone who were present in the ward, looked at her with great shock, surprise and curiosity.
“Collins. What happened to you?. Who did this to you?.” Janice asked all at once holding his hand.
“Janice?.” Chris called out in amazement.
“Father. Who did this to Collins?.” Janice raised her head towards Chris.
“How do you know Collins?.” Chris asked curioused.
“He is my friend.” Janice said amidst tears.
“Is Eric aware of this?.” Chris asked.
“Yes Dad. It was I who connected Collins to Eric.” Janice explained.
“So Eric knew Collins before now?. That explains why he didn’t attend to him when he came for the job interview. Was he jealous of their friendship?.” Chris asked within himself.
“Son, I think there’s something you need to know.” Chris’s father said signalling him to follow him outside.
They both stepped outside where Chris’s father turned to him and said.
“Collins roommate is actually a private investigator that I hired to keep a close eye on Collins.” He revealed.
“Okay?. So, what about him?.” Chris asked.
“He once informed me about Janice and Collins friendship. How Collins went from being her personal driver to being her closest friend. He told me how they both hanged out in different occasions and spent time together. I found it disturbing. It was like fate was about repeating itself again. That was the main reason why I came down here hoping that revealing his identity to you, would stop things from getting more complicated. But I guess I was late again. I guess Eric must have seen them together and went after Collins. Cause I can’t explain why he called Collins out at that time of the night.” Chris’s father said.
“Hmmmmmm. I still want to believe that Eric had no hands in Collins accident. Cause fate cannot be this cruel on me.” Chris said.
Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from the office.
“Hello Jide.” Chris said.
“Good day sir.” Jide greeted.
“Good day Jide. I hope everything is going well over there?.” Chris asked.
“Sir, actually, I called to ask why neither you nor Eric has made it to the office today. I hope all is well at home?.” Jide asked.
“What do you mean?. Is Eric not there at the office?.” Chris asked.
“No sir. I haven’t set my eyes on him.” Jide said.
“That’s strange. Hold on. Let me call him.” Chris said.
“Alright sir.” Jide said.
“Thank you for bringing this to my notice.” Chris said.
He ended the call and searched for Eric’s number.
“Dad, why didn’t Eric go to work today?. I also asked you to tell him to come see me before he goes to work. Or didn’t you meet him at home?.” Chris asked dialing Eric’s number.
“I met him at home and I delivered your message to him aswell. It baffles me that he isn’t at the office. But if he is not at the office then where else could he be?.” Chris father asked.
“He is not picking his calls either.” Chris said retrying Eric’s number.
“Try calling Vanessa. I’m sure she will know something about his whereabout. And when exactly do you intend to go take your shower?. You are now looking like a homeless man.” Chris’s father said.
Just then, they saw Ken running into the hospital carrying Eric in his hands. Behind Ken was madam Agnes whose dress was stained with blood.
“What’s going on?.” Chris asked not believing his eyes.
“Oh my goodness. What happened to Eric?.” Chris’s father shouted.
“Doctor! Doctor!!.” Ken shouted ignoring their questions.
“Agnes. What happened to Eric?.” Chris’s father asked his wife who was speechless and heartbroken.
“He was shot at the airport.” She revealed.
“Shot?. How?. By who?.” Chris asked not believing his ears. “Doctor!!!!.” He shouted.
When Janice, Gloria and Gloria’s parents, heard the commotion that was going on outside, they all stepped outside to know what was going on.
“Eric!.” Janice shouted out of shock as soon as she saw him.
“Who did I offend?. Why has such calamity befallen my household?.” Chris’s father lamented bitterly.
The doctor and other medical personel rushed out and took Eric in for an emergency surgery.
Everywhere was calm during the surgery as they were all silently meditating in their hearts.
After the surgery, the doctor stepped out to say,
“We’ve successfully retrieved the bullet from his body. And luckily, it didn’t affect any of his vital organs. Honestly, I will say his case is a miracle. Cause he was shot in a close range. And there is no way the bullet wouldn’t have penetrated into one of his vital organs. But it didn’t.” The doctor said in total amazement.
Hearing these words from the doctor, they all took a sigh of great relief. Then the doctor continued.
“The only problem we have is that, the patient is currently in need of an emergency blood transfusion. So who amongst you is his father?.” The doctor asked.
“I am.”
Ken and Chris answered standing up at thesame time.
Everyone became Confused as they turned and looked at the both of them in outermost confusion.
“Ken. What are you doing?.” Chris’s father asked pulling Ken’s hand inorder to sit him down.
“Ken?.” Chris called completely surprised.
“Yes Chris. I think it’s high time I revealed the very truth that almost took my son’s life.” Ken said looking steadily at Chris who was dumbfounded.
“So it was you?.” Chris asked.
“Yes Chris. I am Eric’s biological father.” Ken revealed.
“What?.” Everyone Shouted in disbelief except Chris.
“What’s going on here?.” Madam Agnes asked in disbelief.
“Madam. I’m truly sorry for keeping it away from everyone. I did what I did for the peace of this family. Because I love Vanessa and I wouldn’t want to be the cause of her misery.” Ken said.
“All these years, I’ve known that Eric wasn’t my biological son. But I never knew you were his biological father.” Chris said placing his hand on Ken’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry Chris.” Ken said bowing his head in shame and tears.
“And I’m fully aware of your sexual relationship with Vanessa. How you always satisfied her sexual urge in my absence.” Chris revealed.
This statement came as a shock to everyone who was listening.
“Ahhhhh! Vanessa.” Madam Agnes shouted with her hands placed on her head.
“For how long have you known about this?.” Ken asked feeling guilty and devastated.
“I knew Vanessa would seek sexual satisfaction somewhere else since I purposely refused to satisfy her urges. But I was curious as to what means would it be?. So I watched her closely. And in different occasions, I’ve seen the both you together mostly at nights. And as for Eric, I already ran a D.N.A test on him few months after his birth. That explained why I started getting too busy just to keep myself away from Vanessa and her hurtful lies. Cause each time I saw her and Eric, I was forced to remember how much her lies had cost me. So I hated her and everything that had to do with her. But as Eric grew, I took pity on him and started warming up to him because he was innocent. It wasn’t his wish or desire to be born into this world by a desparate and lying mother. And gradually, I started loving Eric like my own son. But sometimes I’m still forced to remember that he wasn’t my flesh and blood. And when these things come to my mind, I begin to see myself withdrawing my care, love and attention from Eric and then, gradually I find myself falling back into the arms of depression and regrets. I’ve been on and off with Eric. But the truth is, I’ve always loved him like a biological father would.” Chris said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
“I’m sorry son. All these happened because of me. If I hadn’t forced Vanessa on you, then none of these would have befallen my household. I thought that as a mother, i knew what was best for you. The picture and the text we sent to Gloria was all our doing. It had nothing to do with you son. I went as far as leaking the location of your hotel room to Vanessa. So she could go in and carry out our plans. Before then, we’ve paid the lady who worked in the room service unit. She put in sleeping pills into the drink you ordered that very night. And that was how Vanessa was able to take those pictures. And for the text, I told her your password and that was how she was able to send the text to Gloria. Afterwhich, she deleted the text from your phone and left the room like nothing happened. I also resulted into sending boys to harass and threaten Gloria’s parents so Gloria would stay away from you. I did lots of unspeakable things just to make you and Vanessa husband and wife. When I heard she was pregnant, I thought it was part of the plan. Not until I realized that it was real. I confronted her on who exactly was responsible and she told me to my face that you had s*x with her in your hotel room that night. I doubted her which made me to run a D.N.A test on Eric the day they came home for Christmas holiday. And it was revealed that Eric wasn’t your biological son.” Madam Agnes said amidst tears.
“And you didn’t bother to reveal the truth then?. Agnes what kind of a mother are you?.” Chris’s father asked totally amazed.
“I couldn’t bare the shame. It was I who forced Vanessa on my son. How could I have possibly revealed that that same Vanessa had played tricks on me?. It was too shameful that I couldn’t bring myself to say it. But I came here today with the intention of revealing the truth. And I’m sure that must have scared Vanessa. And that explains why she had wanted to kill me earlier at the airport.” Madam Agnes said amidst tears.
“I wouldn’t have involved myself in this mess if it had been you who got shot instead of Eric. Cause honestly speaking, you both deserve each other. Please Ken you can go ahead to see if your blood matches that of Eric.” Chris’s father said.
“Thank you sir.” Ken said.
The doctor led the way and Ken followed him from behind.
Chris quietly left them and went into the ward where Collins was. He sat down on the couch that was beside his son and broke into tears.
Gloria’s father tapped his daughter signalling her to go and talk to Chris who was obviously in pains. She left them and went in to meet Chris whose face was buried in his palms.
He was still crying when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He raised his head only to see Gloria whose eyes were also filled with tears.
“What’s my offence?. Why has fate decided to be cruel on me?. Is it a crime to be with the woman I love?. Is it a crime to be with my son?. Is it a crime to live in peace and harmony for once?. Everything about my life is a mess. I’m truly sorry for putting you through everything you passed through in the hands of my mom and Vanessa. I shouldn’t have led you on in the first place. Maybe none of these would have happened.” Chris said crying profusely.
“It’s okay Chris. Stop blaming yourself for everything. I believe that everything that has happened, actually happened for a reason.” Gloria said.
Chris cried even more and Gloria was left with no choice but to wrap her hands around him embracing him.
The doctor confirmed that Ken’s blood was a perfect match for Eric. And so they began the blood transfusion. Meanwhile, madam Agnes apologized to Gloria and her parents. Afterwhich, she took Chris’s car keys intending to drive home and confront Vanessa.
“Where are you going to?.” Chris’s father asked as soon as she reached for the car keys.
“To do what I should have done a long time ago.” Madam Agnes said.
