*EPISODE 21*
{MY SOULMATE}
“No Agnes. We can’t risk letting more people get hurt over this mess.” Chris’s father insisted. “Remain here while i inform Vanessa of her son’s current condition.” He said snatching the key from madam Agnes’s hand.
Vanessa was restlessly walking from one end of the sitting room to the other waiting for the call of the hired killer she had contracted to kill madam Agnes. Then a call from Chris’s father came in.
“Hello father.” Vanessa said as soon as she picked the call.
“Vanessa Okagbue.” Chris’s father called.
“Sir?.” Vanessa answered wondering why he suddenly called her by her surname instead of Ogbuefi.
“Vanessa Okagbue.” He called again.
“Yes father.” Vanessa responded again totally confused.
“How many times did I call you?.” He asked.
“Two times sir.” She responded.
“Your son’s body is lying unconscious at the hospital after being shot at the airport by an unknown gun man.” He revealed.
“What?. My Eric?.” She shouted in disbelief.
“Come to the Lord is good hospital to behold the works of your hands.” He said and ended the call.
Vanessa felt her world shattering before her. She was trembling as she quickly dialed the hired killer’s number.
“Hello blade.” She said.
“Hello madam.” He responded.
“What happened?. Did you do the job I asked you to do?.” She questioned.
“Sure madam. You will receive the news soon. And please do not forget to send the remaining balance like we earlier agreed on.” He said.
“Are you playing with me right now?. I was told my son was shot at the airport. How did that happen?.” Vanessa asked .
“How does it concern me?. I only did the job that i was contracted to do. And i am not your relative so how am i supposed to know that your son was there?. Listen woman. Ask about me. I do not tolerate stories. So make sure you send my remaining balance into my account unfailingly. Or else, you will have me to Contend with.” He said and ended the call.
“What?. Blade!. Hello. Blade!!!!!!.” Vanessa shouted out of anger.
Vanessa arrived at the hospital looking worried and anxious. But as soon as she saw madam Agnes, she became startled.
“Why do you look startled like you’ve seen a ghost?. Or are disappointed that your plans to eliminate me failed?.” Madam Agnes asked folding her arms.
Vanessa recollected her self and walked to where everyone was seated.
“Where is my son?. Where is Eric?.” Vanessa asked totally worried looking around.
“So you had the guts to show your face here after what you’ve done?.” Madam Agnes raged.
“Agnes Ogbuefi. You of all people do not have the right to judge or condemn me. Cause you are nothing but a sly fox.” Vanessa yelled.
And immediately, madam Agnes gave Vanessa a resounding slap on her left chin.
“How dare you Vanessa?. How dare you try to bite the finger that fed you?. You wouldn’t have come this far if it weren’t for me you ungrateful dog. You dared to get me killed for what exactly?. So you could bury the fact that Ken was Eric’s biological father?. Or the fact that he has been the one servicing your engine for the past 25years?.” Madam Agnes yelled.
Hearing these words, it then dawned on Vanessa that everyone had already known the truth. Judging from the look on their faces. But it was more hurtful to realize that Gloria was also aware of her dirty secrets.
“Are you surprised that we now know the very truth that you’ve been trying so hard to hide all these years?. You stinking dimwit. Your greed, obsession, selfishness, lies and ungratefulness has put your son in a critical condition. Let me ask you Vanessa. As a mother, what did you do when you found out that your son was responsible for Collins’s accident?. I guess you still tried to bury the truth just like you’ve always done. Cause obviously, that’s the only thing you are good at.” Madam Agnes rained heavily on Vanessa who was ashamed and speechless.
It was then, that they all got to realize that it was Eric who was responsible for Collins’s accident.
“What did I just hear you say?. You mean Eric is responsible for Collins’s accident?.” Chris asked not believing his ears.
Chris’s father couldn’t help but buried his head in his palms. “I’m so ashamed of myself and my entire household right now. What’s all these?.” He said lamenting bitterly.
“This good for nothing woman told me that it was Eric who was behind Collins accident.” Madam Agnes said.
“But why?. Why did he do it?.” Gloria asked with tears in her eyes.
“Exactly my question. Why on Earth will the two of them raise swords against themselves when they barely know each other?.” Chris asked totally confused.
“I think it was all because of me.” Janice said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
They all turned and looked at her in total disbelief and amazement.
“You?.” Gloria asked.
“Yes ma’am. Eric and I have been dating for two years now. And we got engaged early this year. But never for once had Eric treated me with love, attention and care. He was always busy and hardly had time for us. I was beginning to consider calling off the engagement but Eric kept saying he would change for good. This went on until I finally met Collins who was hustling on the street. He helped me in fixing my car and when we talked further, i got to discover that he was a graduate with good results. So I promised to help him get a job. But he opted to become my driver while awaiting for the job that I promised him. And that was how we got close. And his presence made me realized how precious I was. And eventually, I started growing feelings for him.” Janice said.
“Jeez. Not another love triangle again.” Chris said rubbing his head vigorously.
“But collins was refraining himself somehow. He was actually skeptical about the whole stuff. It was I who kept making the moves and pressing on. But he was just there like it was his first time experiencing such. But I loved it. I loved the fact that he was innocent and I kind of find him cute. But I think the problem started when I contacted Eric and pleaded with him to help Collins secure a job in the firm. He agreed and invited Collins over for a job interview. Afterwhich, Collins got the job. We had finished celebrating his new found job that night when I returned home to find Eric’s car parked in our house. I went in and met him having a discussion with my parents telling them of his intentions to proceed with our marriage plans which I bluntly kicked against. I angrily broke up with Eric that very night and I guess that was what prompted him to go after Collins. Cause he kept pointing accusing fingers at Collins, saying he was the cause of our failed relationship. When his attitude was the main issue.” Janice said.
“You agent of darkness. I knew that you will bring nothing but destruction to my son’s life. You evil wench.” Vanessa cursed at Janice who bowed her head in shame with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m truly sorry. It wasn’t my intention to cause rift between them. I didn’t even know that they were brothers. I sincerely apologise for being the cause of all these mess.” Janice broke into tears.
But Gloria walked up to Janice and raised Janice’s head with her hand.
“Stop blaming yourself my child. You are not the cause of what has befallen our children.” She said smiling at Janice who nodded.
Gloria then turned to everyone and continued.
“We the elderly ones are the cause of everything that has happened here today. Starting from you Madam Agnes. If you didn’t care less about your son’s happiness from the very beginning, then none of us would have been in this messy situation today. If you had not forced Vanessa on Chris, then I believe that nothing of this nature would have happened. You thought you had the power to do and undo when you were much younger 25years ago. Now look at the outcome. You’ve used your hands to destroy the peace, love, unity and happiness in your household. If we the elderly ones had gotten it right from the beginning, then none of these mess would have befallen us today. Maybe all these are just God’s way of proving to us that we can’t fight destiny. Cause the end result is always destruction and confussion. And as for you Vanessa Okagbue, you actually failed as a mother to Eric and as a wife to your husband Chris. And honestly, your life is currently more miserable and pathetic than your age mates who are still single and searching. Because you forced your way into this marriage. And as for Chris Ogbuefi, you are a very good and kindhearted man. The fact that you knew that Vanessa’s son was not your flesh and blood, yet, you kept it within yourself and cared for the boy like he was yours, proves that you are indeed a rare gem. And as for Chief Cosmas Ogbuefi, I really want to commend your bravery and wisdom in handling issues between your wife, Vanessa, Chris and myself. If it weren’t for you, maybe this drama would have happened between us 25 years ago. I just hope that everyone of us who have contributed to this mess through one way or the other, would turn a new leaf to avoid extending this family crisis unto the next generation. I believe we’ve all learnt our lessons. So let’s just end it here.” Gloria said.
Her words got everyone speechless.
Turning to Vanessa Chris said,
“Vanessa you can go in there and see your son. For this might be the last time you will get to see him till you return from prison.” He said and Vanessa broke into tears sobbing bitterly.
“I’m truly sorry. I’m really sorry.” She sobbed regretfully.
“I think you need the apologies more Vanessa. You need to apologise to yourself, for not loving yourself enough to go into a loveless marriage. When you could have met someone who would have loved you sincerely.” Chris said.
Just then, some police men walked in.
“Chief Cosmas?.” One of the police officers called.
“Oh!. Here they are.” Chris’s father said gesticulating.
Seeing them, Vanessa took a step backwards from going to see Eric.
“I don’t think I deserve to go in there. I don’t think I deserve to see my son.” Vanessa said breaking into tears.
“You have to Vanessa.” Gloria said walking up to her.
“No Gloria. I don’t deserve to be called a mother. No mother would have sent a hired killer to kill her own son. Please. I’m leaving Eric under your care Gloria. I believe you will do well in taking care of him more than I would.” Vanessa said.
“Are you sure you won’t regret this?.” Gloria asked.
“No Gloria. As long as he is by your side, I have full confidence that he will be fine.” Vanessa said.
And without a second thought, Vanessa turned and walked up to the police men who handcuffed her and took her away for attempted murder.
