*EPISODE 22*
{MY SOULMATE}
Janice went back home that night looking all weak and worn out from everything that had happened that day at the hospital. As soon as she entered the sitting room, she heard her parents arguing upstairs. She hissed and was about walking to her room when she over heard them mentioning her name. Out of curiosity, she tip toed to the door of her father’s room to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Why do you hate Janice so much?. Don’t you know that if it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have gotten a child of your own.” Mr. Geoffrey said.
“What nonsense are you talking about?. Is she my God?.” Mrs. Olivia asked scoffing at Geoffrey’s words.
* * * * * * * * * *
24 years ago.
Mrs. Olivia and her husband adopted little Janice. Cause according to a seer, that was the only way she would be able to have a child of her own. For they have been married for five years with no child.
According to the seer, Mrs. Olivia had once had a one night stand with a guy she met at a close friend’s party during her university days. And She was too drunk to even recognize the face of the guy she slept with that night.
Few weeks after, she found out she was pregnant. It was strange cause she took contraceptives the morning after the incidence. When she consulted a doctor to know why she still took in after taking contraceptives, she was told that it was pointless cause she was in her ovulation period the night the incidence occurred.
Then the thought of abortion came in. But she was too scared of getting an abortion as her mom had always told them that any of her female children, who tried to go through an abortion, will not live to tell the story. Her mother said this just to scare her daughters away from premarital s*x and abortions.
But Olivia wasn’t ready to take any risk. So she kept using waist trainers, girdles and other tummy snatching products to hide her pregnancy while she kept attending lectures. But as soon as the pregnancy clocked 5 months, it became difficult to hide. So she had to travel to a different environment where she had her baby. And after delivery, she wrapped the child in a wrapper and dumped her on the road side. A day later, she returned to school and acted like nothing happened.
Now she’s married and looking for a fruit of the womb after abandoning an innocent baby to die of cold and loneliness on the road side.
According to the seer, the baby died on that cold and lonely path. And since then, the soul of that child had been crying against Olivia. And the only way they could appease her soul, was to adopt a child and raise that child with love and care. That in no distant time, they would also hear a cry of their own biological child.
And that was how baby Janice was adopted and raised by Olivia and her husband. Two years after her adoption, God opened Olivia’s womb and she conceived and had her second daughter. But instead of loving the two girls equally, she suddenly despised Janice and showered love on her biological daughter Loveth.
* * * * * * * * * *
“I can’t believe you are this heartless. No wonder you abandoned a day old baby to die by the road side.” Geoffrey fired.
“Geoffrey!!!!.” Olivia yelled not believing he just used her past against her.
“Yes Olivia. Janice has done nothing wrong to you. You are the architect of your own problems. If you are not a witch, then why hate on the poor girl who brought nothing but light, happiness and laughter to this house?.” He raged.
Mrs. Olivia broke into tears and sat down on the bed. The pains and guilt of her past mistakes came refreshing in her memory. She could clearly remember the cry of her daughter on the day she abandoned her on the road side. The memories from that day ripped her heart apart that she couldn’t help but grabbed her bed in pain, sorrow and regret.
Mr. Geoffrey angrily barged out of the room only to find Janice standing before him with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Janice?.” He called out in surprise.
Mrs. Olivia heard her name and raised her head to see Janice looking steadily into her eyes with tears and curiosity.
And for the first time in all her years of being with Janice, she felt guilt and remorse in her heart towards poor Janice.
Janice quickly left the door and went into her room. She shut the door behind her and threw herself on the bed sobbing bitterly.
Few moments later, she heard a knock on her door.
“Janice !.” Her mother called knocking on her door.
“Please go away!. I don’t want to talk to anybody right now.” Janice shouted throwing her bag at the door.
“Janice please. Let me in.” Her mother persisted knocking at the door.
Janice didn’t open the door she remained on her bed and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, she woke up and got dressed to go check on Collins and Eric at the hospital. As soon as she pulled her door open, she was shocked to see her mother sitting in front of her door.
“Mom?. Did you sleep here?.” Janice asked totally amazed.
“Janice. Finally you’ve agreed to come out.” She said standing to her feet.
“Why?. Why did you spend the night here?.” Janice asked looking worried.
“Because I couldn’t sleep after hurting my child.” She said placing her palm on Janice’s cheek.
This was a new thing to Janice who didn’t know how to react to this new treatment. All she could do was let tears flow down her eyes.
Looking steadily at Janice with her eyes filled with pains, remorse and regrets, Mrs. Olivia said,
“I’m sorry my child. For all the hurtful and painful words I’ve thrown at you. For all the times I made you feel unloved and unwanted. For all the times I failed to protect your interest as a mother should. For all the times I failed to be a mother to you. I’m sincerely sorry my baby. There was nothing wrong with you my child. You brought nothing but happiness to my home. You wiped my tears. You healed my broken heart. You gave me the opportunity to be called a mother for the first time in five years after my marriage. I was totally wrong in maltreating you and pouring my anger and frustration on you. I’m truly sorry my child.” She said amidst uncontrollable tears.
“It’s okay mummy. I hold no grudge against you. I’ve always loved you.” Janice said sobbing bitterly.
“Come here.” Mrs. Olivia said embracing Janice in tears.
Mr. Geoffrey and Loveth stood smiling sadly at the happy moment of reconciliation happening before them.
It was after the reconciliation, that Janice’s parents got to know about the incidence that occurred in Ogbuefi’s household. And they promised not to force any man on their two precious daughters. They promised to be a good parents to Janice and Loveth from that moment onwards.
Janice returned to the hospital that morning with her sister and parents looking so excited.
When they came in, they heard the entire family jubilating for joy. And when asked what was going on, she was told that Collins and Eric had regained consciousness. Although that of Collins would still take time before he fully recovers. Janice could not curtail the joy in her heart as she jumped up in joy and without hesitation, she rushed into Collins ward to check up on him.
3 months Later.
Collins had started living with his father while his mother had gone back to the village with her parents. Eric had gone to live with Ken after Chris had gotten them a well furnished apartment and settled them financially. Even at that, Eric was still free to visit Chris’s home as he was still his son. Eric still retained his job at O.G firm but this time, he received orders directly from Collins who was now his superior at work.
Meanwhile Ken quit driving and focused on running a profitable business. And he made sure he took out time from his busy schedules to visit Vanessa in prison with their son Eric. And gradually, Vanessa’s heart started warming up to ken. She needed no seer to tell her that Ken and Eric were the only true family she had. And for the first time, she regretted ever forcing herself into marrying Chris when Ken would have been a better option.
After much consideration, Chris decided to shorten Vanessa’s stay in prison so she could get reunited with Eric and his father. And so, her jail term was brought down to one year. After settling the right authorities in charge of her case.
Chris had reunited with his son. But he still felt incomplete. It was like something special was missing in his life. And that was none other than Gloria his soulmate. His happiness wouldn’t be complete if Gloria wasn’t by his side.
He was restless. And always lost in thoughts Wondering,
“Why did Gloria followed her parents back to the village without having a proper heart to heart discussion with me?. It was like she no longer cares or probably she must have found someone in the village. That explains why she didn’t give a damn about me.” Chris thought to himself.
That night, Chris was still lost in his thoughts when Collins walked up to him.
“Still awake?.” Collins asked walking down the stair case.
“Oh. Yeah. I’m still awake.” Chris responded sipping from his glass cup of alchoholic wine.
“Why?.” Collins asked now sitting on the couch behind him.
“I don’t know. I just have so many things going through my head right now.” Chris said scratching his head. Then he turned to his son and asked. “What about you?. Why aren’t you asleep yet?.” He asked.
“I just thought you needed someone to talk to.” Collins said.
“About that, can I ask you some questions?.” Chris said quickly sitting on the couch next to Collins.
“Yeah sure.” Collins replied.
“Do you know if your mom has anyone in the village?. I mean, is there a man in her life?.” Chris asked curiously.
“Hahahaha….” Collins burst into laughter.
“Look son. This isn’t funny in any way. I’m deadly Serious right now.” Chris said with a stern face.
“Alright. Alright. My mom is still single. My grandpa, for some reasons best known to him, had refused her from getting remarried all these years. But is that why you are still awake?.” Collins asked suppressing his laughter.
“No, how can I be awake because of your mother’s current relationship status?. Don’t you know that I’m a business man?. I’ve got lots of problems to think about.” Chris said trying so hard to hide his emotions.
“Oh I see……” Collins said nodding his head.
“So tell me. Why do you think she hasn’t reached out to me all these while?. Do you think she still hates me that much?.” Chris asked feeling uneasy.
“Dad, I believe mom doesn’t hate you. She just wants you to do the needful.” Collins said.
“The needful?. Like what exactly?.” Chris asked sitting upright.
“Like, going to look for her and telling her how you feel about her. I’m sure she might also be thinking that you no longer love her. So I advise you make the move to avoid stories that touches the heart. Cause as you know, my mom is a hot cake.” Collins advised.
“You think so?.” Chris asked.
“Yes father. Trust me on this. I know my mom very well.” Collins said.
“Okay. First thing tomorrow morning, I will be going to the village to talk things out with her.” Chris said standing to his feet.
And one more thing dad, Collins said removing the bracelet on his wrist.
“Take this back to its original owner. I don’t think I am supposed to hold on to this for now.” He said handing the bracelet to Collins who took it from his hand with a smile. “I’m sure there would be no ring better than this symbol of love.” Collins said with a smile.
“You are such a lover boy. Did Janice turn you into this?.” Chris asked totally amazed. “Speaking of Janice, why haven’t she be coming around since you fully recovered?. Are you guys done?.” Chris asked.
“I don’t know dad. She was never with me from the beginning. I met her with Eric and I don’t think it’s right going after her. I think at this point, It’s left for Janice to choose who she wants between I and Eric.” Collins said.
“Ouch. My little boys are stuck in love. You guys are lucky yours came in good fate unlike ours. Anyways. I wouldn’t be taking sides cause I love you as much as I love Eric. And I want what’s best for the both of you. So my advice is, do not push it. What’s yours will come to you when it’s time.” Chris said placing his hand on Collins shoulder.
“Thanks Dad.” Collins said with a smile.
