ABUSED
Episode 29
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The joy in my heart knows no bound whenever I recall my engagement c*m birthday party. That was the most memorable day of my life; it feels like dream and I don’t want to wake up from.
Maxwell and Ella urged me to search for mother which I set out to do this week. I truly don’t know what to expect seeing her, I am prepared to meet her.
I went to our former residence hoping to get info from the neighbors; our street has changed a lot but I could still recognize our building.
Memories of yesterday were flooding in when I got into the compound. I stood still looking at the place I was held down years ago when I stabbed Reuben. Everything came to life as watched it been displayed before me.
” Good day madam” a teenager greeted me bring me back to reality.
I was oblivious of his presence; he must have arrived few minutes ago I could tell from his expression which depicts he was puzzled.
” Good day” I responded
” You have standing there for some time I observed. Are you here to see someoane?”
” well, I am here to see one Mrs Damilola Williams”
” Damilola Williams?”
” Yes”
” I don’t think such person lives here”
” Ok. You must be new then. I once lived here with her”
” Ok. we packed in two years ago”
Not that I was expecting to meet mother here; I just wanted to check if any of them has an idea of where she lives.
I made enquires from the old tenants I was told she packed out immediately after her wedding, from my calculations I was in prison then. They had no idea where she lives nor her contact.
I was lost on what to do next, I drove out of the neighborhood thinking about my next line of action.
An idea came to me, since I knew mother’s working place I could go there and seek their help.
I maneuver through the busy road leading to City Bank where mother works.
I parked my car at the lot as instructed by security personnel; I was greeted by an aged man who could pass for my father, the security personnel. One would think I am the Bank manager the way he greeted me
It’s obvious that I look like one judging from my dressing and my car. I responded politely, walking gracefully into the banking hall.
That old man can be of help I thought, turning back I went to him
” Well done sir”
” Yes ma”
” My mom works here,”
” Your mum?” he asked surprisingly
” Yes. Mrs Damilola Williams”
He paused for a while trying to recollect something
” Oh! I know her”
I was glad he did, finally something is coming up.
” Ok. ”
” But she no longer works here. It’s been years since she resigned”
It seems I am running out of luck
” Any idea where she might be?”
” Not really! But madam if she is your mom, how come you don’t know where she is?”
I never thought that would come up, the old man had reasons to doubt I was her child which I total understand.
I had to cook up stories to clear his suspicion which he believed and even pitied me.
” Ok, her friend Bisiola works here, she could be of help”
” Thank you sir”
He led me into the banking hall where I met a beautiful lady in her late thirties probably.
She was less busy in her office, we exchanged pleasantries after the security personnel told her my reasons for being here and left.
I proceed to telling her about myself a bit, she shook her hands
” Well, Miss Ruth. I never knew Dami has a child. She never mentioned it to me but I can see her in you”
I smiled, mother and I look a like but most people though she is my aunt
” Thank ma”
After our conversation and questioning, shy gave me mother’s address and contact. I thanked her and left.
I met the old man, thanked him for his help. In a bid to show my appreciation I gave him some money but he declined.
I got into my car, waved at him and drove out to the said address.
Maxwell called to find out about my journey, he would have been with me but for an emergency at the hospital. I told him about my journey so far to which he encouraged me to continue.
I called the nurse to check up on Ella, I was told Ella was asleep, I felt relieved to know she was sleeping.
Ella cries of pain all over her body, Maxwell prescribed some drugs for her but it did little to alleviate her pains, sometimes she barely slept at night.
I instructed the nurse to tell our house help to prepare her favorite.
From city bank to mother’s place was an hour drive. I finally got to the place where mother is said to be leaving, plot 5B Kunle Drive off Rangers avenue.
I parked outside the golden gate. I knocked severally before someone open a small gate, the gate keeper
” Yes. Good afternoon madam. Who are you looking for?”
” Good afternoon. I’m Ruth Williams, I am to see Mrs Damilola”
” Who you be?’
” I’m her daughter”
” Madam e get pikin like you. Nawa o”
” yes” I smiled
” Well, she no dey house o”
” Na who dey?”.
” Nobody”
” Where she go”
” una resemblance o. Ehn madam dey hospital”
” Hospital?”
” wetin happen? which hospital?”
” As for wetin happen me fit no talk that one but the hospital na for Oyo road o. The name na…. Emmm. I don forget o”
” oga abeg try remember”
” I dey think o. Chai wetin I know o. Ehn na Cedars be the name. One big hospital for Oyo road. Na that place she dey land after…”
” After what?”
” Abeg I no talk o. I don tell wetin I know. ”
I thanked him as he closed the gate not wanting to reveal more to me.
I set for cedars hospital, What could have happened to her I thought. The gateman has more to say but for fear.
That beast of a man must have abused her. Reuben is a wolf in sheep’s clothing mother blindly failed to see because of love.
I got to the hospital without much stress, it’s a well known hospital around that place.
I parked at the parking lot and headed towards the reception. The hospital is big, coverings large acres of land.
Typical of a health institution people were everywhere. The gift of health is something one should appreciate God for everyday.
The receptionist is a young beautiful lady, I greeted her. I told her I was here to see Mrs Damilola Williams.
She input the name after asking who I was to her.
” Mrs Damilola Williams Reuben you mean?”
” Yes”
” Ok”
I was taken to her ward by a young nurse. Each step we take makes my heart race fast. I’m meeting my mom for the first since I left prison.
I closed my eyes when the nurse opened the door to her room. I inhaled and exhaled deeply try to calm myself.
I opened my eyes to see a sleeping mother, she looks pale and troubled in her sleep.
Bruises were scattered over her face, mother is a shadow of herself. She isn’t that chubby looking woman I saw in prison.
” what happened?” I asked the nurse who brought me in
” She was brought in here two days ago. She was bleeding and unconscious, she tripped down the stair case according to the account of her husband. Sadly she lost her baby but she is responding well to treatment”
” Where is he?”
” I don’t know, he is friends with the doctor so I think the doctor knows better”
Reuben has definitely shown his terrible side to mother. This is no tripping but his doings I can tell.
To be continued..
