EVELYN.
8️⃣
I collapsed on my bed and began crying. I angrily tossed the phone on the wall and the battery fell off.
I couldn’t stay in the house because of the too much tension and fear that I was having. I quickly took my small purse and wore one of my dark skirt and went to Cecilia (one of my very good friend) house in tears.
“Sarah, what’s the matter naa? Is it about your daughter’s case again?” She asked, comforting me on the couch. Her husband was not around, only her son was at home. I couldn’t stop crying and couldn’t give her a clear answer.
“Sarah, I really wish I could tell you. It’s more complicated than you can imagine. How I wish I could tell you, aaaaarhhhhh…” I continued to cry uncontrollably.
“Serah, whatever it is, it must be something significant if it’s affecting you like this. But what about your husband you haven’t told him? Friends are here to support and help each other right? A problem shared is a problem solved, you know?” she said reassuringly.
“My dear, please understand. This situation is different and it goes beyond that please. If you were in my shoes, you would understand better. Can you please tell me the time?” I questioned through my tears, struggling to stand up and adjust my skirt.
“It’s 12:30pm. You didn’t even touch the rice I gave you to eat. Serah why naa? Okay ooo. Since you don’t want to tell me, handle your problems by yourself. Anytime you feel like talking my door is always open..” she said and left.
I took few spoons of the rice and told victor (her son) to cover the rest before exiting the house. I bought some oranges along the way before heading home.
After extracting the juice I threw off the s***t in the trashbin and went to the bathroom to take my bath. My husband was not around.
As soon as I finished getting dressed and stepped out through the gate, my husband’s bumped into me and his concerned gaze fell upon me. He couldn’t help but question where I was going dressed like that. However, I lîed to him, claiming that a friend had invited me to join them for a church program scheduled for 2pm. Without saying much, he simply waved his left hand in a dismissive manner, allowing me to walk away. The pain of not being able to see his daughter had consumed him, making him to care-less to my movements.
I withdrew some cash from the nearest POS (Point of sale) and then made my way to the hotel after spending over an hour on the way. Time should be around 1:50pm when I got there.
I walked into the hotel and immediately a group of men wearing glasses approached me and guided me inside. The hotel seemed scanty, and I had left my phone behind. It felt like everything had been orchestrated. In the midst of this, Promise suddenly appeared out of nowhere, took a ticket from one of the hotel attendants, and led me to a room at the far end before locking the door behind us.
“You are looking at me abi! I believe you know what to do.” He said as I began retreating while he kept approaching.
“But please let me know if my daughter is safe. Please I need proof.”
After making a quick phone call, Promise’s colleague entered the room and retrieved his phone. They handed it over to me so I could have a brief conversation with Evelyn for just 30 seconds. “Now, let’s get down to business,” Promise declared, his expression more intimidating than that of an angry lion, as he swiftly closed the door and locked it.
“Promise please I’m married. Please I’m begging you.” “Are you stûpid!” He charged, planting me a terrible slap on my left cheek. “On the bed now!” He ordered and I obeyed to avoid things from escalating.
After satiating his desires for several minutes, he readjusted his belt and ordered me to leave, mentioning that our next encounter would take place in a different location. Tears welled in my eyes as I contemplated the agonizing pains emanating from my gènitals which was also stained with his semen, even though he had mostly released some onto the floor.
In tearful silence, I hastily adjusted my clothing and skirt before leaving the hotel. Promise handed me some money, urging me to use it for transportation back home. However, I firmly declined, stating that I had no need for his money.
“You brought this up on yourself. All I need from you is to accept me. As if I hear any report of you speaking about anything involving me or your sister, I trust you know the consequences that will follow,” he warned, his voice laced with a chilling undertone.
Since the issue of our son going missing, my husband hadn’t made out with me. During the following day around 8pm, I was awake as usual and finding it difficult to sleep. My husband was with me facing the other side of the bed with both eyes opened. We were both lost in our train of thoughts before I got a call in my phone.
It was showing unknown number and I quickly cut the call.
“Who is that?”
“I don’t know oo. Maybe it’s all these 419 people.”
“But with the way you’re sounding it seems like you know something.” He said while trying to read my face.
I remained silent and the call came up again. “Give me the phone let me pick the call.” He said, extending his left hand.
…………………………
To be continued.
