*THE PUZZLE*
By Moyosore Teniola
Episode 21
*DISCOVERY*
“Yes Loveth, I am all ears,” Dr Michael replied, his eyes glued on Loveth.
She shifted uneasily in her chair. She really hoped she made a good decision by wanting to inform the doctor about her secret. She opened her mouth and closed it again.
“Calm down Loveth, whatever it is, feel free to say it. I am more like a brother now okay?” Dr Michael assured her. His words put Loveth’s mind at ease.
“Thanks doctor, it is a secret I have carried around with me over the years, but my conscience would not let me rest. I need to tell someone about it. Even my husband is not aware of it.”
“Oh really? You have made a good decision to open up to me and I appreciate that a lot. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Hmmmmmm…” Loveth sighed and continued her speech.
“Eight years ago, I worked with one Doctor Johnson who owned a private hospital at Akure, Ondo state. On a particular day, a woman delivered a set of twins, two girls through Cesarean Section. Dr Johnson sold one of the twins to a certain woman that was said to have a damaged womb but still wanted to have a child at all cost. So, she feigned the pregnancy and came to the hospital as if in labour…
The doctor sold one of the twins to her at a huge price. I was with the doctor in the theatre room that day. He instructed me to take one of the babies to the woman in the next ward. Against my wish and conscience, I took the baby to her, I mean the fake mother.
The woman who was delivered of a set of twins back then was Mrs. Roseline Evans. That was why I was bent on knowing her surname when I came to you to inquire about her. Now, I am very sure she is the one.”
“What? Are you really sure of what you are saying?” Dr Michael whispered as if he was afraid to speak.
“Yes doctor, please help me. Each time I remembered the scene, my conscience is troubled. The day I saw Mrs Evans walk into this hospital, I recognized her immediately. I am sure there is a reason why God brought our paths to meet again. I am determined to make this confession. I do not know how to go about it. I am really scared of being arrested or jailed.
According to my findings, Dr Johnson is dead, meaning that I am the only person alive that knows about this secret. Do you think it is safe for me to confess or not? I really need your advice…”
By now, Loveth had burst into tears. The echoes of cries the baby let out immediately she gave her to the fake mother kept ringing in her memories, as if the baby knew that her mother had been switched…
The sound of a pen that dropped on the floor jolted her out of her reverie. She looked up at the doctor who stared at her in total horror and shock. He didn’t know when his pen dropped from his hands.
Loveth was scared of Dr Michael’s look, “I hope I haven’t made a grave mistake by telling this man,” she thought.
Michael started sweating profusely despite the air conditioner in the office. He stood up from his chair and fell back again.
The events that took place earlier in the day flooded his mind. Debbie’s perfect resemblance with Daniella his own daughter. The reality of what is about to happen started to unfold in his mind.
He knew this is going to be hard but he is almost sure that Eliz was the woman who bought the child. He was so scared of coming in terms with the truth.
Eliz had left home when the supposed pregnancy was 3months old. She told her husband that she felt so sick and she would prefer to go to her aunt who stays in the Eastern part of the country till her delivery date. Michael was working in a hospital in Abuja then, he came home only once in a month, which made him prefer the option his wife presented to him. He reasoned that it would not be safe for her to stay alone at home in case of any complaint or possible complications.
Not knowing that his wife had another plan entirely.
“Noooooooo! It can’t be. It can never be! Daniella is mine. She is coming back to me with her mother!” He screamed.
“What are you talking about doctor?” Loveth asked surprised about the doctor’s reaction.
Michael turned to her and asked, “if you see this woman that bought the baby, can you recognize her?”
“Very well doctor,” she answered, wondering what the doctor was up to.
“Good, come with me then. Quick!”
Is about to happen