*EPISODE 3*
(LOVE AND DECEPTION)
When Benjamin got to the hospital, he overheard the doctor telling Belinda’s mom of the cause of her illness.
“Has your child ever shown any sign of depression?.” The doctor asked Belinda’s mom.
“Not at all. Belinda is a very cheerful and happy child. She has never for once shown any sign of depression. None that I know of.” Her mother said
“What of you vice principal? Has she by any means shown signs of depression or developed any desire to commit suicide?.” He asked turning to the vice principal.
“Not any that I can recall sir.” She said shaking her head.
“Belinda has never shown any sign of depression while we were preparing for our interschool competition. I know I wasn’t good to her on her first day in class, but that didn’t stop her from smiling brightly. While we were preparing for our interschool competition, she was so determined to get better in mathematics and financial accounting. She had sleepless nights trying to master these subjects and to do well in the interschool competition. Belinda is a type of girl that doesn’t give up easily. She’s full of positivity so I don’t see any reason why she would want to commit suicide on the very day that we were supposed to go for our interschool competition.” Benjamin said walking into the doctor’s office.
“Benjamin?.” The vice principal called out in surprise to see him of all people in the hospital. “You have all these good things to say about Belinda?.” She asked surprised.
“Yes ma’am. I had a wrong judgement about her when we first met. But after weeks of studying with her, I realized how pure hearted and cheerful she was. I was worried sick about her while we were at the interschool competition. Which is why I’m here.” Benjamin said.
“Did you hear that? Even her mate has confirmed that my daughter is too pure hearted to think of suicide. So why did you ask such question?.” Belinda’s mom asked turning to the doctor.
“Well, that’s because her test results showed that she fainted from overdose intake of sleeping pills.” The doctor said.
“What?.” They all chorused in shocked.
“Maybe there was a mix up some where. I mean, my daughter has no reason to take sleeping pills let alone, taking too much of it. That’s like an attempted suicide.” Belinda’s mother said.
“Exactly my point.” The doctor said.
“Belinda has no reason to take sleeping pills on the day she was supposed to participate in an interschool competition. Or do sleeping pills have any benefit to the brain?.” Benjamin asked confused.
“Not at all. Research has proven that, a sleeping pill overdose can kill. In fact, 11,537 drug overdose deaths were caused by benzodiazepines in 2017. One study published in the British Medical Journal also found that people taking hypnotic sleeping pills like Ambien, Sonata, Doral, Halcion, Lunesta, Valium, Ativan, and Librium among several others, had a four times greater risk of death and had a more than 35 percent increase in risk of cancer than people who did not. Although, not all sleeping pill overdoses result in death. Many drug overdoses cause brain damage or physical injury that can leave a person dealing with painful side effects for hours or indefinitely. Which is why I asked if she has shown any sign of depression. Cause the case is more like an attempted suicide.” The doctor said.
“Then obviously, someone might have tried to prevent her from going to the competition.” Benjamin said.
“Impossible. Who would have done that?.” The vice principal asked.
“Someone who would have benefited from it I guess.” Benjamin said.
“And do you have anybody in mind?.” The vice principal asked curioused.
“Not really. The only person who benefited from this obviously was her best friend Beatrice. But I don’t see Beatrice as that kind of girl.” Benjamin said.
“Exactly. I’ve known Beatrice for years now. She has been like a second daughter to me. And I see no reason why she would think of hurting her best friend over a school competition.” Belinda’s mother said.
“Then I would advise you keep a close watch on your daughter the moment she is discharged. Maybe you might notice one or two things. You know children of these days can do the unimaginable.” The doctor said.
* * * * * * * * *
Back in school, Benjamin was worried thinking about Belinda’s health. He stared at her seat and flashed back to how she would always sit next to him wearing her cute and bright smile.
“Missing her already?.” Felix asked sitting next to him.
“What are you talking about?.” Benjamin asked trying to pretend.
“Don’t give me that look. It would only make my suspicions right. I’m still finding it hard to believe that you are missing your worst enemy. I thought you hated her so much though. But from the look of things, I guess you were just showing off.” Felix said
“No it’s not like that. I hated her for sure. But my perception about her changed as I came to understand her more after spending time with her. I just feel bad that she wasn’t able to put her practices to test after weeks of sleepless nights.” Benjamin said.
“I feel bad too. It’s more like I feel guilty for her situation.” Felix said.
“How do you mean?.” Benjamin asked
“Have you forgotten how I bothered her endlessly in class? I even made her to trip over on her first day in class.” He said remorsefully.
“Yeah. You are such a jerk.” Benjamin said.
They all burst into laugher.
“So how is her health?. Any improvement yet?.” Felix asked.
“Yeah. She’s getting better. But I fear that she might not be able to resume school for days.” Benjamin said.
“Is it that serious?.” Felix asked.
“Yeah. The doctor thinks that her condition might have been an attempt to commit suicide.” Benjamin said
“That’s not possible. How can consumption of sleeping pills mean that she wants to commit suicide?.” Felix asked.
“Yeah…..wait a minute. Did you just say sleeping pills? Apart from me and the school principal, no one has heard the cause of her illness. So how come you know about it?.” Benjamin asked giving him a suspicious look.
“Chill bro. I overheard the vice principal telling Beatrice about it.” Felix lied.
“Really?.” Benjamin asked.
“Yes. That’s just it. Wait a minute. Were you suspecting me or something?.” Felix asked.
“Whatever.” Benjamin said.
“Unbelievable. Are you for real? Why exactly will I want to harm her? What do I stand to gain from it?.” Felix asked.
“I guess you are right. You didn’t even participate in the interschool competition.” Benjamin said.
Felix could not believe that his best friend actually suspected him.
“Wow! Like seriously?.” He asked marvelled.
Back at Beatrice’s seat, Felix went and sat beside her.
“How does it feel being in class all alone after sending your best friend to the hospital? I was told her life was at risk because of what you did.” Felix said.
“That is none of your business.” Beatrice said.
“Well unfortunately, it became my business the moment I decided to keep your secret. So tell me little sis, who is next on your list?.” He asked.
“I don’t understand.” Beatrice asked.
“I mean who are you planning to send to the hospital next?.” He asked.
“You are getting on my nerves Felix.” She glared.
“Easy with the glare. You might send a hole through my head at this rate little sis.” He said standing to his feet.
“You better stay away from me.” She warned.
“I’m sorry. Families do not desert each other. So I will keep being in your life as long as you live. And just so you know, the fact that i might have covered up for you today, does not mean I will continue to do so in future. So you better be careful little sis.” He said winking at her.
After school hours, Felix had a conversation with his father Mr. Johnson.
“Good evening dad.” He greeted his father who was going through some business documents in his room.
“Good evening son. How was class today?.” He asked still looking through the documents.
“Class wasn’t good dad. One of my classmates almost lost her life today.” He said.
“How did it happen?.” He asked putting away the documents and his eye glasses.
“Dad, a girl who was trying to get her father’s attention by doing tremendous deeds, added sleeping pills to her best friend’s drink.” Felix said.
“I don’t understand. Why would she want to attract her father’s attention by doing such a thing?. Children of these days are now into lots of scary stuffs.” He said confused.
“Dad, that girl happens to be your daughter.” Felix said.
“What?.” He asked surprised.
“Yes dad. She almost killed her mate today. Simply because she wanted to catch your attention by partaking in the interschool competition. Dad don’t you think it’s high time you brought her home?.” Felix asked feeling concerned.
“Hmmmmmmm.” Mr. Johnson took a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Beatrice could not bring herself to go check up on Belinda who was already discharged from the hospital.
As soon as she got home, her mother embraced her warmly for the first time in a long while.
“I’m so proud of you my child. Thank you for making me so proud today.” She said.
“Wait a minute. What are you talking about?.” Beatrice asked confused.
“I was told that you finally got to participate in the interschool competition. And thanks to you, your school took the second position.” She said smiling profusely.
“Beatrice could not believe her mother. She quickly freed herself from her mom’s embrace.
“Are you not going to even ask me how I was able to participate in the competition despite not being qualified to participate in it before?.” Beatrice asked.
“There’s no need for that my child. The most important thing is that you have proven to be smart and undefeatable. Whatever you did to participate in the competition, is none of my business. As long as it doesn’t bring shame to me or your dad.” She said.
“I can’t believe this. Mom are you for real? I almost killed my best friend in order to make you happy and you don’t see anything wrong with my actions?.” Beatrice marvelled.
“But she didn’t die right? I don’t think you should be feeling guilty or bad over this. And just so you know, your father has sent me a text. He said he is ready to take you in.” Her mom said in excitement.
“I think I will be needing a little rest.” Beatrice said walking away into her room.
The next day, Beatrice got to finally meet with her father Mr. Johnson and her step mother Mrs. Geraldine alongside their only son Felix Johnson her class mate in school.
Her father gave them one of his furnished apartment and officially introduced Beatrice as his second child and only daughter even though it was against his first wife’s wish. Beatrice instantly became a heiress. And her entire life was totally transformed.
Belinda could not believe that her best friend didn’t bother to check up on her after missing school for three good days. It was always Benjamin, the school vice principal and their form master who didn’t stopped checking up on her. She started suspecting that it must have been Beatrice who put sleeping pills inside her drink.
“But why would she do that?.” Belinda asked confused.
Don’t forget to comment, like, and share as it encourages me to write more episodes. And please minimize the use of comments like, “Hmmm, next, nice one.” As it weakens my spirit🙏💖
