*EPISODE 12*
(MY SOULMATE)
When the day finally came to an end, Collins drove Janice to her father’s house. The beautiful edifice before him, made his jaw dropped in Surprise. He was totally dumbfounded.
“Is this where you live?.” He asked Janice who nodded in affirmation.
“Yes of course. This is where I live with my parents. Why do you look surprised?.” Janice asked .
“Because I never thought you were from such a well to do home. My goodness. This is heaven on Earth. You come from such a big house yet you are this kind, humble and cool headed?. That’s strange. I thought girls from rich homes are usually proud and so full of themselves.” Collins said still admiring the house.
“Hahahaha…you know you are quite funny right?. This building is nothing compared to the one we built in our home town though. I’m quite surprised you find this old building attractive.” Janice said.
“You won’t blame me though. I’m used to seeing old houses with rusted zincs in the village. I can’t remember when last I saw something like this. Seriously, you are blessed. If I had half of what you have, then I wouldn’t be here thinking of what to eat and what to send to my poor mother back home.” Collins said.
“I wish that was the case Collins. Sometimes, the size of a house does not matter. What matters is the happiness in the home. I personally do not fancy such a life. I just want a happy home where I’m accepted. It’s funny how everyone thinks that I’m lucky to have come from a well to do home. But the reality is the opposite for me.” Janice said fighting back tears.
“I guess I shouldn’t have brought this up. Please forgive me if I’ve said something that I shouldn’t have said.” Collins apologized feeling bad.
“Come on, it’s nothing.” Janice said wiping off tears from her eyes. She sniffed and reluctantly forced a smile to assure Collins that she was okay.
“Alright then, I will be on my way now. I hope you have a good night rest. And don’t stay up at night thinking of anything that will make you shed tears like you just did. Cause that will make me feel bad.” Collins said.
“Hahahaha. Sure Collins. And thanks so much for giving me a reason to smile today. Spending time with you today made me smiled a lot.” Janice said with a bright smile.
“I’m glad I was able to put a smile on your pretty face. You know, my mom told me never to make a woman cry. She told me how bad it is to be the reason behind a woman’s tears. And I’m trying my best not to be the reason behind any woman’s tears. So I’m glad to have made you smiled.” Collins said scratching his head innocently.
“If that’s true, then your mom must be a very nice woman.” Janice said.
“Yeah. She’s the most beautiful and pure hearted woman I have ever known.” Collins said.
“Ouch!. That really hurts. Why do I feel jealous?. So what about me?. Are you saying I’m not beautiful too?.” Janice asked pouting.
“Why not?. You are beautiful in your own way.” Collins said.
“Hahahaha…you surely know your ways with words. Anyways. I hope you return home safely.” Janice said smiling at him.
“Alright then, goodnight.” Collins said turning to go.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?.” Janice asked Collins who was clueless of what she was talking about.
“And what could that be?.” Collins asked.
“Your goods. Have you suddenly forgotten that you put your goods in my trunk?.” Janice asked laughing at him.
“Oh yes. That’s true. Forgive my memory.” He said shyly walking back to the car.
When he finally brought out his goods, he wished Janice good night and went on his way.
“What a funny guy.” Janice said smiling to herself.
As soon as she entered her parent’s sitting room, she saw her mother sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed.
“Good evening mom.” Janice greeted walking to her room.
“Will you get back here this instant?.” Her mother ordered.
Janice knew at once that she was going to have an earful that night. She reluctantly walked back to where her mother was sitting. Standing before her, she said,
“I’m here mom. I hope all is well?.”
“All will never be well with your entire generation if you don’t tell me the identity of the young man you were busy laughing with.” Her mother raged pointing at her.
“Mom, that was my new driver. His name is Collins.” Janice said.
“New driver?. You must think that I’m a fool right?. A guy you were smiling around with is just a driver?. What game are you playing Janice?.” Her mother questioned.
“Mom please. I don’t have time for this. I’ve told you the truth now it’s left for you to believe me or not. Please I’m off to bed. See you tomorrow.” Janice said trying to walk away.
“How dare you?.” Her mother asked standing to her feet. Before Janice could take another step forward, she received a slap on her left cheek.
“Mother??.” Janice shouted holding her cheek.
“The next time you try walking out on me, I swear to God, that will be the day you will seize to exist. Nonsense. Can you imagine this idiot that I gave a lifetime opportunity by adopting her into my home?. If it weren’t for me, you would have still be homeless and useless. Roaming around the streets begging for daily bread. Just because you have started having sex with different calibers of men, you now think you’ve arrived right?. I made you Janice. Without me, there would never be you in this house so you better accord me some respect. You cheap and loosed whore. I’m not surprised. Who knows, maybe your biological mother must have been a prostitute. No wonder she gave birth to one. Dumped harlot. Now get out of my sight this instant.” Her mother rained heavily on her.
“Mom?. That was too harsh.” Loveth her biological and second daughter said walking down the stair case.
Loveth had always been against her mother’s maltreatments towards Janice her elder sister. She loved Janice but was afraid to go close to her because of her mother.
Janice walked into her room and slowly shut the door behind her. She laid her back on the door and slowly, she sat on the floor crying her self to stupor.
Early the next morning, Collins called Janice to know if his service was needed that morning but her tone Indicated that she wasn’t entirely happy that morning.
Collins became worried and asked what the problem was. And for the first time in Janice’s life, she found someone who paid attention to her. The way Collins was seriously interested in knowing why her countenance was down, made her feel loved and cared for.
He quickly boarded a taxi and drove over to her place where he picked her up in her own car and drove her round town. He did all this just to lighten her mood. It was then that Janice opened up to Collins about everything she’s been through in the hands of her mother. Collins took great pity on her and made sure no day passed by without him putting a smile on Janice’s face. But all these while, Eric had been too busy to place a call, text or check up on her.
