*EPISODE 16*
{MY SOULMATE}
Janice quickly pulled her lips away from that of Collins, who quickly bent over and picked his phone from the floor. They both became totally confused on what to do and what to say next. Collins who could not endure the awkward situation anymore, broke the silence by saying,
“Why does everywhere suddenly feels hot and stuffy?.” Collins asked blowing air on himself.
“I thought as much. The whole place is just too hot.” Janice affirmed feeling awkward. She turned her face one side and whispered to herself. “What have you done Janice?. Why be the first to kiss a man on his lips?.” She asked slapping herself.
“You promised to celebrate me whenever I secured a job right?.” Collins asked Janice just to do away with the awkwardness.
“Yeah. That’s true. Get dressed. Let’s go catch some fun. All bills on me.” Janice said.
They both went out to a fancy restaurant where they ate different kind of meals. From the restaurant, they visited lots of fun places till it was evening.
Collins couldn’t help but kept stealing a glance at Janice. Each time she smiled, his heart beat raced faster. This feeling was strange and new to him. Cause all he’s been doing all his life was, study and work. He hardly had time to go into relationship. And several times, he had girls getting mad at him for not reciprocating their feelings. His grandfather had one day asked him if he was a real man. Cause he couldn’t understand why a full grown man like Collins, had not for once brought a woman home or being seen with a woman.
The only time they would see him with a woman, was when he was holding a private tutorial, or having a friendly discussion. But meeting Janice, Collins started feeling something different. Something he had never felt for any woman before. The most important women In his life, used to be his mother and grandma. But right now, Janice is beginning to find her way into his heart.
He was lost imagining and thinking about his new developed feelings when Janice tapped him back to reality.
“Huh?.” Collins asked waking up with a start.
“What were you thinking?.” Janice asked smiling at him.
“Don’t smile at me like that.” Collins said.
“What do you mean?.” Janice asked totally lost and confused.
“Never mind it’s nothing.” Collins said waving it off.
“Alright. I think we have one more place to visit before we call it a day. Cause you need to sleep early tonight.” Janice said happily.
“And, where is that?.” Collins asked.
“Come with me.” Janice said pulling his hand. They both hopped into the car and drove to a male boutique store.
“What are we doing here?.” Collins asked totally curioused.
“Shopping.” Janice said leading the way with excitement and happiness.
Collins had no choice but to follow her from behind. One after another, Janice made Collins test different office wears.
She comfortably sat on the couch that was in the waiting room while Collins got dressed in the change room. Whenever he wore a clothe and stepped out to meet Janice at the waiting room, Janice took her time to observe his dressing. And if it didn’t suit her taste, she hastily disapproved it.
Collins had no choice, but to keep going back into the dressing room to get changed into a different clothe. This continued until Collins got tired of walking in and out of the dressing room. Finally, out of all the fifteen clothes Janice made him wear, she ended up approving and paying for five.
As soon as they stepped out of the boutique store, Collins held Janice back and asked,
“Janice, isn’t this too much?. One or two would have been okay. You shouldn’t have wasted your money this way.” Collins said feeling bad.
“Come on Collins. These are just my own little way of saying congratulations to you on your new found job. And I think you should know, that no gift is too big when it comes to you.” Janice said pulling his left cheek with a bright smile on her face.
At that particular moment, Eric who was stuck in traffic on the road that was opposite the boutique store, spotted Janice and Collins together. The fact that Janice was wearing a bright and beautiful smile while touching Collin’s face, made Eric’s heart to boil up in anger and jealousy. And Janice had to worsen the situation, by suddenly embracing Collins with a smile.
Eric almost disappeared from his car at the sight of those two.
“This is me wishing you luck on your first day at work tomorrow.” Janice said still embracing Collins.
“Thanks Janice.” Collins said standing erect without wrapping his arms around her. He was always cautious and calculative.
Eric watched them till they entered into the car and drove away leaving him still stuck in traffic. He was totally vexed and furious that he clenched his fist and gnashed his teeth in anger.
“Who exactly is this Collins?. Why is he bent on taking what belongs to me?.” Eric asked totally furious.
Janice dropped Collins off at his house, and then she drove back home. Immediately she drove into her father’s compound, she spotted Eric’s car parked outside.
She couldn’t help but scoffed at the sight of his car. “And why the sudden visit?.” She asked getting off her car.
As soon as she stepped into the sitting room, she found Eric already having a warm discussion with her father and mother.
“Good evening mom and dad. Good evening Eric.” Janice greeted looking at Eric with curiosity written all over her face.
“Good evening my angel. Please come have a seat.” Her father said waving at her.
She kept staring at Eric with lots of curiosity as she went and sat on the sofa that was next to him.
“Well, Eric here, has thought it wise to come inform us, of his intention to proceed with your marriage plans.” Her father revealed.
“What?. Eric?.” Janice asked totally confused.
“Yes love. I couldn’t wait any longer. But why do you look surprised?. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted for us?.” Eric asked smiling mischievously at Janice who stood up and dragged him outside.
“Look Eric. I’m not ready for marriage right now. And why would you come straight to my parents without discussing this with me?.” Janice asked.
“That’s because delay is dangerous Janice. Who would have thought that my rival would be a mere driver whom you picked from the street?.” Eric said.
“What exactly are you talking about?. Look Eric. You’ve never performed your duties as a boyfriend to me. You’ve never shown concern towards me. You’ve always been too busy to reach out or hangout with me. But all of a sudden, you now have enough time to show up at my house to proceed with our marriage plans?. Who is your weed supplier if I may ask?.” Janice asked totally pissed.
“I didn’t show concern all these while because I knew that no matter what happens, you will still be mine. But the game changed the moment Collins stepped into the picture. He suddenly became a threat to our relationship.” Eric raged.
“What nonsense relationship are you talking about?. You call this unstable fling of yours a relationship?. Do you even love me?.” Janice asked folding her arms.
“Does it matter?.” Eric asked.
“Oh yes it really matters to me Eric. Cause obviously, you are just being obsessed thinking I’m bound to be yours because of this cheap engagement ring you slipped into my finger. But I’m sorry love, my dream and desire, is not to get bound with a man who is just obsessed with me. But a man who genuinely loves and adores me for who I really am and not because of my family’s wealth.” Janice said.
“And since when do rich people start making love their priority in marriage?. Love is a fallacy Janice. There is nothing like love. What makes the world go round is money and power. Which you know I have. So cut that crap and let’s get married.” Eric said.
“Wow. Honestly, I’m so glad I won’t be making the mistake of walking down the aisle with someone as boastful and empty as you Eric. You think Collins is the threat?. Hell no. The real treat is your stinking attitude and ego that has blinded you from seeing your wrongs. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you dear. But you see this marriage stuff, it’s never going to work out between us. Never!.” Janice said walking back into the sitting room.
“Mom, dad, I don’t think I can go on with this whole marriage stuff.” Janice said.
“What do you mean?.” Her father asked.
“Janice you can’t do this.” Eric said holding her hand.
Janice hit Eric’s hand off her hand and continued.
“Dad, it has always been my dream and desire, to end up with a man who truly loves and adores me. But from the look of things, Eric is not just that man. Dad he is too busy to check up on me, he hardly takes my calls, he hardly calls, texts, or create time to be with me. Dad, I’m just a young girl. I’m too young to be going through all these emotional stress from Eric. And for that, I would like to call off the engagement. I’m sure you know what to do.” Janice said. After which, she angrily reached for her handbag and was about walking up stairs to her room when she turned back and stood before Eric.
“And one more thing, here is your cheap and useless engagement ring. Fuck off!.” Janice shouted at his face throwing the ring at him before her parents who were totally dumbfounded.
Collins was in his room staring helplessly at the ceiling when a call from Eric came in.
“Hello, who is this?.” Collins asked.
“It’s me Collins. It’s Eric from O.G firm.” Eric said.
“Ooh!. Good evening sir. I hope all is well?.” Collins asked sitting upright.
“Yeah. All is well. So I was told, you met my father and he has offered you a job in the company right?.” Eric asked
“Yes sir. I’m supposed to resume work by tomorrow morning.” Collins said smiling happily.
“Alright. That’s nice. So I was thinking, can we meet at the front of your house?. I have something to share with you. It’s something that has to do with your new found job.” Eric said.
“You know my house?.” Collins asked totally amazed.
“Yes I do. Infact, I’m almost there as we speak.” Eric said.
“But how??.” Collins asked.
“Come on, are you daft?. Your current address was in the CV you submitted remember?.” Eric asked.
“Ooh. Forgive me. I totally forgot about that. Alright. I’m coming out right now.” Collins said standing to his feet.
He stepped into the sitting room and found John watching a TV program.
“Where are you off to this night?.” John asked.
“Eric from O.G firm said I should come meet him outside. He said he has something to share with me.” Collins said reaching for the door.
“That’s strange. I thought you will be going to work tomorrow?. Why must it be this night?. Can’t it possibly wait till tomorrow morning?.” John asked.
“I wonder. Anyways, maybe this is some sort of test or something. Let me go and meet him first.” Collins said opening the door.
“Alright then.” John said focusing on his movie.
Collins stood outside waiting for Eric when all of a sudden, a car came from nowhere and knocked him off in full speed.
John was still watching his movie when he heard neighbors shouting outside. His heart skipped a bit. He quickly dropped the remote control on the sofa and rushed outside where people were gathered. He took a peep only to see Collins laying on the ground with his entire body covered in his own blood.
Meanwhile, Chris had returned home late that night only to meet his father.
“Dad?.” Chris called totally surprised. “Welcome. You didn’t tell us you were going to drop by.” Chris said walking up to him.
“That’s because I wanted to surprise you son. Anyways, I brought good and shocking news to you.” His father said.
“Dad, nothing surprises me again in this life though. Anyways, you are welcome.” Chris said.
Just then, they heard the gate opened and Eric’s car drove into the compound.
“Why is Eric returning home this late?. You people are really overworking yourselves here in the city.” Chris’s father said.
Just then, Chris father’s phone rang.
“Why is John suddenly Calling me?.” He asked then he put the phone on silent.
“Where are you coming from?.” Chris asked Eric who looked startled and scared.
“I went to see Janice.” Eric said.
“I guess you are beginning to take your relationship serious. Meanwhile, go and say your greetings to your grandpa.” Chris said.
“Goodevening grandpa. I wasn’t informed of your coming today though.” Eric said embracing him.
“Hahahaha. I’m a man full of surprises you know?.” Chris’s father said and they all burst into laughter.
“Dad, your phone.” Chris said pointing at his father’s phone which was still showing light.
“I guess he has something important to tell me.” Chris’s father said picking the call.
“What exactly is it that you want to tell me that can’t wait till tomorrow morning?.” Chris’s father asked.
“Sir. I’m sorry to say this. But I think your grandson’s life is in danger as we speak.” John said.
“What?.” Chris’s father shouted so loud that both Eric and Chris turned to look at him.
Vanessa who had finished serving dinner on the dining table, walked up to them.
“Dinner is served.” She said.
“What happened to my grandson?.” Chris’s father shouted again.
This time, everyone was totally shocked, confused and curioused.
“Dad?. What grandson are you talking about?.” Chris walked up to him to ask. “Or is it old age?.” He smiled.
“Chris. Why always me?.” His father cried grabbing Chris by the collar.
“Hey Dad, calm down. What’s going on?. Is anything the matter?. Is mom sick?.” Chris asked holding his father who almost got heart attack.
“Chris we have to hurry now to the hospital. Your son’s life is in great danger.” He said shivering with tears falling down his cheeks.
“What son are you talking about when Eric is here?.” Vanessa asked totally confused.
“Grandpa must have aged a lot.” Eric said fighting back laughter.
“Chris. Gloria had a son for you. Gloria’s 25 year old son. Your flesh and blood was knocked down by an unidentified driver.” He broke down into tears.
“What nonsense are you talking about dad?.” Chris asked fighting back tears.
“The reason I came here today, is to tell you the whole truth. I intended revealing his identity to you because I was told you’ve already met with him. And you’ve offered him a job.” Chris’s father said sobbing bitterly.
“What?. What exactly are you saying dad?. Gloria had a son for me?. And all these years, you kept it away from me?. Of what good is it to me now if he is dead?. Tell me, this boy, what’s his name?.” Chris asked in tears.
“Collins. Collins Oguike.” Chris father revealed.
“What?.” Eric exclaimed I’m shock and disbelief with his body shivering.
Vanessa’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped in shock and disbelief.
“This witch still had her way.” Vanessa said clenching her fist.
Chris couldn’t believe his ears. He took few steps backwards and fell sitting on the ground.
“Noooooooo!.” Chris shouted in pains and disbelief.
“What have I done?.” Eric asked himself with tears in his eyes.
Eric you will pay for these