*EPISODE 18*
{MY SOULMATE}
“Where’s my son?.” Gloria asked wiping her tears while freeing herself from Chris’s embrace.
“He’s inside.” Chris replied pointing at the door. Cause he was sitting outside beside the door of the private ward where Collins was.
Gloria took a deep breath and walked into the ward. As soon as she entered, the sight of her poor beloved son, laying unconscious with different parts of his body wrapped in bandage, ripped her heart apart.
She almost fell but Chris held her. She turned to Chris with her eyes filled with tears and pains.
“Why my son?. Who did he offend?.” Gloria asked with tears rolling down her cheeks. “My Collins is a good and peaceful child. He can’t even hurt a fly. So what on Earth did he do to warrant him lying down unconscious on a hospital bed?. What exactly was his crime?.” She broke down into tears burying her face in her palms.
Seeing her tears, Chris raised his hand wanting to gently tap her on her shoulder to ensure her that everything was going to be okay. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Cause he felt he had no right to console her when he had done things more worse and unspeakable to her.
Gloria walked up to where Collins laid. She gently squatted and reached for Collins right hand which she held inside her palms.
“Please son, if not for anything, can you please wake up for my sake?. You know how much I love you right?. You know how much you mean to me. Please son I beg you. I have no one else except you Collins. Your birth brought meaning to my meaningless life. You have brought nothing but joy to me. Please son don’t let this defeat you. You are strong. You will get through this. You will come out of this alive and sound. Remember how happy you were to have secured a job?. I’m sure you wouldn’t want the job to go to someone else. So son, please wake up. Mummy is here now. I’m right here waiting for you. So please wake up.” She said amidst tears.
Gloria’s father had to lift her up from where she squatted and helped her sit on the couch that was beside Collin’s bed. He gently tapped her back and consoled Gloria who laid her head on him and sobbed bitterly.
Chris angrily stormed out of the ward and met his father who was on a phone call. Immediately his father ended the call, Chris said to him.
“I swear to God I’m going to make sure that whosoever is behind this pays dearly for putting my son in this condition.” Chris said in anger.
“I was just speaking on the phone with John. Collins roommate. And he said Eric was the last person Collins spoke to. According to him, Collins said Eric had asked him to come meet with him outside before the incidence occurred.” Chris’s father said.
“Eric?.” Chris asked totally dumbfounded.
“Yes Eric. The question is why did Eric call him out that night?. Was he involved in the accident or was it a mere coincidence?.” Chris’s father asked.
“Eric can’t do such a thing to Collins. I mean, they don’t even know each other that much to put a sword on each other’s throats. I’m sure it was a mere coincidence. But, what about the police?. Any news yet?.” Chris asked.
“No news yet. They said they are still investigating the matter.” Chris’s father responded.
“Dad, you haven’t brushed or taken your bath since last night. Why don’t you go home and freshen up?.” Chris said.
“What about you?. You haven’t had your bath either. And you haven’t eaten any real food since last night.” Chris’s father said.
“I’m okay Dad. I will go home when you return. So please go ahead.” Chris said.
“Are you sure you will be okay staying here with Gloria around?.” Chris’s father asked.
Chris looked at the door and turned back to his father.
“I guess I can’t keep running away from my fate. It’s now clear that we are bound to keep running into each other no matter how hard we try. So I will just have to manage somehow. Just run along. And please tell Eric I would like to have a word with him before he goes to work today.” Chris said.
Placing his hand on Chris’s shoulder, Chris’s father said.
“Alright son, don’t feel too bad around Gloria. You two were young back then. And whatever went wrong between you two, was all because of us. It had nothing to do with the both of you. The elders are the ones to take the blames.” He said.
Chris nodded fighting back tears.
“I will be back in a jiffy.” Chris’s father said.
When his father left, Chris felt nervous, tensed and anxious staying in same environment with Gloria and her parents after all the pains he and his family had caused them.
Inorder to avoid being put in an ackward situation, he decided to remain outside rather than going into the ward where Gloria and her parents were.
Back at home, Eric was getting ready for work when his grandfather drove in. Immediately he walked into the sitting room, Vanessa rushed up to him.
“Good morning father.” She greeted.
“Good morning Vanessa. Where is Eric?.” He asked looking around.
“I hope all is well?.” Vanessa asked feeling uneasy and anxious.
“Yeah. Did he tell you anything about the accident?.” He asked.
“Wha…what.. about the accident?.” Vanessa stammered in fear.
“Well, I was told that Eric was the last person to contact Collins last night before the accident. He asked him to come meet him outside that same night.” He said.
“So?. What if it was a mere coincidence?. Are you trying to say my son had a hand in that boy’s accident?.” Vanessa asked.
“It’s not yet confirmed. But the police are currently working with their hands on deck to reveal who the real culprit is. But you see, little things like this can implicate Eric which is why I feel concerned.” He said.
“My son is not a murderer. He couldn’t have had a hand in that boy’s accident. Besides, they barely know each other.” Vanessa said.
“Exactly why I would like to know his reasons for calling Collins out that particular night.” He said.
“I called him out because we had plans that night.” Eric said climbing down the staircase.
“Plans?.” Chris’s father asked folding his arms.
“Yes grandpa. I offended Collins by keeping him waiting for hours on the day he came to me for a job interview. Hearing that dad had given him the job after I neglected him, I had to make it up to him. Which was why I called him out that night. But unfortunately, we didn’t meet cause he never showed up. The next thing I heard was that he was involved in an accident and that he is my brother.” Eric lied convincingly.
“Hmmmmm. Now I see. Just make sure you tell this to the police when they come to get your statement. And, your grandma said she had something important to tell the whole family today. So you better come home early after work. And also, your dad would like to have few words with you before you go to work.” He said.
“Alright grandpa I’ve heard you.” Eric said.
“I came to take a quick shower and return to the hospital. So Chris can come home and shower as well.” He said.
“How is he?.” Eric asked feeling guilty.
“Your father?.” Chris’s father asked.
“No. Collins.” Eric said.
“His surgery was successful but that doesn’t guarantee that he will survive this. Cause he is currently in coma. I just hope he recovers soon.” Chris’s father said shaking his head.
“Why did you do it?.” Vanessa asked.
“Do what?.” Chris’s father asked.
“Why did you hide the truth from us all these years?. The truth that Chris had a son with Gloria.” Vanessa said.
“Because there are more people who want him dead than those who want him alive. Just like his mother 25 years ago. I hope that answers your question?.” He asked glaring at her.
“Yes sir.” Vanessa responded blinking her eyes.
“Good. Before I forget, you will be picking my wife from the airport this afternoon. Or better still, instruct your driver to go pick her up. And Eric do not forget to return home on time today.” He said after which he walked upstairs.
Vanessa quickly grabbed Eric’s hand and drew him to a corner.
“Eric. I think you have to leave this country at once.” Vanessa said.
“But why mom?.” Eric asked.
“Because they already know that you were the last person that spoke with that boy before the accident. And so it’s safe to say that you are the prime suspect for now. You have to go far away and return when things has died down. Otherwise, if the truth get revealed, you will end up in jail for attempted murder. And also, your grandma’s coming is not for good at all. But don’t worry. I will make sure I shut her up forever. How dare Agnes try to ruin everything I’ve laboured so hard for?.” Vanessa said.
“What exactly is grandma coming to reveal?. And why is her coming making you feel tensed, anxious and worried?.” Eric asked totally confused.
“Look son. It’s something that has to do with you and everything you’ve achieved so far. And as your mother, I will make sure nothing of that nature happens to you. You were born to be Chris’s son and Chris’s son shall you be.” Vanessa said.
When Chris’s father finished bathing, he quickly had his breakfast with Vanessa and Eric. After which, he hurriedly left for the hospital.
Immediately he left, Vanessa called Ken into her room and instructed him to quickly book an afternoon flight for Eric. Cause she intended to take him far away from the country to prevent him going to jail.
“Why?. Is anything the matter?.” Ken asked totally disturbed with the fact that Eric was going to be sent far away from the country.
“Look Ken. Everything I worked hard for will be taken away from me all at once, if I don’t protect myself and the things i have acquired so far in this hell called marriage.” Vanessa said.
“You speak in parables. Can you please make me understand what’s going on?. Why would you want to send Eric to a very far place?.” Ken asked completely curioused.
“Because that’s the only option I have left now. Soon, the police might find out that he was responsible for that boy’s accident. I really do not want my son to end up in jail Ken.” Vanessa said.
“Vanessa. Shouldn’t you be thinking of a way to approach your husband and reveal the truth to him instead of running away from it?. I believe he won’t let his son get imprisoned. That’s how much he loves him.” Ken said.
“That’s not true. That’s because he hasn’t found out the truth. The moment he finds out the truth, he won’t hesitate to throw my son into prison.” Vanessa insisted.
“So you think running away is the best way to solve issues like this?.” Ken asked.
“You don’t know anything Ken. So you won’t understand me. Just go ahead and take him to the airport.” Vanessa said.
“What of your mother in-law?. I was told she was coming this afternoon. Should I pick her from the airport?.” Ken asked.
“No. I will pick her myself. I have an unfinished business to settle with her.” Vanessa said smirking mischievously.
