SISTER MARY – Episode 11
Tears fell from my eyes. I prayed for a miracle. I prayed for forgiveness. I just didn’t know what else to do.
Few hours later, i was dragged out of the cell and taken to the back of the police station where the officer handling my case was waiting for me. A stick of cigarette in his mouth.
“so are you now ready to cooperate?” he asked, studying me.
“i don’t understand sir. Is there a way you can help me?” i asked meekly.
“your case is a very interesting one. The evidence against you is pretty tight. Even a blind judge will convict you with it in few days. I hope you know it’s a murder case. Abortion is illegal in Nigeria” he summarized, sending my blood pressure very high with his words.
“I need help sir. Just make this case go away. I can’t start fighting a legal battle or anything. I just want everything to go away” i pleaded anxiously. He smiled with deep excitement. He finally had me where he wanted.
“tough man. You aren’t acting tough anymore. I see” he nodded.
“do you know why i brought you here?” he asked. I shook my head.
“because i want to help you. Anything we discuss here is unofficial. So can you provide a million Naira?” he asked quietly. I couldn’t believe my ears.
“one million Naira?, where on earth can i get such money?” i asked with disbelief.
“i don’t know. You have all day to think about it in your cell” he replied and walked away.
“where and how do i raise such money?” i wondered as i was led back to the cell. For unknown reasons, the officer instead of leading me through the back door, led me through the front where we had to pass through the reception desk, but i really paid no notice because i was busy thinking over my predicament. I only had four hundred and twenty five thousand naira in my bank account.
“you devil, did you actually do it? Gosh you are so disgusting” i suddenly heard Chioma’s voice scream {as i was led through the reception}. Looking up, i saw the visibly shaken girl with Jboy who tried so hard to compose himself.
I felt very bad. The little trust the poor girl had for me was gone.
As chioma ran out of the station, i threw a look at the officer who was leading me to the cell and pleaded to him.
“please i need just few minutes to talk to my friend” i begged. He hesitated a bit before shrugging in acceptance. Jboy quickly drew close, greeted the young policeman and faced me. His face coloured with emotion as he stared all over me. Chioma told me of your detention early this morning. C’mon just look at you?” he cried with deep feelings.
“please try and calm chioma down for me. Tell her anything, fabricate any story. Just do your magic for me” i begged nervously.
“chioma isn’t a problem. Of course i’ll talk to her. But my major concern is getting you out of here. What do we do?” he asked seriously.
“you also have to talk to Mary. I can’t believe she went this far just to punish me. We could have settled things without involving the police. I just don’t know. But please find her.” i begged.
All my hopes were now on Jboy. He was the only person capable of helping me out.
“Chioma brought food for you. Let me get it” he murmured with concern.
“you are wasting time. I don’t need food. Just go find Mary, i don’t want to spend another night here” i shouted, surprising him with my outburst. He shrugged and drew back.
“very well then. I better be on my way” he said with a quick smile.
“chioma is with my phone. Get it from her. I stored Mary’s number with “MARY CHURCH” i added as he quickly left to perform the duty i sent him to do.
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I sat in my cell, anxious and prayerful. I couldn’t wait to leave the God forsaken place. All my hopes were on Jboy’s capabilities. I trusted him with all my heart.
Each time an officer came forward to open the cell, I would stand hopefully, thinking he came for me. But Slowly night crept in, shattering my hopes. I was left with no doubt that i would spend another night in the miserable cell. The revelation left me scared, alarmed and fearful. I thought over many things, I was very hungry. Mosquitoes were everywhere attacking my poor weak body. The smelling cell and weak noises from my cellmates couldn’t allow me think properly. Tears fell from my eyes as I remembered my job. I feared i could lose it if Mary’s issue wasn’t resolved fast. I thought over the senior officer’s demand. One f*****g……… million Naira.
“were do i get such money?” i wondered. I truly had a lot at stake.
Early the next morning, I was given the same special treatment as of the previous day. I was offered a cold bath and a new underwear.
Minutes later, i was taken to an empty room, close to the reception {office}. Jboy was there waiting for me. I heaved a high of relief and quickly sat next to him.
“it was hard negotiating with Mary. The witch was bent on making you hang because she felt she lost you when she lost the baby. I tried my best, even offered her big money but she refused” he said quietly, dashing my hopes.
“but there is only one solution” he slowly added, stopping as if he was afraid to continue.
“spit it out” i urged nervously……
“MARRIAGE…..”
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