THAT NIGHT
Episode 12
Edwin’s p.o.v
Getting to our house, Peculiar ran inside without waiting for me come out of the car. Immediately she set her eyes on my mom, she jumped into her arms and my mom who was so happy to see her screamed with Joy.
Miracle who was lost as to what was happening was just looking at the two women. After bringing their hugging to an end, Peculiar went on her knees and apologize for leaving without informing anyone, she narrated the incidence that made her leave without a prior notice.
My emotional mother couldn’t help but burst into tears while listening to Peculiar’s tale. Both women burst into tears and embraced each other again. At a point I was feeling uncomfortable seeing both women I love cry but I just had to act like I wasn’t affected.
Their chit chat was brought to an end and Peculiar asked a question which I handled with stupidity.
Peculiar: sorry to ask mom, who is this boy? The child of a relative?
Me: (instead of allowing my mom to answer with maturity, I decided to answer) eerm you see Peculiar, we never thought of hiding this from you for long but your disappearance triggered it
Peculiar: I don’t get you
Me: your child was never dead
Peculiar: (stunned) what?? So, where is he? Where is my boy?
Me: Miracle here is your son, he…..
Before I could complete my statement, Peculiar landed me a slap. I thought I was dreaming as the slap made me see stars.
Peculiar: (shouting) how dare you? How dare you deprived me of the joy of being a mother? How dare you cause me pain after knowing all I ever went through?
She picked up her bag and left. My mom was so disappointed in me. I didn’t understand why I told her probably it was the joy of seeing the woman I loved deeply after being away for five years.
Mom: yes, that slap serves you right. Why have you decided to be stupid because I never trained you to be? Wait! Who gave you the right to break the news to her? I should be the one to break the news to her. Son, I am highly disappointed in you.
While my mom was still speaking angrily to me, Peculiar walked into the house but this time with two police officers. I was short of words like I didn’t expect her to go that far. Why can’t she always remember the help we once rendered unto her?
Peculiar: there he is officers, he is the one that deprives me of the joy of motherhood, he stole my boy away from him. Officers, arrest him
The officers came to where I sat and handcuffed me. While I was being taken away, I could hear Miracle crying, he was telling the officers to leave his father alone because he is a good man.
I went with the officers to the police station without a struggle. If anyone had told me that today will end up this way, I would have argued with him or her. My mom dropped Miracle with our neighbor and came to see me in the station, she warned me not to mention anything to the police.
I was beaten and tortured just because I refuse to tell the police anything. In the space of two days, I was looking like a criminal. My Dad who traveled outside the country for a meeting came back immediately he heard I was in police custody.
Luckily for me, the D.P.O was a friend to my Dad so the beating and torturing stop but they couldn’t grant me bail because the commissioner of police was already aware of the case and he was interested in it. While in the cell, I kept telling God to show me mercy because all I ever did was to help someone.
Peculiar’s p.o.v
How could Edwin do that to me? So, he connives with the doctor to hide my son for me? I will show him that I am no longer the Peculiar he knew five years ago, by the time I am done with him, he will know what to do and what not to do.
Since Mr. Badmus the present commissioner of police of the state had always wanted to have an affair with me, I decided to report Edwin to him so that he would be thoroughly dealt with. I knew Mr. Badmus will do anything for me because he was obsessed with me.
After hearing my side of the story, Mr. Badmus promised to help me get justice which gladdens my heart.
I went to bed that night feeling happy that I would get the right judgment only for me to have a terrifying dream. In the dream, I saw my mother again but this time she was looking very angry.
Me: mother? What is wrong? Why are you so angry?
Mother: I am angry because you have decided to cast away diamonds and go for stones
Me: why speaking in parables mother? What Diamond? What stones?
Mother: why have you wounded the man who has been ordained by God to help you fulfill the destiny?
Me: what man mother?
Mother: what have you done to Edwin? His tears is disturbing Heaven
Me: Can you believe he hid my son away from me?
Mother: didn’t I tell you that somethings are bound to happen before you fulfill the destiny? Look here child, if you lose that young man, you will be forever miserable. Being a CEO does not mean you are fulfilling your destiny, you haven’t even started at all, and you have to start the moment you decide to get married to Edwin. Go now child and wipe away the tears of that young man. Go! Go!! Go!!!
I woke up with a scream, I was so terrified. The dream made me realize the gravity of what I had done. Though it was late in the night, I picked up my cell phone and called Mr. Badmus informing him that I was no longer interested in the case. He tried to cajole me to continue with it but I stood my ground.
I brought the call to an end then knelt beside my bed and started crying to God for forgiveness. I wept asking God for a second chance, I knew it would not be easy to win back Edwin and his mother’s love but I was ready to do everything possible.
I called my Secretary in the morning and informed her that I won’t be at work. I then washed myself and went to Edwin’s house only to be told by Sule, the gateman that he is in the hospital receiving treatment but he refused to give me the name of the hospital. I felt bad knowing fully well that Edwin was in the hospital because of my callous behavior.
I went back to the house three days later and was told that they are now back at home. I walked into the house only to be greeted by the angry stares of Mrs. Akinola. I quickly knelt and wept at her feet.
She tried to push me away but I tighten my grip on her leg. After weeping for some minutes, she lifted me and embraced me then, she sat me down and spoke sense into me.
After telling me she has forgiven me, I asked for permission to go see Edwin and asked for his forgiveness. Though she was skeptical at first, she later gave me the go-ahead.
Getting to Edwin’s room, I met him crying. I felt pained to see him in bandages and also in tears. I walked into his room and knelt beside his bed. He looked at me with bitterness in his eyes and ordered me to get out of his room.
