Episode 7
THE UNDERCOVER
Outside the gate, Celina stood with a bike man on black hoodie. Judging by their gestures, it seemed they were arguing about something. But my attention was immediately shifted from them when I noticed a movement at the dark corner of the compound.
When I looked closely, I observed there was a figure behind the gate(from within) . And from the manner it was leaning on the gate,it’s obvious that whoever it was, was spying on Celina.
If the prime suspect is out with that stranger, who then is there at the gate?. I wondered.
I attempted to get a clear view of the figure, but its position in a dark corner, as I said earlier, made it impossible.
Without delay, I flung the curtain aside and hurried out of the room.
Anyone that is not in the living room must be the one spying on Celina. I thought as I walked down the stairs.
But on getting downstairs, it turned out that there was no one in the living room anymore.
Disappointed, I hurried back upstairs. I didn’t want to go outside immediately because I knew I ought to be careful.
But again, when I looked out, I didn’t see anyone at the gate either. Neither Celina nor the spy.
“Damn!”. I cμrsed under my breath.
I was about to go back downstairs, but immediately I opened the door, Judith let out a sharp painful m**n like someone having their nose pierced. I abandoned the door ajar and ran to attend to her first.
“What is it, Judith? Why are you screaming?”. I asked, concerned.
“Oh God!”. She called out, and began to scratch her navel area vigorously.
“Your tummy?. What happened to your tummy?”. I asked.
I tried to touch her belly, but she quickly pushed my hand away.
“Leave me alone!. Why are you disturbing my sleep?”. She quarreled.
“How?. You were the one screaming” I asked, confused.
“Yes. I was screaming because of you”.
“Me? How?”. I was getting confused and impatient.
“This is like the hundredth time you’re opening and closing this door. If you’re not ready to sleep, just get out and stop disturbing me”. She yelled at me.
“Wait, don’t tell me you were screaming because of the sound of the door?”.
By now I was already boiling in rage.
“Isn’t that enough to make one lose…?”.
I didn’t hear the completion of that last sentence because I hurried out of the room at that moment. But it was already late. All the lights have gone off. And that can only mean one thing….everyone have retired to their rooms. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya.
I didn’t believe my instincts until I walked down the stairs, pulled at the door, and confirmed it was locked for the night.
I slumped on the couch, and began to blame myself for always taking Judith seriously when I knew she was insãne.
What exactly is happening in my house?. I wondered.
“Something is not right about these 3 women. And I must play a smart one and get them before they get me”. I muttered to myself after some minutes of regret.
I remained in the living room, planning on the right approach to the issue until around 1am when Samuel came downstairs to read
Celina was absent again for breakfast the next morning.
“Where is Celina?”. Madam Mary asked Samuel.
“She is still in the room”.
“Is she not going to school?”. Stella asked.
“Who school help?”. Judith said jokingly. She and her sister began to laugh their annoying laughter.
“I overheard her telling someone over the phone that she is going somewhere this morning”. Samuel said when the laughter had subsided.
Everyone exchanged glances.
“Samuel, you don’t listen to adult conversation”. Madam Mary warned him.
She was right though, but I think I needed that information for my own investigation.
Just then, Celina came downstairs.
“Good morning everyone”. She greeted, trying her best to put on a smiling face.
It was only Madam Mary that responded well to her greetings. Judith and Stella merely nodded.
“Your food is getting cold”. Madam Mary said to her.
“No, I’m not going to eat. I have a test this morning. I’m already late”. She said.
“Wait, let me drop you off at the school”. I said.
She widened her gaze, but smiled immediately. .
“I would have loved that, but I am already running late. I can’t wait for you”. She said.
“I’m done”. I dropped the spoon, wiped my lips and stood up to leave.
“Won’t you at least give your wife a hug before leaving?”. Stella asked jokingly.
“Don’t mind my unromantic husband”. Judith complained.
I pretended like I didn’t hear them. I picked my car key from the center table and left.
I noticed the discomfort on Celina’s face as we walked out together. I purposely disconnected the car engine.
“The car is not starting. It’s going to delay me. Let me run along”. Celina said when she noticed the engine had refused to come alive. I was sure I overheard her heave a sigh of relief.
“It’s going to delay me too. Let’s go take a taxi”. I said.
“Sir?”. She thought I was joking.
I nodded. And that was what we did.
When we got to her school gate, she thanked me and alighted. I watched her cross over and enter the gate. Then I quickly paid off the taxi man, got down and walked into a shop nearby.
Almost immediately, I saw her coming out again. I secretly watched her cross over, waving down a tricycle. She spoke with the driver and the next minute, they drove away, back to the direction we had come.
I quickly waved down another tricycle and directed it to follow the other. Initially, the driver refused to comply.
“Oga, abeg, I no fit”.
But after I showed his my ID card, he kicked the engine to life
We kept pace with them from a respectful distance until they reached a turning point and proceeded down a connecting street.
The thrill of the unknown coursed through my veins as we tracked the tricycle through the deserted streets.
After about five minutes of driving, they stopped in front of a single-story structure with faded paint and corrugated iron roof.
The gate was held at a place with two logs of wood, surrounded by lush greenery. At a corner was an almost fallen board with a faded inscription.
From where we parked, I watched Celina get out of the tricycle, pay the driver, and hurry into a compound. Only after the tricycle left and we drew closer to the gate was I able to clearly read the sign on the board… It was a hospital.
