EPISODE 22*
BY NISSI ADEOLA
“What were you doing with Kelvin, Bell?
You don’t still have feelings for him, do you?
My head jerked in her direction.
“Definitely not. Whatever I felt for him died the day I saw him with that harlot. Most times I wonder if my feelings for him was actually love because I can truly say I love Richard and what I feel for Richard is nothing compared to what I felt for Kelvin
“OK” she breathed. Then tell me what actually happened cos I don’t see myself hugging Frank if I see him today” Frank was her boyfriend;the one who almost raped her
“I was on my way home earlier than usual yesterday cos I felt terribly weak when I had a flat tire. I couldn’t get a mechanic so I set about doing it myself. All of a sudden, Kelvin showed up.
He did not leave until I allowed him fix the tires. I was about entering my car when he suddenly blocked me, causing me to bump into him.
All he said was that he wanted us to have a
drink together and familiarize with each other.
I declined. I left him there and DID NOT hug him” I concluded.
Prisca thought for a while.
“My guess is that someone took a picture of you guys when you bumped into him”
“I have thought of that but what I don’t know is who would have done it. Did Richard put someone on my trail?”
I thought aloud.
“I would not say that.
I would say that Kelvin asked someone to do that for one singular reason; the same
reason that brought him to your office today”
“What? He was here?
When?” I queried, surprised and alarmed.
“Some hours ago. I guess you were on the hospital bed then. He got what he hadn’t expected though; Richard met him there and asked men to bundle him out” she replied.
I was becoming more confused by the minute.
Richard had received this message yesterday but did not say anything about it. I remembered his countenance yester night and knew that he must have seen it. He also saw Kelvin today but did not mention it. Why on earth would he do that?
Loretta paced the waiting room holding her head in her hands. Apart from the several abortions which she had done, she hasn’t literally killed anyone before. She still couldn’t replay the scenario. How did she get herself into this mess? Her tears flowed ceaselessly.
She had called James Branson and informed him cos she didn’t know what to do and she needed someone here to hold her hands and tell her it would be alright.
She saw Richard pass in a hurry towards the
emergency department and her heart skipped a beat.
What would he do if he found out after treating the guy that she was the one who put the guy in that condition? It would just make their relationship more complicated, hence, destroying any hope of re- union between them.
More tears flowed unhindered as her heart ached.
“Loretta” she heard James call behind her. She turned and threw herself in James’
hands, needing all the support she could get.
James just held on to her, his heart beating faster than normal, whispering words of encouragements.
His eyes snapped up just in time to see Richard head in the direction of his office,
furiously, through the glass barrier. Loretta also saw this and left his arms instantly.
“He must have found out that I brought him and refused to treat him” she exclaimed, holding her head fiercely. James could not see that happening.
Richard would not hold someone’s life ransom just because of Loretta; Richard is not like that. Maybe Richard is angry about something else,
besides, he wasn’t even sure Richard would be the one to attend to the guy in question. He has so many doctors in his hospital.
Guessing is not an option,though. He did not like seeing Loretta so distressed, no matter what she had done to him.
“I would talk to him” he said, walking in the
direction of Richard’s office.
Loretta followed briskly. He tried dissuading her but she was hell bent on begging Richard herself.
Richard marched into the office and I was startled,Priscaalso. He should not be back by now, I thought.
He had left barely ten minutes ago and knowing how long such emergency cases could be, only one thing could have happened.
I rushed to him as he sat on the couch. “What is wrong honey? Is the patient Ok?” I asked hoping that whoever it was is not dead. Richard just fixed a permanent glare on his face and I could not understand anything again.
Just then,the door opened and my father-in-law came in, accompanied by the last person Richard wanted to see – his mother. He was up
in an instant.
“Is the devil bent on making what ought to be my happiest day very miserable? What are you doing here?” he asked,glaring at his mum.
I held his hand. “C’mon Richy-” I was saying
“Don’t touch me” he yelled at me and I shrieked. He has never done that. I was hurt down to my bones. I detest people yelling at me, it reminds me of one person:
Mr Badmus, before he changed.
“Son” Mr. Branson started
“Could you please put this behind you and save the dying patient Richard? He was hit by Loretta and she is freaking out now. Please son, he had nothing to do with what your mum did, don’t let him pay for it”
Click 2 below to read episode 23
