FARIDA
Oge’s Story
Episode 30
Farida asked Sam what he planned to do but he refused to tell her. Sam had started work from the moment Farida mentioned. He had hired a police officer to do some digging for him. He got all the information he needed. The dispute between Francis’ family and Sam’s family was over ownership of land. Francis’ grandfather borrowed a huge sum of money from Sam’s grandfather and gave his land as collateral. When the due date for him to pay elapsed, he offered the land in exchange for the loan as the business he borrowed the money for was doing very well. There were witnesses to the transaction and a receipt from Francis’ grandfather was issued. Sam’s grandfather allowed Francis’ grandfather to continue to farm on the land and give him a portion as he didn’t have any real need for the land. Problem surfaced when oil was found on the land. Oil companies where willing to pay a huge amount of money for the land. They approached Francis’ father. He began to negotiate with them without informing the new owner about it. As the negotiations were getting close to conclusion, someone notified Sam’s grandfather. He was a wealthy man and most of his land had oil deposits but he wasn’t willing to sell all of them. He confronted Francis’ grandfather who initially pretended not to know what he was talking about, later claimed he never sold the land to Sam’s grandfather in exchange for his debt. The case ended up in court and Sam’s father saving grace was the receipt and the signature of the witnesses who were called upon to testify. Francis’ grandfather lost the case and in the process a lot of money. He told his story of woe to whomever cared to listen saying Sam’s grandfather bribed the judge and stole his land. It was the land dispute that even killed Sam’s grandfather. He went to the land to survey the place and his legs began to swell immediately. He continued to deteriorate daily until he finally succumbed to the sickness. It was believed Francis’ grandfather planted a charm on the land that eventually killed Sam’s grandfather. Sam’s father sold the land to a new oil company after some years. He took shares of the company as his payment. That was how he became extremely rich. Francis6 family, even though some of them became successful, held on to the tales of woe.
Sam arrived Abuja. His plan was already in place.
Monica came home to an empty house. Francis wasn’t back which was strange because the last time they spoke he said he was home. The next suspicion was his phone was not with him, it was in the house. She waited for him all day and night and then she became worried. She called his friends but they knew nothing of his whereabouts. They contacted the Police but still no leads. It had become worrisome. Monica was going crazy. She had checked all the hospitals, and morgues in Abuja but found nothing. Francis had disappeared into thin air never to be heard of again for a long time. She was scared Francis messed with the wrong crowd and they would come after her. She called home.
Sam arranged for Monica to move back to Lagos and everything she bought in Francis house was also removed from his house. She refused to tell them what the problem. She had lost her job at the bank due to her missing work very often. She was a mess when she came. She was overweight and looked unkempt but the good thing was that she was no longer intoxicated or on drugs.
Monica’s father insisted she worked with him but Monica declined. She was still depressed and requested for time to heal. She stayed indoors all day, she ate and drank and did nothing else. Sam had to get Farida to see her friend. The sight Farida met broke her heart. Why was her friend looking like her world had collapsed? She was a shadow of her old self. Farida had to stay with her for a week hoping she could ginger her to come alive again but it didn’t work.
“Sam, what did you do to Francis? I asked for help and you gave me a broken friend. What did you do to Francis?”
“Just know he is no longer in the picture”
“Did you kill him? What did you do to him?”
“I made sure he will never hurt Monica again”
“So, what happens to Monica now?”
“She will be fine”
“How?”
“I am taking care of it. Relax. When are we going on our first date?”
“This was not what we agreed on”
“I saved your friend; what more do you want? Are you reneging on our agreement? If you are then I will let Monica know the role you played in getting her to this condition”
“I am not. A deal is a deal but before we start, I want my friend back”
“Fine, she will be back in a month’s time. It will give you ample time to get ready. I am patient; I will wait”.
Farida knew she was trapped but she was happy Monica was home and safe but her mental health was in shambles. Sam went to the extreme in removing Francis from the scene. The way he did it caused more trouble for Monica which also hurt Farida. Since he said he will take care of it in a month then she will wait.
Wale also advised she should relax and allow Sam handle the situation. He said he didn’t believe Sam eradicated him but he had kept him away from his sister.
‘I would do same if I were in his shoes. Stay away from Francis’ issue. Focus on Monica. She is the one that needs the help”
“Let’s see what he will do”
“Is he still disturbing for a relationship?”
“Yes, he is but he agreed to wait until Monica bounces back in a month’s time”
“He is still adamant? That’s so unfair”.
“I know. But it’s just three months and I will walk away”
“That’s if you don’t fall for him”.
“I won’t”.
“He is a charmer and a good negotiator. I don’t trust him”.
“I am both too”
Wale at that moment felt a strange chill. Something didn’t feel right. He was worried about Farida; really worried. He didn’t know when he said out loud what he was conceiving in his heart, “I don’t want to lose you”.
“What did you say” a surprised Farida asked.
“I don’t want to lose you to his charms. He will never allow us remain friends. I value what we have”.
Farida smiled. She valued their friendship as well. His presence in her life meant a great deal to her. They had grown to be best friends who spoke with each other daily. He hadn’t been to Lagos since they passed out but he made sure they spoke at least twice a day. His helping her with Monica’s situation made the situation better to handle. She liked him a lot.
Wale felt even closer to Farida than ever before. He had to admit the high point of his day was talking to her. His affection towards her grew to the extent he didn’t desire another. When with friends, they wonder whom he steps aside to talk to every time they are together. He knew they wouldn’t understand. He enjoyed talking to her and hearing about her day. He loved hearing talk about the men that come after her and her she shuts them down. He advised her but she didn’t know how much it lifted his spirit when she talked about it.
Monica on her own couldn’t phantom what was happening. How could Francis whom she loved with all her heart disappear into thin air. She had nightmares about his disappearance. Sometimes, she saw him in an accident lying abandon on the road. Another time she dreamt he was matcheted and left to die. All the dreams she had about him were nightmares. She couldn’t understand why his family scorned her. They accused her of being the cause of their son/brother’s disappearance. Why would she be looking for him if she was the one responsible? She suspected foul play but she just couldn’t add the dots.
She was not motivated to do anything. She didn’t feel like being with anyone. She ate and slept everyday and avoided human relations. It was only Farida she felt comfortable being around. She could talk about Francis freely to her. Her stepmother was quite nice to her and attended to her needs even when not verbally expressed. The woman had changed a lot. Still, Monica couldn’t stand not being with her Francis and refused to reciprocate the love.
One morning, Sam came to see her. Sam told her he was aware of the disappearance of her man which was the reason why she was depressed. He advised she sees a therapist so she can feel better. Monica didn’t answer.
“I have investigated and discovered he stage managed his disappearance. The monies you had been giving him is what was used to process the visa and disappear. That’s what investigation says. I want you to talk to someone who can help”
“You? Sam, you investigated? Why? Talk to me”.
“You are depressed and your friend Farida believes the family should step in and help you recover from it as you can’t do it on your own”, Sam informed her.
‘I m not seeing anyone. I am fine like this”.
“You are not. Francis left you, get over it. Why would you be wallowing in self-pity. He is just a man. Many more will come. You need to see a psychologist. I will make that happen. All I want is for you to recover and get yourself back. Mom will be so disappointed if she sees you like that. You need a change. I will give you two days to think about”.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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