GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Episode 22
By Faith Lucky.
Nina followed her to a more quiet part of the building and couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say.
“It’s about my brother, Nina” she stared ruefully. “I know you’re engaged but…I don’t think I’d ever be at peace if something happens to my brother and I know I could’ve at least, made an effort to save him.
“My brother’s dying slowly and I’m scared he might die without anyone getting to comfort him. He’s in the seminary, but believe me, he doesn’t want to be there. He’s only there because he feels he has no other option.
“The day before he left for the seminary, he had made a wise decision to take a stand. He had decided to confess his feelings for you and fight for you. But on that fateful day, he said you betrayed him.
“He told me he had asked you to meet him by the bridge but you bluntly told him you were having dinner with your fiance and didn’t want to be disturbed.”.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Nina wore a confused look as she couldn’t recall something like that.
“Wh…what’re you talking about? That never happened” she replied confoundedly, having a worried look.
“I know. I guessed you had nothing to do with it . That should’ve been Emily” June replied and Nina’s eyes deemed getting more confused.
“Emily?” She asked, befuddled.
“Yes, Emily. She was bribed by my mum to make sure nothing stopped Alvin from going to the seminarian school. She wanted to make sure you wouldn’t be an obstacle. And she had to use Emily against you.”
Nina wanted so badly for everything to he a dream. Emily had been betraying her? But how? Emily of all people?
Now she understood why she started looking good and had even afforded a good android phone. It was definitely a result of the bribe.
“And that same night,” June continued. “He told me he had seen you and theo kissing.”
“It’s…It’s not what you think. It wasn’t intentional”. Nina said.
“Im just being concerned about my brother, Nina. I’m afraid he’s dying and needs someone to save him. I’m afraid that someone has to be you, Nina.
“He wouldn’t see any of us; not even my mum. Each time I go there for visits, he’d send me away. Please Nina,” she paused and held her hands.
“You heed to help him”.
Nina had become nonplussed and couldn’t point out her next option. No wonder Alvin had ignored her when she went to him. It had all been a misunderstanding.
But she needed to help him. She could tell he was going through pains and needed to help him and she was ready to do whatever it takes.
“Where’s he?” She asked, feebled.
“He’s at Dallas Theological seminary” June replied and embraced her
“Thank you Nina””she said with relieve. ” now I can be sure my brother will be fine”.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Nina waited anxiously in the visitors room, facing the entrance.
She had so name thoughts running through her mind and could sense an onerous task ahead.
She needed to help Alvin and she had a feeling it might affect Theo, but she needed to do the necessary.
She kept staring through the transparent door glass, waiting to get a glimpse of Alvin and after a short time, he showed up.
His eyes were bleary and his expression was careworn. His cheeks held an unhealthy palor and he ws entirely looking buggered.
She kept staring at him until he walked and got to where she was. He ws really looking different and looked like someone who ws about embracing death.
He kind of looked surprised seeing her there.
“What’re you doing here?” He asked enfeebled, avoiding eye contact.
Nina slowly moved closer to him and placed her right palm on his cheek.
“Alvin,” she called in an unruffled voice. “Why doing this to yourself? Why punishing yourself this way? You don’t deserve any of this”.
He scoffed and released her hand from his cheek.
“And why do you care? Am I still important to you? Do I have any value in your life?
“You shouldn’t be here. You’re engaged to someone you love so much.”
“Alvin, everything was a misunderstanding.” She replied intensely. “It’s…it’s not what you think. The text message you had recieved that night wasn’t from me . It was from Emily. She was working for your mum against me and…and about the kissing, it was just a stupid game. I didn’t mean to.
“Look into my eyes Alvin. You’ll see I’m telling you the truth”.
He stared at her for a short while and took his eyes away.
“So, what do you want Nina? The past doesn’t matter because I’m already here.” He said.
“Of course it does matter. I need you to save yourself and be whom you want to.”
She paused and held his cheeks again, staring into his eyes.
“You once asked me if I could give you a reason to take a stand. I want to be that reason, Alvin. Take a stand for my sake.”
He smiled ruefully and rubbed her hands, also staring at her.
“And I once asked you if you could also take a stand for yourself. Are you willing to?” He asked but she remained quiet as her hands dropped from his cheeks.
Alvin shook his head dollfully and muttered ” Bye” And he turned around to leave.
“Alvin, I c…can do it. I’m willing to do it just as long as you do same” she replied incautiously and he stopped by the door.
She couldn’t just let him walk away.
He stood without turning around to look at her but Nina could notice he was sniffling.
“It’s too late Nina. I’m sorry” he said ruefully and walked out, leaving Nina in tears.
She wept regrettably for a long time before moving out.
As she sat in the car heading home, she brought out her phone and thought of calling Emily but quickly concluded she might not be able to talk since she was crying.
So angrily she sent her a text:
“You detestful pillock backstabber!
Hope you’ve earned enough from the bribe you received from Mrs Lana just to betray me? I should’ve known honesty was an expensive gift and should never be expected from cheap people”
She kept whimpering and snivelling all through the drive until they got home.
She tired controlling her sniffles as she walked in and there she found Denise in the sitting room with four other ladies. And she noticed there were wedding gowns everywhere.
“Oh Nina!” Denise called excitedly as she dropped a gown she was holding and turned to Nina.
“You’re just in time. The wedding gowns are here. Come make a choice” she said elatedly but Nina just stood still, starring blankly at them.
“Oh, my God, nina! What’s wrong with you?” Denise exclaimed abacked, noticing the brood look on Nina.
Still, she couldn’t say a word as she just resumed crying and ran upstairs to her room, locking herself up.
She heard a few knocks on the door and guessed it to be Denise, but she didn’t open up.
Why would she care?
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Mrs Lana walked tho and fro, her right hand on her chest as she tired not to hyperventilate.
She finally stopped walking and stared at Alvin who was standing in front of her, not faltering.
“So, you quit?” She asked, still finding it hard to believe.
“Yes mum. I’m sorry.” He replied, staring at the floor and the next thing that followed was a slap on his face.
“You ungrateful arrogant brat!” She snarled at him. “After everything I’ve done for you as a mother, you still had the guts to bit the finger that fed you. You’re worst than a disgrace!”
Alvin was still obdurate and wasn’t ready to change his mind.
“I’m sorry if I disappointed you mum, but I can’t be forced to live a fake life. I cane be forced to walk into a pit right in front of me. I wanna be a songwriter, mum and not a priest. I was hoping you’d understand” Alvin replied sadly.
Mrs Lana chuckled and rose a finger at him. Her eyes glinted angrily.
“Listen to me, Alvin” she said. “If you must carry out this selfish and foolish desire of yours, I’m afraid you’ll have to do it elsewhere and not under my roof. So, I’d suggest you pack your things and get the hell out of my house”.
Alvin didn’t say anything as he just picked his bags of clothes on the floor next to him and started towards the door.
“Is this because of her?” Mrs Lana asked and made him stop by the door. “Are you doing this because of Nina?”
“You’re getting it all wrong” he replied.
He was still facing the door and wouldn’t turn around to look at her.
“Thank you mum, for everything, for taking care of me. But, I have a life to live.”
And with that, he opened the door and walked out.
June who had been watching from a corner of the room, rushed out immediately with tears and was about running after Alvin.
“Get back, June!” Mrs Lana yelled at her and she stopped, still crying.
Mrs Lana also walked away and as she did, she could feel some liquids on her cheeks.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
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