Quarantine Diaries
Authored by Raynolds Agbenyenu
Episode 12
Bella calls her dad for the first time after what happened. After 30 minutes on the call with her dad, Bella begun to shed tears. She was quiet for the rest of the period till her dad hung up the call.
Since then, Bella had been cold, speechless, so confused and depressed.
Bill had tried asking Bella what the problem was but she wouldn’t speak.
Later that day, Mr. Kim called Bill and gave him strong caution not to touch Bella and make sure she sleeps alone. He said there’s a ritual to be performed before he can do that. He even cautioned Bill to cook his own food and eat alone and he meant it.
Bill calls Mina
Bill: How are you Mina? Hope you are fine?
Mina: I’m managing, yourself?
Bill: I’m good but seriously confused right now. Bella’s dad called me and gave me a strong warning not to get closer to Bella I’m anyway, he claims there’s a ritual to be performed. I don’t know if it will affect you and Louis too. But I didn’t ask about that anyway. Bella herself had been acting strange for some time now. She hasn’t picked any call for hours now and she has refused to eat, talk or even take her bath. She has been sitting in the porch for the past 4hrs.
Mina: Maybe she is now regretting her actions. But come to think of it, such taboo deserves the ritual her dad is talking about. Because what I know is, if a ritual will be performed, it should be for the culprits, but he didn’t make mention of adding Louis to the ritual. It’s quite confusing.
Bill: That was exactly what I was thinking. But the man spoke with some kind of authority and he sounded so serious and disturbed.
Mina: Did you ask him what he did with the name he requested for?
Bill: No I couldn’t ask him anything. Myself I’m confused at the moment.
Mina: Takes a deep breath. Well let’s wait for what happens next. Louis has also been trying to convince me with lies but I kept ignoring him.
Bill: It’s same thing Bella tried doing, but I barely gave her a fair hearing.
Mina: Well I’m in the kitchen now, let’s talk later. Bye.
Back to Ningo where Bella’s parents reside.
Mr. Kim goes to the Chief’s palace to summon one Madam Akorkor who hails from Prampram but lives in Ningo with her family.
The summon was about a case that was settled in the palace barely 30 years ago.
*The Case*
Mr. Kim refused to take responsibility of a pregnancy carried by the said Madam Akorkor. But after the verdict of the Chief, Mr. Kim was made to take responsibility and cater for the pregnant woman and the pregnancy till she delivers. Mr. Kim did as said by the Chief for some months before he was called to go for military training after his medicals. It was impromptu so he left without informing anyone. The lady gave birth to a baby boy in his absence and everything was done by the woman’s family in the absence of Mr. Kim.
After training he came to take his child but the amount the family requested was so huge so he couldn’t pay until he was transferred to his station.
Both parties got married and lived their separate lives for the past 30years. During this period Mr. Kim tried to know the whereabouts of his child and the mother. He found out where they lived and once again confronted the family for his son, the lady refused giving the son back to him and refused showing him whom he is even.
That was the last time Mr. Kim made an attempt of getting his son.
With the situation at hand, Mr. Kim’s investigations proved that, the man in question (Louis) is the son he has been chasing all this while.
He has therefore summoned Madam Akorkor to tell him why she refused giving his son to him and now his children have caused an unknown taboo.
Bill called his brother and told him about all that happened and what Mr. Kim told him to do.
His brother then advised him to go to Mr. Kim and enquire what the taboo is about and why it needs to be performed since they are Christians. Or better still send Bella to go stay with her family till the lockdown is over.
Bill then decided to rather go see Mr.Kim to seek clarification on the taboo.
Louis on the other hand didn’t grow in the midst of any brothers and sisters, all he had was childhood friends he had while he stayed with his granny. So he called one of his trusted friends and told him about everything that had happened and how his home is disorganized at the moment. His friend advised he doesn’t allow his wife go anywhere and she should not be left alone, she might figure something out or perhaps take advise from a friend and do something silly.
Louis understood and accepted to do so.
Bella had since remained cold and depressed.
Madam Akorkor was informed of the summons and was given the date to report at the palace for the issue to be solved.
Bill informed Bella of his intentions of going to see her dad to discuss something. She initially didn’t like the idea but had no choice but give in.
Bill drives off to Prampram the following morning.
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