SPEECHLESSNESS
EPISODE 16
Gorge knocked for the fourth time and there was no response still, a neighbour came out and informed him that the occupant of the flat slept out last night,…
He was about entering his car, when he saw her alighting from a taxi, after paying her fare, she walked up to him.
“Where’re you coming from this early morning?” George asked Thelma
“A friend of mine invited me to their church vigil, I forgot about it when I was with you last night until she called me when I got home, I’m sorry i didn’t tell you about it”
“It’s ok, I was just scared”
“Where’re you off to this early?”
“I’m on my way to my dad’s company to run an errand for him so I decided to check on you”
She opened the door and they went inside.
She fried eggs and made tea for their breakfast, they ate silently.
“You never told me you had an uncle that resides abroad”
“It wasn’t irrelevant, he used to visit us when I was younger, but he always quarrels with dad each time he’s around, there was a big fight between him and dad, after reconciliation, he travelled out and never came back, I was surprised when dad called that I should go and pick him from the airport ”
”I hope he’s not back to make troubles? Moreover what about his parents and siblings?”
”Dad said his parents died when he was four, they took him in and trained him”
“Interesting, So why doesn’t he want to get married?”
“Please forget uncle G, why are you questioning me as if you’re a detective”
“I was just curious, do you know that Both of you looks alike,”
”I’m used to people saying that, guess it’s time to leave, I want to take him round town later in the day, hope you wont mind joining us” he asked her standing on his feet
“I’m in”
“dont keep me waiting, I’ll pick you up by 2pm, take care” he said hugging her
She watched him enter his car and zoomed off
“What a resemblance, they sure look alike,” she muttered.
She cleaned the house and washed her clothes before taking a nap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
********* Who’s there!!!!!!? “someone screamed upstairs
The cook and the house keeper were scared
”Who the f–k is around, where’re those dummies? “Uncle G yelled climbing down the stairs
”Good morning sir” they chorused
“Are you two deaf? Didn’t you hear me screaming your God forsaken names!!!!!!” he yelled at them again
“Sir, we’re sorry” they chorused shaking in fear
“Now come this way,” he directed them
“You, don’t you know me?” he asked pointing at the cook
“I’m sorry sir, I’m new here” she responded
“what is your name” he asked assessing her body
“Ruth, sir”she responded still shivering
”and you? “he turned to the house keeper”
“I’m Dorothy sir”
“Good, now get your ass to the kitchen and get me something to eat” he barked at them
“Yes sir,” they chorused rushing to the kitchen
“Ruth!!!!!!!!” he shouted.
“Sir!!” she came running
“Where’s George and Mirabel?”
“George went out and Mirabel is in her room”
“Get out!!!!!”
She ran back into the kitchen cursing him, while he went back to his room to continue with what he was doing.
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********* Debbie and Noel were exhausted after their trip to Uyo, they unpacked their luggage and slept off after eating,
Noel’s phone rang and he picked it
“Hello mum?”
“Noel!, Noel!, Noel!, how many times did I call you?” she asked him furiously
“I’ve lost count mum” he retorted
“Do you want me to go bankrupt because of you? Why did you order the accountant to transfer five million naira to your account, why are you bent on destroying me?”
“Mum, I needed the money for something important, chill, I’ll pay you back” he said calmly not wanting to wake Debbie
“Please stop being a prodigal son and return home, where have you been?”
“Mum, I’m not a kid, I’ll be home next week,and we’ll trash this out, love you mum, bye” he cut the call and crawled back into the blanket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
******** Gorge and Mirabel were almost dozing off when they heard their dad honk loudly, they rushed down to the sitting room to meet him, the entrance door opened and Mirabel rushed into her daddy’s arms,
“Daddy we missed you so much,” she said pecking him
“Welcome home dad,” George greeted hugging him
Uncle G lazily climbed down the stairs.
“Welcome, Tobechukwu” he greeted his cousin
Mr Ufomba hugged his lost cousin.
“I’m happy to see you” he said and shuddered
The entrance door opened and their mum walked in.
“Mummmmmyyyyyy!!!!!!!” Mirabel screamed rushing to her, she hugged her tightly,
She held onto her mum tightly.
“Mummy I’m sorry” she said
George stood still watching his mum shed tears, he doesn’t know why he was having thoughts about her return.
“Oh my God, Gabriel, you’re here!” she screamed and ran to hug him.
“I heard you travelled for an official meeting, how was it, hope it wasn’t stressful?” uncle G asked her excitedly
George stood confused, he then remembered his dad telling him not to involve Uncle Gabriel in their family matter.
“Thank God, Mirabel didnt tell him what happened to mummy” he thought to himself
Ruth carried their madam’s bag upstairs, she was excited to see her
Mirabel followed her mother upstairs to help her arrange her belongings, while the men sat on couch to chat, Mr Ufomba soon excused himself to go and shower and have a change of cloth, George followed him
“Son, I know you have lot of questions to ask me, just relax and pretend everything is ok, I have lots of explanations to give to you” his dad whispered to him.
He nodded and and went back to continue his chat with his uncle.
Mrs Ufomba prepared a delicious meal for the family, she had really missed her family a lot, she couldn’t face her children after what happened so she ran away to her maternal home, but unfortunately for her, her aunt called her husband to come and pick her, and he rushed down to the village, it was then she understood how much her husband loves her, she had no choice than to follow him home as he needs her around him, especially now that Gabriel is back.
They all enjoyed their dinner as they chatted happily, this reminded George of how happy his family was, he wished they would go back to be the best family he once had, after dinner, uncle G announced he would be spending the night out with an old friend, he took one of the cars and left. Mr Ufomba invited his family to his room for a family meeting.
They all settled down on the couch in his room,
“Let us pray together as a family before we begin” his dad said
George was amazed, this is something they have not done for weeks, he thanked God within him as he led in praises, followed by worship, before prayer, he prayed like never before, he poured out his heart to God, he prayed for peace to be restored in his home, the prayer ended with everyone in tears.
His dad then cleared his throat.
“I went in search of your mother because I know this family wont be complete without her, Mirabel I’m sorry we didn’t tell you what actually made your mum to leave, I’ll tell you that when you’re much Older, I want us to put everything that happened behind us, let this be our family secret. I believe you all remembered your uncle, you’ve known him as my cousin, but the truth is that he is my step brother, he was borne by my father’s mistress, his mum died two years after his birth and he was brought into our family, he grew up to be a thorn on our flesh, my father had to send him out of the country to save the family‘s name, he comes back anytime he squanders his money, he duped the company and ran away with the money, that was when I was forced to marry your mother to save the company from folding, he came back years after my parent’ s death and claimed that I give him his own share of the property, after much arguments and quarrel, i settled him and he left,he has been a thorn on my neck, i need this family to be in peace, i dont know his plans this time, so we should all be careful with him, George, you ‘ll return to school tomorrow, I don’t want you around him, Mirabel, your mother will drop and pick you up from school, you will always be with her while I take care of Gabriel ”
George and Mirabel were not surprised at their uncle’s lifestyle as they have always heard their parents talk about him, they were only surprised that he their father’s step brother and not cousin, no wonder his resemblance with George.
His mum went on her knees to everyone‘s surprise.
“I’m sorry for the shame I’ve brought upon this family, I’ve given my life to christ, I need his help in my life, George please forgive me my son, I was ignorant of what I was doing ” she said shedding tears
“Mum, you need to see a therapist” George told her
“I’ve made arrangements for that, I have an appointment with her on Monday morning”
“Daddy we need to pray without ceasing, as we need God around us, I feel uncle G has a hidden agenda” he told his parents who agreed with what he said.
The family prayed once again before retiring to their rooms.
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