SPEECHLESSNESS
WRITTEN BY MAIRANNEADE
EPISODE 33
Elvis glared at the young lady again, he sipped his drink and focused on the television, he was trying so hard to remember where and when he had seen that face, George entered the sitting room and joined them.
He brought Angel to spend some days with them, she excused herself and went to the kitchen, Elvis turned to his friend.
“Guy, this girl looks familiar, I think I’ve met her somewhere but still can’t remember where exactly.”
George gave him a surprising look
“Tell me more, don’t tell me you want to ditch my sister for her”he teased his friend knowing how much he loves his sister
“Aahhh, says who?,but I’m serious about her familiarity, just give me time, I will tell you everything about her “he assured his friend
“I think it’s time I talk to my daddy “he mumbled changing the topic
“If you need me to accompany you, then we can go together, ”
“I can handle it, I pray he understands”
“Sure he will”
“He will be proud of me if I finally win the contract for the company, uncle Gabriel and I will be in Abuja next tomorrow to see the Senator “George said
“I wish you luck, I can’t wait for us to celebrate your victory, then you can peacefully travel abroad for your masters”
“Thanks so much”
They cheered to a successful trip.
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Everywhere was as calm as a graveyard except for the sobbing of Noel and Debbie, everyone had gone out, her mother went to her restaurant while the nanny took the baby on a walk. Noel had finally succeeded in seeing Debbie after several attempts to see her failed since the last incident that took place in her home. Robert had officially broken up with Debbie, he knew she still loved her son’s father but had refused to accept it at first. With what he saw at her house he had refused to have a compromised marriage so they broke up and decided to remained friends. Debbie really felt guilty for playing with his heart anytime she remembers how nice he had been to her and her baby.
On this very day Noel had refused to go home if he doesn’t speak to Debbie, he spent the whole morning and afternoon inside his car outside the gate before Debbie was finally forced to allow him in.
“Noel please get up and leave, I don’t think I will ever forgive you for what you did. If I had aborted the baby would you have been here begging me today? Stop this pretence and move on with your life, stop acting like a kid”
“I don’t have a life without you and our baby, can’t you see that I’m loosing it? I can’t concentrate at work, I can’t do anything again, all I need is you and my baby, my parents are not helping matters, they can’t stop blaming me for what happened, especially my father, I have turned a new leaf, just give me a chance to prove my love for you”
“You’re just so stubborn, why don’t you leave my son and I alone. I will file a law suit against you anytime I see you around here, and for your information, I’m taking my son away to where you cannot find him. There are many girls out there that will fall for your lies, you’re handsome, educated and rich, many girls will fall at your feet, please get up and leave before I call the security guard to throw you out“ she threw at him
Noel wiped the flood of tears in his eyes, and stood up,
“I will leave to return no more, just take good care of my son, I won’t pester you again, you’re right, I don’t deserve you, but I will forever love and cherish you, bye”he said and left in tears
Debbie fell on the sofa and cried herself to sleep.
*******************************************
Peace was finally back in George’s home,
“You should have told us the reason behind your sudden change of mind, your father and I would have understood “his mum said
“Mum, if I had told you, you wouldn’t have allowed me follow my heart”
“How did you find out about the contract? “his dad asked him
“Uncle Gabriel told me, I noticed the company was running out of cash,so I approached him knowing you won’t open up to me, he then told me how you used all we had in pursuit of the contract, but you werent lucky ,our competitors seemed more superior, so you backed out of it, believing you were chasing shadows, you dont want to end up building castle in the air. My uncle told me how difficult life would be for us if I travel to Canada, I’m sorry but I was pushed to use my tuition fee to fight for the contract, I knew you borrowed money from the bank to pay my tuition fee and I don’t regret ever doing that, I’m sorry I never told you of my plans”he said.
“All I wanted was your happiness son, I don’t want to fail you by not living up to my responsibilities, “his dad said after listening to him
“but dad, I’m no longer a kid, stop keeping things away from me. ”
“I’m sorry son”
His parents were so proud of him, They apologised for their outburst and they thanked him so much for sacrificing his education for their happiness.
“What about the girl you knocked down that is staying with Gabriel?” his dad asked him
“She’s getting better, but I’m worried about her family, they must be worried about about her, I plan on going to the police secretly ”
“Exactly my thought, you can’t keep her with you, her family must be worried about her” his mum chipped in
After much talk, they ate and enjoyed the delicious meal of egusi soup and semo Vita his mum prepared before he returned to his friend’s house.
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Angel stayed in George’s family house when he travelled to Abuja, she was properly taken care of there. Luckily for her, Mirabel had returned home on vacation, she shared the same room with Angel, they became so close and were almost like twins, this made her felt at home .
She decided to reveal her real identity to George when he returns from Abuja and the incident that led to the accident.
**********************************************
George returned home filled with joy, the contract was finally awarded to his father’s company, he couldn’t stop thanking God, his joy knew no bound, he returned home a happy man.
He entered the house to meet Mirabel and Angel, Mirabel rushed at him and hugged him, she had really missed him, Angel stood still watching them, when she turned to return to her seat
He lifted her up from behind and whirled her round, she was so shy as she never expected that,
He dropped her and they both laughed uncontrollably, he went up to his room for a quick shower and promised to take them out the next day to celebrate his victory .
****************
The knock on George’s door woke him up, he pulled the thick blanket over his body, but the knock came again, he lazily got out of bed and opened the door to see his household standing before him, his mum was carrying a very big birthday cake.
“Happy Birthday to you” they all chorused
He was bewildered and opened his mouth in surprise. After singing for him, he was asked to make a wish before blowing off the candle, he did that immediately and hugged them one after the other.
“I can’t believe I forgot my birthday “he screamed aloud
“I knew you forgot your birthday, your mind was occupied with the contract, so your mum and I planned a surprise birthday party for you, and also celebrate your victory,we’re proud of you son,“ His dad said
“Thank you so much dad, I’m glad you’re happy at last”
“Go and shower and come down for breakfast, your uncle and wife will soon be here, Elvis went to get drinks” his mum said
He had a quick shower and went down for breakfast, the whole family were busy in the kitchen. His uncle and wife arrived later in the afternoon, he felt like a hero being celebrated, he was happy he took the right decision.
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Angel had fallen in love with George, she loved his charisma, she loved the way he took care of everyone, that was the kind of man she had always prayed to have but She was scared of pouring out her heart to him, she knew he was very close to Gift and doesn’t want to cause a rift between them.
During the party, she made sure she stayed away from George to avoid Gift being angry with her, she helped in serving the guests. George danced with everyone except her, she sat down in a corner watching them, her mind soon raced to her family, she thought of how disturbed they would be about her, she missed them so much, but she kept mute all these while for her safety and that of her family. #he was lost in her thought when she heard his voice, she looked and he was saying something she couldnt hear clearly.
“Cheers to our new contract, and cheers to the love of my life!!!!”
There was mumbling in the sitting room as everyone wondered who the love of his life was, the celebration lasted into the night.
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It’s been weeks Debbie last saw Noel, he neither called nor visited, she was beginning to get worried, she tried calling him with the Nanny’s phone but it was switched off, she confided in her mother who told her that Noel had travelled out of the country, to confirm her fear, she visited his home pretending she came to see his parents, and was told that they haven’t heard or seen him for the past weeks. She drove home that day devastated. She knew she went too far that day she spoke to him. She has chased him out of her life and her son will never forgive her for sending his dad away.
She keeps her phone beside her expecting his call, she tried to check him on facebook but he had been offline for weeks, she wondered where he had gone.
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George and Elvis took the Angel and Mirabel out on a double date and they had fun, George was happy Angel could now talk and play with everyone, she had always kept to herself before and doesn’t like associating with people and she also doesn’t like to be seen in a public places. Mirabel had to forced her to follow them out. They were at the beach enjoying themselves.
Mirabel and Elvis were enjoying their ice cream, George took Angel to a quiet corner where they were alone. Though she’s not as beautiful as Gift but he still liked her. She was tall and fair, with a slim body, her natural hair was long and dark, she looked pretty and harmless.
They sat down looking into each other’s eyes because George was lost of words.
“I love you Angel” he finally muttered
She looked at him to be sure of what she just heard.
“I know this is the wrong time to tell you this, but I can’t deny the fact that I love you, I love you so much but I’m scared to express my feelings to you, you’re the first girl I ever loved after my horrible break up with my ex girl. I want you to be my girl,“ he confessed
“I don’t know what to say, I need my family back, then I will give you reply to your request“ she said shyly
“Take all the time you need, I’m always here for you” he said and hugged her.
He sipped his drink and smiled at her.
“I’m the second daughter to Chief Udoka, the owner of Udo and Co company limited”she said abruptly breaking the silence
“What?“ he spat out his drink
She only nodded in agreement with what she said
“I’m sorry I didnt tell you on time, I was only scared “she said crying
“Scared of what, talk to me, I’m all ears, ”
“I returned home from Canada to spend my holiday with my family, I got admission to study there last year, but I missed home so much. I was kidnapped one week after my return, they called my family and demanded 50million naira, they were supposed to pay the next day, but something happened at night” she paused
“What happened?”
“One of their men tried to rape me, I used a heavy stool on him and he died, thank God he untied me thinking I would sleep with him, while others went out on another operation, I killed him and escaped. I had ran a considerable distance before you knocked me down. i’m scared of going to jail, I want to go back to Canada, please don’t take me to the station, I’m scared of Nigerian police” she said shivering.
“Don’t worry, nobody will arrest you, just give me your parent’s number and I will call them, you won’t go to jail” George assured her
Due to her unstable condition, he cut short their fun and took her home leaving Elvis and Miracle behind.
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Thank God, no one was at home except Ruth and Dorothy, he took her to his room and helped her laid down, he told Ruth to make cold milk for her. Elvis and Mirabel had to also hurried home and George told them what happened and they persuaded her to call out her father’s phone number.
After a second thought, George changed his mind, he called his father and told him of the new development, his dad advised him against calling Angel’s father as the police might turn against him, they agreed to drive her to her house instead, his dad left the office immediately and hurried home. Angel agreed to be driven home later that day. George got ready and waited for his dad’s arrival.
His dad arrived with uncle Gabriel and they set off to Angel’s house.
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