SPEECHLESSNESS
WRITTEN BY MAIRANNEADA
EPISODE 37
Gorge violated all the traffic rules as he was traveling, Gift didn’t stop telling him to be careful. On getting to a T junction, there was little traffic, he had no other option than to join the queue, then his phone rang, he looked at the screen of his phone and sighed loudly, he remembered he was supposed to go and pick his aunty and family that returned from the states from the airport, he picked the call immediately.
“Mum I’m sorry I forgot to pick aunty Maureen, I received an emergency call from Queen’s driver, I’m rushing to her house right now” he explained outrightly
“I’ve sent the driver to pick them, hope Queen is alright? You’re sounding tensed, call me once you get there”
“OK mum”
He was about dropping the phone when it rang again
“Queen’s mum, Oh thank God” he muttered to himself
“Hello mum, I don’t understand what the driver was saying over the phone, don’t worry I’m almost close to the house”
“Come to St Andrew’s hospital, the one close to our house” Queen’s mum said in teary voice.
The call went dead, cars started moving at a fast pace and he thanked God, he drove straight to the hospital
************ He packed his car and rushed out leaving his door wide open, Gift got out of the car and helped him close the door before rushing after him, he met the driver wailing sitting down on the door,
“Sani, where’s Angel?“ he threw at the driver
The driver only pointed to a room opposite him
George ran into the room and saw everyone crying, two nurses were consoling Queen’s mother, he saw her covered with a white cloth, On seeing him, Queen’s mother broke down into a fresh cry, George went close to the bed, with a trembling hand pulled the white cloth off, he saw Queen lying still with a piercing in her heart.
“Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Angel what happened to you? Why are you lying down there, get up let’s go and pick my aunt and her family, you’ve always wanted to meet them, this can’t be happening, “He turned around to run out of the room but saw Queen’s father and the doctor walking towards the room.
“Thank God you’re here doctor, please come and do something, my fiancee can’t just die like that, our wedding is next week, please do something” he said
The doctor stood still feeling his pains, he seized the doctor by the neck and pushed him to the wall
“Why are you still standing there looking at me, can’t you see she’s loosing a lot of blood,if it’s money you need, I will double your pay, just go in there and revive my Angel”
It took the effort of Queen’s daddy and the driver before he released the doctor from his grip
He fell to the floor and wept like a baby, Gift was moved to tears, she couldn’t hold back her tears as she cried along with him.
Every arrangement was made for Queen’s body to be deposited in the mortuary, he picked his phone and called his parents and told them the sad news,
Thirty minutes later, his family members filled the hospital, there was wailing in the room, He sat down on the floor still crying, he remembered all the good times they spent together, he refused leaving the hospital, his uncle and father consoled him and told him words of comfort, he wished it was a dream and kept on begging them to wake him up, they watched as Queen was carried into the morgue, they all drove to Queen’s house to spend sometime with her family.
******************************************
Debbie was all tears when she received the news of Queen’s death, she called George and consoled him over the phone, she promised to attend Queen’s burial.
************ Thelma rushed into Debbie’s house’s trembling, Debbie jumped up from the couch on seeing how she rushed into the house,
“Some men were trailing me on my way home, I entered a boutique and followed the back door and rushed down to your house”she said panicking
“Calm down, you’re save now, they can’t find you here.”
“I’m scared, they want me dead”
“Calm down, nothing will happen to you, the DPO have finished making arrangements for the private detectives that will be following you around, there’s no need to panic.”
“Mum needs to stay away from the house for now, I think they now know our house, I’m afraid they might kill me mum if they don’t find me” Thelma said
“I think you’re right, let me call her to rush down to my house, you all will stay here till this storm is over, I will also call the cook to come here immediately” she called the cook to pack few of Thelma and her mother’s belongings and come to her house.
She called her mum several times but she wasn’t picking, she called the restaurant and she was told her mum drove to the market to get things for cooking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
******************** Elvis have not left his friend’s side since the death of his fiancee, he tried his best to talk him out of mourning, Mirabel was also home, what was supposed to be a happy return turned sour, aunty Maureen and her children also joined in the mourning, George had refused to eat or drink water, all he does is sip a little coffee, he had emaciated within few days, his mum could not stop shedding tears, she had dreamt of a happy marriage for her son, she never knew it would end like that, George had been thinking, he wondered who would have shot his girlfriend dead, one thing baffled him, he doesn’t understand why Chief doesn’t want to involve the police, his friend walked into the room to see him staring blankly at the wall.
“George, what are you thinking about? “Elvis asked him
“A lot of things are going on that I don’t know of, can’t you see it written clearly on the wall? Few months after she was kidnapped she was shot dead, and her father is doing nothing about it”
“let’s leave everything till after she’s buried, remember how her father reacted the day you suggested the police should be involved, let’s watch him like fools”
“I think you’re right, I need to hurry to the morgue to make sure they are taking care of my Angel, I will be back soon”
“I will drive you there, I wont allow you drive yourself to the hospital in this condition, ”
“Thanks man, you’re best”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
********** “Mum you scared me, I have been calling you for the past one hour,” Debbie said over the phone feeling relieved.
“I never knew my phone was on silence, just saw your missed calls now, ”
She told her mum of their arrangement and she accepted the idea, Debbie called Noel to tell him of the latest development and Noel called his dad immediately and he promised to meet the IGP the next day.
*********************************
“Have you seen where your greediness and selfishness have landed our daughter, she’s dead, her siblings have sworn never to forgive you, when will you change? You think I don’t know how you planned the murder of your business associate many years ago, you and your useless friend killed the innocent man and his wife, now your useless friend has turned his back on you because you refused to give him his share of the company so that he can stay away from us. You have been fighting with him for years, I never knew it has become this bloody, he told me how you planned his Son’s accident that claimed his life, now he has avenged his son’s death by killing my daughter, why are you doing this to me? Please give him what he wants before he kills any of my children again” Queen’s mother said crying
“Woman shut up, stop saying what you don’t know, who told you I was the one that planned his son’s death? his son died a natural death, why putting the blame on me.
I swear I will crush you Odebe, you dare touch the lion’s tail, I hope you’re ready for what awaits you, I must revenge my daughter’s death”
“Chief please stop all these, I’m tired of this war, give him what he wants or else I will quit this marriage“ his wife threatened him
“Then pack your belongings and leave”he blurted out walking out on her
She threw herself on the floor and cried her eyes out.
ONE WEEK LATER
*********************************************
Thelma walked into the salon with her face covered with a scarf and sunshade, she noticed two men were trailing her, she looked around in fear but shunned it off and continued her search for a weavon to fix. The two men walked in and pretended they came to purchase weavon, they went close to her, she quivered in fear and almost fainted, one of the men showed her gun and signalled her to shut up and follow them, she nodded and followed them out,
“Enter the car” one of the men ordered her.
She entered the car without hesitation, they turned to enter the car but was shocked to see five policemen pointing a gun at them,
“Put your two hands above your head, “one of the policemen ordered them
They surrendered without hesitation, Thelma jumped out of the car trembling in fear, the police men drove them to the station.
********************************************
Queen was finally laid to rest, Debbie and Thelma were present, it was very hard for George to say his final goodbye to his Angel, he wore a black top and black trouser, he covered his eyes with sunshade, he tried his best not to cry anymore, but he couldnt hold back the tears, Gift was always there for him, she and Elvis played a good role during his time of mourning. The priest said the final prayers and Queen was laid to rest, he walked to his car and sat down trying to avoid the prying eyes of the reporters who were present, he was tired of everyone pitying him, he called Elvis to drive him home as he was too weak to listen to people’s long sermon in the name of consoling him. He was alone waiting for Elvis and Gift in the car when someone tapped him, he turned and it was Thelma
“I’m sorry for what happened to your fiancee, it’s a pity”
He nodded and turned his face in search of Gift
“Can I keep you company here while you wait for your friends?” she asked politely
He ignored her
She made herself comfortable by sitting on the other side of the car,
“I know how you’re feeling right now, but you have to move on, remember you have your loved ones that you’re hurting with the way you’re going about this. You have really lost a lot of weight, I heard you don’t eat again, all you do is visit the morgue everyday, now she is buried, will you also visit the cemetery everyday? You’re too young for this please”
She saw Gift, Mirabel and Elvis walking towards the car
“Take care of yourself, I will call you later to check on you”
She left before they got to the car.
**********************************At home, he sat down like a widower, his fiancee was buried on the day that was supposed to be their wedding day. Gift prepared jollof rice for him and tried to force him to eat, he sat on the dining staring into the thin air, she tried feeding him but he pushed the spoon away, he got up angrily and pushed the plate down, and it came clattering on the floor, everyone stood up in shock.
“I can’t eat while my Angel is lying there in the cold all alone, don’t force me to eat again, stay away from me, I don’t need anyone pitying me” he screamed at Gift who was feeling ashamed.
Thelma decided to used the opportunity well, she ran to him and held him on the shoulder.
“Let me take you upstairs, you need to rest now,” and you, don’t over step your boundary, he said he doesn’t want to eat, why forcing him to? can’t believe you’re still hovering around him” she said to Gift
Gift stood still as hot tears fell down her cheek, she wiped the tears and bent down to pack the broken plate, Mirabel helped her sweep the debris, and took her to her room upstairs.
Mirabel consoled her and made her understand the reason behind her brother’s outburst, she soon forgot the incident as they chatted about school and her music career
“You’ve not told me why you rejected your offer to join a music label” Mirabel asked her trying to cheer her up
“Just want to focus on my studies, I will do that later”she said calmly
“you’re still worried”
“I really pity George, I don’t like the state he is in, I don’t know why bad things happen to Good people”
“We can’t question God dear, he knows the best”they chatted long into the night
************* Debbie entered George‘s room to see Thelma sitting on the bed, thank God Elvis was there too, she eyed her sister.
“George it’s getting late, we have to go now. We shall sleep over at our uncle’s house then travel back to Abuja with the early morning flight”
“I really appreciate your coming down to Lagos” he replied weakly
“Thelma let’s go” she sneered at her.
George was feeling bad, he regretted ever talking to Gift in a such a tone in front of everyone, he knows how shy she could be, he made up his mind to apologize to her the next day.
He had a warm shower and retired to bed, he drank sleeping tablet to help him sleep.
********************************************
He woke up the next morning hungry, he showered and went down to find something to eat, he entered the kitchen and met Ruth preparing breakfast,
“I want to eat spaghetti for breakfast“ he told her
She was surprised he asked for food
“Gift prepared it before leaving, she knows you enjoy it in the morning” Ruth replied
“dish out the food for me”
He ate the food quickly and returned to his room before his parents woke up, he picked his phone to call Gift and saw 20missed calls, 10from Thelma, 5 from his uncle, 2 from a collegue in the office and 3 from Debbie, he tried calling Gift but she wasnt picking. He then sent her a text.
**********************************************
“You mean you couldn’t get that small girl, you need to finish those Boys, silence them. Remember, don’t leave any trace, “Chief told his boys over the phone.
“Sir there’s a new delivery, she will leave for Dubai tomorrow ”
“Good job, I will drop by to see her tomorrow, ”
He dropped the call and smiled wickedly,
“this is the beginning of your downfall my dear friend, you think you can bring me down, the battle line has just being drawn” he thought to himself
He laughed wickedly remembering how he shot the poor girl.
TWO WEEKS LATER
*********************************************
Gift returned to George’s house in the afternoon to check on him, she met the house empty, she entered the kitchen and saw Ruth preparing dinner, she was told everyone went to see uncle Gabriel’s new baby except George who was in his room.
She has been avoiding him since the last incident, she quietly went upstairs to drop her bag in Mirabel’s room before coming down to help with the cooking, she dropped the bag and was about rushing down when she ran into George,
“Why are you avoiding me?“ he asked her
“I’m not avoiding you, I don’t want you getting upset again”
“ooh that,“ he stuttered, Gift noticed he was tispy
“You’re drinking again, you need to go to your room and sleep”
“Can we talk? Let’s go to my room ”
Gift followed him to his room and sat down on the couch,
“I’m sorry for speaking to you rudely, I was just angry,i can’t bear losing Queen, I’m loosing it Gift, each time I close my eyes I see her, anywhere I go I see her face, I don’t know what’s happening to me” he said amidst tears
Gift consoled him, he placed his head on her chest, closed his eyes and smiles for the first time after his fiancee’s death. He didn’t know when he kissed her on the lips, she didn’t respond at first, he kissed her again, his mouth smelt of alcohol but tasted sweet and warm. She later responded slowly being naive when it comes to such things. He carried her to the bed, locked his door and hurried back to the bed. seconds later their clothes were on the floor, Gift was confused, she wanted to stop him but it was too late, she felt guilty, she should have stopped him at first, she knew he was doing that under the influence of alcohol. She shed tears of betrayal as she had vowed to give her virginity to her husband on their wedding night, and here she is giving it away to George. She closed her eyes in pain and feeling of passion. He was excited at the feelings he got, he rode her gently as he too was naive, he tried his best to satisfy his urge, he felt like he was dying when he pushed in harder and finally came inside her, he laid down on the bed and slept off.
Gift saw the blood stains on the bed, and tried walking to the bathroom to clean up but she couldn’t walk, she managed to enter the bathroom and washed her body, she returned to the room and dressed up. She covered him with a thick blanket, switched off the light and left.
She went straight to Mirabel’s room, took her handbag and left the house.
******************* The noise downstairs woke him up, he was so weak to get up, he removed his blanket and saw he was naked, he wondered what happened to him. Immediately the flash of what happened played in his head, he ran into the bathroom and cried his eyes out. He asked for God’s forgiveness and begged his late fiancee to forgive him. He blamed the alcohol he took and swore never to drink again in his life. He was so ashamed of himself, he couldn’t face his family after what he did, he locked his door and wept throughout the night.
*****************
“What do you think you’re doing? You think I don’t know the reason behind your relocation? I beg you in the name of God, stay away from George, you don’t deserve him, remember how you broke his heart and abandoned him” Debbie told her sister over the phone
“Who told you I’m going to Lagos because of him, I want to start a new life, I need to leave Abuja as soon as possible ”
“don’t you think Chief and his men might be looking for you, what if you run into him in Lagos, don’t you think you’re taking the wrong step? ”
“Deborah, please allow me to live my life the way I want it, it’s not my fault that George loves me so much, can’t you see that God is craving way for our love to manifest, what would have caused his fiancee’s death, it’s God’s handwork”
“You’re insane, you will never change, you’ve not learnt your lessons,may God have mercy on you”
“watch me get back my George, no one will separate us”
“I wish you luck in your endeavour, I have better things to do than talking to an unrepentant soul”
“Thank you”
She cut the phone on her sister.
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