Bab 13: Chapter Twelve
UNCLE SIMEON (KELECHI'S DAD)'S POV
"Hey baby!" The voice that usually made me feel giddy, dropped my shoulders in disappointment. Picking up the call, I had expected Kelechi's voice not Zainab.
And while I love hearing Zainab's voice, I wished it was Kelechi on the line. At least, it would reassure us (especially mama) that both she and Uche were safe.
"Oh, it's you."
"What do you mean by that? Where you expecting someone else?" Zainab asked suspiciously. From her tone, I could easily guess her imagination just ran wild. God! Why am I surrounded by dramatic women?
" Kelechi went out and she's not home yet." I said as I slumped my tired frame on the nearest sofa. I really was exhausted. My brother just brought home a pregnant woman, both his son and my daughter are out there somewhere.
"So? This is not the first time. She always know when to come back."
"Zainab, it's almost six PM! Plus we are at Mama's place. You know how easily worried she gets. "
"Oh, you're right. I forgot about that part. Have you tried calling her?. She asked the obvious.
"No, I have been watching football since. Maybe, I'll miraculously find her playing there." The sarcasm dripping from my voice must have made her realize how fraustrated I was.
"Okay! Okay! You need to calm down. " I could hear her take a deep breath after talking. She always did that when she was worked up. " Have you tried calling that your oyinbo nephew that just came back... What's that his name again?—"
"Uche. His name is Uche. I called him but his phone is right here in the house charging." I sighed as I massaged my forehead. Children of nowadays can be reckless. One was not picking up and the other wasn't with his phone.
"Have you called that her friend Mercy?"
"Why would I call her? We're in ikorodu and she's at palmgrove. She's a bit too far to know where my daughter is. " I had a doubt Mercy would know where kelechi was. They did not really keep in touch when they were far from each other.
"Just call her jare. They might be together right now. And hopefully, she might pick up." Zainab, ever the optimist said.
"Ok, let me give it a try. See you at work tomorrow."
"No no no! Don't you dare shut me off like that. Call me when you reach her. "
"Ok." I agreed tiredly.
"I'm serious Simeon. Call me when you reach her." She hung up herself.
As she ordered, I tried Mercy's number. And fortunately, she picked on second ring. I wish my daughter could just do the same. That way we wouldn't be this worried.
" Hello sir!"
"Mercy, how are you my dear?"
"I'm fine sir."
"Is kelechi with you?" I went straight to the point. There was a bit of a pause before she replied.
" Yes Sir."
"Ehen! Thank goodness she's with you. I have been calling her and she's not been picking. Give her the phone, let me talk to her."
"She just went out now to buy something, sir. We've been playing game since. Her phone must have been on silence sir. Don't worry, sir. I'll tell to call you back as soon as she come back."
"Ok. Don't forget o."
"Ok, sir."
"Ehen! Before I forget. Is Uche with you?"
"No, sir. He followed Kelechi to buy something."
"Ohh, I see." With my mind at rest, I finally relaxed on the sofa. " Don't forget to tell her to give me a call o."
"Okay, sir."
That was enough for me to end the call. Those children sef!
Standing up, I walked to Mama's bedroom. Where I guessed she would be, praying. And just as I predicted, she was there, in her room, praying for those reckless children that should have told someone they were going out.
As if she felt my presence, mama quickly concluded her prayers and sat on her bed facing me. "Did you get them?"
"She's with her friend, Mercy. She and Uche are with Mercy."
"AH! Thank you, Jesus."
Happy to see mama relieved, I left her room. "Let me talk to Kelechi. How can she leave without tell without telling anybody. She even carry Uche go sef! I will—"
I quickly walked mself to my room before I got an headache.
BEN'S POV
"Thanks again for your help." I was glad things turned out better. Those triplets escorted me and kelechi to an unoccupied room at the hotel beside the bar. It seemed like they owned the place. Both the bar and the hotel because they kept ordering people around. I didn't have to book a room. They helped us to s room. We had already put Kelechi in a bed. We were just outside the room.
"No problem. We are sorry for the inconveniences. We certainly cannot do anything about that guy." They were referring to the asshole that drugged her. "We have no concrete evidence that he drugged her."
"Can't you see her. She's not herself. We could just go to the hospital and do a test. You'll see the evidence."
"It doesn't work like that here." One of the triplets said. I noticed she was the one giving orders. She was more demanding than the rest.
"Why? Call the police! Let him be arrested." I really could not let it go just like that. Whoever the guy is to Kelechi. That doesn't give him the right to drug her!
"Even if he was arrested, he'd still go Scott free." Another one of the triplets said.
"We can't do anything substantial to him legally. But we can destroy his social life." The third one said deviously in a sing song voice. While the demanding one had a serious demeanor, this one was a bit playful.
"Yes, Mirabelle is right. We can do some damage to his social life. Trust us. We will take care of it."
"Alright. Thanks for the help." I wondered how exactly they were going to do it.
"Can I have your number?" The playful one said.
"He is taken." The demanding one started walking away.
"What a shame." the second said dully as she followed.
"See you in the morning." The playful one chipped as she followed her sisters.
If they didn't speak so differently, I wouldn't have seen any difference between the three of them. They look so much alike. They would have been like robot if they spoke the same way.
I opened the door to the room. I needed to sleep. Taking a blanket and a pillow, I arranged the couch beside the bed. I didn't think sleeping with Kelly on the same bed while she's at this state was a good idea. I had already laid on the couch when I saw Kelly's phone flashing on the nightstand.
Who could it be?
I stood up reluctantly to check who was calling her at this time of the night.
It was her dad. Uncle Simeon!
I picked it up quickly.
"Hello! Kelechi! Kelechi!"
"Uncle Simeon. It's Ben."
"Oh, Uche. Oya give Kelechi the phone. Let me talk to her. "
" She sleeping."
"It's better like that. It's too dark to come home anyway. Sleepover at Mercy's place and come tomorrow as early as you can. I will deal with the two of you in person." And just like that, he cut the call.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hello hello 👋
I'm sorry for posting this chapter late. I'll try to keep to schedule tomorrow.
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