[STORY] DEADLY DESIRE (Episode 35)

Episode 35.

Before Eghosa went to bed, he searched for Nicole’s phone. Her purse was in the car but empty. Her phone was nowhere to be found. He reasoned that Nicole’s family should be aware of what is going on and he wanted to call using Nicole’s phone. Now that her phone was missing, he was worried.

Early the next day, he informed the maid and security man he was travelling to Benin to see Nicole’s parents.

Eghosa instructed that Nicole should be well cared for and monitored. He took one of the cars and set out. He was worried that Nicole’s parents would not take the news well. He began to pray. He had been wondering what led to her madness. He got more worried when the maid also informed him Nosa ran mad the same day Nicole went missing.

Even though he was hungry, he didn’t stop on the way. He wanted to get to Benin on time to inform them about the condition of Nicole. When Eghosa drove into Nicole’s parents compound his heart began to beat fast. He saw Nicole’s mum come out, perhaps she thought Nicole was in the car. Eghosa opened the driver’s door and stepped out. He greeted Nicole’s mum and was ushered in.

He noticed the inquisitive look on her father’s face but greeted instead.

“Where my daughter?” Nicole’s mum asked.

Eghosa sighed deeply.

“That’s why I am here”

“Did anything happen to her. We have not been able to reach her for months” her father said.

“Allow him to talk na” Nicole’s mother cautioned.

Eghosa cleared his throat and narrated everything to them.

“Jesu! Osanobua!” She screamed.

“This is terrible” Nicole’s father said.

Eghosa said nothing further but listened as they lamented.

“My enemy don succeed oo” the woman cried.

Nicole’s father picked his phone and began to inform all his children.

At the end it was decided that she should be brought to Benin for treatment. The atmosphere in the house was too moody, depressing and unconducive for Eghosa, so he took his leave and went to his parents house. Before he took his leave Nicole’s father told him he will make arrangements for her to be brought to Benin.

The following day Eghosa returned to Lagos. While he waited for Nicole’s family to organize themselves to come and carry Nicole, he went to check on Nicole’s businesses in the different parts of Lagos. Eghosa knew that, like the bible says that the heart of man is desperately wicked, so of the workers might start acting funny no one comes to supervise them for a long time.

In all the business he went to oversee, he acted as if it was Nicole that sent him. He knew that if he divulge the health status of Nicole to the managers, some of them would take it as an opportunity to steal and run.

It has been two weeks since he returned from Benin. He was yet to see any of Nicole’s family.

“Why are they dragging their feet. Nicole needs urgent attention” He said rhetorically.

Eghosa was worried. He expected her family to have rushed to take her for treatment. Two weeks is gone and he was yet to see them. Contemplating on what steps to take, he picked his phone and dialled Nicole father’s number. He exchanged pleasantries and then asked why the delay to come for Nicole.

“We are still trying to make up our mind” He said.

“About what sir! Nicole needs to be attended to”

“I know my son. You know, in this family, we have no history of madness. I don’t k..now…where she got this”

“Sir I don’t understand what you are saying”

“The truth is, I can’t allow her to be brought to Benin. My enemies will laugh at me”

Eghosa began to understand the angle the old man was coming from.

“She is your daughter sir, bringing her to Benin is to place her in a psychiatric hospital…”

Eghosa was annoyed.

“What kind of father are you? You should be worried that your daughter is sick. This is the Nicole that takes care of all the expenses in your family. When you call, she answers you without hesitation.”

He was already panting. The silence that followed was consuming. Eghosa could hear the old man breathing rapidly.

“Alright, I will send my sons to come for her”

“Thank you sir” He said and hung up then shook his head sadly
“Such is life”

———————————–

Nosa has since been sent to a psychiatric hospital. His parents came to Lagos to see him and were not happy with the situation of things. They broke down when they first saw him.

“So it is true that my son is now mad” His mother said “I never believed you when you told me” She rolled on the ground and cried.

“True! Nicole succeeded in making him mad. May she not experience good things in her life” His father cursed.

After he had been admitted in the hospital, Nosa’s parents returned for there was nothing much they could do to help the situation. Itohan bored all the cost. She could not focus on anything except to cry.

The news was hidden from Osadebamwen. Itohan didn’t want anything to destabilize her education. Twice every week, she would visit the psychiatric hospital just to see her husband. She would return in tears and heavy heart.

Iya Folake wanted to go with her, but she refused.

“I no go again. I no wan go there again. My heart no go fit carry am again. My heart too heavy Iya”

Iya sat with her and began to consoled and encouraged her.

“I dey pray make God bring my husband back and wetin I get na mad man” She sobbed.

“Both of us will go there and visit him. Pull yourself together Iya Efosa”

“I no go oo”

“Where is your faith Itohan. I know you are shaken by the situation of things, but you need to pull yourself together. Let’s look up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”

So they went to the hospital to visit him.

“I don’t want you to cry here” Iya told her. “Rather than cry let’s pray”

Itohan only nodded. Mr Davidson the doctor spoke to them after they have seen Nosa.

“I think he doesn’t belong here” He told them.

“No be here dem dey treat craze people?” Itohan asked.

“Madam, we have been carrying out series of tests, there is nothing wrong with him”

“I nor understand doctor. If nothing dey do am, why e come dey craze?”

Itohan exchanged looks with Iya Folake then back to the doctor.

“If you want to keep him here, there is no problem. We will keep billing you, but the truth is that nothing is found to be wrong with him”

Itohan looked at Iya Folake again and cried. Iya stood, helped the weeping Itohan up and walked out of the doctor’s office. Throughout that day, Itohan didn’t remember her little baby needs food. Knowing the state Itohan was, Iya Folake help cared for the child.

Few days later, Nosa was brought back from the hospital. He was chained in the compound. He was so violent. The day Nosa was brought home, Itohan rolled on the ground praying, asking God for mercy.

“You talk say, the thought wey you get for me na good thing, no be evil, to bring me to an expected end. You say the name of the Lord na strong tower, where the righteous run into and Dem go dey saved. I don come oo. Na only you I no wey go fit save my husband…”
To Be Continued… . . .