CHAPTER 37b

TRA (CH 37b)

Unknown to Jide that the warden was seated close to the window listening to their discussion. When Jide got outside after Bukola left, the warden calls him back...)

WARDEN : come here Jide…

JIDE : sir...(realizing he had not seen him there when he entered into the office few minutes ago)…I didn’t know you’re here…(moving close to him)…

WARDEN : come inside my office let's talk...(Standing up)

JIDE : okay sir...

(They both enter into the office...)

WARDEN : Jide, why did you treat your girlfriend like that?

JIDE : eh…(shocked to hear the warden calling Bukola his girlfriend)…my girlfriend! No o, she's not my girlfriend o...

WARDEN : she's not your girlfriend?

JIDE : no sir.

WARDEN : you mean that girl is not your girlfriend and she cares so much about you like that?

JIDE : (surprised at his words)...em.....em...(realizing he had not noticed what the man just said)…

WARDEN : (cuts in)...Jide, if you're not related to a girl or having a relationship with her and she's doing all this for you....i mean I know some people here whose wives forgot about them when they got here. That’s someone’s wife, a woman tied to a man for better for worse, meaning she has nowhere to go, no matter what happens to the man, except he is dead. Now, if this girl is your girlfriend and she’s coming here like this, she must love you a lot…but if you’re telling me she’s not your girlfriend…then is she your relative?

JIDE : …no…sir…

WARDEN : haa…she’s not related to you in anyway?

JIDE : no sir…

WARDEN : and she’s been coming here, then why are you treating her like that?

JIDE : (becoming sad)...em…i…i...

WARDEN : (seeing he has nothing tangible to say)…Jide, is it that you’re blind, dumb, foolish, crazy or what exactly? Such a fine girl, such a beautiful girl is coming here to see a flimsy prisoner like you and you dare treat her that way…wait, I don’t think you usually open your eyes whenever she comes here…. Eh? Does she look like someone in your level? Yet she’s been nice to you like that?...(chuckles)…look, that girl sure likes you a lot that's why she's doing all this for you...yet you're shouting at her. Do you know she was crying when she left?

JIDE : I....I didn't see her face...

WARDEN : you see...that's because you don't care how she feels...look at you?...you're a common prisoner...wait, is she not in school?

JIDE : I don't know...she should be through now....

WARDEN : imagine? Instead of you to ask her how she's doing and what's going on with her, you were shouting at her...is that the way to treat a woman?...is that how your father, may his soul rest in peace, treated your mother when they were alive?....you better stop being that way and apologize to her the next time she comes. You've been here for how long now only your mother came here to check on you. Now that she's dead, God is bringing another person your way and there you are treating her like garbage...you better change. See that girl as a God-sent to you before you regret it....did you hear what I said?

JIDE : yes sir...

WARDEN : you made her take the provisions back and it’s not like you don't need it o, abi?

JIDE : I'm sorry sir..

WARDEN : you should say that to her not me...

JIDE : yes sir.

WARDEN : let's just pray she comes back...or better still, give me her number let me help you to call her...

JIDE : em....I....I don't have her number.

WARDEN : ehn...you don’t have her number…(Shaking his head)...I pity you...you better pray she comes back here...(Looks at Jide)...you can go.

JIDE : yes sir. Thank you sir.

(Jide got to the corner where he usually reads his books and got thinking, soliloquizing...)

JIDE: ..maybe I was too harsh on her....I shouldn't have shouted at her like that....(Hisses)...it wasn't my fault....all this help they're trying to give to me...I'm sure she will soon get tired of it and stop coming. Moreover, it’s coming too late....Papa and Mama are both dead....so what else am I doing out there? Who will I go to?....Papa said all his family members left him when he refused to marry another wife since Mama did not have a child on time...I don't even know any of his family members....so who will I go to?....(Hisses)....I shouldn't have talked to her like that....I will apologize to her when she comes back....

(Bukola was so hurt she needed a shoulder to cry on. She goes to Susan's place and explains everything to her...)

SUSAN : it’s okay Bukola, stop crying.

BUKOLA : if only you see the way he shouted at me...as if I was the one that put him there....I bought him some provisions and he bluntly asked me to take them back. He rejected them.

SUSAN : are you serious?

BUKOLA : they are in the car downstairs...he said he doesn't need my pity.

SUSAN : but why is Jide like this now? He used to be the most humble and caring guy I know. That prison yard has turned him into another thing entirely...look Bukola, I don't think you should go there again.

BUKOLA : he sounded more like he doesn't even need our help to get out of there, in fact it seems he doesn't even want to get out of that prison again.

SUSAN : but why?

BUKOLA : he said because he has nowhere to go.

SUSAN : oh...

BUKOLA : since his parents are dead...

SUSAN : but that doesn't mean he should not get out of that place...

BUKOLA : I tried to make him understand that but he didn't want to listen....it’s so painful the way he rejected me....

SUSAN : and to think that you still love him....

BUKOLA : Susan...maybe I should stop going there...

SUSAN : I think so too...until we are able to find a lasting solution to his problem....

BUKOLA : (still crying, she wipes her tears)......I even forgot to tell you, Ken called me. I think there's something important he wants to say about Andrew.

SUSAN : really?

BUKOLA : yes. He said he'll tell me over lunch so I've fixed Saturday for it. I need to tell Stan in case we want to fix something.

SUSAN : that's true! We should not miss that chance. I'll call Stan immediately...(picking up her phone, she puts a call through to Stan)…hello? Stan guess what dear?

RECEIVER : tell me...

SUSAN : Bukola is here and she has something interesting to tell you....I'll give the phone to her now...(Gives the phone to Bukola)

BUKOLA : hi Stan

RECEIVER : hi.

BUKOLA : Ken called me...(she explains everything Ken said to him...)

RECEIVER : wow...I think we shouldn't take all that for granted...you and Susan should come over tomorrow. Let's think of what to do.

BUKOLA : okay....I'll give the phone back to Susan...(She gives the phone to Susan to talk to Stan. As Susan was talking to Stan, she couldn't but remember the way Jide treated her and became moody (in her thought: “why is Jide being so cruel towards me?...and I'm doing all this just for him”...)

After Susan finished talking to Stan, they all met the following day to discuss)

(Andrew was at home relaxing in his room when his phone rings, he picks it...)

ANDREW : hey Babe! Sup with you?

CALLER : I'm good. How have you been?

ANDREW : not being myself not hearing from you...are you through now?

CALLER : yeah.

ANDREW : wow…that's good. It calls for celebration...

CALLER : hmm mm...

ANDREW : yeah...you know what? Let me pick you up tomorrow, what do you say?

CALLER : (chuckles)...no let's make it Saturday. I got plans for the week.

ANDREW : Saturday is cool. Should I pick you up?

CALLER : okay.

ANDREW : alright...

CALLER : I was actually thinking of taking a swim at Acney's. But I'm not a registered member...

ANDREW : oh really?

CALLER : yes. You once said you're registered there right?

ANDREW : of course. Dad registered the whole family.

CALLER : can we go there together? I'm always cautious of the pool treatment, so I don't just swim anywhere.

ANDREW : don't worry, I got that covered.

CALLER : alright. Can we do that on Saturday?

ANDREW : sure... What time?

CALLER : 1 pm...

ANDREW : cool...

CALLER : alright see you then.

ANDREW : yeah...(Hangs up)...yes!...(Laughs)....I tell you what Baby, you are sure going down on that day...thank God Acney's hotel rooms are the best. I'll make reservations....

(Tade decided to go to the Silva's residence with SK, taking Toyin along. Luckily for them, Andy and his wife were home and they were allowed to see him. When Andy was told that he had visitors, he wondered who it could be, knowing he had not given anyone an appointment for that time, neither was he expecting anybody.

When he got to know those that were asking to see him....)

ANDY : (entering into the sitting room)....both of you at my house again?

TADE : Good afternoon sir...(Standing up)

SK : good day sir...

ANDY : what can I do for you?..(Looking at the young girl with them)

TADE : sir...(Sitting straight)...I'll go straight to the point...I'm afraid your son raped and impregnated my daughter...

ANDY : (laughs)....is that a joke or something?

TADE : it’s no joke sir.

ANDY : (laughs)...wait a minute, what do you take me for? You think because I've given you some money years ago to get something done for me, you can walk in here anyhow to raise accusations anyhow?

TADE : sir, it’s the truth.

ANDY : the truth my foot! Will you get yourselves out of my house! How dare you come here to raise ....accusations against my son?

SK : sir...why don't we settle this issue amicably?...here's the girl and she said it was your son that slept with her…I mean raped her. Maybe we should call him out and let him tell us if he really did anything with the girl.

ANDY : (laughs scornfully)...I can't believe this...where did I get this bunch of fools? What do you take me for?....okay.....

(Andy goes to the intercom and asks his wife to come over....)

TADE : sir...please let's handle this issue the best way possible.

ANDY : you are not the one to tell me how to deal with gold diggers like you!

SILVIA : (entering into the sitting room)....honey what's going on here?

ANDY : remember those two hungry lawyers that brought up the rape and murder case?

SILVIA : that of ....em...what's that girl's name again?.....the Achibongs daughter...

ANDY : I guess so....I can't remember their name again...

SILVIA : (she looks at SK and Tade)...what about them?

ANDY : could you believe they are here coming to tell me that Andrew impregnated their daughter?

SILVIA : what kind of joke is that?....(Looks at Toyin)....is that the girl?

TADE : madam, please try to understand us....

SILVIA : (cuts in)…understand what? That someone got your gold digger daughter pregnant and you're looking for who to pin it on?

TADE : madam, why don't you ask your son if he actually did it?

SILVIA : fine, I will. Thank God he's at home....(She goes to the intercom and asks Andrew to come down immediately. They waited for Andrew to come and immediately he steps in...)

SILVIA : Andrew…

ANDREW : (looking at the guests, he ignores Toyin’s eyes)...yes Mum

SILVIA : that girl over there claims you slept with her...

SK : (cuts in)...no, drugged and raped her. And now she's pregnant.

ANDREW : me? God forbid! I've never seen her in my life!

TOYIN : (her mouth open wide)...haa!

ANDREW : hey, do you know me?

TOYIN : haa, Andrew!

ANDREW : Mum, she must be one of those girls at the club who see you and wants to be associated with you just because you're influential....I've never even seen her face before!

TOYIN : (crying) he's lying!

TADE : sir please, I know my daughter wouldn't lie about something like that...

SILVIA : (cuts in)..oh...so it’s my own son that would lie about something like that, right?(Turns to her husband)... honey don't mind this people. I'm sure they are here just because of what you gave them in the past...they are either stylishly black mailing us or they are social climbers! Even if my son will be interested in anybody, do you think he can be interested in a girl like this?

TADE : madam please don't insult...

ANDY : (cuts in as he stands up)...look here young man, its time you and yours stand up and leave my house now, or I call the security to throw you out!

TADE : (turns to SK)...let's go...(He pulls Toyin along and they leave the Silva's residence.

(Tade got home and was devastated. He could not believe what he has gotten himself into...)

TADE : if only we had nailed that boy then, he wouldn't have been around to rape my daughter...what have I done to myself?...my daughter is the one now paying for the sin I committed...if only I'd known....

To be continued...