CHAPTER 38b
(Andy was with one of his friends, Chief Ime, when he received Silvia's call. He became furious....)
IME : hope there's no problem?
ANDY : it’s my son...
IME : hope he has not done anything that will jeopardize your political career?
ANDY : that's something I will have to avert.
IME : please do. After this term, you and Asukwo will be eligible for the gubernatorial post. Its either you or him, so if there's anything that will be a barrier, you better remove it.
ANDY : damn it!....that's why I stopped going after that crook that took my money. I don't want anything to come between me and that position.
IME : that's good. You can continue with your cat-chase after the election.
ANDY : Definitely! I won't leave my money with him just like that...and whatever comes out of it, the immunity is there to cover me up…
IME : I just hope you have enough money for the campaign?
ANDY : of course I do. Though the money I lost is about eighty percent of my liquid cash, but I have properties that can stand has collateral if I have to get a loan from the bank.
IME : hmm....running a campaign costs a lot, you know. The money you'll need will be running into billions.
ANDY : I know.
IME : don't worry, you'll get it back in multiple folds once you become the governor.
ANDY : definitely...that will be the first thing I'm getting back, trust me...
(They both laugh about it.)
(Its another Saturday morning, Stan woke up as usual, about preparing to go out. He had gotten all the recording together in one disc during the week. So, he decided to go and tell Jide the good news. He picks up his phone to tell Bukola....)
STAN : I want to go and see Jide.
RECEIVER : okay.
STAN : don't you wanna come?
RECEIVER : hmmm....no. I'll pass.
STAN : sure?
RECEIVER : yeah. Didn't, like my last experience with him so, you go and let me know if he's changed his mind.
STAN : okay. Just thought you'd love to be the one that will give him the good news.
RECEIVER : nah...
STAN : alright. Will give you the feedback.
RECEIVER : alright.....Stan…?
STAN : yes?
RECEIVER : thanks for everything.
STAN : you're welcome...(he hangs up and calls Susan)...Baby...
RECEIVER : hun...sup with you?
STAN : I just called Bukola now, telling her I want to go to Jide's, but she refused to come with me.
RECEIVER : hmm....the last time she went there, Jide really hurt her.
STAN : too bad...thought she'll want to be there....anyway, are you coming?
RECEIVER : no dear. I have a meeting with some new clients in twenty...
STAN : on Saturday?
RECEIVER : yeah...we kinda fixed a casual lunch for it.
STAN : alright. I'll just go alone then. Remember I told you I have to go talk to Dad personally about it. And my flight is slated for next week. Are we gonna see before I leave?
RECEIVER : definitely. I'll come see you later in the day.
STAN : alright. Love you...
RECEIVER : love you more.
(Stan later leaves for the maximum prison to talk to Jide.)
(Charles was able to get all the necessary information about Jide. Himself and Lekan had decided to meet up at Lekan's new office when Sukanmi shows up there with Tade...)
LEKAN : (surprised to see Tade with Sukanmi)....you are here too...
TADE : yes Bro...
LEKAN : so what have you decided to do?
SK : Bro, we've gone to that bastard's house to tell him what his son did.
LEKAN : oh good! So what did he say?
SK : you won't believe it, but he walked us out of his house.
LEKAN : I don't understand....how can he walk you out knowing it has to do with his grandchild?...(Looks at Tade)...
TADE : he actually called his Son who denied ever seeing my daughter.
LEKAN : what?
SK : his bitchy wife called us gold diggers and social climbers, can you imagine? They said we're looking for who to hold responsible for the pregnancy, that's why we came to them. They even said we're blackmailing them...
LEKAN : (shaking his head)....too bad!
CHARLES : so what do you want to do now?
TADE : sincerely speaking, I don't know. I'm sure I'm paying for my sins.
LEKAN : good you know. You better go and take care of your daughter.
TADE : guess I have no other choice...I just can't believe this is happening to me.
LEKAN : You brought it upon yourself, Tade. If that boy had been sent to jail, he wouldn't have been around to rape your daughter....
TADE : an unclaimed pregnancy...who do I say that to? If people ask me, what will I say? Who will I say is the father?
LEKAN : come to think of it...two things are telling on your poor daughter o.... one, you impregnated her mother at an early age, didn't you?...I think she was about sixteen then....and then the sin against Jide...
CHARLES : ouch...sins of the father...But ....it’s so painful that it’s the children that end up paying for this sins...only God knows which of my father's sin I'm yet to pay for....
(SK and Lekan laughs about it....)
LEKAN : (turns to SK)...Kanmi we're on our way to check that boy out....
SK : I'll come with you.
TADE : which boy?
SK : Jide.
TADE : oh...can I come too?
LEKAN : you're very welcome...
CHARLES : let's go.
(Jide was doing his portion, looking unshaved, dirty and sweaty as usual, when one of the warders came to call him that he has visitors.
Thinking it is Bukola and Susan, he quickly drops his cutlass and hurries up to the warden's office.
When we got there, he was surprised to see, another set of people again...)
JIDE : (wondering what it is this time)...good....good afternoon sir...
CHARLES : hey Jide, right?
JIDE : yes...yes sir...(Looking at the familiar faces)
CHARLES : remember me?....I was the one that came to see you some years ago, telling you I'm Carol's lawyer.
JIDE : oh...now I remember.
CHARLES : wow, you're all grown up now...how are you?
JIDE : I'm coping sir.
CHARLES : remember this other two lawyers?...(Pointing at Tade and SK)
JIDE : (looking at SK)....em...yes I remember him....(Pointing at SK)...he was the lawyer my Mum got for me then.
CHARLES : exactly...and there's his friend...
JIDE : oh the one that came with him...(Nodding)
CHARLES : good. Here's my very good friend, Barrister Lekan Davies. He got to know about your case and took a kin interest in it. That's why we're here...he wants to hear your story...
LEKAN : how are you?
JIDE : fine sir.
LEKAN : (moves closer to him)....I want to hear everything that happened that day. I'm here to help you because you and I have a common enemy, okay?
JIDE : okay sir (takes a deep breath and explains everything that happened at the Silva's residence to him).
LEKAN : hmm...you see, there's no doubt that you are innocent.... Tell me, where can I find your Parents now?
JIDE : (close to tears)....my father died when he went to look for the lawyer handling my case...(Looks at SK)...he collapsed while waiting for him under a tree at the magistrate court...
LEKAN : (shaking his head, he looks at both SK and Tade who could not hide the regret on their faces)...now I understand why some people had to pay so much....and your Mum?
JIDE : she died too. Though, I don't know when, but a friend came to tell me some few weeks ago.
CHARLES : oh God....
LEKAN : life is so cruel....
JIDE : they died suffering....they died because I am here...
LEKAN : hmm....(Turns to Tade and SK)...no wonder....
SK : Jide, please forgive me....
TADE : forgive me too....please.
JIDE : (surprised they're asking for his forgiveness with so much remorse)....I....em....
LEKAN : (seeing Jide is confused, he cuts in)....Jide, its true, they need your forgiveness. They've being paying for what they did to you.
JIDE : what they did to me? But they didn't do....
LEKAN : (cuts in)...yes they did a very big thing against you. But let's forget about that and talk about it later. The most important thing now is getting you out of here.
(As they were talking, Stan knocks at the door, though hoping to meet the Warden in his office, he did not know the warden had left his office for Jide and his guests and had gone to have his lunch.
Stan knocks and walks in only to find Jide with some other guests...)
STAN : oh sorry, I'll wait outside...
JIDE : wait! Come in...
STAN : (surprised)...I should?
JIDE : yes...(Turns to Lekan and Charles)...this is Carol's brother.
CHARLES : (surprised)...the same Carol?
STAN : yes.
JIDE : he believes I'm saying the truth so he wants to help.
CHARLES : wow...(Turns to Lekan)...that's great news...
LEKAN : yeah...(Nodding)....I guess so....
JIDE : (turns to Stan)...you know him right?....(Pointing at Charles)
STAN : no I don't.
CHARLES : he can't know me. He wasn't around when the incident happened...(Turns to Stan)...hello? I'm Charles Unigbe, the Attorney your Dad once got to handle the case concerning your sister's murder.
STAN : oh...(Shaking him)..I wasn't in Nigeria then. I only came back almost a year after.
CHARLES : you can ask your Dad about me...
STAN : alright sir...it’s nice to meet you.
CHARLES : same here....oh here are my colleagues....(He introduces Lekan, Sukanmi and Tade)
STAN : nice to meet you...
CHARLES : we're all concerned about this case because I personally did an investigation and found out that he was not the one that did it.
STAN : actually, that's what I came here to tell him. My girlfriend and I also suspected when we discovered that the real culprit had raped another girl.
LEKAN : (looks at Charles)…are you serious?
STAN : yes.
LEKAN : another girl again! Someone's got to stop that boy.
STAN : yes. That's why we decided to conduct an investigation too and we've gotten the evidence against him.
CHARLES & LEKAN : evidence?...(Looking at each other)
STAN : yes. It’s with me. I intend to let my Dad see it.
CHARLES : please can we see it too?...we're his lawyers and we're ready to take up the case.
STAN : oh that's very good! I'll get you a copy. But I'll be leaving for the US next week.
CHARLES : I'll be at your place to get it before you go.
LEKAN : very good...(Turns to Jide)...that means your days are numbered in this place...(Looks at Jide and notice him giving off a fake smile)...you don't seem so happy about it, why?
JIDE : because my parents are dead and I don't have anywhere else to go.
CHARLES : (looks at Lekan and then back at Jide)...what of your relatives?
JIDE : I don't know where they are.
LEKAN : cheer up boy. Don't worry, even if they are around, you have a place at my house...(Still seeing Jide is not happy)...or don't you want to come with me? Do you prefer Charles' place or...
JIDE : (cuts in)...no it’s not that...I just wish all this had happened when my parents were alive.
(They all look at him shaking their heads...)
CHARLES : it’s okay...(Patting him)..I'm sure they will be happy knowing you're out all the same.
LEKAN : come on, Jide be a man and cheer up. God is on your side.
JIDE : thank you sir.
(Lekan and the others decided to take their leave. They exchange contacts with Stan.
Lekan gives Jide some money for his upkeep and they bade him good bye.
As Stan was about leaving the office with them, Jide calls him back...)
JIDE : em...why didn't Bukola and Susan come with you?
STAN : hmm...(Sits back)...good you brought that up...you were really unfair with Bukola the last time she came to see you. She felt really bad...
JIDE : I'd planned to say sorry to her when she comes back...
STAN : yeah but, that reception didn't give her the motivation to come back here...you should really apologize to her, 'cause she's hurt.
JIDE : I will...
STAN : you know what else?
JIDE : what?
STAN : she was the one that got the evidence that will prove your innocence you know...she took all the risks involved to do it.
JIDE : (feeling really bad)...please tell her I'm sorry.
STAN : you should do that yourself.
JIDE : okay.
STAN : I'll take my leave now...(Standing up)
JIDE : thanks a lot. I'm very grateful.
STAN : it’s okay. I'll give a copy of the CD to the lawyers before leaving for the US.
JIDE : oh you're traveling..?
STAN : yes. I have to let Dad know what's going on.
JIDE : okay.
To be continued...
(Andy was with one of his friends, Chief Ime, when he received Silvia's call. He became furious....)
IME : hope there's no problem?
ANDY : it’s my son...
IME : hope he has not done anything that will jeopardize your political career?
ANDY : that's something I will have to avert.
IME : please do. After this term, you and Asukwo will be eligible for the gubernatorial post. Its either you or him, so if there's anything that will be a barrier, you better remove it.
ANDY : damn it!....that's why I stopped going after that crook that took my money. I don't want anything to come between me and that position.
IME : that's good. You can continue with your cat-chase after the election.
ANDY : Definitely! I won't leave my money with him just like that...and whatever comes out of it, the immunity is there to cover me up…
IME : I just hope you have enough money for the campaign?
ANDY : of course I do. Though the money I lost is about eighty percent of my liquid cash, but I have properties that can stand has collateral if I have to get a loan from the bank.
IME : hmm....running a campaign costs a lot, you know. The money you'll need will be running into billions.
ANDY : I know.
IME : don't worry, you'll get it back in multiple folds once you become the governor.
ANDY : definitely...that will be the first thing I'm getting back, trust me...
(They both laugh about it.)
(Its another Saturday morning, Stan woke up as usual, about preparing to go out. He had gotten all the recording together in one disc during the week. So, he decided to go and tell Jide the good news. He picks up his phone to tell Bukola....)
STAN : I want to go and see Jide.
RECEIVER : okay.
STAN : don't you wanna come?
RECEIVER : hmmm....no. I'll pass.
STAN : sure?
RECEIVER : yeah. Didn't, like my last experience with him so, you go and let me know if he's changed his mind.
STAN : okay. Just thought you'd love to be the one that will give him the good news.
RECEIVER : nah...
STAN : alright. Will give you the feedback.
RECEIVER : alright.....Stan…?
STAN : yes?
RECEIVER : thanks for everything.
STAN : you're welcome...(he hangs up and calls Susan)...Baby...
RECEIVER : hun...sup with you?
STAN : I just called Bukola now, telling her I want to go to Jide's, but she refused to come with me.
RECEIVER : hmm....the last time she went there, Jide really hurt her.
STAN : too bad...thought she'll want to be there....anyway, are you coming?
RECEIVER : no dear. I have a meeting with some new clients in twenty...
STAN : on Saturday?
RECEIVER : yeah...we kinda fixed a casual lunch for it.
STAN : alright. I'll just go alone then. Remember I told you I have to go talk to Dad personally about it. And my flight is slated for next week. Are we gonna see before I leave?
RECEIVER : definitely. I'll come see you later in the day.
STAN : alright. Love you...
RECEIVER : love you more.
(Stan later leaves for the maximum prison to talk to Jide.)
(Charles was able to get all the necessary information about Jide. Himself and Lekan had decided to meet up at Lekan's new office when Sukanmi shows up there with Tade...)
LEKAN : (surprised to see Tade with Sukanmi)....you are here too...
TADE : yes Bro...
LEKAN : so what have you decided to do?
SK : Bro, we've gone to that bastard's house to tell him what his son did.
LEKAN : oh good! So what did he say?
SK : you won't believe it, but he walked us out of his house.
LEKAN : I don't understand....how can he walk you out knowing it has to do with his grandchild?...(Looks at Tade)...
TADE : he actually called his Son who denied ever seeing my daughter.
LEKAN : what?
SK : his bitchy wife called us gold diggers and social climbers, can you imagine? They said we're looking for who to hold responsible for the pregnancy, that's why we came to them. They even said we're blackmailing them...
LEKAN : (shaking his head)....too bad!
CHARLES : so what do you want to do now?
TADE : sincerely speaking, I don't know. I'm sure I'm paying for my sins.
LEKAN : good you know. You better go and take care of your daughter.
TADE : guess I have no other choice...I just can't believe this is happening to me.
LEKAN : You brought it upon yourself, Tade. If that boy had been sent to jail, he wouldn't have been around to rape your daughter....
TADE : an unclaimed pregnancy...who do I say that to? If people ask me, what will I say? Who will I say is the father?
LEKAN : come to think of it...two things are telling on your poor daughter o.... one, you impregnated her mother at an early age, didn't you?...I think she was about sixteen then....and then the sin against Jide...
CHARLES : ouch...sins of the father...But ....it’s so painful that it’s the children that end up paying for this sins...only God knows which of my father's sin I'm yet to pay for....
(SK and Lekan laughs about it....)
LEKAN : (turns to SK)...Kanmi we're on our way to check that boy out....
SK : I'll come with you.
TADE : which boy?
SK : Jide.
TADE : oh...can I come too?
LEKAN : you're very welcome...
CHARLES : let's go.
(Jide was doing his portion, looking unshaved, dirty and sweaty as usual, when one of the warders came to call him that he has visitors.
Thinking it is Bukola and Susan, he quickly drops his cutlass and hurries up to the warden's office.
When we got there, he was surprised to see, another set of people again...)
JIDE : (wondering what it is this time)...good....good afternoon sir...
CHARLES : hey Jide, right?
JIDE : yes...yes sir...(Looking at the familiar faces)
CHARLES : remember me?....I was the one that came to see you some years ago, telling you I'm Carol's lawyer.
JIDE : oh...now I remember.
CHARLES : wow, you're all grown up now...how are you?
JIDE : I'm coping sir.
CHARLES : remember this other two lawyers?...(Pointing at Tade and SK)
JIDE : (looking at SK)....em...yes I remember him....(Pointing at SK)...he was the lawyer my Mum got for me then.
CHARLES : exactly...and there's his friend...
JIDE : oh the one that came with him...(Nodding)
CHARLES : good. Here's my very good friend, Barrister Lekan Davies. He got to know about your case and took a kin interest in it. That's why we're here...he wants to hear your story...
LEKAN : how are you?
JIDE : fine sir.
LEKAN : (moves closer to him)....I want to hear everything that happened that day. I'm here to help you because you and I have a common enemy, okay?
JIDE : okay sir (takes a deep breath and explains everything that happened at the Silva's residence to him).
LEKAN : hmm...you see, there's no doubt that you are innocent.... Tell me, where can I find your Parents now?
JIDE : (close to tears)....my father died when he went to look for the lawyer handling my case...(Looks at SK)...he collapsed while waiting for him under a tree at the magistrate court...
LEKAN : (shaking his head, he looks at both SK and Tade who could not hide the regret on their faces)...now I understand why some people had to pay so much....and your Mum?
JIDE : she died too. Though, I don't know when, but a friend came to tell me some few weeks ago.
CHARLES : oh God....
LEKAN : life is so cruel....
JIDE : they died suffering....they died because I am here...
LEKAN : hmm....(Turns to Tade and SK)...no wonder....
SK : Jide, please forgive me....
TADE : forgive me too....please.
JIDE : (surprised they're asking for his forgiveness with so much remorse)....I....em....
LEKAN : (seeing Jide is confused, he cuts in)....Jide, its true, they need your forgiveness. They've being paying for what they did to you.
JIDE : what they did to me? But they didn't do....
LEKAN : (cuts in)...yes they did a very big thing against you. But let's forget about that and talk about it later. The most important thing now is getting you out of here.
(As they were talking, Stan knocks at the door, though hoping to meet the Warden in his office, he did not know the warden had left his office for Jide and his guests and had gone to have his lunch.
Stan knocks and walks in only to find Jide with some other guests...)
STAN : oh sorry, I'll wait outside...
JIDE : wait! Come in...
STAN : (surprised)...I should?
JIDE : yes...(Turns to Lekan and Charles)...this is Carol's brother.
CHARLES : (surprised)...the same Carol?
STAN : yes.
JIDE : he believes I'm saying the truth so he wants to help.
CHARLES : wow...(Turns to Lekan)...that's great news...
LEKAN : yeah...(Nodding)....I guess so....
JIDE : (turns to Stan)...you know him right?....(Pointing at Charles)
STAN : no I don't.
CHARLES : he can't know me. He wasn't around when the incident happened...(Turns to Stan)...hello? I'm Charles Unigbe, the Attorney your Dad once got to handle the case concerning your sister's murder.
STAN : oh...(Shaking him)..I wasn't in Nigeria then. I only came back almost a year after.
CHARLES : you can ask your Dad about me...
STAN : alright sir...it’s nice to meet you.
CHARLES : same here....oh here are my colleagues....(He introduces Lekan, Sukanmi and Tade)
STAN : nice to meet you...
CHARLES : we're all concerned about this case because I personally did an investigation and found out that he was not the one that did it.
STAN : actually, that's what I came here to tell him. My girlfriend and I also suspected when we discovered that the real culprit had raped another girl.
LEKAN : (looks at Charles)…are you serious?
STAN : yes.
LEKAN : another girl again! Someone's got to stop that boy.
STAN : yes. That's why we decided to conduct an investigation too and we've gotten the evidence against him.
CHARLES & LEKAN : evidence?...(Looking at each other)
STAN : yes. It’s with me. I intend to let my Dad see it.
CHARLES : please can we see it too?...we're his lawyers and we're ready to take up the case.
STAN : oh that's very good! I'll get you a copy. But I'll be leaving for the US next week.
CHARLES : I'll be at your place to get it before you go.
LEKAN : very good...(Turns to Jide)...that means your days are numbered in this place...(Looks at Jide and notice him giving off a fake smile)...you don't seem so happy about it, why?
JIDE : because my parents are dead and I don't have anywhere else to go.
CHARLES : (looks at Lekan and then back at Jide)...what of your relatives?
JIDE : I don't know where they are.
LEKAN : cheer up boy. Don't worry, even if they are around, you have a place at my house...(Still seeing Jide is not happy)...or don't you want to come with me? Do you prefer Charles' place or...
JIDE : (cuts in)...no it’s not that...I just wish all this had happened when my parents were alive.
(They all look at him shaking their heads...)
CHARLES : it’s okay...(Patting him)..I'm sure they will be happy knowing you're out all the same.
LEKAN : come on, Jide be a man and cheer up. God is on your side.
JIDE : thank you sir.
(Lekan and the others decided to take their leave. They exchange contacts with Stan.
Lekan gives Jide some money for his upkeep and they bade him good bye.
As Stan was about leaving the office with them, Jide calls him back...)
JIDE : em...why didn't Bukola and Susan come with you?
STAN : hmm...(Sits back)...good you brought that up...you were really unfair with Bukola the last time she came to see you. She felt really bad...
JIDE : I'd planned to say sorry to her when she comes back...
STAN : yeah but, that reception didn't give her the motivation to come back here...you should really apologize to her, 'cause she's hurt.
JIDE : I will...
STAN : you know what else?
JIDE : what?
STAN : she was the one that got the evidence that will prove your innocence you know...she took all the risks involved to do it.
JIDE : (feeling really bad)...please tell her I'm sorry.
STAN : you should do that yourself.
JIDE : okay.
STAN : I'll take my leave now...(Standing up)
JIDE : thanks a lot. I'm very grateful.
STAN : it’s okay. I'll give a copy of the CD to the lawyers before leaving for the US.
JIDE : oh you're traveling..?
STAN : yes. I have to let Dad know what's going on.
JIDE : okay.
To be continued...
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