Meant to be.

episode 14

Richard woke up late in the afternoon,…. He went to his kitchen and ordered his newly employed cook to prepare something for him to eat,…. He went back to his room to call Desmond,…. He searched his room and couldn’t find his phone,… He has never misplaced his phone,… He searched the entire the room again but his phone wasn’t there,… He brought out his other phone he rarely used,.. He remembered he forgot to store the number he’s been calling to enquire about Angela in the phone,… Hot sweat fell down his body,…. He quickly dialled his line but it said switched off,… He then called Desmond,…

“Guy abeg i forgot my phone at your place, pls search your room for it ”
. He cut the phone not allowing Desmond to reply him,… He continued with the search for his phone,….

Desmond called him back to tell him that he couldn’t find the phone,.. He was so angry at himself,….he assumed the phone lost in the club,… He decided to get a new one and do a welcome back, he prayed they would call him back after seeing his missed calls and messages,and another alternative is to search for the thread and get the number.. His food was served and he ate it as if he was forced,…. He remembered his sister might be worried about him,.. He went on skype to check on her but she was offline,.

.. He laid down thinking of Angela when he heard a knock on his door,…

“who’s there? “he asked

” it’s me oga, the security guard said the rev. Father is at the gate”he informed him

He remembered he had an appointment with the rev. After he tried so much to avoid meeting him, he doesn’t want anyone using religion to blackmail him,…. He sighed,…

“Tell him to allow him in”
. “What about the woman that is with him?”

“They should come in,…!!!!!! “he didnt know when he shouted at his cook

He lazily went downstairs to meet them,…

Aftet exchanging pleasantries,… He served them drinks and the rev. Started blaming him again,….. He allowed the rev. Father to say all he wanted to say,… He just ignored him

” Richard , i want you to apologize to your mother for raising your hands on her,…. And also tell us when you will bring back your daddy,….”

This was the last stroke that broke the camel’s back,…. Richard stood up

“Rev. Emma, i dont want to sound rude or insult an annoited man of God,….. I remembered how my father contributed alot to the growth of our church,.. But ever since he became sick, none of you have visited him,…. All you do is sing praises of this witch,…. I know she won’t tell you the truth!!!!! “he screamed pointing at her

Mrs Johnson was shocked at his outburst, she never expected him to burst out like that,…. She wanted to leave before he exposes her before the Rev.

” Did she tell you that she’s the cause of my daddy’s poor state of health,….. ”

The rev. Father was shocked, he turned and looked at Mrs Johnson who was facing the floor in shame,..

” Not just that ooo,…. She made my girlfriend ‘s father loose his job without prior notice and no pay,…. The poor man died of heartbreak,…. As if that wasn’t enough, she went as far as kidnapping my girlfriend,…. As i’ m talking to you right now, i dont know where my girlfriend is,… I passed through alot in the hands of her people,.. Her mother believes i used ber for rituals,….. ”

” Blood of Jesus “rev. Emma shouted,… He was totally disappointed with mrs Johnson

” Rev. This woman here locked my father in isolation and tried making him an imbecile before my sister and i took the bull by the horn,.. Ask her why she desperately wants my daddy back, and where she kept my girlfriend,… ”

The rev. Didn’t utter a word again, he just stood up and turned to Richard

” I’ll call you later son”he opened the entrance door and left

Mrs Johnson was lost…. She has lost her glory before the rev. Father,….. She carried her expensive handbag and left in shame…….

“Good riddance to bad rubbish, “Richard said

He returned to his room and finally Vanessa was online,……..

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Mama was thinking of how to inform Angela of her planned visit to London for her annual medical check up…… Her personal phone rang and it was her best friend calling,….

“Thank God you’re finally back,…. So when do you plan visiting me,?” mama asked her friend excitingly

“I’ll visit you tomorrow,…and i’ll also meet the lady that you told me about,.. I bought alot of baby things for her,… You know we’ve always yearned for a great grandchild in our lives,….. And God wants to bless us now.,,,,,”the voice from the other end of the phone said

“You’re sounding as if you’ve forgotten she’s only here temporarily, she’ll go back to her people when she’s ready, she might be ready today or even tomorrow,… ”

” Then i’ll give her the items as a special gift from us,…we shall chat well tomorrow,.. ”

” Ok my dear, bye”

Angela was smiling at mama as she was talking to her friend,.. Mama has told her a lot about her best friend, They’re together because they share something in common,….. They’re living because of the wealth their husbands left behind for them,…

“Angela my daughter, you heard all she said, so we need to prepare a delicious meal for her,…” mama informed her

“ok mama,………… Mama, there’s something i want to tell you,…”

Mama was already anxious to know what she wanted to say,…

“i think i’m now ready to go back to my family,… “she announced

Mama was so happy to hear this,…. She has always wanted to reunite Angela and her family before leaving the country,.

” Pls i cant go alone, i want you to accompany me to my village, i dont know if i’m asking for too much,… I want to show the whole world the superwoman that saved my life and that of my unborn child”

“I’ll gladly follow you home my daughter,…. You’re a source of blessing to me, you brought happiness into my life,…. Once that is done, i’ll happily travel to London for my check ups”

” thank you mama,but you never told me about your proposed trip”she asked surprisely hugged

” I was in lost of words to tell you that,.. I’ll quickly inform my friend of our planned journey, she’ll love to accompany us”

“ok mama, that will be nice”

Angela went into her room to rest, she laid down thinking of how her mother would accept her and her pregnancy without asking for the father,..but she was ready for the outcome of it,,… Her protruding stomache could be noticed easily because of her big belly button….. she was lost in thought and didnt know when she slept off…….

Vanessa remembered Richard doesn’t know the truth about his biological mother,….. She decided not to reveal all her father said until she visits home,… She doesn’t want her brother breaking down,…… She faked a smile on sighting her brother.

“What’s up, big sis,… How’re my cuties, your hubby and dad”he asked her

“They’re all cool, daddy sends his regards, “the word daddy came out as if she was forced to pronounce it

” Sis, you don’t look happy,… You look gloomy, what’s wrong? ”

She heaved a sigh

“I’m down with malaria, but will be ok,…… What happened to your phone,… I’ve been calling your line but it’s switched off, you scared the s--t outta me”

“I lost my phone last night,…. I’ll get a new one today,……”
She noticed he lost some weights,…..

“Richard, have you been sick?,.. You dont look ok to me,… How’s your girlfriend doing?, hope you’re still dating her? “she asked him

There was silence,….. She noticed her brother is hiding something from her,…
” have you broken up with her? “” she asked

“Nope,…. Just that alot has happened this past months,…. Vanessa,.. I know i shouldn’t be telling you this here, but i got no other option than to let you know the truth,…. Benny is not our biological mother,… ”

Vanessa was shocked, she wondered who told him that,..

” How did you find out? ”

” she told me,… She told me mum died immediately after my delivery”

“I don’t understand,.. What prompted her telling you that? ”

” I confronted her about her evil ways,…. She ended up telling me that she’s not our biological mother,…. ”

” Is that all? ”

Richard didn’t expect such response from her….

” You dont seem surprised, what’s going on,…. Does it mean you knew all along that she isnt our biological mother”he asked with a confused look on his face,….

“I dont want you missing mum so much that’s why i kept the truth away from you” she managed to answer

“No wonder you never got along with her,.. I caught you crying several times with a picture in your hands,…. You always hide the picture away from me,……. Dont i have the right to know my real mother? ”

” Richie, i’m sorry for keeping this away from you,…. I thought she would be a good mother to us,…”she sobbed

“I dont know how many more secrets you’re keeping away from me,… ”

” I’m sorry”.. Was all she muttered

“Will talk to you later”
He was offline

Vanessa felt bad for hiding this away from her brother,… She decided to give him time to forgive her

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Mama’s friend visited her as she promised,….she brought the gifts she bought for Angela,… She was so happy to meet her,….
She and her friend agreed to accompany Angela to her village,…. They agreed to travel next tomorrow,……

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Mrs Johnson was pacing up and down in her office,….. She was wondering what must be keeping the girl that she sent on a mission,….. Her door slightly opened and the girl walked in,…..

“Good day mrs Johnson,…..” she greeted her smiling mischievously at her

“I dont have time for pleasantries, go straight to the point,… “she threw at the pretty girl

” Madam calm down, you dont have to sound harsh,… ”

” I have every right to be angry with you,… It took you months to carry out a simple assignment,…. You expect me to applaud you,…. ”

” at least i succeeded at last,… “the girl said smiling

” Success indeed”

“Your step son is an introvert,… He doesnt go out,….. He loves the comfort of his home,…. You dont expect me to barge into his home and steal his phone,… I had already lost hope when my girlfriend called me to inform me that she saw my target in the club, i rushed down immediately and carried out our plan, though it was risky,…. “she explained

” so where’s the phone”

She brought out the phone from her handbag and handed it to mrs Johnson,….

“A job well done,..”she smiled staring at the phone,….. She threw the phone into her handbag not bothering to check it,.. She gave the girl her balance and dismissed her

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TWO DAYS LATER

Richard has bought a new phone, he was still angry with his sister,..
He called Nancy to know if she stored the number but she said no,… He decided to visit the forum,… He spent long hours searching for it, until he found it,…. He opened it immediately but was shocked to see the inscription, ‘Thread Closed’, he was so angry with himself,…..His cook came to his room to inform him that he has a female visitor,…. He wasn’t expecting anyone,… He went downstairs only to meet Tope sitting down comfortably in his sitting room,….

On sighting him, she rushed and gave him an embarrassing hug,… Richard pushed her away,…

“That was a harmless hug,.” she told him
“I know, ”

” You dumped me outside and never bothered to call me,…. Anyway , you’re forgiven,…. I came to check on you,…. ”

” Have you visited your friend’s mother?,… “he asked her

” Oh my God, i’ve been so busy with school work,….. I’ll think of that later,… ”

” You should be ashamed of yourself,…. You claim to be Angela’s best friend but you dont care about her well being and that of her family,,,…. “he threw at her

” Is it my fault that she’s missing,…. That’s if she’s not dead,…… If i dont care about her well being, i wont be here with you,…. “she said rolling her eyes

” Oooh i see,…….. Pls leave my house,…. “he said calmly

” What?,,,,, i just came and you’re sending me away,….. ”

” leave my house before i throw you out! “he shouted at her……

She picked her handbag and walked away

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Eric was returning from school when he saw a black jeep packed infront of their compound,… He thought it was Richard,…. But two old women came down from the car,…… He stood still watching them,….. A figure that resembles his sister came down from the jeep too,…. He was so shocked that he screamed out her name,…
“Sister Angela!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ”

Angela turned immediately and saw her brother rushing to her…..

He hugged her so tightly,….. She has missed her family so much,…. She asked after her mother and siblings,….. They all walked into the compound,……

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Richard was still angry with Tope’s attitude,….. He went upstairs to his room to do some office work,… He was about booting his laptop when his phone rang,… It was aunty Beatrice calling,….. He picked immediately

After some seconds of silence, he screamed,…
“What?!!!!!!!, tell me am dreaming,….. Ok….. Ok….. I’m on my way right now……….. ”

He didnt bother changing his clothes, he wore his slippers and rushed off,………