“I want
my baby back...return her!” I sobbed.
“Ha...please, Teju, calm down.” David remarked calmly.
“What
pleasure do you derive from wrecking?” What is the story of my life? You're
always on the lookout for something to steal.
I
bemoaned the fact that I had to let him leave.
“I didn't
steal her!” He had a terrible expression on his face.
I looked
into his eyes, convinced that he was telling the truth. I wasn't sure about
him.
“However,
you...” I began to speak.
He drew
me into the shop and said, "Come." The crowd started to disperse.
“Calm
down, baby, you have to stop crying.” “Please,” he said, attempting to persuade
me to take a seat.
“Stop
telling me I need to relax!” I screamed.
He
groaned and said, "OK." “Can we go to the cops right now...?” to make
a report…
Before
bringing me out of the shop, he assisted me in locking it. Tola was also with
us as I walked to his car.
“Can you tell me about your relationship with
the girl?” A police officer inquired.
“She is
my daughter,” David emphasized his response.
He gave
me a sidelong glance, as if he was thinking about me.
I was
prepared to yell at him once more, but I was too exhausted to do so.
David
took me home, and I sobbed the entire way.
Bola was
there at my door, hugging me, We cried together..
::::::::::::******
That was
a dreadful night, full of bemoaning as well as tears David had to go since I
wouldn't let him spend the night.
At my
apartment, I'll be spending the night. He pleaded with Bola to stay with me, pledging
to return the following morning
“Bola?
Do you believe I was destined to suffer?” Bola, who was nodding off, was
tapped.
“Ehn,
ehn, ehn, ehn, ehn, ehn, eh… Bola looked concerned and exhausted.
I
groaned and walked over to Eniola's photo, which was on the wall. She was
beaming from ear to ear.
“My
little princess...” I started. “Remember mummy wherever you go.” I adore you,
and I'm missing you right now.
“Priceless
to me.” I rubbed my palm across the surface of the picture.
“Please,
Eniola, return to your mother.” I murmured softly as I wiped away a tear.
“Teju… what
exactly is this? Bola asked.
“I'll be
fine.”
Bola
yanked me away from the table picture.
When my
phone rang, I looked at the unusual caller ID number.
“Hello?”
“Hello
Tejumola,” said a male voice at the other end of the phone.
“Yea,
with whom am I conversing?” I enquired quitely.
The
caller made a harsh laugh.
“Teju-Teju...
“Do you
recognize my voice?” he asked, laughing once again.
“No, who
are you?” I inquired, my voice trembling.
“Ah ahn!”
Okay, let's hear what Akpan has to say. Madam. “Remember, Lina gateman,” he
said.
I was
taken aback; how did he acquire my phone number? What was he trying to get me
to do when he called?
My voice
trailed off as I said, "Hello...Akpan..."
“I just
called to tell you that your pikin has arrived.”
She's
with me... “Did you hear ko?” According to Akpan,
Without
difficulty, I clenched my fists over my stomach.
“Your
pikin dey for my hand o, remember what you do to me, like, me fit do am?” he
said, a nasty grin on his face.
“Akpan..please…
I..I’m…” I'd given up trying to speak.
He
laughed a few more times before ending the call.
“Hello?
Hellloo?” There was no reaction.
I sagged
to the ground.
“Teju,
what's the matter? “Are you all right?”
I could only
whisper, “Akpan has my child.” Before everything went black.