The Target

Epic 10

I checked my phone to see the caller, I wasn't expecting the information to be spread so fast. Hope he got a vital one.

“Hello!”, I said while picking up the phone.

“yeah! How are you doing?”, he asked.

“Good as always. Any news?”, I asked.

“Sure there is”. He replied as I gave out a warming smile. I trust you to do lots of things.

“Wow! That's fabulous, so, what is the good news?”. I said while stretching out my hands.

“I have got the most shocking details you need to know about your mother”, he said.

“most shocking indeed! You know I would be pleased to know something much more than shocking news”. I said and we both laughed.

“She has a son”. He said.

“Wow She has a son! Where can I find him?”. I questioned.

“Heard he is in V.I, I will send his picture for you”. He replied and ended the call and almost immediately, My phone beeped, it was a message from him.

"Cute son huh", I said while looking at his picture.

He seems so grown up, could she have given birth to him before getting married to papa? What a deep secret she must be hiding on Victoria Island. 

"Victoria Island…", I kept saying as I tapped my fingers gently on the sofa.

"Hello, Papa!". I said while moving towards papa who was sitting on his wooden chair with a chewing stick.

"How are you my angel? You have been scarce lately despite our leaving together". He said while spitting out some particles of the chewing stick in his mouth.

"Ow! I have been pretty busy lately, besides papa I will be traveling to Victoria Island next week". I said while noticing the immediate change on papa's face.

"Why? Why do you want to go there? Are we not treating you fine? I promise to change". he exclaimed with a cold voice.

"No!!! You shouldn't be thinking about such, I must say, you people are the best, I just want to go and hustle like others. You people have been taking good care of me, it is my time to take care of you as well". I said while sitting down near him. I knew it was going to be a long talk since I have entered the case of going to Victoria Island.

"V.I? Well, if that is what you want, there is no problem. I wish you the very best in everything you do okay!”. He said.

“Okay Papa, I want to take a little stroll, hope you don't mind?”, I said while standing up to leave.

“Sure, I don't. Just be careful”. He said as I smiled at him and left.

I boarded a bike and took me to the clubhouse, where my mum stays. 

I got there all excited, but seeing Micheal's face and the treat I am likely to have, just made my heart bitter.

“I need to see my mum”, I said reaching the door, while referring to Micheal.

“What mum? Seems you can never learn”, He said while making me stand outside

 “I said I want to see my mum! Are you deaf or what? Or is the English that complicating for your level of understanding”. I said angrily.

“hmm! Level of understanding indeed! I suppose you are a graduate or possibly a dropout. Why don't you tell me huh! Is my boss a babysitter? You beggar”. He said. And I got really angry and punched him on his stomach and we both started fighting before my mum came out.

“Stop this nonsense this minute! What right do you have coming here to fight my bouncer?”. She shouted at me.

“I have every right to do anything at my best and wish. Why would you employ a disrespectful bouncer? People that don't have regards for humans”. I said as tears started dropping from my eyes.

“At least he is an insulter, not a fighter, I wouldn't tolerate this madness from you next time. Now, why did you come?”. She questioned thunderously.

“I came to warn you!”. I screamed out.

“You came to warn me by ranting like a mad dog right? Give me a reason why I shouldn't lock you up this minute”. She said laughing.

“Well, give me a reason as well why I shouldn't make your life miserable just like you have done to me and my sister?”. I questioned back.

“I don't have time for you, I have got more important personalities to attend to”. She said while trying to walk away.

“Threatening people's life over making me miserable isn't the best way to show how weak you are”. I said, turning to take my leave while noticing the immediate shiver on her body on hearing my statement.

I walked away without looking back, I got home and saw papa's worried face.

“Hello old man!”, I said smiling.

“I am not that old you know, where have you been? You got me worried". Papa said as I came closer to him.

"Nowhere cutie! I just took a little work, and besides I went to a fellowship to tell them about my journey", I said while gently rubbing my soft hands on papa's chick.

"Ow! Okay, go inside your mum has been worried, and tell her to get my food ready I am a bit starving". Papa said.

"I will do just that sir!". I said and went inside the room to see mum.

Just a little while after helping mama prepare the dish, I went inside my room while Dinma came in almost immediately.

"You little chipmunk! I see you no longer have regards for my room right? You just barge in anyhow you want". I told Dinma who said nothing but roll her eyes at me.

"Hmm! My baby sister is growing wings". I said.

"Of course I am, I am learning from the best, and wherein the name of God are you packing your clothes?". She asked noticing how neatly I folded my clothes in my box.

"Paris baby!". I said and Dinma let out a loud laugh.

"Paris what? Who is taking you to Paris? You better go and find something to do or are you practicing how to become a dry cleaner?", Dinma said and we both started laughing.

"Maybe I am!", I exclaimed and we both laughed again, this time, with tears rolling down our eyes.

"Okay! It's okay now! So tell me why are you folding your clothes?". Dinma asked while trying to stop herself from laughing too much.

"Well, I will be going to V.I, I have a business contract I need to attend to". I said while wiping off the tears that flowed down to my chin.

"Business contract indeed! Here you are sounding like a boss, Who do you even know at V.I? Not like you have money for a hotel". Dinma said and burst out laughing again.

"Let me take that as a joke, not an insult, well, God will provide a place of comfort. I just want to free myself from this house, from our mum and her troubles". I said while finally zipping up my box.

"Ow! That's true, you need a break from home, I am in full support of that, just be careful, she could be anywhere". Dinma said, which got me confused.

"Who is everywhere?". I queried with my eyes bewildered.

"Your mum of course!". Dinma said.

"My mum!!! Isn't she your mother as well?", I said.

"Of course, she isn't, because if she was, she would have also been tutoring my life just like yours". Dinma said kind of satisfactorily. 

"And what makes you think so? Why do you think she won't torture you when I am gone?", I said while noticing how squeezed up Dinma's face was on hearing my statement.

I went closer to where she was and pinched her and we both started running up to my room as Dinma was trying to avenge the pinch.

"Hey! You, adult players, come and have some watermelon", mama said as she opened my room door.

"We are coming, mama!". I said as we both continued our play.

After a long stay with me for the day, it got late so Dinma called her foster parents, letting them know that she can't come back for that day. Which, they didn't trouble her Zero.

«»«»«»«»

Days passed to weeks, and I was ready to go to Victoria Island. 

"Be careful, okay? The Lord will protect you". mama said as I was leaving the house with my luggage.

"Left for me, I would have asked you to stay back here and hustle. But, if it is your desire, and if going to V.I will make you happy, who am I to stop you? I know the Lord will always be with you. Safe travels". Papa said as he came closer for a hug.

I was down with emotions, on second thought, I didn't want to go again. But realizing that my traveling is for our benefit, I just hugged them and said goodbye.

Dinma followed me to the park where I boarded the bus before she finally left with her cloudy eyes, tears were already at the stage of dropping.

"I will miss you a lot". I told Dinma while giving her a peck on her chin.

*****

In another phase of my life, I got to Victoria Island without any clue of where to rest my head. I got to a nearby park and sat there while subbing a little.

"Hello! Where is such a beautiful lady, sitting outside and sobbing?". I heard a voice say, before I gently raised my head, to see who it was.

"Good day Sir", I managed to say.

"Good day, though you can call me Alex. So why are you here all alone?". He questioned. But I couldn't say anything because I was still trying to control my tears before he finally helped me carry my luggage to his house.

"Maybe you need to refresh a little, let me take you to my house, staying here isn't safe". the gentle guy had said earlier before carrying my luggage to his car with a go-ahead order which I said with a nod.

We got to his house, it was a nice house in real estate.

"You can stay in my visitor's room in the meantime, why don't you shower, while I prepare something for you?". He said while unlocking the room.

"Okay, no problem, thank you so much for your kind gesture. God bless". I said and he quickly let out a little smile and left for the kitchen.

I couldn't get my gaze off the room decoration. It was so beautiful. I wish I wouldn't have to go later. I went inside the bathroom, showered, and went to the kitchen to join him, but he was already done preparing the food.

"Here you go!", he said while serving the dish in the dining room where we both sat and ate quietly.  I observed how nice he was in every one of his activities till he finished eating.

"I am sure you are a bit relaxed now, why don't you tell me why you were outside alone subbing?", he said as I slightly bent my head in pity.

"It's fine if you don't want to say, like, I won't force you, okay!", he assured me.

"No! It's fine", I said after taking a long rest before continuing.

"Well, firstly, my name is Stephanie and I came to stay with my friend, who assured me of him helping me find a job here and also squatting with him before I can finally balance life and leave. But, on getting here, I was rubbed". I said as tears kept rolling down my eyes.

"Ow! I am so sorry for that, and you don't have his number off or maybe his home address?". Alex asked.

"No, I don't, I just know he stays in V.I", I said, while still sobbing.

"You shouldn't cry Okay? I will help you find him but do you have a little information about him? His name at least?", Alex asked while fixing his gaze on me.

"I don't know his real name, I was just desperate to find a job because I am the breadwinner of my family, so all those things didn't occur to me as we both have contact with each other". I send in a low tone.

"Are you serious? So how did you know him? I thought you said he is your friend or is he not?" he asked, a bit confused.

I could notice the confusion I was causing myself and him.

"Um! Yes he is, but he is just a face--book fr—ie—nd". I stammered.

"Wow! This is a difficult case, I must say. Why would you take such a risk? It is not safe trusting people you meet online that way". He said a bit pissed.

"Well, there is nothing to be done, since I live alone, you can stay with me, while I help you secure a job. That's if you are cool with it". He said and I immediately nodded my head in agreement with what he said.

"Of course, I am cool with it". I said smiling.

I stood up and went to my room while locking the door behind me. I brought out my phone and dialed Dinma's number.

"Hello pretty! How are you doing? How is home, have you gone to check up on mama and papa for me?". I said as Dinma picked up the call.

"Yeah! I just did and I have some interesting news for you. Besides, are you acting like you have stayed there for long? It isn't even less than 24 hours since you left for V.I". Dinma said and I started blushing.

"Of course, it is! Besides, what is the good news?". I asked eagerly.

"I never said it was good news, I only said I have interesting news for you. It might end up being a piece of good or bad news to you". Dinma said.

"hmm! Sounds fishy, well, whatever it is, I am ready to hear it, so just tell me about it". I said smiling.

"Well! Leo is back". Dinma said and my heart started beating fast.

"Leo!!!", I exclaimed.

"Yeah! Leo. He came looking for you almost immediately after you left but we told him that you have gone to stay in V.I, and also, it seems he has a daughter, about two to three years of age and he is now very wealthy. He came back with a G-Wagon". Dinma said.

I didn't know what to say again like Leo is back with a baby of 2-3years! Meaning he must have gotten married almost immediately after he traveled.

"Are you there?", Dinma's voice pierced into my ear, bringing me back to reality.

“yeah! Sure. I was just lost a bit. Did get his phone number?”, I managed to say.

“ow! I didn't ask, he was quite in a hurry when we told him that you left already”. Dinma said.

I became so moody and very disappointed.

“Okay! No problem but just in case you are opportune to meet him again. Please! Do help me get his number". I managed to say.

"Okay! No problem", Dinma replied and we both ended the call.

I was still trying to understand how possible it was for Leo to be that rich within a few years when I heard a knock on my door.

"hi!". I said opening the door.

"hi! Are you okay?", Alex asked.

"yeah! I am, any problem?". I said, smiling strangely.

"No! No problem, just thought I had you talking to someone". He said and my heart skipped a little.

"Um! Me! Well, umm... I kind of like talking to myself most times, especially when I am bored, I am sorry for that if it is disturbing". I said while smiling, which he joined me to do.

"That's kind of weird, but it's all cool, maybe that's because you have been freed from your phone", he said while still smiling. While I bent my head, trying to shy away.

"Why don't you come to lock the door? I want to go get some things down the street", he said while leaving the house and I followed after him, to lock the door.

After locking the door, I just didn't know what to think, is it how nice Alex was being or is the fact that Leo already has a 2-3-year-old child?

I was still thinking about that when Dinma called again.

"Sorry sister, I didn't ask you anything about the accommodation, how were you able to find accommodation?". Anxious Dinma asked.

"Well... I can't say much, but trust me when I say I serve a living God…", I was still trying to say something when I saw Alex's car.

"Let me call you back later". I told Dinma and immediately switched off my phone while running to go hide it inside a box, and almost immediately, Alex came knocking at the door.

"Ow! You came back rather too early", I said, a bit scared.

"Um yeah...! I only went to pick some stuff on the streets. Besides I got you this, I don't want to get scared in my own house, make sure you don't talk to yourself again". He said while giving a bag which he got from the place he went to, on opening it, I found out that it was a cell phone.

"Thank you so much, and I promise not to scare you". I muttered a little while smiling.

«»«»«»

Days passed to weeks and months I have been to V.I and also to Alex's house to be precise. Things were going well. It was a fateful evening when I got a call from a strange number.

"Hello!", I said picking up the call.

"Hello! It's me, sorry I lost my phone after you went to V.I and after some time I did call, it was switched off. How is the plan going?", the caller asked, I already knew who it was.

"Ow! The plan is going as planned, it's a long story since I came to V.I but trust me, I have found him". I said smiling.

"Wow! That's good news, so what is the plan now?", the caller asked.

"Well, the plan is best known to me because it's going to be bloody". I said and ended the call immediately on seeing Alex.