Tears of an Orphan
Episode 23
© Mary Francis Solomon
A month earlier.
Mr. Olajide came back from his trip. He expected to see Cynthia in the house, but she was nowhere to be found.
He came in when his wife was still at work, so he met Eric and Greatness. He asked them where Cynthia was, but they told him that it had been over a week since they last saw her.
“What? And none of you, not even your mom, deemed it fit to tell me?” Mr. Olajide was shocked and enraged.
“Sorry, Dad. I told Mommy to tell you. I was also worried because when I came back from choir rehearsal, I asked her about Cynthia. She said she sent her on an errand. I waited till the next day and still didn’t see her, so I asked Mommy again. She said when it’s 24 hours, she will report to the police. But she also said we should not tell you so you won’t be distracted with what you were doing over there,” Greatness explained.
“I don’t understand. Why would she take Cynthia’s missing case so casually?” He was very angry. He dropped his luggage in the bedroom and walked out of the house immediately.
“Greatness… do you think Mommy is saying the truth?” Eric asked his sister, feeling bad about what happened to Cynthia.
“Honestly, I don’t know, bro. But I don’t know why I’m having this feeling that she’s the one that chased her out of the house. Mommy doesn’t like Cynthia at all, and she didn’t take her missing seriously since,” Greatness replied.
“Hmmm… I don’t think Mom would do that. Yes, she doesn’t like Cynthia, but she won’t chase her out of the house. Maybe she truly got missing and Mommy didn’t take it seriously,” Eric countered.
“Whatever. I just want Cynthia to be found. This poor child has suffered in your hands and Mommy’s hands. And bro, why did you do such a wicked thing to Cynthia? She’s your sister for Christ’s sake! You should have protected her and stood by her, even when Mommy doesn’t like her,” Greatness rebuked him.
“I regret what I did. I don’t know what came over me. It was when this incident happened that my eyes opened. Right now, I can’t even face her to apologize for what I did,” Eric explained.
“Hah! Eric, do you think apologizing will even help matters? I believe Cynthia doesn’t want to see you again. Do you know the trauma she is going through right now? Hmm… I just pray that wherever she is, she is in safe hands,” Greatness said, looking remorseful.
“I just pray that God will protect her wherever she is… and I miss my sweet cousin,” she added quietly.
Mr. Olajide went to the nearest police station in their community and laid a complaint that his niece was missing. He met the man on duty, and the officer asked him to write a statement.
“When was she missing?” the man at the desk asked.
“It’s up to a week now,” Mr. Olajide replied.
“What? And you feel this is the right time to bring the complaint?” the officer asked in surprise.
“I’m sorry about that, officer. I wasn’t around. My wife did not bring the case to the police station, and she didn’t tell me. I only came back today,” he explained.
“Hmmm… okay. We will try our best. But your wife is supposed to be here to give us a vivid explanation of what really happened that day. That will help us know where to begin our search,” he explained.
“Okay officer, thank you very much. We will come back tomorrow.”
“Okay sir, thank you very much. Make sure you come with your wife tomorrow,” the officer said.
When he reached home, his wife was already at home. He entered, looking worried.
“Hey, my darling is back!” she said happily, moving closer to hug him. But he pushed her away.
“Hey babe, what is it? Why are you pushing me away?” she asked, surprised.
“Ruth… where is Cynthia?” he asked with a stern look.
“Darling, is that why you pushed me?” she asked softly.
“Why won’t I? Don’t tell me you’re not even worried about this girl? We spoke almost every day on phone! You didn’t even see it as important to tell me she was missing? Even if you took the complaint to the police, don’t you think I deserve to know? She’s my niece for Christ’s sake! Why are you so mean and so wicked toward this innocent child of mine?”
“Hey darling, please calm down. Come, let’s go to the room,” she said quickly, feeling embarrassed because he was talking in the presence of their kids.
She dragged him into the bedroom and urged him to sit on the bed, but he refused. He stood, looking angry and not ready to be calmed.
“Did you take the case to the police station?” he asked her again.
“Babe calm down… we are going to talk about it,” she tried to soothe him.
“Ruth, if you want me to calm down, tell me what happened that day! Why didn’t you tell me? And have you taken the case to the police station to search for her? Even if it’s a kidnapping issue, we need to know!” he demanded.
Mrs. Olajide was shocked. She didn’t want to implicate herself. She was trying to devise a way to lie so it wouldn’t look like she chased Cynthia out of the house.
“Okay, I will tell you what happened. But please calm down. You just came back. Greatness and Eric told me that immediately you came, you went out. Please rest first. Later we will talk about it,” she said, trying to buy herself time.
But he refused to hear any of it.
As he was still insisting that she should tell him what happened that day… Her phone suddenly rang.
Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the caller ID.
Her entire body froze.
To be continued…
Inspired by the Great Teacher.
Who do you think called Mrs. Olajide?
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Stay blessed till we meet in the next episode.
Written by Mary Francis Solomon.