FARIDA Episode 69 by Oge’s Stories

FARIDA Episode 69 by Oge’s Stories

Idara called Sam. She was crying frantically. Sam didn’t have patience for what she was saying as she was incoherent.

“As we were driving to the school, we were intercepted by a car and they took Samuel Junior away”

“What do you mean by that?”

“They had guns. They asked us to come down from the car. I was carrying Junior . they yanked him off me and ran into their car and drove off”

“What? Have you reported to the Police?”

“That is where I am now. Come down now”

Sam was confused. Who could be behind this? Who could take his son? He made some calls and then called the chairman of his party and told him what happened. The DSS was informed. Sam left Abuja for Akwa Ibom state. His wife was inconsolable. She was alone with the helps in the house. There were road blocks mounted; there searched everywhere.

The news filtered to Sam’s father. He didn’t say a word. When asked what happened to his grandson, he told them to ask his son. It was a confusing answer. His wife travelled to the village to be with them as Sam’s father refused to say anything.

Days turned into weeks. When he was asked if he had any issue with anyone, his mind went to Wale and Farida. He knew Farida couldn’t have done this; it wasnt in her nature and she was in faraway UK. But Wale was capable of doing this. Wale was arrested for alleged kidnap of Sam’s son. Wale called his father and Alhaji. Alhaji asked him to follow the police, he would handle it.

During his interrogation, Idara and Sam were present. Idara was seeing Wale for the first time. He was a cute guy, tall; about Farida’s height and jovial. He didn’t have an athletic build like Sam but he wasn’t lanky either and had a good physique. He was chocolate; light chocolate in colour. He looked nice and well composed. He didn’t look like one to pull this stunt.

Wale looked at Sam and his wife. He was also just seeing her for the first time. She was a complete opposite of Farida. She wasn’t ugly but she was not dashing either. She was just about average in height and looked like a size 18. She looked genuinely troubled but Wale believed it was a stunt by Sam and he didn’t fail to express it.

He had answered all their questions and written a statement. Sam asked him where his son was and he ignored him outrightly. The police stepped and asked,

“Why is this man accusing you?”

“Because it is something he can do”

“What do you mean? Talk to us”

“I dated his first wife and he wanted me out of the picture. He held a gun to her head, threatened to kill my child in her custody and raped her violently. He even sodomised her just because he wanted me out of the picture. He could have made good his threat if she didn’t agree. That is who is accusing me of kidnapping his son. Why would I kidnap your son when I am no more with Farida?” there were stares and side talks. Some expressed shock at the revelation others refused to be distracted

“You kidnapped him. You are waiting for the divorce and you are trying to force me to divorce her” Sam announced

“And the best way is to kidnap your son when your first son is with his mother in the UK. wouldn’t it be easier to kidnap that one that knows me? I don’t get involved in dirty deals. I won’t want harm to come to any child even that of my enemy. I did no such thing” Wale responded to him.

‘Is there any other proof you have that he is the kidnapper?” the IPO asked

“We had a fight and he threatened me” Sam answered

“Threatened you? Who threatened who? I just told you I have left her for you; how is that a threat?” Wale replied.

“From every indication, I do not believe this guy kidnapped your son. We have to get more evidence and even suspects” Police concluded.

Wale stepped out of the office to meet his father outside. The father asked for the details so his lawyer can get prepared but Wale knew the matter was over; Alhaji had squashed it.

Idara walked up to meet Wale, she greeted his father and the lawyer and asked to speak with Wale alone.

“I am sorry to disturb you. I know you are angry at Sam for all he did. I am just hearing the details of the rape for the first time. I need your help. Please can you help me beg Farida to forgive Sam. It is what he did that has come back to haunt us. I know Farida will consider me and not kidnap my child but for all Sam and I have done to her, please help me beg her to forgive us so my son will come back to me alive.”

“Madam, Farida holds no ill feelings towards you. As for Sam, he should ask her for forgiveness himself. That’s not your responsibility. We do not have your son. Our minds are not wicked like that. Your husband should be your prime suspect; he can do something like this just to frame me or Farida”

This case was becoming a battle. Two weeks after there was still no sign of the boy. Idara was almost running mad. She had begged Sam to tell her what he got involved in that they would take her son. Sam had no response. He had his suspicion.

Sam’s father came back home to the village for a meeting. At the meeting, the issue of the missing son came up. He told them Sam knew where his son was and they all should forget about the son. The story got back to Sam. Sam was furious. He wondered why his father would accuse him like that. He was tired of his unguarded utterances and needed to confront him. He came to the house and demanded to be let in. His stepmother asked the security to let him. he confronted his father about his utterances.

“Have you asked from the people who installed you as a member of the house of rep for your son? Didn’t they tell you there was a price to pay? I wept the day I found out you went to them. You sold your soul to the devil. As a good father, I appealed to them not to deal with you gravely. You got into the house and became a lord unto yourself. You refused to obey instructions and do what they say. I expected it. You are too heady and loudmouthed. You cannot be controlled or advised. What caused all this is Farida. Allow Farida travel for her Master’s you blocked the way. Grant her a divorce so your career can excel and then woo her back. You refused. You wanted her and your career. You can’t have both of them. Go and ask for your child from the people that installed you. Idara, your husband has your son. I pray he is still alive”

Idara landed on the floor. She believed her father-in-law, he never talked anyhow. She was in serious trouble. Her only son. Sam had a son with Farida so he stands to lose nothing. She grabbed Sam, “So you sacrificed my son because you have another son. You kept Farida’s son and gave them my son. Why did you choose my son? What did I ever do to you? You have been in Abuja cruising with different ladies, I didn’t fight you. As long as you take care of us, I am ok. Now you have taken my joy. Sam, please give me my son. I beg of you, give me my son”

Sam stood in total confusion. This was bad. No matter where he goes, Alhaji had connections there. Why would he do this to him? Was this pay back? Idara was creating a scene he didn’t need. He pushed her aside and left for Abuja. He had to meet with Alhaji immediately.

Wale needed to share the news with Farida. She had blocked every means of communication. He had to call Monica and inform her. Monica came to the house and also informed Farida. Farida was shocked when she heard the news. She had been under the weather for some days now and this news was quite devastating. Monica called her father concerning the kidnap, he repeated what he had always said. Monica reached Idara. Idara begged her to appeal to Farida to forgive Sam so her child can be found. Farida spoke with her and assured her she had no hands in her son’s disappearance and that she had forgiven and forgotten about Sam.

Finally, Farida unblocked Wale. She needed to understand what was happening. Wale explained to her what happened at the station. He recounted Sam’s accusation. His saving grace was Alhaji and his father. Farida wondered why Sam would want to rope them into the disappearance of his son. She became scared he would want to retaliate. She became a bit paranoid. Monica’s father assured her Sam was too busy looking for his son to retaliate. He knew who had his son.

Sam arrived Abuja and went to see the Chairman of the party. He explained to him that he had a suspicion his son might just be with Alhaji. the chairman asked him why he thought so, he said he had a deep conviction he was being punished for something.

The first day they went to see Alhaji, he refused to see them. This happened for two weeks until Idara came to join Sam in Abuja. Sam’s suspicion heightened with each passing day. His father was right. Why would they do this? Why would they hold his son hostage? He threatened to go crazy on Alhaji by creating a scene in front of his house until he sees him. the chairman advised against it saying he would be bundled away like a criminal and wouldn’t be seen again like his son. Sam became scared. It became clear he didn’t know what he got himself into. He appealed to the Chairman to help him. The chairman said to him, “There are two people that would speak to him now and he will listen. One person is your father, he holds your father in high esteem. The second is the boy you fought with. He is like a son to him. he is handling all his projects and he is trustworthy. If he appeals to Alhaji, he would listen”

Sam swore within him; he would never approach Wale for help. Never. The only other option was his father. He could just imagine his father gloating over him coming back to beg. He hated subjecting himself to other people’s pleasures. To make it easier, he went to Idara to Lagos to see his father.

Sam’s father knew his son wasn’t remorseful. He just wanted his son back and Idara off his back. A male child is a big deal where he was from. He listened to him talk about the situation and not knowing what to do. He was more concerned that the country was aware his son was missing and he couldn’t do anything about it. He felt powerless and not in control. But he didn’t regret his actions which caused a rift between himself and his father.

It was Idara that laid on the floor crying that touched his father’s heart. She was in genuine pain and anguish. As the days went by chances of finding him were getting slimmer. Sam knelt before his father waiting for the lecture. He didn’t get one. all his father said was,

“I am doing this because of Idara. I still stand on my words, you are disowned. I don’t want to have anything to do with you or what you stand for. Your children will inherit your possession from me. You are a disgrace to me and all I stand for. Book my flight to Abuja”

Sam was shocked when they got to Alhaji’s house and they had direct access without the help of the party chairman. They were directed into an inner room which Sam had never been before. Sam’s father and Alhaji spoke alone for some time while Idara and Sam waited for them to round up. Eventually, he called them to join in.

“Well, when a dog wants to get lost, it will not hear the hunter’s whistle. I have told your father all you have done after coming to us for assistance. You disgraced us, turned against us, secretly went into alliance with another group and feel you will go unpunished? You fought someone in my premises and even when I assured you, I will handle it, you still reported the matter. You have shown me disrespect simply because your father begged me not ruin your life. But now he can also see my hands are tied. You have bitten more than you can chew. You stabbed us in the back. you are not as smart as you think and you are constantly under our radar. I have told your father; I didn’t take your son. I investigated and found out who. You must do the rites to have your son back. once you do the rites, your son shall be freed”

“What is this rite?”

“You will be informed and it will be done in the presence of your wife so it will be clear it wasn’t coerced. It is unfortunate we have to get to this point. You were warned not to tell anybody about our deal but you did, don’t deny it, I have played the evidence for your father. You decided to form your own pressure group and tried to convince people to join; I also have the video. You must do the rites and once it is done, you will learn to be have yourself and your son won’t pay the price for you”

“When will the rites be done?” Sam’s father asked.

“He has to come willing for it to be done. He will the date and time then we will schedule the venue”

“Tomorrow sir. We will be available tomorrow” Idara quickly answered.

“Remain in Abuja, before the end of the week you will be contacted and directions given to you. Once the rite is over, your son will be returned. Let me give you the final warning, there is no going back on the rites”

Sam’s father couldn’t look either his son or daughter-in-law in the eyes. He knew what was coming would not be pleasant. He had tried to save his son but it had proved almost impossible. This was the best he could do as his son had placed himself in this position. It was a cabal thing and beyond Alhaji who is just the link man.

Sam’s father announced he was leaving for Lagos that evening. He believed by the end of the week Sam and Idara would have their son. What will follow after that was brought upon himself by Sam.

Farida had been ill for over a week now. She still had so much to do in preparation for her photography studio. She planned on creating a studio for children’s photography. She was working one evening and collapsed. The workers called for the nanny and ambulance. Farida was rushed the hospital. Kufre called Monica to inform her.

Farida was pale when she saw her. The illness had taken a terrible toll on her. Monica was scared when she saw Farida. Why was she looking like this? The doctors at the emergency revived her and asked for some questions. They discovered she was anaemic. What could be causing the anaemia? The Consultant asked for a series of tests to be conducted. They waited for the result.

“Madam, when was your last period?”

“Last month”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Very sure”

“Well, the result here says your pregnant. Obviously, you’ve not been taking care of yourself. We will need a scan…..”

“What did you just say?” Farida asked in absolute shock.

“You are pregnant. We just have to ascertain how long gone you are”

“I can’t be pregnant” Farida replied.

“A scan would prove it”

“Farida, let’s not argue. Let’s have the scan done” Monica urged her.

Farida was wheeled in for the scan. Monica was with her. She didn’t ask any questions. She just concentrated on the screen. It was obvious. She was pregnant and with twins again. Farida wanted the ground to open and swallow her. How could she allow this happen to her a second time.

When they got back to the ward, Monica talked to the doctor and they commenced treatment on her. She was sedated. She wasnt transfused but she was given drugs to boost her blood level and was asked to rest.

The next day, she was discharged. Monica came to take her home. She told Kufre to ensure the children don’t disturb Farida as she was placed on bedrest. She settled Farida in and made food recommended by the doctors for her.

Farida refused to eat. She was sad and confused. She wasnt ready for another child. The twins were barely two with Morenike. She couldn’t cope. Tears flowed from her eyes. She didn’t plan this.

“I don’t know why you are crying. I just knew something was amiss when you wouldn’t let me into your room and Wale’s car was parked outside. You think O didn’t know you slept out the next night. I just wasn’t sure it was Wale. So you guys were having a good time without protection. I thought you two used protection. Please don’t tell me it just happened. You have tell Wale he is going to be a father again”

“I’m not telling him. He would want me to keep it. I don’t want to. I am at a stage I don’t want to be tied down or dictated to. I want to live free. I’m enjoying my freedom. Wale will ruin everything”

“You should have thought of that before you opened your legs. No wonder he became insecure. What do you do to these guys that they don’t want to leave you? Is it not the same sex or is there something more?”

“Monica, I can’t keep.this pregnancy. Promise me you won’t tell Wale or anyone. It’s strictly between us. I really can’t keep the pregnancy”

“Don’t do it Farida. Even if you want to, Wale needs to know. Please don’t take the decision just yet. Think about it. It’s overwhelming now but with time you will ease into it”

“Promise me you won’t tell Wale or my mum. Promise me!”

“I promise you. I won’t tell him. But I won’t go with you for the abortion. I’m against it. You will do it yourself”

#OpraDre FARIDA 69

To be continued

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