NOTICE!!!> THIS IS CHAPTER 29. SWIPE UP AND READ CHAPTER 28 WHICH YOU PROBABLY SKIPPED FIRST BEFORE YOU MOVE AHEAD TO READ THIS ONE.

“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
                 — George Washington

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C H A P T E R 29:

"Woman, you better provide your son or else..." the police man threatened, "We've been to his house but he is not there. You have to tell us where he is right now or you would follow us to the police station."

Mama Edric panicked as she kept on dialing Edric's phone number but it was switched off.

"I can't get to him. Please officer.. " She pleaded as beads of sweat covered her face. She wiped it off with the end of her lose wrapper. "He must've travelled to calabar for the couple's get together thing he is having with his siblings. They informed me about it but I can't remember exactly where they are having it and i have been trying to get to any of my sons but their lines are not reachable. Please officer have mercy. I didn't do anything."

"Mtcheww.." Tina drawled, eyeing her from her head to her toe. "Wicked woman. Weren't you aware of your sons devilish behavior before? And what did you do about it? You kept quiet but now you are pleading. What a shame. Officers please take this woman away. She has to be arrested until she provides her son."

"Madam, move!" the skinny, dark skinned officer on his black uniform and black cap yelled at Mama Edric while the huge, light skinned officer, who was also putting on the same uniform as his colleague, pushed her lightly when she remained adamant and continued pleading.

"Officers take her away!" Tina yelled with impatience.

"Officers don't." May spoke.

All eyes turned to her except Iby who had his back on the hospital wall as his fingers typed away on his phone. He had been quiet since and hadn't said a word to the drama going on around him neither as he had an eye contact with May. He had only stolen a few glances at her when she wasn't looking.

Everyone was surprised but Mama Edric was the most shocked out of all of them. She had come with Maryam to visit May at the hospital only to come meet the cops asking her to follow them to the station. Mama Edric knew she hasn't been playing her role right as a mother in-law. There were times May called her to lay several complains about Edric and she hadn't read too much meaning to it. Rather, she had asked May to endure yet, May loved her enough to ask the cops not to take her away.

She was really blessed with a kind daughter in-law who didn't deserve all the treatment her son had given to her.

"What are you saying, May?" Tina asked, stunned. "This wicked womans son who is suppose to be your husband, abused you to the extent you couldn't take it no more and decided it was best to take your life. She was aware of it all yet she didn't deem it fit to find a way out for you or help you and you say she shouldn't be queried?"

"Calm down, Tina. Your blood pressure is too hot." May puffed. "Yes, she didn't do anything to help me but.. Did I do anything to help myself?"

Efua and Esther who had been filled with all the details by Tina and Iby shared a brief surprised look.

"No, I didn't. Not that I am proud of it but it isn't has easy as it seems. If I was you, I wouldn't point accusing fingers at mama. Point the fingers at me. Mama did the part she thought was best. She took Maryam away so Maryam wouldn't get to see me suffer in the hands of her father and that, I think, was enough."

"Bull shit! Absolute bull shit, May." Tina yelled, not wanting to hear anymore. "Why are you making excuses for this heartless human?"

"Tina!" May shouted, raising up her right hand as a sign of stop. "As far as I am still married to Edric, his mother remains my mother in-law. Therefore, I won't have you insult her in my presence. Okay?"

Instead of an answer, Tina threw her long braids behind her shoulder with a thick frown.

May turned to the police officers who also wore an unhappy face. They were obviously not happy because if they had taken Mama Edric to the station, they would have earned some tips. Now, May have spoil everything.

"Officers, I am sorry for all the inconveniences we might have cost you. I would pay for that. And..." She turned briefly to look at Tina, who narrowed her eyes, folded her arms and turned away then back to the officers. "..to make Tina happy, I am going to write a statement of Edric abusing me but that would be after I get out of this sick bed."

The skinny officer wasn't satisfied. "It's okay." He replied reluctantly.

Efua insisted to pay off the police officers and they left.

"I know you really want to put Edric behind bars, I mean, he deserves it but don't squeeze your face too much. It doesn't look good on you." May tried to make out a joke just to change her mood but Tina wasn't having it.

"So all this is a joke to you? I am trying to help you out and this is what I get?" Tina asked, annoyed.

May sighed. "You're been over dramatic, Tina. It is not how you see it."

"Then it is how? Do you enjoy feeling the pain and the torture? Answer me!"

"Trust me, I have felt the pain so much that I no longer feel anything. I am simply tired of feeling anything."

"Then why? Why don't you want her to be put in jail? If she is kept there, Edric would surely come for her and that's how we would have him arrested."

"No."

"Why?"

"It is not right that she would suffer for her son's sin. It is and would not be done that way. As for Edric, I would handle him myself. Okay?"

Tina sighed, obviously not satisfied. "I can see that you're not ready for justice and so.. I cannot take medicines for your headache." She opened her palms wide. "I'll let it be. Do as you wish. I hope that your decision is best for you and it works for you. Good luck with your life. As for me, I am going back to Nsukka, where I come from."

She didn't wait for another word to be said, as she took her handbag and walked out of the hospital room, slamming the door shut very hard that Efua had to cover both her ears with both her hands.

May sighed before slowly shaking her head sideways, "My life is totally fucked up."

"It's okay, girl." Efua rubbed her arm softly.

Mama Edric wrapted her arms around May in a warm hug, "Thank you so much my child. Thank you."

"It's okay, mama." May told her with a weak smile. "What about Papa?"

"He is at his welding shop. I haven't told him that you're here yet because I didn't have the time to. When I received the call, I was at my local restaurant." Mama explained.

"There is no problem, Mama. I know once he's aware that I am at the hospital, he would visit. Just I have not seen him in a while."

"He would," Mama assured. "As for now, Maryam needs to go home so she'll sleep comfortably on her bed. I'll take her home and come back later with a well prepared plantain and peppersoup for you."

"Take Maryam where?" Esther quickly asked before May could reply. "Please oh. Don't take my cute niece away from me."

Esther carried sleeping Maryam like she was an egg. It was the first time setting her eyes on her niece and she wasn't going to release her, so she held her tightly.

Mama, Efua and May chuckled at this.

"Please Esty, hand her over to Mama. She needs to sleep."

Esther pouted at May who had spoken, "But she is sleeping on my arms na"

May shook her head sideways. "You can't carry her like that forever, can you?"

After a little hesitation, she gave in and Mama left with Maryam but not without Esther tucking a few notes into Maryam's faded jean trouser pocket.

May's phone binged signifying that she had received a text. The phone was passed to her and the text read, Dear temporary wife, don't you think we need to talk?

The sender was Iby and so she looked up at him, who was already looking at her. They stared at each other briefly then was interrupted by Efua clearing her throat loudly on noticing their exchange.

"Esther, I think we should start going. We still have other things to do." She said with the intention to give them some privacy.

"But I don't want to..." Esther whined like a little baby.

"Come on," Efua urged on. "May needs some rest."

"Okay. But wait for me outside. I want to say something to her."

Efua obliged. She waved them bye as she walked away gracefully on her silhouette.

Esther rubbed May's arm, worriedly, "I can't still believe you went through all that pain after you left home. I still can't believe you've endured so much all in the name of trying to get your husband back. I can't believe... I just can't bring myself to believe it. May, you have to find your voice. You aren't the sister I knew before now. You aren't the vibrant, beautiful and robust sister I had like six years ago. You look like a shadow of your old self. The complete opposite of you. You shouldn't suffer like this when you have a wealthy father who can take good care of you. May, find a place in your heart to forgive father and come back home."

May didn't say anything. She wasn't going to.

Esther exhaled tiredly at her failed attempt, "Okay. What ever decision you make, I'm in full support of it. I'm going to support you in whatever way I can, okay?
Just don't forget to call me when you need help. As for your hus— I mean, Edric. When he comes back from his trip, inform me. I know just what to do."

She brought out a cheque, wrote something down on it and gave it to May.

"Take care of yourself." Esther said as they hugged warmly.

Before she left, she patted Iby on his back, asking him in a low whisper to take good care of May for her.

The room remained quiet like a graveyard until May spoke up first, intending to apologize.

"I'm—"

"Sorry?" He completed it with a raised brow.

She looked down with shame.

He sat down. "That's what you'll always say, sorry. May... You lied to me. Why would you even do that?"

"I was...." She swallowed, "I was going to tell you."

"When? When we've grown grey hairs? And What exactly? That your parents are alive and you were disowned or the fact that your dad is actually the governor of this state?"

She decided not to utter a word or look him in the eye.

He went on anyways, "I can't believe you've been living a lie. You've been telling lies to the one person that cares for you and shows it. May, how could you?"

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Iby. I was going to tell you myself. I didn't expect Esther to suddenly appear from no where. Please forgive me. I'll never tell a lie to you again." She raised her head and touched his hand with hope that he would listen to her.

He looked away with a frown but  didn't push her hand away from his. That was a good sign.

After few minutes of silence, he said. "How can I be sure that your sorry is even a sincere one? I wish I can create a link direct to your heart so when you think, I'll receive alert because these days, I don't even know when you're saying the truth no more."

"Please..."

"At my house, you told me you were fine and the next minute, you tried to kill yourself. Tell me, If I was you and you were me, would you have forgiven me?"

She held his hand tighter and shook her head sideways with wet eyes, "I'm not sure but I know I would've definitely do. But it's a good thing that you're not me and I'm not you right?.. Iby, please..." His name came out as a soft whisper.

She sniffed, about to cry.

He faced palmed himself, rubbing his forehead to cool down. He didn't want to see her cry. That shit hurts him alot. This was the woman he loves.

He took her hands gently in his, "To be sincere, I am highly disappointed in you."

She gulped.

"Liars are fake people. And as a good woman that I know you to be, this isn't good at all. You are way better than this. Like, I didn't  expect this from you..."

"I know. I.."

"Let me finish." He half yelled.

Her heartbeat increased as she was nervous of what he would say next. What if he doesn't forgive her? He was literally all she has by her side right now.

"I least expected this from you and that's why I am hurt." He continued, "But." He paused, "I forgive you because I don't think I can help not doing so for long."

Relief surged through her shaking body. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. The tears, dripped slowly down her eyes. Her sweaty hands, not daring to leave his warm ones.

"All I want is for you to be real. I know the truth is bitter but your lies aren't sweet either. I don't want us swimming in deceit. If we are true friends, then there should be no vacancy for lies. Please May, don't ever lie to me again."

"I won't."

"Promise me."

"I promise never to lie to you again."

He relaxed properly on his seat now and a thin smile appeared on his lips. He watched her as she kept sniffing her tears and as sweats dripped down her lovely face.

He caressed her cheeks lightly, "Why not smile for daddy?"

That got her smiling through her tears. "Thank you." she whispered.

"There is no reason for a thank you. I also have a confession to make."

Her eyes widened a little out of curiosity as she made an effort to draw closer to him. "What's that?"

"Do you remember Uche?" He asked.

She thought for awhile, "Nope."

"Uchenna. The boy that buys alot of oranges from you..."

May pat her laps with her right hand on remembering. "Yes. What about him?" She asked but then realisation struck her. "No way! Don't tell me you've been the one behind that."

"Uhm... Unfortunately, I have."

Her mouth opened agape. She couldn't believe it. She blinked her eyes continuously. "I knew there was something fishy about it from the start. How did I not figure it out?"

He replied, "There is no way you were going to figure it out if I hadn't told you my self."

"You this man." She playfully punched his arm and his melodious laughter filled the room.

"Why did you? What did you do with all those oranges?" She asked.

Iby cleared his throat. "Well, isn't it obvious? I was tired of seeing you suffer. I didn't do it out of pity though. I did it out of love."

As he said the last sentence, a warm feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.

"As for your second question, I use to share the oranges to poor kids on my street."

"What motivated you in doing that?" She asked in disbelief.

"Those kids reminds me of me when I was younger. Those days I didn't have food to eat. Those days that my family went through alot. Those days I looked malnourished and dirty, motivated me."

Fresh tears streamed down her eyes. "You a good man. Do you know that?"

"Yes. You've told me that before."

"Well, I need to tell you that again. Men like you are rare and hard to find in this country. Any woman that ends up with you would be lucky. I'm happy to have a friend like you." She passed the cheque Esther had given to her to him.

He looked at it. His eyes widened at the big sum of money that was written on it. He passed it back, "No. I won't accept this. You need it."

She pushed it back to him, "and.. You need it more." She quickly added, "Please do not decline it. Let's just say this is my little way of appreciating you for standing by my side where no one else stood."

Iby was at the verge of tears. He badly needed this money for his father's surgery. This was a miracle. Before she knew it, He pulled her closer and hugged her like his life depended on it.

"Thank you," He whispered into her rough hair.

She rubbed his back, "No, thank you."

She didn't want the hug to end. She wanted them to stay like that for the rest of their lives but with Iby not taking the hint, he pulled away which broke her heart but she wouldn't say.

"So now, tell me. What's next?" He asked her.

She smiled sweetly as she said the first thing that came into her mind.

"Revenge."

~~~~~

Hello guys! Sorry for the late update. The zeal to continue writing this book was dying but I had to push my self. Because if I don't, no one would do it for me. I promise to complete this book or make it short as soon as possible but I think the updates would be slower. Don't worry about this tho. No one knows what will happen next.☺

With this long chapter, I hope I was able to cover some areas I think is relevant. Anyways, hope you enjoyed reading? And what are your thoughts about this chapter?

Till I update again.
Your lazy writer,
Ruth.