“When life gives you lemons, cut them in half and squirt life in the eye.”

—Unknown.

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C H A P T E R 40:

The arrangements and preparation for Mr. Philip's burial was going on, giving Iby no time to converse with May after that night they had kissed. She had stayed by his side throughout the night. She had made sure he took his bath, forced him to eat, even if he had lost his appetite and made sure he had a goodnight rest. It was till the next morning she left. She left before Iby had woken up. She had dropped a letter informing him that because of him, she was going to stop seeing Tega.

As the first son of his nuclear family, he had a lot on his shoulders. Especially concerning his father's burial ceremony preparation. Because of this, May and Iby stopped calling each other or seeing each other as he was always busy but none of them complained.

May also had her life to live of course. She had Maryam to take care of. She also applied for a part–time school program and hoped to be given a chance to study once again in her life. She talked to Tega on few occasions but never accepted his proposal. While sometimes, when she had the time, she would attend her catering school.

As for Edric, he had lost hope in retrieving his money back from Bella. She was no where to be found and her line was never going through. It didn't take long for him to accept the fact that she had lied to him from the start about her family's background and now, had ran away with his money. That huge amount of money. It was frustrating, annoying and making him think alot that he lost concentration at work. When his boss couldn't take all the errors Edric would always make at work, he sacked him and that only made matters worse for Edric.

He knew he couldn't get another job so easily since he wasn't a graduate but he tried his best, searching for other jobs. On looking at his curriculum vitae, his application was always turned down by the manager of the company saying that Edric wasn't qualified enough to work with them. When he tried more companies and was never accepted, it got him depressed. The sudden turn in his life was making him lose his mind slowly and he also didn't like the fact that he always had to stay at home doing nothing.

It was at one of these Edric's steady stay at home that Iby decided to visit May one early morning. Unknown to him, life was about to gift him with lemons. Iby tapped on the door of the family house hoping that May would get the door and he wouldn't stand outside for long but it was Mama Edric that did.

Her eyes brightened up and her cheeks widened into a big smile as she looked at Iby, instantly recognizing him as the guy at the hospital who had helped May when she tried to kill herself.

"Good morning, mama." He greeted casually, also smiling.

"Good morning, my son." She responded, "What do I owe you this morning visit?"

"I am here to see May and Maryam. Its been quite a long time since I saw them both. I thought I should come over and also, use the opportunity to thank May for the care she showed to me the other night since I never had the chance to.. Well, until now." He explained in one breath.

"That's so thoughtful of you and also, sorry for your Father's death. May later told me of it. It was saddening but what can we do? Even our tears cannot bring him back. If it could, I'm sure you and your siblings would've cried a drum full of tears." Mama Edric shook her head in pity, "Chai May his perfect soul rest in peace."

"Amen."

"May is inside the kitchen. She is to set the dinning table where we are to eat breakfast. Come in please and join us." Mama Edric offered.

"No, please," Iby declined politely, "I'll just wait for her outside."

"No. You can't stay outside while we eat breakfast that's unfair. You know, there is love in sharing. Today, I want to share my meal with you for the first time in our lives so you shouldn't refuse it. I beg you. Come in and make yourself comfortable." She insisted stubbornly.

"Mama...." Iby trailed off.

"I beg you or do you want me to kneel down first?"

Iby had to stop her from doing so. It would be highly disrespectful if he allowed an old woman kneel down in front of him only because she was asking him to join her family for dinner.  He doesn't want that.

"Alright mama. I'll eat." he agreed. This made her happy.

When they entered the house, Maryam who was sitting on the living room floor, raced up to Iby and hugged him. He gave her the chocolate bar he had bought for her and her mommy. She thanked him happily and ran to the kitchen to show her mom.

"May," Mama Edric called, looking towards the kitchen door, "You have a visitor."

"Maryam just told me," May responded. Her voice, high enough for Mama Edric to hear. "I'm coming."

"Let me go and help her," Mama Edric announced, walking to the kitchen.

As they waited for the women to set the food on the dinning table, Iby greeted Papa Edric who was busy reading newspaper with his prescription glasses sitting on his wrinkled but pointed nose. He was a lovely old man with wrinkles all over his face, neck and hands. He had a very dull brown skin but he still managed to look handsome. Iby liked the few grey hairs on his scanty brows and on some parts of his head. They discussed about Politics and little about football until breakfast was served.

They all sat down to eat when Mama noticed that one member of the family wasn't with them. "Where is Edric?" she inquired.

"Where else, if not in his room?" Asked Papa Edric with his cracked voice. He cleared his throat, "Since he doesn't have anything else to do, he would lock himself up in his room and dwell in self pity.. Well, unless at times like this when someone is asked to call him."

"Please Maryam go and call your father. Tell him we are about to eat breakfast." May sent her daughter.

When Maryam left for her father's room, everyone waited for Edric in silence. May could feel someone's eyes on her. She looked up and caught Iby's. They shared a brief smile before she said, "Thank you for the chocolates. I like them."

"That is good to know," Iby replied. "It's just my little way of saying 'thank you' for the other night. The night my father died."

May nodded, "It's nothing really. Don't forget you have done way more for me."

Their smiling at each other was interrupted by Edric who had just joined them. He proceeded to sit down and have his meal but paused when he looked at the visitor.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked Iby, knitting in his brows.

"I don't think so," Iby said.

"Why then do you look oddly familiar?" Asked Edric, wondering.

Iby shrugged, "I don't know, you tell me."

Mama Edric touched Edric's arm and said, "Son, sit down so we can pray and eat already. I'm hungry."

After the short prayer said by Papa Edric, they all started eating  from their plate of porridge plantain and pepper soup. Mama Edric brought up a random topic and they talked about it while eating but Edric wasn't part of it. For he was busy staring hard at the visitor, trying to place where he had seen this face.

Under the scrutinizing stare of Edric, Iby became slightly nervous for it felt strange. If Edric had seen him somewhere before, then where? He tried to remember but just couldn't. Maybe the man was mistaking him for someone else. May didn't fail to notice the tension and the uncomfortable atmosphere Edric's stare was building up but Mama Edric and Papa Edric didn't.

Iby gulped down a glass of chilled water down his throat, his Adam's apple shooting up and down as he did. Then, since Edric was still staring at him, choosing not to eat, he licked the side of his slightly burned lip.

Then it clicked!

Edric didn't have to crack his brain anymore to know where he had seen this visitor.

It was him! It was him! His brain screamed.

Edric cleared his throat noisily in order to gain some attention and listening ear. The table went dead in silence.

"I think I have remembered where I saw you, Mr..?" Edric asked, with a brow raised.

"Iby." Iby told him his name, not knowing why he was now feeling uneasy.

Edric face marred into a deep frown now, "I think I know where I've seen your face before, Mr Iby.."

"Where?" May asked anxiously, scooping a spoon full of pepper soup.

Everyone's eyes turned to Edric, expectantly but what they didn't expect was the kind of reply he gave;

"You are the monster that killed my twin sister, Elene, some years back and was lucky enough to have escaped without been caught."

Spoons dropped on plates instantly with shock while May almost choked on her pepper soup, "What?!"

~~~~~~

I have updated again ooo.. Lol. Although, it's a short chapter and there would be errors because I rushed it but then, it is better than nothing, right?

Some of you suspected Iby was Elene's killer while some didn't. Kudos to those that did. What do you think would happen next now that the truth has been revealed?

Well, see you when I have the strength to update.

Love,
Richie ❤