Part Forty-One

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Bella's POV

"You're awfully quiet," Dad noticed, looking at me squarely in the eye.

"It's nothing," I mumbled back, even though I wanted to muse and hiss at him right now, to make him understand how bad I felt.

Throughout the ride from the house, I haven't said a word in the car, as we drove dad to the airport. I don't know if to feel mad at Dad for leaving me at the hands of strangers—Daphne and her mom, or mad at my mother, for being the cause of this situation, or perhaps aunt Angela, for being too-nice-a-person towards Dad and I. The three of us—myself, aunt Angela and Dad, are currently on the way to the airport to drop dad off, to catch the plane leaving for Cameroon.

After finding out the truth about mother's condition, and much thought into the matter, Dad decided to go back to Cameroon to help mom recover. According to Dr Keedan, she needed a confidant and someone she trusts, in order to get her to cooperate with him. It was obvious she hasn't gotten over Dad, so, he was the best person to be around her. Coming to the decision was tough for him, considering he was about to get engaged to aunt Angela. I don't even understand how she's taking all these easy, if I were to be in her shoes, I know I wouldn't want the man I'm in love with and about to marry, go to spend time with his ex.

I looked at Dad and Miss Angela through the rearview mirror, they were engrossed in some discussion that had them whispering and holding each other's hands. They two of them must be trying to console each other, as well as themselves, and could only hope they get out of this situation still together. I remembered how distraught dad was when he heard the news from Dr Keedan.

After dad told me that he would go to pay aunt Angela's bride-price, I was totally lost at what to do. I stared at him - wide-eyed, he can't be serious.

"Uh...when?" I stuttered.

"Sometime soon, she still has to meet and talk with her people, and they'll get to tell me when to come. I don't know all these things." He chuckled nervously before making himself comfortable on the sofa beside me.

If dad goes ahead with aunt Angela without finding out what is going on with mom, then things will go from bad to worse. Because, I don't even know how mom would react, should she learn about this new development. I was beyond shocked to find out that my mother had taken to alcohol and drugs, during the time I spent with her in Cameroon, for the end-of-the-year holiday.

Dad had asked Mirian to prepare his dinner, after which he would retire to bed. I knew then and there that it was the chance to let him in on what Dr Keedan had related to me.
After he had dinner and taken his bathe, he sat down on the edge of his very big bed (I knew that because I was standing just outside his room door), and switched on the LED TV in his room. I knocked twice on the door, then I heard a faint ‘come in’, I turned the knob and the door gave way before me.

" Iya " dad called me in his local language, meaning—my princess “what could be the matter? You never come to my room this late, except it's important. Come closer dear." he gestured towards the bed he was seated on.

“Daddy it's important that I tell you this, before you make any further arrangements with Ms Angela." I rushed the words out, even as I moved closer to him.

"Okay?" he queried, the expression on his face showed that he was truly worried about what I had to say.

After I sat down, I inhaled deeply then gradually exhaled, making sure to do it as quietly as possible. But dad watched me with keen interest; just like an owl keeps watch. I turned to face him, then staring at him in the eye, I started.

"It's about mom_"

"What about her?" he quickly asked, cutting in.

"Dad, she's not doing so good. While I was in her place for the holiday, I found out that she's been drinking a lot of alcohols and probably drugs too..." I muttered in a shaky and low voice. Most of my words must have been incoherent, but not the part I mentioned ‘drugs’, because dad heard that loud and clear.

"Drugs?!" he exclaimed, then composed himself and spoke in a lower and calmer tone "since when? And why did you decide to tell me about it just now, it's been over two months you came back." he sat up straight and glared at me.

"I don't think the drugs are harmful, it could just be painkillers or antibiotics." I suggested, shrugging my shoulders.

"Narcotics are also called painkillers are they not, but they're still categorized as drugs. And you know what could happen if a person becomes dependent on them, including Antidepressants." Dad cautioned, moving his fingers up and down to show how grave he felt the situation was.

I bowed my head in shame, I didn't want to say a word to upset my dad any longer. Obviously, telling him tonight was a bad idea. He must have realized that I had nothing to say to him, so he sighed and instructed that I continue with my complaint.

"I advised her to seek medical help and she promised that she will, but recently I got a message from Dr Keedan. He said she's not cooperating as he would like her to, and that her condition could get worst." I mumbled the last part, trying so hard to keep the tears in check.

"And you say you've been in touch with this Dr Keedan?" he asked.

I nodded, "I can call him up right now, if you want."

"Oh no... no dear, I'll speak with him tomorrow. It's late, you should get some sleep, so you can be strong enough for tomorrow's paper, okay?"

"Yes, thanks Dad." I rose from the bed, sniffing softly. After I gave him a peck on the cheek, I left the room.

The next morning I reminded him about calling Dr Keedan, he promised he would do so but not as early. So I got ready and left for school, after I dropped Dr Keedan's contact with him. I was restless throughout the day, I can't even recall all the answers I gave to the questions that were asked, I can only hope and pray that I will be successful in French Language.

As soon as dad settled in for the night, I brought up the matter we left unsettled last night.

"Yes, I spoke with Dr Keedan today. He did admit that your mom's condition wasn't getting any better. I think he diagnosed her with schizophrenia,says she's still redeemable only if she gets help on time." He puffed out a large amount of breathe.

"Okay, so how do we help her?" I probed.

"Not we... Me. From the things he told me, I believe I am the one who should help her...sorry, help the doctors help her."

I was confused at what he was saying. What could he mean by ‘the things he told me’, what did Dr Keedan say to him. Dad looked at me briefly before turning his eyes away, he kept his eyes focused on the movie playing before us.

"I can't tell you all Dr Keedan told me, but I want you to know that the relationship between your mom and I, didn't end so good. We never had closure and so, I believe that's the main cause of her trauma." He looked at me this time and wrapped an arm over my shoulders, pulling me closer to his side.

"I can't take you to Cameroon with me because of your exams, and I can't postpone going there because your mom's health is at risk. I can only leave you in the hands of someone I trust, I'll let her know about it once you agree."

"Aunt Angela?" I asked, knowing fully well whom he was referring to.

"I know you don't get along with her daughter, but baby, the two of you won't fight forever. We'll be married one day and both of you girls will just have to deal with it, so, the earlier you learn to accept one another as family, the easier things will be." Dad advised, unwrapping his arms and standing to his feet.

How I had agreed to letting aunt Angela and Daphne stay in our house for the period dad would be away, was beyond me. With Daphne around, I could only expect the worst, but my consolation lies in the fact that her mom's a sensible woman.

I watched as the driver navigated the car along the terrace and walkways provided within the airport grounds, until he parked it at an empty spot. Dad and aunt Angela got out of the car before I sluggishly made my way out. We helped dad carry his bags until we got to the terminal, where we had to wait for his plane to begin to board.

Sitting at a corner and brooding, as I watched him talk and laugh at intervals with aunt Angela, I reminisced on the days we spent time together—me, my dad and my mom. How truly happy we were. I wondered how they two of them got it wrong, for their marriage to fail so woefully. When I remembered that dad was leaving, it suddenly occurred to me that I was going to be alone, though I will be surrounded by people.

I wondered if this was how mom felt, how lonely and sad she was when dad and I left her. It wasn't a good feeling and as of right now, I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy.

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So, I have nothing to say but to say sorry for going on hiatus without informing you guys. I'm trying my best to get the actions in this drama, packed together, so I can conclude the story by the end of this year. There's like ten more or less chapters before this book is ended, don't give up yet.

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