Twenty-six: Jide

                                    

                                          
I paced around in the waiting room.
                          
The doctor eventually surfaced.
                          
"How is she?", I asked almost immediately.
                          
"She's fighting hard. And I have some good news."
                          
I was expectant.
                          
"We quickly ran the tests and it turns out that you can do the transfusion. We'll take two pints and do the transfusion today, I'll give you reports on it when we are done."
                          
It almost didn't make a difference but at least she was strong enough to fight and I wanted her to stay that way for me.
                          
I was told that I wouldn't be able to see her until after the transfusion though and I really wanted to but, I couldn't just ignore what they said.
                          
They took the blood they needed and I felt a little dizzy but the doctor said that I would be fine. I didn't tell him that I had drunk previously but I was sure that the alcohol had left my system before they took it.
                          
I boarded a taxi home and took a mental note to save up for a car as soon as I settle Jamilah's hospital bills.
                          
I had barely gotten home when my phone rang. I was almost surprised to see Dayo's name as the caller ID but picked it up anyway.
                          
"Jide, I need you at the office right now, it's urgent and very important."
                          
I exhaled loud enough for him to hear.
                          
"What is it Dayo? I've told you before, the case is yours and I don't want in on it."
                          
"Trust me Jide, you'll be interested in what I have to say."
                          
"Then just say it."
                          
"It's about Miriam, the new suspect. She's missing."
                          
My heart dropped.
                          
A lot of questions ran in my head but before I could ask anything, Dayo ended the call with a "just come over here".
                          
~~~
                          
"What do you mean none of the police officers know what happened? Where human beings not on parole?"
                          
"Jide calm down, we'll find her. She just broke out."
                          
"Right, you'll find her like we're playing a hide and seek game."
                          
I could keep my voice down or calm my emotions, Miriam cannot be missing and I know she couldn't break out on her own.
                          
"Well we won't find her if you're here throwing a tantrum like a man-baby."
                          
I gave him my best glare.
                          
I didn't need this. I couldn't deal with Dayo and worry about two people at the same time. I was just wondering why things kept getting complicated.
                          
"Besides Jide, why are you so concerned? You haven't cared this much about any suspect before. What is your deal this time?"
                          
I took a deep breath for the first time.
                          
"Does it matter now?", my voice was silent and bowed my head for a while before looking back at him.
                          
"Jide, I didn't expect you to take this case personal but it matters if you sincerely care about the suspect."
                          
The look on my face was that of surprise, he didn't criticize me? Didn't lecture me?
                          
"It happens to the best of us. We don't control what we feel."
                          
I got the hint that there was something he wasn't telling me but I didn't push it further. I was seeing a new side to Jide, something I hadn't noticed since we were always fighting and trying to measure up.
                          
"Dayo.", I called calmly after a brief silence.
                          
"Jide."
                          
"Do all you can to find her."
                          
"We're going to do our best.", he nodded.
                          
I left the office to think. There was too much to think about but I thought about Miriam instead.
                          
It wasn't possible that she broke out on her own. Besides, if she did, where would she go?
                          
I brainstormed a little before I eventually gave up.
                          
Something was definitely off somewhere.
                          
I groaned loudly and kicked the wall beside me.
                          
I decided to just go to my office and arrange my things since there was nothing better to do and I wasn't thinking straight.
                          
The place felt cold and a little new me. It was odd but a lot had happened so I didn't dwell on it.
                          
A few hours later found me checking my phone too. Then I tapped on my messages by mistake.
                          
I wanted to exit just before my eyes caught something. It was an unread message and I tapped on it to find that it was another message from Gabriel.
                          
Something boiled inside of me. I had ignored his messages a lot since. I eventually found myself checking and reading each one of them from top to bottom till I got to the first one he sent and read it. I still remember how I felt after reading it. How I reacted.
                          
I read it again and this time it got me thinking.
                          
How did he even know that she was living with me?
                          
Did he know I had taken her to the station?
                          
Was he watching us?
                          
Then it hit me. It hit so hard that I wondered how I had ignored it.
                          
If he was looking for her and he knew she was at the station, did it also mean he possibly took her away from the station?
                          
I put my elbows on the table and nestled my chin in-between while my eyes were closed.
                          
No.
                          
He didn't dare.
                          
I read the message again and it slowly made sense. Who else wanted her dead besides Gabriel.
                          
Then I scrunched my eyebrows.
                          
Was she dead?
                          
No, she couldn't be. She had to be alive.
                          
I felt a dull ache in my head. It was almost hard to process. He took her away from the station to kill her?
                          
I felt a little panic at the thought of the possibility but I also felt something dying inside of me, was it hope?
                          
I clenched my fists with fury suddenly seeping into my blood like it was pumped into it. My head felt light.
                          
At the moment, I was already sure Gabriel had her kidnapped, he had arranged for her to leave the station. No other explanation suddenly made sense.
                          
He had better not hurt her.
                          
I gritted my teeth as I picked up the phone and copied the number that sent the message.
                          
In the next moment I dialled the number.
                          
That bastard. He was going to pay. I was going to kill him... even if I had to die doing it.
                          
~~~
                          
Author's note: It's been a few days and I've been suuuper busy but what the heck?
                          
Might as well try to finish the book.
                          
Dunno when next I'll write though.
                          
#Stay safe.
                          
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Much love from your girl 😘