Henry haven rested for a week decided to visit an old time friend.
It has been six month he last saw his friend, the last time he came home his friend was not around and he has really missed him.
"hello" he said
Sam who was busy under the counter sprang up when he heard the familiar voice. "Big bad bro!" He saluted.
"yes boss!" They shook hands and hugged "how far?"
"I dey my brother".
"You've really changed" he said looking at him, "looks like I've not seen you in 10 years".
"Same with me" he laughed "Man! I've really missed you" they hugged again.
They found a sit at the back of the bar where they shared old jokes and did some catching up. As they discussed, one of the call girls at Sam club came in.
"look who we have" Sam announced.
Henry look up only to make eye contact with an overly sexy lady, his first instinct was to have a quick one with her but then he remembered the promise he made to respect the female gender.
" How are you handsome " the lady greeted him after saying hello to Sam.
"Fine thanks" he replied formally dismissing her and managing to shock the hell out of his friend but not as much as he surprise himself.
"hey!" Sam called as they strolled outside,Henry's behaviour in the still surprised him.
whatever happened to my woman eating Buddy he thought.
"Would you please tell me who you are and what you did to my friend?".
Henry smiled "Well, what i did to your friend is called brain transplant".
"Man! You've really changed, what happened?!"
"Long story"
"I've got the time"
" How about we go to my house"
With that the turned around to go get Henry's car at the bar.
*************************************************************
It was past nine still victor and maria were not back. Rufi sat at the table with Anna in her arms calling both their numbers and they were not picking up.
Different scenarios were playing in her head. She decided to wait till ten. Drinking the twentieth or fiftieth cup of water and visiting toilet the nth time, she was almost crying.
Fear is and forever will remain the best laxative.
Why wouldn't they answer her call. She though worriedly looking at the time.
The time for once was taking eternity to tick but at last it ticked 10:00pm.
She carried Anna, took the keys and went outside hoping to see them.
She fought the urge to go to the police since she knew they would tell her to wait 24 hours before reporting the case.
"Jesus!" Rufi screamed when she felt a touch.
"sorry dear" Mrs Wellington said when she saw she'd frightened Rufi. "what are you doing outside this late"
"I'm waiting for maria and victor" she said still panting.
"Where did they go?"
"They went to UI and they are supposed to be back by now"
"When did they leave"
"Yesterday afternoon"
"And they said they'll be back today?"
"YES"
Taking Anna from her she patted Rufi's back "I understand your fears" she smiled "But they'll be OK, You'll see"
"I'm not against them staying out, but I think I deserve a good Night rest".
Figuring Rufi's mind was going the wrong places Mrs Wellington smiled "Don't worry I'm sure they're all right"
"Could be....."
"No could be Ruf, they'll be alright"
Mrs Wellington led her to her apartment.
.......................
Whisky?' Henry asked Sam who was settled at the bar in his house.
"Yea, thanks"
Henry served them both then sat on a stool Beside Sam.
"so man, tell me what happened?"
"you see, there's this girl who works at my bar...."
"And?"
"Well she has a similar case with Yvonne"
He narrated Rufi's story and sighed at the end"that got me thinking"
"Wow! There really are different kinds of parent"
"yeah! I never would imagine sending Yvonne parking"
"Neither would I"
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Even after 4hours in traffic, victor was beginning to wish they had passed the night in I.B
By the look of things they wouldn't get home anytime sooner than 1 am.
Maria was fast asleep beside him.
His gaze went to her and he couldn't help but smile, she looked like she was the only one restful here and she looked ten times more beautiful.
"Why are you looking at me like that" she said opening her eyes.
Feeling like a kid caught watching pornography he looked away then looked back.
"Nothing, just wondering how you manage to sleep so peacefully"
"Hmmm" she said picking up her phone.
Victor understood that move so he made to take the phone from her
"Drop the phone Maria"
"Rufi has not called yet, this is so unlike her" maria said worriedly
"What if she ran out of airtime?"
"No"
"OK!, what if her battery is down?"
"Not that either, last time I checked she had two batteries" He said
Then a thought crossed her mind "What if Ana-blaire is sick"
Talk about how the mind works
"Anna is not sick and she would not be sick. OK?"Victor stated"its probably a network problem"
Maria made an attempt to talk but was cut short by victor.
"shush!, I guess its about time you went back to sleep and stop all your what ifs"
"OK" she replied like a little girl and relaxed until victor played coulda, woulda ,shoulda' did she break her decorum.
"What a choice of song" she muttered.
"Well, what better song could I have played to match your 'what if ' mode"
"Yea!" Then sitting up suddenly "what if......."
"No more what ifs" victor screamed
"Oops" she relaxed and nodded her head to the song.
.......................
At about 1:30 am victor switched off the ignition and said a quick thank God before waking maria "we are home" he whispered
"Hmm!" She replied sleepily
"We are home"
"Really!" She sprang "I thought I was gonna grow up on the road" she yawned "Rufi still has not called?"
"Well you can now go and yell at her"
She jumped out of the car, raced toward the door, then realising what she'd done she raced back to the car " so sorry I forgot to say goodbye"
"I understand, goodnight"
"You are such a darling, goodnight love" she said racing back towards the door.
Victor smiled, he waited to hear two of them yelling at each other the moment Maria entered, but that didn't happen so he went in to check what's happening.
"She's not home" Maria said as soon as victor entered with worry written all over her face "I said it but you didn't believe me, Anna is sick!"
"Anna is not sick" victor corrected managing to sound bold, not that he felt bold. "I'll call Rufi "he said as he scrolled down his contacts.
******************************************************************************
"Sugar?" Rufi asked from the Wellington's kitchen
"No thanks dear just put enough milk"
Rufi balanced the two teacups on the tray and carried them to the living room.
"Don't know why they are still not back"
"Probably traffic" Mrs Wellington said sipping her tea.
"This is so strange, I ......" She was cut short by her phone ringing "its victor" she said quickly before picking it "Hello !where are you?"
"I should be the one asking that, where are you?"
"I am home , where else would I be?"
"I don't know, but I think I know one thing for sure band that you're not at home"
"Are you guys back?" She questioned
"Correct, and we've combed every nook and cranny of this house and you're not in here"
"I'm coming!" She shouted before cutting the connection. "They're back" she told Mrs Wellington already standing. With that they both raced out of the house.