The smirk on his lips dissipated as he approached his sister's room. Their parents had built his and Jane's room to share a wall so that when one gets sacred, he or she would find comfort in the next room.
By the time he held the handle of the door, the tears he had been fighting back all along rolled down his cheeks, trailing down and wetting his shirt's collar. He stood there for a while, controlling them and routinely inhaling and exhaling. True to himself, he was still in disbelief of his sister's death, but her absence reminded him of her transition.
If Jane was still alive he would not have successfully stood at the door of the sitting room for that long as she would rush him and hug him till he starts catching his breath. He really missed her presence.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open to look inside the room, but the person sleeping on the bed surprised him. With mixed feelings, he left his luggage at the door and strode towards the bed.
Could it be that his parents were just looking for ways for him to come back home? Could it be that he was dreaming? Could that lady on the bed really be his sister?. Unlimited joy filled his heart as he walked up to the figure on the bed.
He started moving with short successive steps as the thought of surprising her filled his head.
And then the car collided with hers and she screamed as the windscreen shattered on her body. She woke up holding her chest, trying to regularize her breathing pattern. So with her head bent low, she did not notice the frozen statue of the man who was completely on cloud nine before her scream and face revealing shove him back to earth.
' Alina? '. He called to be sure that he was not daydreaming and in proper state of mind. He have finally accepted that his sister was gone and gone forever but he never expected that the one that would be lying on her bed would be Alina. Alina, why?.
The sound of her name made her raise her head and look at the caller. As she saw him, confusion, surprise and inquisitiveness struggled for space on her face. Who was he and where did he come from?.
' Alina, how are you? What are you doing here? '. Was another question that hit her as the man before her took the chair to sit and talk with her.
She just let her pupils follow his every move. For sure, the guy knows her but she doesn't, she does not even remember seeing someone like him before.
' Alina, long time. Don't you remember me anymore?. It's me Clifford, the one you caught kissing Rosella at your uncle's garden '. He asked, hoping that she would remember and identify him. At least that was the only time he was sure that she saw him.
He and Rosella got so lost in that kiss that when Alina entered the garden, she was completely invisible to them. It was not until when she cleared her throat that the two love birds broke their bond and noticed her presence.
Though he was long in the tooth, his respect and high regards for her due to her self carriage and respect made Rosella most times to be angry as he could not say anything or hear her say anything against her(Alina).
Rosella was his bestie who later became his girlfriend but Alina was his crush and he was her secret admirer. On several occasions he found himself ogling at her, but comported himself as he threatened his mind to think that it was just normal for a guy to love a girl but ogles at another. He was not going to love two ladies at the same time.
Alina just looked at the guy who was smiling sheepishly at her. Ok, first of all, who is this guy and how dare he enter her room without knocking?
Secondly, did he not notice that she just had a bad dream and needed, well not that she needs it though but manners calls for questions of concern before questions of curiosity, could he not have been considerate enough to ask her what happened?
Thirdly, why is he smiling like a nut have just been displaced in his brain?. Should she pounce on him for invasion or slap him for smiling endlessly?.
' Alina, is anything the problem? '. He inquired of her and stretched forth his hand to hold her. But the latter got hold of it fast in the air and twisted it to his back till his thumb could effortlessly touch the back of his head.
The change of facial expressions as she increased her force on his hand showed that he was in pain (even though he wasn't really in it) but she was not ready to give up on him, at least not now that she have finally found an opportunity to pour out all her anger on him.
' Who are you? And who gave you permission to enter my room? '. She asked as she kept on twisting. Now he was now kneeling on the floor and she behind him, but he felt no pain. No pain till he heard her question.
Was she not able to recognize him?. Just few years of leaving the country and he is no more recognized by her? He did not really change that much, but here she was refusing to accept that she knows him. What's more painful than when your crush, the one who you have been secretly admiring acts like she does not know you?. She kept on twisting, his eyes and facial expressions bore no pain but his heart bled.
' I am asking you, speak! '. She threatened to break his hand but yet his tongue was tied. Did she really not recognize him? What is she doing here in the first place?.
' I said sp.... '.
' Alina, please let go of him. He is our son '. Mrs Jason pleading tone rang in the room and as Alina heard her say that the man she wanted to disable was their son, she stopped, got up from the floor and went to the bathroom to wash his sweats off her palm.
' What's she doing here? '. Clifford asked his father as he gave his arm to his mother who wanted to massage it, at least to ease off her worries.
' She was involved in a fatal accident that almost claimed her life '. Dr Jason answered and sat on the chair he was previously sitting on.
' Accident? When? '. The tone of voice and facial expression did not match pain he got in his heart at the mention of her involved in an accident.
' The very same day your sister was found dead '. From the way he spoke, Clifford could deduce that his father was battling with guilt. He could not save his daughter that was shot but here he was saving Alina that involved in an accident.
' I am very sure Jane would be happy where she is now, knowing that you are dedicating your time and money saving another girl's life '. Clifford spoke up to ease the tension in the room
Mrs Jason stopped what she was doing as she heard what Clifford said. Both parents looked at each other like they were communicating between themselves. He found himself lost as both his parents kept darting their eyes between him and themselves.
' Am I missing out on something here? '. He asked as he too took turn in darting his eyes between both of them.
To his question, his mother bent her head and pretended to be drawing something with her slippers on the floor. Dr Jason sighed and cleared his throat.
' We are suspecting that the same person that killed your sister plotted Alina's accident but we don't know for sure how Jane was involved '. Dr Jason said in one breath.
Clifford just stared at him as he took in what he just said. So Alina's accident was plotted and Jane was shot dead by the same that plotted Alina's accident? How was Jane involved in it and why was she killed?.
Jane can never do evil things like plotting Alina's accident, could she? Could it be that she betrayed the masterminds of the accident?. No, it can't be. Jane never plotted evil for another. Yes she never really liked Alina, but she won't stoop so low to plot her death. No, Jane was not like that. She won't do such a thing.
Who would have plotted Alina's accident? Rosella?. No Rosella is not that bad. The only thing she asked for was for him not to call Alina's name around her. She would not wish her death, would she?
Mina?. He never really know that much about her. She was always going out each time he secretly visited Rosella in her parents house and always escorted Rosella each time she sneaked out of her house to visit him in their meeting place. He was always hiding from her parents when he visited her and she was always changing location for them to meet when they were not in school so that her parents especially her dad would not find out about their friendship which later turned to relationship and terminate it. Mina always found an excuse for their parents when they did not meet Rosella at home but the girl herself was actually the one that needed to be monitored due to her inconspicuous outings and her preference for the color, black. Hardly was she found in colorful dresses. But would she really be the one?. Maybe she always wore black to drive fear in the people that wanted to harm her or maybe she always wore it chase boys and secret admirers away. She is too little to plot evils and schemes. Is she?.
Dr Neil being a philanthropist and a man that commands wealth and honor anywhere and every country the sole of his feet tread upon, many would be his enemies, so he can't really point out who and who blueprinted Alina's death and killed his sister. But for now he would hold this; the same person or group of persons that killed his sister wanted to kill Alina also.
' Clifford! '. A tap on his shoulder brought him back and an accompanying jerk from him ensued.
' You don't have to overthink, your father and I and with the help of Alina will find the culprits and bring them to justice '. Mrs Jason said as she placed her left hand on his right shoulder and let her right thumb stroke the back of
his right hand.
Clifford nodded and got up to leave. ' I have to freshen up. Meet you at dinner '. He said and turned to the door.
' Dinner? What of lunch? Ain't you coming downstairs for lunch? '. Dr Jason asked him as he held his wrist. He did not expect Clifford to miss lunch, since he got back and needed to eat and rest.
Clifford looked into his eyes and noticed suspicion lingering at one corner. He just smiled and answered.
' Don't worry, I am not planning on going back anytime soon. I just want to freshen up and rest, that's all '. Removing his hand from his wrist he left the room after gazing at the bathroom door for awhile.
Three reasons for leaving. One to freshen up, two to have time to think and the Alina he knows would surely be eavesdropping on their conversation (not the third reason). She is not called smart for a less reason.
True to thoughts, Alina stood behind by the door, gasping for air. So the same person that sent that car after her shot Jane the daughter of the doctor helping her, to her death. So the reason why the woman is always concerned about her welfare is because she treats her like a daughter and allowing her to sleep in their daughter's room is because she has replaced her late daughter with her. So they are sorrowing but yet saving her. So they sacrificed their emotions to give her motion and stability. So they did all these to her like they would to a daughter. So she is like a daughter to them. What an ingrate she is!.
*****
Hey guys, it's me your dear author. The only author that would update for two weeks and leave for two weeks🤣😂. The only author that will just go without telling anyone. Please forgive me. I am sorry for my inconsistency and incompetency. Please bear with me. Those two weeks of my absence here was really tough for me as I was preparing for my exams but now, that is passed, so am back.
Thanks for your patience once again.
❤️Much love ❤️