Officers' Diary
EPISODE ONE
Return from Mission
That afternoon, Supol David had to drive himself to the airport to pick up his wife, Cecilia, who had just returned from Peace Keeping Mission in Liberia. She was a Police Inspector. They had been married for eleven years, and the union was blessed with two girls and a boy. She waved at him from the lobby as he signalled her to the waiting car.
She ran into his arms kissing and hugging him so dearly but she soon discovered that he was a bit tensed up and somewhat with a dried face devoid of that excitement. Of course, she concluded within herself that the stress of taking care of the children must have taken its tool upon him and, come to think of it, that she had travelled away from home for the past one year leaving behind our children and her husband.
She tried to rub off the apprehension with a passionate kiss as they both smiled, moved towards the car, got in and continued on the ever busy Ikeja Road coping with the traffic.
While they beat the traffic within the Maryland axis, she started up some adventurous stories about the happenings on the mission ground - her painful times laced up with few memorable moments that she was so carried away with laughter and felt totally chilled-out! But, suddenly, her husband made a sudden remark as if it was with an explosion -
''Honey, you didn't even asked about the kids! Have you forgotten them already?''
She felt a blow on her spine and a silence witnessed for sometime ... However, with quivered lips, she summoned enough courage; as she spoke out in a low whispering voice, ''Darling I was going to ask after them. More so, I am going home to see them.
Supol David tried not to look directly into her eyes, but only to observe that glistening cloud of tears had gathered round the eyes ...
She thought within herself, ''He was right after all. I was away from my family for almost a year...'' After about one hour's drive, they got to Ikorodu axis. As they approached their home,
she went straight to the living room, and was persuaded that their children must have been already asleep, but the noise of the car engines - probably, must have woken them up one by one.
Tomi was the first to come and hug her mummy, saying…'' You are welcome'', as she jumped into her mother`s arms, followed by Blessing and David Jr. ''You children look wonderful! What has your dad been feeding you with?'' she remarked.
Tomi did not mince words as she opened up, ''Mummy, it has been Aunty Ifoma that has been taking care of us day and night; and that she buys many things for us. Mummy, she even sleeps in Daddy's room.''
''What….? Sleeps in your Daddy`s room? That`s not possible.''
She let go of the children and moved towards the bedroom with rage, ''Honey! Honey! Honey, is that true?''
Silence filled the house.
EPISODE TWO
(How did it happen)
Cecilia became apprehensive as she ran towards the bedroom -
Honey! Honey, is this true? 'Please, tell me it's a lie!'' She was so furious that she had forgotten she just arrived.
She forced the room door open with a push. Supol David was not surprised by the sudden opening of the door. She set her pulse racing in total confusion either to ask him directly or to get hold of him in getting a desired answer.
She paused a while to see him react. Of course, he must have anticipated the impending trouble. He stood up gently and moved towards her. Cecilia's sudden towering rages were terrifying. He knew if he handled it in a furious way, things would not turn out fine. So, he decided to apply a high level of caution with maturity. He moved towards the door and quietly closed it.
In a purr of romantic voice, he said to her, ''Just when I thought that it was impossible to love you anymore than I already did, you proved me wrong! My lovely wife, Cecilia, if I could give you one thing in life, I give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes. Only then, you would realize how much I have really loved you and also have cared about you.''
In a very amorous voice, he had captured her, as he softly held her cheeks and gently drew her closer with his hands on her waist. She had, however, put up a minimal resistance; as she felt his finger crawling down on her back and gently, he kissed her passionately, running his fingers through her waist. She already wanted more and more ... As they swam towards the direction of the bed, they cuddled for some minutes while she began to breathe faster, groaning in ecstasy, then, he handled her by the nape of her neck as he gently lay her down on the fourteen - inch mattress bed easying her out of his arms with every loving move and touch in preparation for the show. Both struggled to pull off within seconds. legs soon began the game interlocking intertwin. It was getting sporty and more exciting. At last, they slept off.
They woke up exhausted the following morning. Supol David had to rush to the office. There had been a crime incident over the night. She prepared the children for school and while they waited for the school bus, Junior asked his mother, ''Mummy, when is Aunty Ifoma coming?'' She felt scores of sharp arrows sent to her heart and the pains were very excruciating. But she gently replied, ''Don't worry, Junior I will always take you to school as from now'' However, Junior was not satisfied; as he protested again. Aunty Ifoma always buys us Mikimiki and Lollipop Sweets. She looked at him with displeasure. ''It's alright, Junior; and, as for you, girls, I promise to buy more Lollipops for you all.Ok?'' Then, the school bus arrived and took them off.
Three weeks after her return from Peace Keeping Mission, she has been struggling to recapture her home as well as recover from the fear of Ifoma sleeping with her husband. However, this seem to be gradually fading away.
This very evening, she was preparing dinner for the children who were yet to do their homework, but they were resting in the room. She was in the kitchen when she noticed some footsteps in the living room. She paid no attention as she continued with what she was doing, and not too long after, she heard certain flabby sound again and decided to see who it was. As she moved out; she noticed a figure standing. It was Ifoma. ''Good evening, Madam'', she greets. It was a bit difficult for Cecilia to answer, as she had this rueful look, ''Evening.'',she managed to answer back the greetings. Scores of sharp blades cut across her heart. ''Could this be true?'' She was confused and knew not what action to take.However, she summoned courage and spoke. ''Thank you for taking care of my children.'' ''It is nothing, madam.'' replied Ifoma.
She, then, went ahead, as she had somewhat lost the control of herself. ''I was also informed that you shared my matrimonial bed with my husband while I was away. Tell me, is it true?'' To Ifoma, this was not an unexpected question, except that it was too early and too direct to be asked.
She breathed out a little bit, then came her reply., ''Madam I don't know what exactly you are talking about!'' as she tried to turn back. Cecilia looked straight into her as if carrying out a body survey and discovered the protruded stomach of Ifoma. So, you are even pregnant?'' Ifoma had no choice this time, but to say something, however, in a very calm voice. ''Please, Madam, you may ask Oga when he comes back from work, as she made her way to the door.
Cecilia stood there motionless as if she were a dead tree. It took her some minutes to recover from the shock. She eventually exploded ``You stupid girl! I will kill you today as she ran after Ifoma. This is danger coming. Ifoma could see it ahead. In a bid to escape the anticipated embarrassment, she carried her two legs almost at the same time in jumpy manner. As Cecilia was about to get hold of her, she landed on a rotten mango peel and slipped off struggling not to fall on the ground completely;she managed to stand, she rolled and hit a pole and went down with her whole body mass on the ground. Ifoma looked back and continued - just then, Supol David drove into the compound because Ifoma had earlier called him that she was coming and having known this, he was afraid that something terrible might happen. Thus, he was coming back home only to meet the unpleasant incidence. He rushed towards her with a view to rescuing and carrying her up, but she had fainted. Crying for help, some neighbours came out and she was rushed to the hospital.
Gloryland Hospital was just a stone - throw away from their house. She opened up her eyes after five hours and saw Staff Nurse Bisi beside her. ''Thank God you are awake, your husband was so worried and now, he is with the doctor. The doctor tried to save the fetus but still had to lose the pregnancy. ''Cecilia was surprised. Pregnancy? Yes, you don't have to worry, it was just about a month, she looks completely dazed with the news.
She returned just about a month and was pregnant for about a month. How could that be possible? She queried herself!
Suddenly, she remembered the last get-together dinner night the contingent had before their departure from Liberia. She could remember she tasted some beer and was somewhat drunk. Yes, officer Lukuma from Mali was dancing with her and holding her closely. She could remember she tried to avoid his kisses while dancing to the strong rhythm and blues. What else could she remember? Suddenly, she remembered that her panties were later found in her handbag.
''God!'', she shouted, ''What have I done to myself? And just as she made that remarks of regret, the door opened and her husband and the doctor came in.
. * EPISODE THREE
(Storm and Ease)
''I have sinned'',she had managed to tell herself. Doctor Martins and Supol David were having a side discussion when they came into her ward. The state she found herself continued to torment her. 'What was their discussion all about?'', she wondered. Cecilia was still in this confused situation when the doctor asked her, ''How are you doing madam?''
She rresponded slowly, ''I am better doctor, thank you, sir''. He conducted some physical check on her eyes ball and concluded that she might go home the following day if complications didn't arise, as he headed -up towards Supol David and moved out of the room. ''The doctor said you would be fine'', as Supol David continued ... ''I was so worried about you, do try and get some rest''. ''We will talk about it at home''. Giving her a quizzical look, she felt like being hit by a heavy blow. ''What are they going to discuss at home'' she asked herself.. ''Is it about her pregnancy or that of Ifoma?''
She utterly reflected on the remark made about her pregnancy. But if he arrived at a conclusion that he was not responsible for her pregnancy, which she knew he was not, it will only mean one thing! That is disaster for her marriage, and while all these thoughts were going in her mind, she remembered her father`s word of advice when he was alive.
He had thoughtfully advised her about marriage, which she had taken to and had worked for her favour. Many of her close colleagues were either single mothers or in their second or third marriage. Even, Aduke that secured the mission slot for her got divorced some years back. She thought and thought, and in the of these, got into a deep sleep that saw her through the night.
They drove down to their house the following day. She had received a warm embrace from her children and some concerned neighbours because it was a weekend. Supol David had gone to get some food for her from the eatery, she would appreciate, but wondered why he had to get food outside when they had all the food stuffs at home. The day was quite short as she had observed on her bed throughout in company of her children, playing and joking about many things.
She had thought within herself that, come what may, she would insist the pregnancy belong to him and nothing is going to change that claim. Though, she had promised herself not to push any further against the pregnancy which Ifoma had for her husband as this would only trigger more troubles for hervbecause she had seen Ifoma as an evil spell casts to break up her marriage.
Day after day, and as the weeks continued to count, her husband never mentioned of anything, but he spent most of his time in Ifoma's room. She knew the news of the pregnancy had made her sleazed before her husband, because she noticed that he had been avoiding her presence. He came back home when everyone was almost asleep and left for work very early in the morning. She thought it was worrisome, but decided to let things be in order to save her marriage.
Seven months after her return from mission, it had been hell for her. Her home or marriage was at the verge of collapse. She had tried all possible means to recover her husband, but still Ifoma was the stumbling block. One night, she went crazy and moved to Ifoma`s room. She had said to herself ''I can't hold back or bear it any more, I want my husband back'', but she never had the courage to knock at the door. Emotions and conscience overtook her while tears started rolling down her face as she quietly returned to her room.
FOUR
Agony of Sin
''Marriage is not a bed full of roses'', they said. It has been a difficult time for her, no doubt. Cecilia sat very close to the window and she had been thinking all day long,. She regretted leaving her family in the care of a complete strange woman who had taken advantage of her absence to possess her man. Although she made some money,'' but what joy is the money she had made on the mission when she couldn't even enjoy it to the fullest''. It is telling on her even, at work. She is one of the very few women police, who was always proud of her family. This made some of her colleagues envy her, but it seemed everything is going to change now for her. She rejected the thought of it, ``No one will take over my place'', but that is just a shared faith. She concluded
For months she had grown hatred and jealousy for this Ifoma girl. One of her friends ,even, mentored her to take the matter before the police Provost, but she had thought, if her husband eventually open up on the mysterious pregnancy that would be the -end -of-all for her marriage. So, she decided to let things be since David was not making any trouble over it. Maybe as time passes, she had hoped that things world get better, was all she can hope for.
While all these thoughts are passing, through her mind,, she felt pretty grotty at the sight of Ifoma who came out from her room. Cecilia ignored her presence. She fumbled with her legs, dragging the legs one after another as if they were tied to a truck. This irritated Cecilia a lot, and several times she had wanted to attack her but had to let things be until she had given birth. Nevertheless, Cecilia had developed sneaky behaviours by monitoring every ifoma`s movement and even her husband, David.
She admited the fact that she had a low sexual urge which did not satisfyher husband, but this did not mean she will allow one stupid girl to take her place. Her frequent loss of libido must have pushed her husband to hang-out with some ladies that she could recognise . Nevertheless,, this not to the extent if sharing her husband with any woman in one roof,.The most painful of it is that, Supol David had even changed their church, but she had turned to become a prayer warrior herself hoping every day that things wouldl turn around in her favour.
One day, she returned from work ; and while she was preparing dinner for the children, she started hearing groaning noise from Ifoma`s room, at first she ignored it, but not long before Ifoma door was geared open. ''My stomach ooo, my legs...help me ... the baby is coming'' Ifoma kept on screaming. Cecilia was in a bit of dilema. She didn't even know what next to do. At first, she thought that it was the time to punish Ifoma as she could die in the process!
She withdrew herself thereof, and just then, on the second thought, she said to herself ; if she dief people would accuse her of being responsible for her death ''Then she moved closer and dialed her phone to connect with David but was not picking up her call.She, then, put a call to Bisi, a Nurse, who responded pronto as they waited.
Ifoma had continued to have regular and strong contractions. She started crying and calling Cecilia, `Mummy'. ''Please, help me, my legs and my waist .., my body, everywhere is paining me'' . Cecilia got hold of her waist and legs, take it easy you will be fine'' as she.consoled her. Honestly, she was moved and had the sincere urge to help out Just then, they heard a racing sound of an ambulance.. Cecilia encouraged her and as Ifoma made effort to stand up and off, they left for the hospital., Now, the cervix had opened up and it was the flow of water. Cecilia shouted ``Nurse, please, hurry up the baby is coming, and the door opened.
FIVE
Ifoma gave birth
Madam Momoh alighted from a taxicab and she rushed towards the hospital gate heading to the receptions, she asked a Nurse who was attending to an accident victims to show her the maternity ward and she did promptly pointing her the way, Madam Momoh made some jumpy steps towards the ward not sure if she was going the right way.
Gloryland hospital is a storey building with a corrugated iron roof, a modern type of a private hospital with varous departments. She got it right as she stood just in front of the ward. She approached a cleaner who was doing some cleaning job, and Cecilia had sighted her. She had expected this moment, but not quite early. She had , somewhat, felt resentfully annoyed greeting Mummy Momoh, but she had to overcome her pride, after all. Mummy Momoh mentored her during her courtship days with David, both had stayed at Ogidiga Barracks where Inspector Momoh, Ifoma`s father was the Station Officer.
Supol David came in as a cadet inspector, while Cecilia was recruited as a constable. Mummy Momoh played no little role in her marriage to David. In fact, she manipulated, in the course of events and with her husband's influence as the Station Officer, then, to make sure the marriage was formally consummated. Now, her daughter has sunk into her bowels, a situation that had been so challenging to Cecilia in her matrimony. ''Good morning, Mummy Momoh'', Cecilia greets. Mummy Momoh just looked at her without a word. ''Where is my daughter?'' She asked. Cecilia pointed to the theatre ... ''In the theatre'', she lamented her fate.
'' So, instead of helping my daughter to go to school, you and your husband put her in the family way!'', Madam Momoh fired at Cecilia. Cecilia was vibrating within, she wanted to pour out her annoyance, but still took the control of herself. Mummy Momoh, ``It is not what you thought, Cecilia replied, politely..
''So, what did you think that I didn`t think!'', she queried Cecilia again! ''That Ifoma decided to stay in Lagos after the death of her father under your watchful eye, and you were telling me it was not what I thought! She was raising her voice loud to the point that one of the Nurses had to come and ask her to move outside if she couldn't control her temperament. It was such an embarrassing moment for Cecilia that she felt strongly the need to walk out of the hospital.
While the doctors and midwives are straggling to take the delivery of the baby, all what they could hear from Ifoma was her cry of....Emma..mo, chi mo...emma…mo…. and after waiting for several hours , one of the doctors came out to inform Cecilia that they needed to sign a paper for a surgical operation as it appeared that Ifoma was not strong enough to push. Thus, to save the mother and baby, it had to be done in twenty minutes, ''This seemed expected, she thought'', ''because Ifoma has been in the labour room for about twenty four hours.
A minute later, Supol David came and met with the doctors as the C-section was carried out. This time around both Mummy Momoh, Cecilia and Supol David were in deep thought. Everyone in inner mind was offering prayers.
Supol David was seen moving from one end to another, but Cecilia was just thinking. Because during her own labour room days, Supol David had never been around for her. It was either he just left or after she had put to bed before he came.
Now, this stupid girl has tied her husband down in the hospital ... This thought was driving her crazy as she suddenly felt the agony of jealousy within herself. She concluded that, she would fight this evil girl with whatever it would take her, and just, then, one of the doctors came stressed out. Supol David approached him. He shook his head and this had momentarily unsettled Supol David throwing him off balance as he followed him. ''Congratulations, the two made it, he dousedtension
``Congratulations; both made it through as he touched Supol David shoulders and moved through the corridors to his office.
SIX
Supol David Was Not Himself
So much had been prepared for the christening of the baby. Although, Supol David had never been comfortable with the way events had turned out recently. He sometimes wished that Cecilia had never gone on the mission, as the whole incident was caused by her absence. Ifoma had been a close family friend, but things turned out fast that very evening when he returned from work, Ifoma had come visiting as usual and had been helpful to him in taking care of the children.
He knew she was almost ready to leave as he quickly rushed into the bathroom and after a freshen-up shower, he opened the bathroom door only to see Ifoma in his bedroom. Sorry, let me find you a transport fare and as he searched his wallet out of his trousers.He turned and found out that Ifoma was completely naked in front of him.
''What a hell are you doing?'', he roared, but it was too late! Ifoma had reached out to him. Of course, he was not strong enough to resist the temptation as she pressed and rubbed her body on him completely, quashing her big, soft breast against his chest. Her glittering nipples were more than forbidden fruits too alluring to resist, and all are within his reach. She dipped her left hand and feels his mighty strength in her arms. ''Oh for heaven sake; he never knew when he began to fumble with her breast as he cuddled and kissed her passionately like never before, and before he knew it, it was done! By the time he woke up in the middle of the night,he could not understand if it was a dream or a reality and so, it continued.
As this victory of uncertainty continued in Supol David house, Ifoma had dragged him to her pastor who was to conduct the child naming ceremony. That morning before David left for work, she had told him that she would like to take to the church one live chicken and a bag of rice as demanded by the pastor before the christening proper in the evening. But, she never told him that she would be going along with the baby.After the gift delivered at the church, she decided to call at a friend's place on her way back home.
Emmanuel had been a childhood intimate friend of Ifoma. He was very happy to see her with the baby, just as if he knew Ifoma and the baby would be coming as he hosted in the company of some of his friends.
She returned home past twelve at noon and her mother had been worried about the baby and her whereabout. Meanwhile,Cecilia had gone to work leaving behind only Ifoma`s mother and some neighbours who came to assist her. When her mother asked what delayed her, she had to tell her mother that the pastor was busy attending to people.
The christening did not take long. Supol David did not invite any of his friends, Cecilia never bothered to attend, but only returned when the naming ceremony had ended. She returned home with her children.
There was no much glamour; for the pastor was quick about it. The baby was named Adelani David. Ifoma had also named her child Emeka.Guests, thereafter, were moderately nice food and drinks. After about two hours that the whole guests had gone, Cecilia came out to pick some stuff in her car and; as she was about returning into the house, one of the guests came back to pick up a fruit basket that was left behind, She greeted Cecilia in a resounding intimate voice, but Cecilia could hardly noticed her.She came closer. ''Mummy, don't you recognize me?''
Cecilia looked impassive trying not to show her negative countenance. ''Yes, she had remembered ... Ebi-ere, the sales girl from warri that was framed up by her madam, even at that, she just greeted her casually and went inside. Cecilia had a bad feeling about Ebi-ere`s furtive expression. She had noticed the ruminative mood on Ebi-ere face the moment she saw her, even, while leaving the compound. ''What is wrong with this girl? Why is she fading away the very moment she got to know that Ifoma had now been married to my husband?
Chapter seven
Effects of family problem
There was an adverse sudden change of events in Supol David's house.That one-time peaceful home was gradually turning to a battle field The grim expression that used to on his handsome face had begun to transform into a turmoil being battled with. This was no longer the gentleman, Supol David, that was all known. Even at work, policemen were beginning to gossip about his moody countenance that reflected in his responses towards cases before him - a Divisional Crime Officer for that matter!
Now that the substantive Divisional Police Officer has been granted retirement leave, every new day comes to him with new challenges, as an Acting DPO. He was bombarded with series of cases, but that was his least of the worries. His household happened to be the most of all his regrets. He regretted his marital indiscretion that led him to have illicit sexual affairs with Ifoma, who had now turned herself to be the second wife. Although marrying a second wife or more had been an integral part of traditions, but he never wished to settle for a polygamous showdown in his entire life.
Now, it's all happening right under his nose - every-day was a list of do`s and don'ts. Ifoma would always want to undermine the presence of Cecilia and her children. These were the children he once thought that Ifoma loved more than their mother. However, things were differen. Ifoma complained bitterly more about even the children than Cecilia their mother, but the unfortunate thing was that each time they fought, his actions ended up supporting Ifoma. This was Something, he had struggled to control in his mind because he had suddenly developed a stupid and irresponsible impulse within himself taking side with Ifoa..
As if that is not enough, sexual expectations also generated constant confrontation between them each time he was to spend the night with the other.In the midst of all these, he noticed that Cecilia was going through emotional trauma as she had always let go of such terrible times,and funny enough, it appeared he was afraid to make love to her each time he spent the night with her.
There was a day in particular, Cecilia had prepared to go to work because she was to resume for afternoon duty. She got to the dining, took a cup and pour herself from the jug a cup of water.She put down her hand bag, so she could take the water, and just as the cup in her hand found the road to her mouth, the ringtone of her Nokia Lumia brought her to a sudden consciousness. She could not quickly make up her mind as to either drink the water first or pick answer the phone call.
She was indecisive for a couple of seconds. She finally dropped the cup of water and picked up the cell-phone, It's was Sgt Utodo. Hello good afternoon ma, I am Sgt Utodo, Chief-Clerk Central Oolice Station! ''Good afternoon sir'', Cecilia replied, ''Please what can I do for you, Chief-clerk? Sgt Utodo continued... Please ma, you have to come to the police station. There has been an ambush. ''Cecilia wondered what had that got to do with her! She then replied, and so what did you want me do? Sgt Utodo continued…..''because it's the DPO that leads the petrol team in the operations''. Cecilia was a bit confused. ''Ok, you want me to reach my husband for you! Sgt Utodo could understand she might not be aware that her husband was in the acting capacity. So, he told her, because your husband was the Acting DPO! Cecilia shouted what? When? How? She ran out of the house to her car as she started the car and moved out of the compound at once in confusion.
EIGHT
Ambush
It was one of those freaky evening.The sun was almost set with a great fiery ball shape in red glow moving fast likened to that of Lionel Messi`s shots. The ever busy Central Police Station was a bit quiet. Supol David had been very much busy with office duties, attending the Council monthly security meetings just when he returned from Compol briefings.
He was quite exhausted and was thinkingof retiring home for the day.As he stood up to move, the thought of Ifoma and her squealing troubles alarmed him.''I will have to get home when everyone is almost asleep, he decided as he rested on the three seater of the cushion in his office and just when he scarcely dosd off, the ring tone of his phone woke him up, it's was the Compol-Ops.
This was Compol-Ops calling. He made his voice sound as if the world was in his hands. ''DPO, where are you now?'', with a shaky trembling voice, Supol David replied! ''Sir I am right here at the station, sir''. And after a short pause came an order. ''There is a robbery incident going on in your jurisdiction at No. 25 Kruma, Street opposite Liberty Hotels. You are directed to move your Anti-robbery Squad to engage and arrest the suspects. Confirm you gather the message!'' ''Yes sir, yes sir, I will proceed immediately as directed sir'', Supol David, confirmed the message and the call was ended.
Supol David rushed out from his office, and just then, the Desk Sergeant was quick to meet him.
Sir, wireless message received incident report of a robbery operation along Liberty Road sir. ''Yes, give me the radio set as he collected a walkie-talkie set from the Desks Sergeant and beckoned on the Station Officer, Inspector Mustapha was coming to meet him. ''Call the Anti robbery Team now.There is a robbery incident!'' ,he told him. ''Yes sir, and just as they waited for the Patrol Teams, a BMW Station Wagon drove into the Police Station. The driver was an average man of about forty two years.He was trembling with fears as he approached the station`s complaint desk.l, otherwise known as the charge room where supol David and other officers were mapping out the operations.
''Police…..Police.., armed robbers are in my street, I nearly ran into their hands'' was the only thing the man could voice out, as if he was fainting. He sat down on the floor of the charge room. Supol David and other Officers looked at him telling him to relax as they were on it but he seemed not satisfied as he became a distraction to them. They ignored him and continued with the mapping out plans. And just then the two patrol vehicles came, not even briefing the men Supol David got in one of the Hilux and instructed the driver to move to Liberty Hotels Road. The vehicle was about to move when inspector Jimoh approached him with an indirect remark... ''Sir should I call on the armourer? Or sure... get my pistol right away?''
The Hilux car driver, Constable Sulaiman, is good at turning the power steering but not so conversant with his entire jurisdiction, especially, Liberty Hotels axis located at the outskirts of the town. He drove straight to the hotel with blasting sirens within ten minutes and parked just close to the hotel gate. Inspector Jimoh`s vehicle gave a distance, to him.He rather not run into enemies hands. It was fifteen minutes past six. Few residents came out together with the Hotel Manager. They told the Police how the robbers, six in number, came with a blue tinted Mazda space car to rob customers and passerbyes of their valuables, and that after a commandos like operations, the robbers sped off through the rough roads, and that was some minutes ago.
Supol David was seen giving a situation report on the walkie-talkie, but he was scolded for not going after the robbers and was instructed to do the needful thereof. Ordinarily, it was supposed to be discretional, but he followed on the pursuits down to the rough roads. Constable Sulaiman was just going with blasting sirens. Of course, Inspector Jimoh maintained a backup -distanc and just at a bend , Constable Sulaiman vehicle ran into a stone as he applied the brakes and the Hilux came to a stop. He made efforts to open the driver`s side door when he had noticed a blue car packed within a distance, and before it could take action on the Mazda car, it was a rain of sporadic firing that was coming from the dead ends corner of the bush just directly towards the driver`s side.
Constable Sulaiman opened the side door, but it was too late to escape as he felt a slug piece through his abdomen, he cried out in anguish. Supol David was dead for some seconds before he did realize that he should have take cover. He opened the car door, Sgt Anthony guarded him with a shaky push that made him dive and roll over for a quick cover.
All of them of them took cover flat on the ground as bullets flew above their heads with a speed gravity of resistance recoiled air. Fortunately, Inspector Jimoh`s vehicle within a backup distance engaged the robbers in a fierce fire - for- fire combat. For about fifteen minutes of nonstop firing, the drumming sounds of guns went silent, Supol David had engaged in snake crawling techniques after Sgt Anthony and took cover, and with tactical manoeuver, Inspector Jimoh`s backup team's superior fire - power sent the armed robbers escaping through the bush.
Gently and in almost a complete noiseless tiptoed movement, traces of blood stains led them to discover one of the robbers dead and another struggling for survival was arrested.
Supol David too must have been hit by the bullet that killed his driver as blood was dripping out from his left arm and some minor bruises on his legs and knees as a result of the forceful crawling exercise. That was the first of time that they had experienced a fierce engagement with robbers.The experience seemed very bad mostly at a time family problem was tearing him down.
NINE
All I want is my family
Supol David continued to scream in agony as they got to the general hospital, and just then, Cecilia joined them.The Nurse on duty tried to clean up his wounds as ithey were informed that doctors were on strike for two days then. This was too embarrassing to be true. Cecilia had to urgently put a call through to Dr Martins who suggested a transfer to his private ward.
After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at Dr. Martin`s hospital and doctor on standby attended to his wounds and stabilized him, and he slept off. Cecilia was now at peace a bit However, she felt bad from the moment she received the call of the incident to this very moment. Dr. Martin`s had assured her husband would be fine.Thus, minute after minute, she would conduct certain physical checking on him.
Then,she sat just beside him, amidst crying but she was soon relieved that he was responding to treatment.She began to reflect on the importance of her husband in her life despite the family misunderstanding. In her mind, she felt sorry by regretting her mistake which resulted in the long suffering in her house. She wished that she had rather had a peaceful and lovely family, even though, they didn't have much money. She would prefer having not much money in her bank account to having a lot of money and having buckets of trouble in her mind.
She recalled how happy she used to be with her children and how she had always kept her husband and children to herself. And if there is anything she had wished for in life;it is that wisdom that would make her get back the love of her family again! Back at home, Ifoma had been petting her baby to sleep. She had thought that Supol David must have been very busy and will come late as usual.
Throughout the night till morning she wass not much bothered about his absence owing to his usual routine. She went out early in the morning leaving behind her mother to look after her baby. Meanwhile, Cecilia`s children did not come home at all, she had called on a friend to pick them up from school and to return them to school the following morning.
Baby Emeka had been crying, and Ifoma had not returned. Ifoma`s mother had no other choice but to be a nanny. She brought out the food flask as she sat at the balcony. It was a bit hot in the room and needed some breez outside to be cool. She stood up and moved in towards the dining table where there was a cup of water, as she opened the baby feeding bottle and poured little water enough to cool the food, covered it, shook the feeding bottle and tasted it to ensure that it is was okay for the baby. She gives it to the baby, The baby stopped crying, as he continued to suck the bottle.
At the hospital, Supol David woke up, and was sound enough to know what wass happening The wounds had been dressed. He sat up as he ate his breakfast. While eating, he discovered worries all over Cecilia face. She looked stressed out, and torn apart emotionally. ''You have been here throughout the night? Cecilia noded her head in affirmative. He continued to eat, after some silence, he said thank you.
She sensed a bit of joy and felt like holding him to herself, but she could not muster her strength to do it, neither did she have the courage to audibly express it. Tears started streaming down her face. She tried to avoid an eye contact with husband,, but as she moved to take the food plate away from his hands, it became unavoidable. He got hold of her hands, she looked away as tears continued to flow out from her eyes. Supol David could feel emotional transformation within his body system, as if he was pinched with a needle to act. For the very first time since the trouble of her return from mission had brewed up and that of Ifoma had complicated it, he became genuinely aware how bad things had been in his family.
He wished for the true love to return to his soul. At last, he said: ''Now, I know that marriage is not a place to expect perfection rather it is a place where couple should live to support and make better each other's flaws and not to magnify them. I should have heard you out.
It is true our hearts can broken by those we love, but we must learn to forgive, pick up what is left of the pieces of the broken heart to love again and move on. We all make mistakes in life, I have come to understand within this period that what makes a successful marriage is no other than couples working together in one faith and trusting one another during the time of troubles. I have learnt my lessons in a very hard way'' he concluded. Cecilia could not hold back her emotions as she cuddled him to herself, tears kept falling from her face profusely.
In a very emotional voice, she said: ''All I ever want is my family. I am very sorry for my sins. David, please, forgive me... I am sorry! I have been sorry all along... Please, give me back my home ….. I don't want anything else, just you and my children.. I don't even want money…. you are more than wealth to me….. Cecilia continued crying.
She held on still to her husband..., Both stayed like that glued for some considerable minutes.Then, the hospital room door suddenly opened. It was Nurse Bisi who barged in. ''Sorry, sir! Sorry ma!'' I - I - just want - you to know - that this woman's baby has been rushed here'', she stammered. Cecilia looked at Nurse Bisi and her instincts told her, it might be Ifoma`s baby, but she kept it to herself.
Cecilia and David eyes met Supol David,then, asked; which woman? Nurse Bisi was a bit confused to mention that it was Ifoma his wife because of the presence of Cecilia. She was just pointing to the emergency room... that woman, Mrs Ifoma,sir. Supol David breathed out. ''What about her?'', he enquired ''Her baby was brought in here almost dead foaming....'' What?'' Supol David made an effort to stand up from the hospital bed,but Cecilia held him back. ''Please, let me see what is happening'' as she followed Nurse Bisi to the emergency room.
* TEN
Victory at last
It was too late by the time she got there. The doctor just told them that the poison had taken effect on the baby before he was brought.Ifoma could not hold back as she began to cry. At a point she faced her mother asking to know what kind of food that was given to the baby. The mother only replied that it was the baby food and nothing else, except that it was hot and she cool it with some water on the dining. ''Water on the dining table?'', Ifoma echoed. ''Mama, don`t tell me that you took water from the dining table!'', she cried. ''Yes now, just to cool the baby food... eeh….. woo!'', she confirmed this. ''Mama you have killed me. Didn't I warn you not to touch anything that belongs to this woman?' Yes, you warned me, but wasn't just ordinary water?'', Mama asked in her simple innocence. However, Ifoma would not stop her out cry - ''Mama, you killed me Ooo!'' Cecilia was in a state of a total confusion and could not figure out what to even tell her husband who was just gaining back his health.
She moved out of the hospital ward, thinking, only to meet with Ebi-ere, ''Good morning, ma; I have come to see you'', but Cecilia was not in such mode'' yet; she reluctantly managed to ask her what the matter was. ''Ma, I just want you to know that my boy friend, Emma is the father of that baby' Cecilia looked at her along with the questioning thought ''which baby?'' What is happening, Ebi-ere?, she asked. Ifoma`s baby was not your husband's son, ma'', Ebi-ere tried to explain. ''But, how did you know all these?'' Cecilia was listening with all attention.
Ebi-ere, then, started the narration -- ''Ifoma became Emmanuel's girlfriend after the death of Ifoma`s father,and they had lived together when the mother and her siblings had relocated to Enugu.The trouble started when Ifoma told him she was a month pregnant, and so, Emmanuel got angry and threw her out of his house and consequently, she moved to supol David's house who later got married to her. 'Married to whom? May God forbid! My husband never got married to her,but she forced herself on him'', Cecilia interrupted Ebi-ere to put the record straight in a way.
She stood still for some minutes. Everything was beginning to make sense to her. Suddenly, it occurred to her that she was about to take a cup of water at the dining table when the call which summoned her husband to an emergency duty came through. It was this cup of water on the dining table that Mummy Momoh had poured into the baby's hot food to cool it that eventually killed the baby.In other words, if she had taken the cup of water, probably, she might have been dead by now!
By the time she returned she into the hospital ward, Supol David was sleeping. She wanted to wake him up, but soon realized that the injections must have made him sleep. She moved outside intending to take certain step of action. The nurses must have perceived something unusual about her move as she was talking to Inspector Jimoh who stationed the Police patrol vehicle outside the hospital..Hence, they quickly called doctor's attention to intervene.Thus, Dr. Martin had to beckon to Cecelia and invited her to his office while Inspector Jimoh waited at the entrance of the hospital. On coming out of Dr Martins' office- that is, after some minutes of critical analysis and rationalisation of the situation, perhaps, Cecelia, in the company of Inspector Jimoh, went straight to the emergency room.
''This is the suspect, get her arrested'', shot out the order. Ifoma raised up her head in disbelief. ''Are you out of your mind? I am DPO`s wife, what is all this?'', Ifoma fired at them like a brave fighter.
Cecilia spoke out. ''She tried to kill me by poisoning the water on the dining table but eventually killed her son.'
That is offence number one. Offence number two - this baby is not my husband's son, but her boyfriend's- Emmanuel, whom she had always been going out to meet and sleeping with him, Cecilia asserted. ``Even, this morning, deny it if you can, you went to Emmanuel`s house having sex with him, and his girlfriend came unannounced thereby catching you in the act. Consequent upon this, the two of you had a fight. Can you deny it that you didn't know this lady as she called on Ebi-ere who showed up and confronted Ifoma as expected..
Ifoma felt as if someone had touched the back of her neck with a cold metal bar. She realized that the game was up and that her deception and could only reflect on relics of a needless rage, she, thus, went into silence. In fact, Ebi-ere`s reaction was more of a transferred of aggression with a view to avenging herself of the beating she received from her boyfriend, Emmanuel, for having the gut to put up a fight with him when she caught them in the act with Ifoma calling Ifoma a prostitute and all sorts of names creating public niusance in the place.
``Officers, please, arrest her!'', Cecelia declared with final insistence. Sgt Clement came forward and technically moved her to the waiting police vehicle and she was taken away to the station.
Supol David was discharged after two days. Cecilia had gone to pick him from the hospital. She had told him all was well with Ifoma and her baby.She had no intention of causing him any more stress after what he had passed through. On getting home, he noticed that certain changes had taken place in the house starting from the leaving room. Some neighbours and policemen that accompanied them home had started leaving.but he could not see that Ifoma come to greet or welcome him back home. Her room was under lock and key, he had observed, and was troubled thereof. Thus, he asked Cecelia to know. Cecilia told him that Mummy Momoh had to take Ifoma to see her uncle in order to resolve some family issues. Then,she advised him to take his drugs and rest for a while.
It was when he woke up in the evening that Cecilia told him all that had happened.
Mummy Momoh was ashamed as she came with some family friends who helped with the packing out Ifoma`s belongings.
Supol David could not believe his ears on becoming aware of the kind of evil Ifoma was capable of doing and just then, Ifoma`s mother came with two of her relatives begging for the release of Ifoma from the police station as she intended to travel back home with her to Enugu. Supol David could not do otherwise but to call the police station for her release and she gave Mummy Momoh some money for transporting and feeding.
That night was more memorable than any of the night Cecilia had ever had with her husband.She swam in the stream of love and ecstasy like never- before, and for the very first time in two years ever since her return from mission, she could now feel being ahome with her family, and without the fear of any interference from holding her husband tightly to her bosom. She made up her mind that nothing would ever keep her to be distant from her family again, not even the transfer, she vowed!.
She woke up preparing the children for school in the following morning and just as the school bus came and picked them to school. She gently locked up the door of the house behind her and went straight to the bedroom smiling the smile of victory- at- last to herself. ''I must have it all back today as she jumped on her husband who lay still in the bed.Thank God, I now get you back at last!
The End