Episode 5
Julia POV
He asked as he held my face with his hands then he bent down to kiss me and I jerked away. He giggled and I was embarrassed.
"Come on, we've gotta go, we're running late already." He said and I wondered how he could get control of his emotions so easily while I still struggled to put myself together.
Shawn POV
As I drove, I watched Julia through the rearview mirror. She was looking outside the window and I wondered what was wrong with her.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah" she replied but I knew she was lying.
"Did I say or do something wrong?" But she kept mute.
"You are making me worry, Julia."
"Mr. Shawn." She called.
"Yes," I answered curiously.
"Please keep shut." She said and I bit my tongue until I tasted something salty. She was always addressing me formally, and I didn't like it, not a bit.
We drove for about an hour in silence. If she wants me to be quiet, so be it.
We arrived at the hospital and alighted from the car. I locked the car and put the key in my pocket. I glanced at her, and she seemed nervous.
"It wouldn't be painful," I said trying to reassure her.
"The last operation I had was hell on earth."
"Which one was that?"
"When I was in the delivery room. Remember I told you that I went through a caesarian operation."
"Where you given anesthetic?" I asked.
"I can't remember." She replied
*********************
I was nervous. It had been six hours now since the operation started, yet there was no news.
A few minutes later, the doctor came out sweating profusely.
"Uhm... Is she okay?"
"She lost a lot of blood and is receiving a pint of blood."
"But I thought you said it wouldn't be a difficult task."
"I didn't know that she would lose a lot of blood. Her organs were delicate. I also noticed that her womb had been damaged and she might not be able to conceive, but if she does conceive, she might die during delivery."
"Can I see her?" I asked.
"Yeah, you can. She was given a sedative, so she's sleeping as she needs enough rest."
A nurse came snd said, "sir there's an emergency in room 123."
The doctor quickly left not before apologizing.
I went to the ward where Julia lay, different instruments pierced into her skin. I took a chair and sat down, watching her sleep. I had planned on taking her out, but I don't think it would be possible again.
I heaved a sigh because I was really tired. I dialed Oscar's number and told him to pick up Ciara and Steve from school, I also told him that he should drop Steve at home and bring Ciara to the hospital. I sent him the address. After ending the call, I called the maid to dish out food on a plate and give it to Oscar.
About two hours later, Ciara came around.
"Uncle Shawn" she screamed as she ran towards me, I hugged her, she then looked at the bed.
"Mommy" she called touching Julia's face "what's wrong with her ?" Ciara asked looking worried.
"She was operated upon"
"But she wasn't sick, was she?" Ciara asked her eyes already getting misty,
" Hey," I said as I put her on my lap" she's not sick okay, it's just that something was in her system and had to be removed. Come on, you've gotta eat something"
" I'm not eating anything till my mommy wakes up"
"if she does, do you think she'll be happy when she realizes that you've not eaten anything?" I asked her. After much pestering, she ate.
A few minutes later, Julia woke up. I told Ciara to go call the doctor and she ran to call him. The doctor came a few minutes later, holding Ciara's hand. After observing Julia and taking some notes down, he discharged her and gave me a list of drugs to buy.
Julia POV
I woke up to feel pains all over my body, especially on my stomach.
"Uncle Shawn," Ciara called. "I want to go home, I'm tired of this place."
"We should go home," I said to Shawn and he nodded. He looked so tired and exhausted.
We all went outside and entered into his car. Ciara was sitting at the passenger's seat, while I and Shawn sat at the back seat since his driver, Oscar was around. I glanced at Shawn and noticed that he was dozing. I was feeling sleepy too and without thinking of the aftermath, I lay my head on his lap and curled my legs.
Shawn POV
I felt something on my lap then opened my eyes only to realize that Julia had her head on my lap. A smile crossed my lips.
I didn't know where to put my hand, so I put it on her head. Ciara was busy chit-chatting with Oscar, my driver.
"Julia," I called, "The doctor said you underwent an operation more than once, is that true?" I asked and she sat up immediately.
I shouldn't have asked her that. I chided myself.
"I'm sorry." I apologized. "Come on, lie down. I won't ask you any more questions, I promise." She hesitated before putting her head on my lap. This time, she lay face upwards.
We remained quiet except for Ciara and Oscar who were chit-chatting. I stared at Julia and she had her eyes closed.
"I've had about two to three operations now." She said breaking the silence. She now had her eyes opened. "The first one I had, I was still a kid and it was done by an amateur. I had to do it because it contained some documents given to me by my father.
"You had to do what exactly?" I asked curiously. "Well, I hid a flash drive in my womb. It contained the necessary information which Anas was looking for. My dad made me promise that I would guard it with my life and I did just that."
What she just told me now was difficult to comprehend.
"Why did you have to hide it in your womb when there are other parts?"
"Well, the doctor advised me to do that, saying it was the best place. Why're you so concerned?" She asked and I kept mute. "Is there something I need to know?" She asked again and I sighed.
"Well, the doctor told me that your womb had been damaged and that you might not be able to conceive again. And if you do, it might be disastrous especially during delivery." "That's not possible, you know. I gave birth to Ciara and her twin, but the other one died. I didn't die, you know." I felt relieved when she said that. Why was I even feeling this way? But who knows if it was during the caesarian operation that damaged her womb? I wanted to ask her, but I decided against it
"So, do you think it's still in your womb? I mean, the flash drive? Since you conceived, have you checked if it's still in there?"
"I haven't checked up till now, because I've got no cash. But my instinct tells me that it might be in Ciara's system since she came out first."
"But you are putting her at risk."
"Did I know I'll be raped?" She asked gruffly.
"I'm sorry for being insensitive," I said and she muttered something under her.
Julia POV
I just can't believe that I opened up to him a while ago. I unbuttoned my trouser as it was tight and was affecting my stomach. I caressed my stomach still feeling slight pain there. I glanced at Mr . Shawn and his eyes were on my stomach. He's got no iota of shame.
"Let me help you." He said.
"No, I'm okay., I replied and he chuckled.
"Scared that I might turn you on?" He asked as he caressed my hair. It felt good tho. What was I even saying? I don't know what's wrong with me. I've noticed some changes in myself.
"I've never seen you smile, never seen your white set of teeth, why?" He asked and I kept mute thinking it was a rhetorical question.
"What should I do that'll make you smile at me?"
"Silence please., I said and he sighed.
"Guess I've gotta figure it out myself." He said.
"Do you know that my mom likes uncle,Shawn?" Ciara asked out loud breaking the silence. She prolly wanted Mr . Shawn to hear her.
"Who told you that?" Oscar asked sounding bemused.
"It is very obvious. I think he knows too, she's just deceiving herself." She said and Oscar chuckled.
I sat upright and glared at Shawn who was smiling.
"Ciara, would you please shut up?"
"Come on mommy, it is true."
"Yeah it is, you don't have to shut her up., Shawn added.
"Ciara, by the time we get home, I'll skin you alive., I said and they all burst out laughing.
"You can't do that mom, can you? I know you can't because you really love me and I love you too." She said looking back at me, then she blew me a kiss.
"If you don't like me, kiss me., Shawn said.
"Yes mom, kiss him., Ciara said and I blushed.
"What do you know about a kiss?" I asked and she chuckled."
"I'm no longer a baby, I'm a big girl. Or should I still explain the meaning?" She asked.
"She's a big girl," Shawn added. "Start treating her like one."
"Come on mommy, I'm waiting," Ciara called. "Or do you want to accept defeat?" Shawn asked and I glared at him.
"Yay!" Ciara exclaimed. "My mommy likes uncle Shawn," Ciara screamed while Oscar and Shawn laughed.
"Mom" Ciara called.
"Don't talk to me again."
I said feigning annoyance. "I'm serious now, just listen to what I've got to say."
"Come on Julia, just listen to what she's got," Shawn said and I eyed him.
"I'm all ears," I said.
"A new girl came to my class today. She looks exactly like me and my classmates were saying that we were twins." I and Mr Shawn glanced at ourselves.
"What's her name?" I asked. " I don't know, but it starts from S. It's a strange name tho and I've never heard it before."
"Did you try engaging her in a conversation?" I asked.
"Yes, I did." She replied, "but she was quiet all along and didn't give me a listening ear."
"There's something fishy about all these," Shawn said.
"Everybody in this world has a look-alike," Oscar said.
"That was what some of my friends told me," Ciara replied.
"Was she shocked or surprised when she saw you?"
"Nope," Ciara responded.
***********************
I couldn't believe my eyes, we were in a salon. I looked at Mr. Shawn and he had a smirk on his face.
"I didn't tell you I wanted to dress my hair, did I?" I asked feigning annoyance.
"You don't have to tell me before I know." Came his reply.
"Since I knew my mom, she has never been to a salon before. She takes me to the salon to dress my hair, but never does hers." Ciara said.
Mr. Shawn excused himself and came back later with three ice creams, of which he gave one to Oscar and the other to Ciara, while the remaining one was for himself.
"Where's mine?" I asked. "Well, the doctor said you shouldn't take anything that contains too much sugar."
"But I want one," I said pouting and he smiled.
"When you heal up, I'll buy you ten."