Adotey was having sleepless nights and nightmares. Why would such an act produce such consequences? Some people did go free after doing crazy things to others, why couldn't he? He woke up with the conviction to tell it all so he could be free. It would be a far better punishment than the one borne at the moment. Dome was with Mamle one morning when Adotey dropped by.
"I'm here to see you," he said.
"Glad to see you too," he replied. "Sorry, but do I know you?" He doesn't remember me. He thought to himself. Why don't I just go back? The memory of the punishment suddenly weighed down heavily on him. No! I had better get on with this and be free.
"I'm the reason why you have been recuperating here in this institution," he said.
"No! That can't be!" he replied, dumbfounded. "I came here of my own accord. I'm better now, soon to return home a free man."
"No, you didn't. Let me tell you why." Adotey scrolled down his phone and showed him the message he typed to Mamle.
"You mean?" Dome staring at Adotey.
"Yes…she saw this and that's how you ended up here," he confessed.
"Well, we're here together now once again."
"That's what we tried to avoid."
"We?" he said… "You mean you were not the only one?" Adotey nodded.
"I can't believe you!" said Dome, deep in thought. Suddenly, Mamle turned to leer at him.
"Is this true, Dome?" she asked.
"Take it easy," he replied. "You have to get better. It's very important." Tears were flowing down Mamle's eyes now. The doctor said it was a good beginning. She needed to learn to release the pain once and for all. Dome held her hand.
"We're together now, although our friends hated it," he said, ogling at Adotey.
At lunchtime, Mamle could not go for her food. Catatonia had the better part of her.
"Hi! My name is Dome," rising to the occasion to befriend her. That was the secret antidote for that state the doctor had told him about.
"Just befriend her," he said. "As if you never knew each other. That is if you want to mend your friendship."
"Can I serve you?" he asked her patiently, hoping to get an appropriate response.
"I don't feel like eating," she replied. "Thanks anyway." As Dome walked to his table, she called after him
"Who are you anyway?" Dome rolled his eyes simply because he was turned the opposite way and she would have no way of knowing how stunned he was to know how serious her state was.
"Dome," turning to her with compassion. "My name is Dome."
"That rings a bell," she said.
"It does?" he asked, with hope in his eyes and voice.
"But I don't think I know you." Hope got deflated like a hot air balloon without gas in it, his shoulders slumped, he muttered these words to himself; I just hope you get acquainted soon enough before anyone else takes you away from me. I have suffered enough because of you.