The last couple of weeks had been hectic for everyone. Todo had been busily preoccupied with ending up Wale's case with his uncle as well as teaching Kind a few ropes about his company. He had been honoured that Kind was interested in working for him therefore, adding their history together, was an easy decision for him. Besides, he understood Kind's sudden acquired passion for finding lost things. After having gone through what he underwent, Kind felt obliged to help out in saving someone else's life after Todo's company had saved him.
Kind on the other hand felt overwhelmed by the workload Todo had kept handing over to him. He was more surprised at how Todo easily found time to even have a private life despite his busy schedule. Even though Todo seemed relieved to have found extra trustworthy hands to help him out, it still felt overwhelmingly exhausting for him.
Todo had been efficient in his duties while he'd only slowed Todo down. Kind also learned a lot about Todo. He never stayed in his mansion unless he was sleeping, eating or in his study. Additionally, his company had a huge set of clientele that did not only handle finding missing persons, it also included private investigation, escort of VVIPs, bodyguard services, and reviving cold cases...to name but a few. Todo's mother on the other had managed the company's public relations with the government and the police, and she did it with great finesse. Kind remembered once when Todo had taken him to one of his orientational meetings only to find out how much power Todo's mother held over the entire military. She may not be the figure behind it but surely she pulled a lot of strings. After all, Todo's grandparents were also as fierce as she was to have brought forth such a fearless woman. Even though Todo seemed to be just as fierce, he was more on handling situations one step at a time as opposed to her mother who was conscious of time and made decisions spontaneously though calculatingly.
Kind, therefore, focused all his energy on getting better at his current job so that he barely had time to check on Wale and the baby. He missed them both however, staying at Todo's mansion had been the quickest way to learn things as fast as he could and even though Wale had not been for the idea, he wanted to carry his weight. Everyone had been taking care of him a lot lately he dreaded burdening them further.
Swalha on the other hand took fewer clients so she could spend more time with Cherry who was already setting her travel plans to leave the country. Luckily, her parents were unaware of the payment Wale had to make for Cherry to finally surrender the child to him. It was best they hadn't found out. They were already suspicious of their daughter hence there was no need to worry them further.
"It's been three weeks post your surgery Cherry, are you sure you can travel now?" Swalha had asked several times.
"I told you I'm much better now. It's a relief I'm not producing a lot of milk now so I can finally leave and rebrand my life elsewhere. I'm idle here, just as I had been for the past nine months."
"I'm more concerned about the wound on your lower abdomen...we all are. Your parents are going to worry a lot about you."
"I know that...my mom had been making sure to remind me of it every day I can hardly forget I had surgery. Besides, I finally got my fitness to travel letter...and I have no reason to stay here any longer. If I had set my eyes on that child and breastfed it, I doubt I'd been able to leave. I don't want any bondage with it so it's better to leave...don't you all wish so?"
"Honestly Cherry, I do wish you leave for some time, and set your eyes on newer surroundings. It will be good for your mental health. However, if the doctor said it's fine, who I'm I to stop you."
"Thank you for your honesty Swalha. I would have hated it if you had lied to me. Keeping my distance right now is the best solution for everyone especially me. I'm afraid of what I would do whenever I feel disoriented since I still despise Kind and that child..."
"Seriously though why Cherry? Even as a psychologist or someone who has known you for a long time, I can't put my mind around your open declaration to hate him even though he has done only good to you." Sighing aloud, Swalha added, "This is the reason I don't prefer having my close friends as my clients."
"That's precisely why I wanted that child named after him, so he can never forget me. He will always think of me whenever he looks at her. I hope she grows up to look just like me or my sister."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you though since that was not how Kind took it. He was honoured despite suspecting your intentions to be untruthful. You should know him by now. Kind never holds a grudge. He always finds peace within himself someway. Just accept it and move on. Find your peace too by letting your hate go. You're the only one burdening yourself carrying all that hate within you."
"You're always talking gibberish Swalha and wasting your breath for nothing. As long as he is with Wale, I will always despise him and I have no care about what you all may think of me. I have tried to hate him less but the moment he took Wale from me, you do not wish to know the kind of thoughts I bore for him."
"Sometimes I hear you speak and wonder if it's you talking or your sister Cherry, or have you forgotten how well your sister had executed her plans that could have scarred Kind for life or even taken away his life too? The kind could have died for all we know..."
"And so what? Why didn't he? Why did he come back? Why didn't he just die Swalha? He didn't! He is still alive, happily walking around and doing who knows what with my fiancé!"
"Not this again Cherry! You and Wale are no more! The moment you accepted his money that was it!" Swalha had had enough of Cherry's tantrums. "If you cause any harm on Kind you'll have to answer me too." She warned.
"With the way you're acting, it feels as if you were pulling the strings behind Kind's kidnapping!"
"What if I was? What would you do? There is no evidence against me and besides, your dear Kind whom you love so much is so gullible to forgive easily. Those are your words mind you so who knows what I might be up to next? Maybe this time, I might completely rid him out of our lives!"
In one swift movement, Swaha's palm landed on Cherry's cheek. "How dare you?" Cherry asked, reciprocating back at Swalha who suddenly fell on Cherry's bed. She lay there for a few seconds before sitting up to face Cherry.
"How dare you raise your hand at me Swalha? For Kind? This is why I hate him the most! He's turned you all against me and kept you all like fools to himself!" When Swalha didn't respond, Cherry scoffed before adding, "Poor you to still have feelings for him...oh wait, unless you become a guy out of the blue he might have accepted to sleep with you just like everyone else...or perhaps, are you still waiting for him to take you back after he rejected you eight years ago? Maybe if you grew a tail between your legs he might just dump Wale for you..."
"Enough!" Cherry's mother suddenly appeared at the door. Of the two, Cherry had been the one who startled the most. "My goodness haven't you and your sister did enough to embarrass us? Don't you even care that we are in the next room? Cherry, I'm ashamed of you! You owe your sister Swalha an apology right now or I will not allow you to leave this house! It's your choice so I suggest you make it quick!"
It had been a while since Swalha had seen this side of Cherry's mother and as she looked at her, Cherry's mother gasped, reaching to rub her cheek gently.
"Look at what you've done to her face. She is to meet Freddy this afternoon!"
"Mom you always choose her side! We aren't related so enough with you two! She will never replace my sister!"
"Cherry you're not a child anymore so stop behaving like one! Swalha has made our family proud more than you and your so-called sister! We're ashamed of you both! You two are busy destroying other people's lives when all they've done is be good to you! How dare you lay your hands on her!"
"She hit me first!"
"And I'm sure you deserved it nice and sweet! Now, I will not force you to apologize to her but I swear I can make you regret your actions real quick. You are not travelling anywhere! You're staying behind. Your father and I will make sure you're investigated for any involvement in that poor Kind's kidnapping!"
"I said that in the heat of the moment mom! I was never involved..."
"Oh shut your lying mouth! Of course, I know you're not involved but your so-called beloved sister was! I will not have two defective daughters come out of me!"
"Mother!"
"Raise your voice one more time I dare you, child!" Cherry's mother's warning brought chills all over the room. Despite her hugging Swalha so tightly, it still felt hard to breathe even though her anger was entirely directed towards her daughter.
"I realize now when it's too late. I blame myself for ignoring all the signs. You are not fit to be a mother neither are you fit to have relations with anyone else my dear Cherry. You're a danger to yourself and society.....you need help."