Chioma sluggishly got up from the sofa, unclad as she first came into the world. She took up her bag and took out the wad of cash.
Tola dressed pulled up his trouser and wore his shirt. His was still drenched in his sweat, but he cared less, wearing his shirt over the beads of sweat dripping down his neck and chest.
Chioma handed him the money and he ran out.
He got held up by the long lines of cars on the road. He had to end his journey with the taxi and continued with a bike that maneuvered its way through the traffic.
He first stopped by the pharmacy and got medications for his sick mother who is currently struggling with High blood pressure, diabetes, partial stroke, and an injury on her leg.
Yeah, I know what you are thinking, just one old lady with all these illnesses. Well, it all started after his mother had been diagnosed with high blood sugar and was placed on insulin therapy.
He could raise money to keep up with the payment of the treatment and so the therapy was discontinued and he left to care for her.
Tola didn't have much time on his hands. Between chasing after his dreams in school, focusing on his studies, and taking care of his sick mother, it was exhausting, but somehow, he managed. Until he realized that all his efforts were not enough, and that was the day his mother collapse when he was in school. That was the same day she had a stroke.
Back to the narration.
Tola got home, and the door to his apartment was slightly opened. He recalled the voice of his mother nagging him whenever he forgets to lock the door.
He sighed and walked in, locking the door behind him.
"Mom, you finally forgot to shut the door! Wouldn't a ghost walk in?" he said loudly, chuckled, and made way to his mother's room. her medication hidden away behind him. he wanted to surprise her. But alas. He was surprised, as soon as he opened the door, his mother wasn't in her room or on her chair.
Ever since she fell ill, she was either laying on the bed or sitting on a chair.
He left the room to check other parts of the house but there was still no sign of her. His heart raced; the sound of his unsteady breathing filled the quiet room.
He pulled out his phone from his pocket. The first thought on his mind was to call the police. But that was when a call came in from an unknown number.
He had intended to end the call and continue with his plan to call the police, but his nervousness had caused his hands to be sweaty, and instead of ending the call it connected.
So, he had to just place it on his ear.
"Hello! Who is…?"
"I guess you found your house empty." The strange voice said from the other end, cutting Tola's words short.
Tola turned and looked around, he paced forwards and looked in through the other doors inside the house, just to make sure the caller wasn't inside the house with him.
"Who are you?" Tola asked, his voice fierce and loud, like a dog barking off a trespasser.
"Ask me one more question and I make sure that the injury on your mom's leg isn't the only one you'll see when I return her to you"
"My mother! What have you done to my mother, you basta*d? I swear I'll kill you if you lay a hand on her!" Tola threatened. His eyes reddened and his hands trembled as they held the phone to his ear.
Suddenly, a loud cry could be heard from the other end.
"Mom!" Tola gasped as he recognized his mother's voice.
"I told you, NO QUESTION!" the voice added again, whilst the crying continued.
"Please, don't harm my mother. She's sick. What…" Tola paused as he realized that he was about to ask a question. He searched his brain for what to say and when he found one, he continued; "Okay, I'll give you money, anything that you want. Just let her come back to me unharmed!" Tola broke down in tears, but he didn't let his voice betray him. he kept speaking firmly but tears were already streaming down his red eyes.
"There is one thing I want you to do for me, Tola!"
"Okay, I'll do anything. Just name it!" Tola replied almost immediately.
"I want you to get Bianca Daniel out of my way." The voice said.
"You want me to kill Bianca?" Tola exclaimed loudly, but he soon realized the consequences of his question when his mother's cry grew louder again. Tola could hear the slicing sound. The sound of her cries clawed at his heart, making him feel intense pain.
"No questions Tola."
"You don't have to kill her, just bring her to me and you'll get your mother!" the voice added and the line went dead.
"Hello!" he called out but the call had already disconnected.
How do I bring her to you? he muttered to himself as he fell butt-first to the floor.
***** Back to Present ******
"That is what made me do it. I didn't know he would kill her, I thought it might be a minor abduct and demand ransom plot." Tola said, finally raising his eyes to catch the Detective's expressionless gaze.
"Where is your mother now?"
"She's at home."
"What's your address?"
"14 Ogunlana drive," Tola replied weakly.
"We'll pay your mother a visit, and see if all this is true." The detective added, rising to his feet.